Introduction : Athens, cradle of democracy? -- European tradition versus Afrocentrism : the reality behind the myth of "black Athena" -- What the Greeks learned from their predecessors : wine and olive cultivation, pottery and metallurgy -- Greek immigrants and native Europeans in southeastern Europe : contact of cultures, fusion of languages and ways to remember the past -- Seafaring, trade and commerce trade networks in the early Greek world -- Ingredients of pan-Hellenic identity : sacred places, rituals and festivities -- Pre-Greek origins of the arts : the Muses and their doings from old Europe to classical antiquity -- Old European soundings of social egalitarianism in Greek society : social networking and the making of democratic governance -- Epilogue : the long trail of old Europe and its aftermath in western civilization.
Summary:
"Contrary to a prevalent belief of the Western world, that democracy, agriculture, theater and the arts were the attainments of Classical Greek civilization, these were actually a Bronze Age fusion of earlier European concepts and Hellenic ingenuity"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.