Byzantium and the Bosporus : regionality, identity, institutions
This thesis presents a historical study of the relationship between the city of ancient Byzantium and the Thracian Bosporus. Structured around the themes of regional particularity and identity, it shows that local studies can be used to gain fresh insights into more general topics. Viewed through the lens of the relationship between strait and city, the history of the Bosporus sheds light on the nature of economic exploitation and ancient imperialism, and on the nature of ancient communitiesâ local identities. Chapter 1 explores regionally specific geographical features in the strait, which directed and determined responses to life in the area, around which the regional economy revolved, and in response to which the identities of the local communities were created. Chapters 2 and 3 examine the history of economic exploitation of the region, exploring the attitude of the Athenian Empire toward the Bosporus, and the attempt by the local communities of the Bosporus to create a controlled monetary system in the third century BC. These efforts to exploit local opportunities and commodities, I show, transformed the Bosporus into an attractive economic resource. Chapter 4 examines the local fishing industries of
Russell, T. J.
History ; Economic and Social History ; History of the ancient world ; Greek archeology ; Byzantium ; Ancient History ; Greek History ; Byzantion ; Athenian Empire ; Thrace ; Epigraphy ; Numismatics ; Regional History
Byzantium and the Bosporus : regionality, identity, institutions. This thesis presents a historical study of the relationship between the city of ancient Byzantium and the Thracian Bosporus. Structured around the themes of regional particularity and identity, it shows that local studies can be used to gain fresh insights into more general topics. Viewed through the lens of the relationship between strait and city, the history of the Bosporus sheds light on the nature of economic exploitation and ancient imperialism, and on the nature of ancient communitiesâ local identities. Chapter 1 explores regionally specific geographical features in the strait, which directed and determined responses to life in the area, around which the regional economy revolved, and in response to which the identities of the local communities were created. Chapters 2 and 3 examine the history of economic exploitation of the region, exploring the attitude of the Athenian Empire toward the Bosporus, and the attempt by the local communities of the Bosporus to create a controlled monetary system in the third century BC. These efforts to exploit local opportunities and commodities, I show, transformed the Bosporus into an attractive economic resource. Chapter 4 examines the local fishing industries of
byzantium regionality identity institution present historical_study relationship_city ancient byzantium thracian structured around theme regional particularity identity show local study use gain fresh_insight general topic viewed lens relationship city history shed_light nature economic_exploitation ancient imperialism nature ancient community local_identity explores regionally specific geographical feature direct determine response life area around regional_economy response identity local_community create examine history economic_exploitation region explore attitude athenian empire toward attempt local_community create control monetary_system effort exploit local opportunity commodity show transform attractive economic_resource examines local fishing industry