Of Princes and peasants? : a comparative approach to an understanding of social development, identity and dynamics in mainland Greece, c.1300-900 B.C
With the destruction of the Mycenaean palaces, Aegean Bronze Age society underwent dramatic transformations. The palaces, along with much of their associated material expressions, disappeared. In this comparative study I examine why the Mycenaean political institutions were never reinstated and the nature of the social dynamics that subsequently created a situation traditionally characterized as the 'Dark Ages'. To this end, analyses of the Linear B documents from Pylos are used to examine palatial and 'extra-palatial' social identities, relationships and the dynamics of socio-political change. Examining firstly the concept of an administrative archive, I propose a fundamental revision to our understanding of what these docunients represent, how they were used and, for Pylos, where their primary context of expression lay. Specifically, I argue that the tablets were not a passive administrative tool, but were active devices in the manipulation of social relationships and identities within and beyond the Palace of Nestor. As mnemonic aids to the establishment of relationships of patronage, debt and obligation within an oral/aural arena of negotiation, they reflected clear divisions within Mycenaean society;
Peters, Mark Steven
Of Princes and peasants? : a comparative approach to an understanding of social development, identity and dynamics in mainland Greece, c.1300-900 B.C. With the destruction of the Mycenaean palaces, Aegean Bronze Age society underwent dramatic transformations. The palaces, along with much of their associated material expressions, disappeared. In this comparative study I examine why the Mycenaean political institutions were never reinstated and the nature of the social dynamics that subsequently created a situation traditionally characterized as the 'Dark Ages'. To this end, analyses of the Linear B documents from Pylos are used to examine palatial and 'extra-palatial' social identities, relationships and the dynamics of socio-political change. Examining firstly the concept of an administrative archive, I propose a fundamental revision to our understanding of what these docunients represent, how they were used and, for Pylos, where their primary context of expression lay. Specifically, I argue that the tablets were not a passive administrative tool, but were active devices in the manipulation of social relationships and identities within and beyond the Palace of Nestor. As mnemonic aids to the establishment of relationships of patronage, debt and obligation within an oral/aural arena of negotiation, they reflected clear divisions within Mycenaean society;
peasant comparative social_development identity dynamic mainland_greece destruction mycenaean_palace aegean_bronze_age society underwent_dramatic transformation palace along much associate material_expression disappear comparative_study examine mycenaean political_institution never reinstate nature social_dynamic subsequently create situation traditionally characterize dark ages end analyse linear document use examine palatial extra palatial social_identity relationship dynamic socio_political change examining firstly concept administrative archive propose fundamental revision represent use primary context expression lay specifically_argue tablet passive administrative tool active device manipulation social_relationship identity_within beyond palace mnemonic aid establishment relationship patronage debt obligation within oral aural arena negotiation reflect clear division_within mycenaean society