
Reset in Stone
Memory and Reuse in Ancient Athens
Sarah A. Rous(Author)
University of Wisconsin Press
Published on 30. June 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
392 pages
978-0-299-32284-7 (ISBN)
Description
Ancient Athenians were known to reuse stone artifacts, architectural blocks, and public statuary in the creation of new buildings and monuments. However, these construction decisions went beyond mere pragmatics: they were often a visible mechanism for shaping communal memory, especially in periods of profound and challenging social or political transformation.
Sarah Rous develops the concept of upcycling to refer to this meaningful reclamation, the intentionality of reemploying each particular object for its specific new context. The upcycling approach drives innovative reinterpretations of diverse cases, including column drums built into fortification walls, recut inscriptions, monument renovations, and the wholesale relocation of buildings. Using archaeological, literary, and epigraphic evidence from more than eight centuries of Athenian history, Rous's investigation connects seemingly disparate instances of the reuse of building materials. She focuses on agency, offering an alternative to the traditional discourse on spolia. Reset in Stone illuminates a vital practice through which Athenians shaped social memory in the physical realm, literally building their past into their city.
Sarah Rous develops the concept of upcycling to refer to this meaningful reclamation, the intentionality of reemploying each particular object for its specific new context. The upcycling approach drives innovative reinterpretations of diverse cases, including column drums built into fortification walls, recut inscriptions, monument renovations, and the wholesale relocation of buildings. Using archaeological, literary, and epigraphic evidence from more than eight centuries of Athenian history, Rous's investigation connects seemingly disparate instances of the reuse of building materials. She focuses on agency, offering an alternative to the traditional discourse on spolia. Reset in Stone illuminates a vital practice through which Athenians shaped social memory in the physical realm, literally building their past into their city.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Wisconsin
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
72 black & white, figures and photos
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 203 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
795 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-299-32284-7 (9780299322847)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Sarah A. Rous is a lecturer in the Department of Classics at San Francisco State University.
Content
List of Illustrations viii
Acknowledgments?xii
List of Abbreviations and Note on Ancient Texts?xv
Introduction?3
1 Creating Social Memory through Reuse That Accentuates?31
2 Perpetuating Social Memory through Reuse That Preserves?79
3 Altering Social Memory through Reuse Meant to Be Invisible?126
4 Upcycling and Athenian Social Memory over the Longue DurEe?176
Epilogue?213
Notes?219
Bibliography?293
Index
Acknowledgments?xii
List of Abbreviations and Note on Ancient Texts?xv
Introduction?3
1 Creating Social Memory through Reuse That Accentuates?31
2 Perpetuating Social Memory through Reuse That Preserves?79
3 Altering Social Memory through Reuse Meant to Be Invisible?126
4 Upcycling and Athenian Social Memory over the Longue DurEe?176
Epilogue?213
Notes?219
Bibliography?293
Index