Maeander
2 Followers
Recent papers in Maeander
The focus of this article is to link historical accounts about former islands of the Anatolian gulfs of the Aegean Sea to geoarchaeological evidence. During the Holocene, prominent environmental and coastline changes have taken place in... more
The focus of this article is to link historical accounts about former islands of the Anatolian gulfs of the Aegean Sea to geoarchaeological evidence. During the Holocene, prominent environmental and coastline changes have taken place in many tectonic grabens of western Asia Minor, today's Turkey. The Büyük and the Küçük Menderes fault systems are excellent examples for deciphering these changes. Since mid-Holocene times, the eponymous rivers have advanced their deltas, silting up marine embayments which had once reached inland for tens of kilometres. To describe this terrestrial–marine–terrestrial evolution of estuarine islands we coin the term " life cycle of estu-arine islands ". Besides other factors, such as natural erosion, sea-level changes, and tectonic activities, the delta progradation was mainly governed by riverine sediment load, which, in turn, was to a great extent dependent on human impact on the vegetation cover of the drainage basins. Based on historical accounts as well as modern geoarchaeological research it is possible to reconstruct the spatio-temporal evolution of the landscape. For Miletos and the Büyük Menderes (Maiandros, Maeander) graben, remarkable transformations have been revealed: the metamorphosis of the marine gulf into residual lakes (Lake Azap, Lake Bafa), the landlocking of islands (Hybanda, Lade, Asteria, Nergiz Tepe), the transition of the Milesian archipelago to a peninsula and finally to a part of the floodplain. A dramatic effect of the ongoing accumulation of fine-grained sediments was the sil-tation of harbours – a major reason for the decline of the once flourishing coastal cities of Myous, Priene, Herakleia, and finally Miletos, today some 8 km inland. For Ephesos and the Küçük Menderes (Kaystros) graben, the research focused on the former island of Syrie. Pliny the Elder (Naturalis Historia, c. CE 77) attributed the landlocking of Syrie to the Kaystros River – a scenario which has been verified by our geoarchaeological research and 14 C–dated to the 5th century BC. The local foundation myth according to which an island, presumably Syrie, was the location of the first settlement of immigrants from the Greek mainland in the 11th century BCE can neither be proven nor disproven for lack of archaeological evidence. The delta advance was the main reason why the settlement sites and the harbours of Ephesos were relocated several times from the Early Iron Age to the Middle Ages.
- I am very happy that this article gets such a high rating, even though it is without footnotes and higher than my one! The standards of Humanities do not count so much any more! Its about money and power only. Think it over!
- I am very happy that this article gets such a high rating, even though it is without footnotes and higher than my one! The standards of Humanities do not count so much any more! Its about money and power only. Think it over!
During the past six millennia, the famous ancient harbour city Miletus and its environs have experienced major changes in palaeogeography and palaeoecology, related to (a) the progradation of the Büyük Menderes river delta, (b)... more
During the past six millennia, the famous ancient harbour city Miletus and its environs have experienced major changes in palaeogeography and palaeoecology, related to (a) the progradation of the Büyük Menderes river delta, (b) fluctuations of sea level within the framework of the post-glacial marine transgression, and (c) the permanent human impact on the ecosystem since Late Chalcolithic times. In this paper, we present new results of our geo-archaeological research in and around Miletus examining palaeogeographic changes and their relation to human settlement activities over different historical periods. Palaeoecology of both coastal and terrestrial environments were reconstructed using sedimentological, foraminiferal, archaeozoological and palynological criteria. Analyses of sediment cores collected around the Temple of Athena revealed that sea level reached its highest stand during the Early Bronze age. a similar pattern is evident on the southern fringe of Lion Harbour embayment around the later sanctuary of Apollo Delphinius, where cultural debris from the Late Chalcolithic period is covered by shallow marine sediments. In the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, the introduction of the goat by the Minoans was a major factor for the progressive degradation of the climax vegetation (open deciduous oak forests) which resulted in increased soil erosion and associated accumulation in the coastal zone. These environmental changes, together with the fall in relative sea level, contributed to the rapid transformation of the Milesian archipelago to the Milesian peninsula during the second millennium BC. In the 6th century BC, the town centre (agora) with the Delphinium and the surrounding areas was extended by man made infill of the southern part of Lion Harbour embayment. Siltation caused by progradation of the Maeander delta since Roman Imperial times largely infilled the harbours of the city and subsequently integrated the peninsula into the floodplain.
- by Alexander Herda and +1
- •
- Geoarchaeology, Coastal Geomorphology, Turkey, Miletos
The Lion Harbour was the most prominent harbour of the ancient Ionian metropolis of Miletos in western Asia Minor. It is probably identical with the “Harbour of Dokimos” mentioned by Chariton of Aphrodisias in his love novel Chaireas and... more
The Lion Harbour was the most prominent harbour of the ancient Ionian metropolis of Miletos in western Asia Minor. It is probably identical with the “Harbour of Dokimos” mentioned by Chariton of Aphrodisias in his love novel Chaireas and Kallirhoë (3,2,11) in the early Roman Imperial Era. Originally situated as a harbour city at the “Ikarian” / “Karian Sea”, Miletos has meanwhile been totally integrated into the floodplain of the Meander River (ancient Greek: Maiandros, modern Turkish: Büyük Menderes).
This article merges the results of palaeogeographical and geophysical research with archaeological and historical studies. The holistic approach of “geoarchaeology” gives insight into the dynamic evolution of the harbour basin from the time of the maximum marine transgression during the Early Helladic period around 2500 BC, when the area was part of an archipelago, until its total siltation in early modern times (c. AD 1500).
The extraordinary significance of the Lion Harbour is caused on the one hand side by its strategic role as a closable naval base. On the other hand it was in a central position within the Archaic insula street-grid, directly next to the agora and the sanctuary of Apollon Delphinios, which comprised the prytaneion, the seat of the city’s government. It was here where in the mythical past Apollon Delphinios was said to have landed in order to found the city. In historical times it was most likely the harbour where every year the see-faring season was opened with the embateria rites. From here the Milesian colonists started in order to settle the Propontis and the Black Sea region. Finally, it was the place where the diplomatic missions of foreign states and cities landed. Thus, the Lion Harbour was the gate through which, so to speak, gods and peoples entered into the city and also left it. On the contrary, the significance of the Lion Harbour as a commercial harbour was very limited during Antiquity. For commercial purposes Miletos had several other harbours. Together with the Lion Harbour there were in total four harbours mentioned by Strabon in his Geographika (14,1,6) in the first half of the first century AD.
This article merges the results of palaeogeographical and geophysical research with archaeological and historical studies. The holistic approach of “geoarchaeology” gives insight into the dynamic evolution of the harbour basin from the time of the maximum marine transgression during the Early Helladic period around 2500 BC, when the area was part of an archipelago, until its total siltation in early modern times (c. AD 1500).
The extraordinary significance of the Lion Harbour is caused on the one hand side by its strategic role as a closable naval base. On the other hand it was in a central position within the Archaic insula street-grid, directly next to the agora and the sanctuary of Apollon Delphinios, which comprised the prytaneion, the seat of the city’s government. It was here where in the mythical past Apollon Delphinios was said to have landed in order to found the city. In historical times it was most likely the harbour where every year the see-faring season was opened with the embateria rites. From here the Milesian colonists started in order to settle the Propontis and the Black Sea region. Finally, it was the place where the diplomatic missions of foreign states and cities landed. Thus, the Lion Harbour was the gate through which, so to speak, gods and peoples entered into the city and also left it. On the contrary, the significance of the Lion Harbour as a commercial harbour was very limited during Antiquity. For commercial purposes Miletos had several other harbours. Together with the Lion Harbour there were in total four harbours mentioned by Strabon in his Geographika (14,1,6) in the first half of the first century AD.
- by Alexander Herda and +1
- •
- Palaeogeography, Geophysics, Geoarchaeology, Turkey
The Lion Harbour was Miletos’ most prominent harbour during antiquity. It can be envisaged as the heart of the Ionian metropolis in western Asia Minor. Originally situated in a bay of the “(I-)Karian Sea”, Miletos is now fully... more
The Lion Harbour was Miletos’ most prominent harbour during antiquity. It can be envisaged as the heart of the Ionian metropolis in western Asia Minor. Originally situated in a bay of the “(I-)Karian Sea”, Miletos is now fully incorporated into the plain of the Maeander river, today’s Büyük Menderes.
In this article we combine results from historical and archaeological research with those from palaeo-geography and geophysics. This geoarchaeological approach offers new insights into the dynamic evolution of the harbour basin from the time of the marine transgression in the early Bronze Age (c. 2500 BC), when the area formed part of an island, until its final siltation by the sediments of the river Maeander c. AD 1500.
The Lion Harbour’s outstanding significance is clear from its strategic role as one of the closable war harbours of Archaic and later times. Its central position in the Archaic insula street grid, lining the agora and the main city sanctuary of Apollo Delphinios, made it a gate through which, so to speak, gods and humans entered the city; it was also the point from which Milesians left the city to start their sailing seasons or found their many colonies. The Lion Harbour is likely to be identified with the “Harbour of Dokimos” mentioned by the 1st century AD novelist Chariton (Chaireas and Kallirhoë 3.2.11)
The commercial relevance of the Lion Harbour, however, was quite limited in antiquity. Miletos had a series of other harbours that fulfilled this function: the Theatre Harbour is perhaps the oldest of Miletos’ harbours; it also served as a closable harbour in Geometric-Archaic times. Other important harbours are the Humei Tepe Harbour and the Eastern Harbour at the eastern fringe of the peninsula; one of them, most probably the Eastern Harbour, should be identified with the emporion, or commercial harbour, where the slave market was located. Together, this quartet might be equated with the four harbours of the city Strabon mentions (Geographica 14.1.6). Finally, there are the Athena and Kalabak Tepe harbours, both of only minor importance. An overview of the evidence for all these harbours is given at the end of the article.
In this article we combine results from historical and archaeological research with those from palaeo-geography and geophysics. This geoarchaeological approach offers new insights into the dynamic evolution of the harbour basin from the time of the marine transgression in the early Bronze Age (c. 2500 BC), when the area formed part of an island, until its final siltation by the sediments of the river Maeander c. AD 1500.
The Lion Harbour’s outstanding significance is clear from its strategic role as one of the closable war harbours of Archaic and later times. Its central position in the Archaic insula street grid, lining the agora and the main city sanctuary of Apollo Delphinios, made it a gate through which, so to speak, gods and humans entered the city; it was also the point from which Milesians left the city to start their sailing seasons or found their many colonies. The Lion Harbour is likely to be identified with the “Harbour of Dokimos” mentioned by the 1st century AD novelist Chariton (Chaireas and Kallirhoë 3.2.11)
The commercial relevance of the Lion Harbour, however, was quite limited in antiquity. Miletos had a series of other harbours that fulfilled this function: the Theatre Harbour is perhaps the oldest of Miletos’ harbours; it also served as a closable harbour in Geometric-Archaic times. Other important harbours are the Humei Tepe Harbour and the Eastern Harbour at the eastern fringe of the peninsula; one of them, most probably the Eastern Harbour, should be identified with the emporion, or commercial harbour, where the slave market was located. Together, this quartet might be equated with the four harbours of the city Strabon mentions (Geographica 14.1.6). Finally, there are the Athena and Kalabak Tepe harbours, both of only minor importance. An overview of the evidence for all these harbours is given at the end of the article.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> update 24.09.2021: here is the full version with all colour figures! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Through a two-part approach, this article sheds new light on the history of Lake Bafa... more
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> update 24.09.2021:
here is the full version with all colour figures!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Through a two-part approach, this article sheds new light on the history of Lake Bafa (modern Bafa Gölü in western Turkey) and the surrounding regions of northwestern Karia and southern Ionia during the last millennia from historical, geoarchaeological, and palynological perspectives. One focus lies on the evaluation of literary, epigraphic, numismatic, and archaeological testimonia to find out how the immigrant Greeks and indigenous Karians created charter myths to sanction their land ownership, e.g. by renaming places and landmarks and locating heroes like Latmos, Endymion and Phthir within the landscape. Another key aspect is the evolution of Lake Bafa and its environs. The spatio-temporal changes of this residual lake formed from the former marine ‘Latmian Gulf’ (Ancient Greek: Latmikos Kolpos) are comprehensively reconstructed, based on the synopsis of evidence from the natural sciences and humanities. Its evolution was caused and controlled by the progradation of the Maeander delta (Turkish: Büyük Menderes), which had profound consequences for the rise and decline of several ancient seaport cities, like Myous, Priene, Latmos-Herakleia and Miletos. Finally, the lake sediments are displayed as an excellent geo-bio-archive which helps to reconstruct the vegetation history of the area. The results contribute to a ‘human geography’ resp. ‘anthropogeography’ of the lower Maeander River region.
"We are very much aware that many people now have an academia.edu site, which they use to disseminate their work. However, Academia.edu and similar sites are not non-profit organizations and they do not exist simply to disseminate information. Our contract with JSTOR grants them exclusive online rights to our articles for a period of three years (the length of time they are included in their Current Scholarship Program). What we recommend to people wishing to use academia.edu is that you post your title page and provide the JSTOR link for your article":
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2972/hesperia.88.1.0001?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Instead of paying 12 $ to JSTOR, you can also get a free and complete (86 pages) pdf by contacting the authors directly (this pdf also has all original colour figures: Hesperia charges authors with 250 $ for each colour figure in print; in our case, we decided to have only 5 figures printed in colour, for 1,250 $ !!):
alexander.herda@web.de
here is the full version with all colour figures!
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Through a two-part approach, this article sheds new light on the history of Lake Bafa (modern Bafa Gölü in western Turkey) and the surrounding regions of northwestern Karia and southern Ionia during the last millennia from historical, geoarchaeological, and palynological perspectives. One focus lies on the evaluation of literary, epigraphic, numismatic, and archaeological testimonia to find out how the immigrant Greeks and indigenous Karians created charter myths to sanction their land ownership, e.g. by renaming places and landmarks and locating heroes like Latmos, Endymion and Phthir within the landscape. Another key aspect is the evolution of Lake Bafa and its environs. The spatio-temporal changes of this residual lake formed from the former marine ‘Latmian Gulf’ (Ancient Greek: Latmikos Kolpos) are comprehensively reconstructed, based on the synopsis of evidence from the natural sciences and humanities. Its evolution was caused and controlled by the progradation of the Maeander delta (Turkish: Büyük Menderes), which had profound consequences for the rise and decline of several ancient seaport cities, like Myous, Priene, Latmos-Herakleia and Miletos. Finally, the lake sediments are displayed as an excellent geo-bio-archive which helps to reconstruct the vegetation history of the area. The results contribute to a ‘human geography’ resp. ‘anthropogeography’ of the lower Maeander River region.
"We are very much aware that many people now have an academia.edu site, which they use to disseminate their work. However, Academia.edu and similar sites are not non-profit organizations and they do not exist simply to disseminate information. Our contract with JSTOR grants them exclusive online rights to our articles for a period of three years (the length of time they are included in their Current Scholarship Program). What we recommend to people wishing to use academia.edu is that you post your title page and provide the JSTOR link for your article":
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2972/hesperia.88.1.0001?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
Instead of paying 12 $ to JSTOR, you can also get a free and complete (86 pages) pdf by contacting the authors directly (this pdf also has all original colour figures: Hesperia charges authors with 250 $ for each colour figure in print; in our case, we decided to have only 5 figures printed in colour, for 1,250 $ !!):
alexander.herda@web.de
>>>>>>>> update 19.05.2024: waiting now for 3-4 years, I was informed by the editors that there will be no printed conference papers. instead, the papers are supposed to be published in the 2025-volume of "Anatolia Antiqua". for... more
>>>>>>>> update 19.05.2024:
waiting now for 3-4 years, I was informed by the editors that there will be no printed conference papers. instead, the papers are supposed to be published in the 2025-volume of "Anatolia Antiqua". for this, the papers have to go through a peer review again!
I do not know the outcome yet, but I fear there will be more problems ......
let's hope the best!
at least I got the opportunity to add some updates :)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The paper will appear in some time in the conference proceedings: B. Vergnaud – N. Carless-Unwin (eds.), Anatolian Landscapes: Inhabiting Western Anatolia in Antiquity, Istanbul, 5-6 April 2018. But I will not post it on this contaminated website!
Ancient myths not only served the need to explain rituals, the "mythicoritual nexus" as it was once called by Christina Sourvinou-Inwood; one of the most important aims of their creation, their mythopoea or mythopoiesis, was to define a common identity and to legitimate the community's claim of land ownership, and freedom. The Early Iron Age Greek migrants to western Asia Minor were especially 'productive' in creating colonial charter myths of gods and heroes.
Content List
I. Charter myths and places: Karian Latmos meets Aiolian Greek Endymion
I.1. Phthiron Oros, the ‘Mountain of the Lice’, or ‘Pine-seeds’
I.2 Aiolian Magnesia-on-the-Maeander
I.3 Karian ‘Lice’ Fleeing into the Mountains
I.4 Latmos: Indigenous Mountain and heros ktistes of Karian Latmos
I.5 How Phthir Evolved as Son of Aitolian-Aiolian Endymion
I.6 Chronology of the Myth: First Endymion in Olympia, Then Endymion in Latmos- Herakleia
I.7 The ‘Grave’ of Endymion in Latmos
I.8 Aiolian Endymion Substitutes Karian Latmos as Heros-Ktistes of Herakleia-under-Latmos
I.9 The Aiolian-Aitolian origin of Endymion: Sappho in Magnesia-on-the-Maeander?
I.10 Greek Hero Phthir in Miletos-Phtheir
I.11 Greek Phthir, Naxos, and Herakles become Karians in Herakleia-Latmos,
the city of *Sanda(s)/Šanta-Herakles
I.12 Athena Latmia Tritogenes and her Relationship to the Indigenous Luwian Protective Goddess Maliya and Karian Malija-‘Athena’
I.13 Endymion in ‘Extended’ Salmakis-Halikarnassos of Karia?
I.14 Endymion’s Pre-Greek, Pelasgian-Lelegian-Karian Roots
I.15 Aitolian Endymion as founder of Herakleia-Latmos
II. Boiotian ‘Ionians’ Meet Anatolian-Luwic People: Zeus-Tarhunt, Perseus, Poseidon, Gorgo and Pegasos-Piḫaššašši in the Mykale Mountains
III. Other Outlooks: Miletos, Kelados, Herakles, Achilles and Menelaos in the Milesie – Mythical Traits of the Minoan-Mycenaean Age? And what about Maiandros and Apollo Branchideus of Didyma?
III.1. How the Arrival of Minoan Sarpedon and Miletos Renamed Rivers and Springs: Kelados and Byblis versus Maiandros and Marsyas
III.2. Apollo Branchideus, the Anatolian Kurunta/Runtiya?
III.3 Myths Reflecting Mycenaeans in Miletos V‒VI
III.3.1 ‘Theban Herakles’ in Didyma, Before the ‘Trojan War’
III.3.2.1 Achilles visits sites near Miletos and later Magnesia-on-the-Maeander During the ‘Trojan War’
III.3.2.2 Menelaos dedicates the Shield of Euphorbos in Didyma on his way home from the ‘Trojan War’
IV. Concluding Remarks
ca. 129 pages manuscript, 305 footnotes, 21 figures, bibliography
waiting now for 3-4 years, I was informed by the editors that there will be no printed conference papers. instead, the papers are supposed to be published in the 2025-volume of "Anatolia Antiqua". for this, the papers have to go through a peer review again!
I do not know the outcome yet, but I fear there will be more problems ......
let's hope the best!
at least I got the opportunity to add some updates :)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The paper will appear in some time in the conference proceedings: B. Vergnaud – N. Carless-Unwin (eds.), Anatolian Landscapes: Inhabiting Western Anatolia in Antiquity, Istanbul, 5-6 April 2018. But I will not post it on this contaminated website!
Ancient myths not only served the need to explain rituals, the "mythicoritual nexus" as it was once called by Christina Sourvinou-Inwood; one of the most important aims of their creation, their mythopoea or mythopoiesis, was to define a common identity and to legitimate the community's claim of land ownership, and freedom. The Early Iron Age Greek migrants to western Asia Minor were especially 'productive' in creating colonial charter myths of gods and heroes.
Content List
I. Charter myths and places: Karian Latmos meets Aiolian Greek Endymion
I.1. Phthiron Oros, the ‘Mountain of the Lice’, or ‘Pine-seeds’
I.2 Aiolian Magnesia-on-the-Maeander
I.3 Karian ‘Lice’ Fleeing into the Mountains
I.4 Latmos: Indigenous Mountain and heros ktistes of Karian Latmos
I.5 How Phthir Evolved as Son of Aitolian-Aiolian Endymion
I.6 Chronology of the Myth: First Endymion in Olympia, Then Endymion in Latmos- Herakleia
I.7 The ‘Grave’ of Endymion in Latmos
I.8 Aiolian Endymion Substitutes Karian Latmos as Heros-Ktistes of Herakleia-under-Latmos
I.9 The Aiolian-Aitolian origin of Endymion: Sappho in Magnesia-on-the-Maeander?
I.10 Greek Hero Phthir in Miletos-Phtheir
I.11 Greek Phthir, Naxos, and Herakles become Karians in Herakleia-Latmos,
the city of *Sanda(s)/Šanta-Herakles
I.12 Athena Latmia Tritogenes and her Relationship to the Indigenous Luwian Protective Goddess Maliya and Karian Malija-‘Athena’
I.13 Endymion in ‘Extended’ Salmakis-Halikarnassos of Karia?
I.14 Endymion’s Pre-Greek, Pelasgian-Lelegian-Karian Roots
I.15 Aitolian Endymion as founder of Herakleia-Latmos
II. Boiotian ‘Ionians’ Meet Anatolian-Luwic People: Zeus-Tarhunt, Perseus, Poseidon, Gorgo and Pegasos-Piḫaššašši in the Mykale Mountains
III. Other Outlooks: Miletos, Kelados, Herakles, Achilles and Menelaos in the Milesie – Mythical Traits of the Minoan-Mycenaean Age? And what about Maiandros and Apollo Branchideus of Didyma?
III.1. How the Arrival of Minoan Sarpedon and Miletos Renamed Rivers and Springs: Kelados and Byblis versus Maiandros and Marsyas
III.2. Apollo Branchideus, the Anatolian Kurunta/Runtiya?
III.3 Myths Reflecting Mycenaeans in Miletos V‒VI
III.3.1 ‘Theban Herakles’ in Didyma, Before the ‘Trojan War’
III.3.2.1 Achilles visits sites near Miletos and later Magnesia-on-the-Maeander During the ‘Trojan War’
III.3.2.2 Menelaos dedicates the Shield of Euphorbos in Didyma on his way home from the ‘Trojan War’
IV. Concluding Remarks
ca. 129 pages manuscript, 305 footnotes, 21 figures, bibliography
Özet İnsanların suya olan gereksinimlerinden dolayı insanlığın tatlı su kaynakları etrafında yeşermiş olduğu, kültür ve medeniyetin akarsu havzalarında ortaya çıktığı görüşü belirgin bir genellemedir. Bu bağlamda akarsulara çağlar boyu... more
Özet İnsanların suya olan gereksinimlerinden dolayı insanlığın tatlı su kaynakları etrafında yeşermiş olduğu, kültür ve medeniyetin akarsu havzalarında ortaya çıktığı görüşü belirgin bir genellemedir. Bu bağlamda akarsulara çağlar boyu büyük bir önem bazen de kutsiyet atfedilmiştir. Antikçağ yazarları da bu konuya sıkça değinmişler ve akarsuları eserlerine konu etmişlerdir. Pseudo-Plutarkhos da Nehirler Üzerine adlı eserinde ağırlıklı olarak nehirleri konu edinmiş ve nehirler hakkında okuyucuya bazı bilgiler vermeye çalışmıştır. Pseudo-Plutarkhos'un konu edindiği nehirlerden biri de Maiandros (Büyük Menderes Nehri)'tur. Antikçağda Phrygia Bölgesi'ndeki Kelainai yakınlarından kaynağını almış olan Maiandros sözü edilen bölge boyunca akmış daha sonra Lydia, Karia ve Ionia bölgelerinin arazilerini sulayarak Aigaios Pontos'a (Ege Denizi) dökülmüştür. Uzunluğu ve taşıdığı suların bolluğuyla antikçağ Asia'sının (Küçük Asya) en büyük nehri olarak görülmüş, içinden geçtiği coğrafyaları şekillendirmiş ve sağladığı imkanlarla o bölgelere hayat vermiştir. Maiandros Nehri'nin akıntısının zikzaklı olması son derece ilgi çekici olmuş, antikçağ yazarlarının nehre faklı anlamlar yüklemesine ve antikçağ insanının zihninde farklı imgelemler oluşmasına neden olmuştur. Zikzaklar çizen her nehir ya da zikzaklı olan her şey onun adıyla anılmaya başlamıştır. Nehrin akış şeklini esas alan bir bezeme motifi dahi oluşturulmuş ve nehrin adıyla özdeşleştirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada Pseudo-Plutarkhos'un sözü edilen eseri hakkında kısa bir değerlendirme yapıldıktan sonra yazarın anlatılarına istinaden, nehrin isminin kökeninden, akış rotasına, aktığı güzergahtaki yörelere sağladığı yarardan neden olduğu zararlara ve antikçağdan günümüze ulaşan etkilerine değinilmiştir.
compare also: https://www.academia.edu/3244802/River_deities (by Jannis Mylonopoulos); unfortunately, the articles "Maeander" and "River deities" were not interlinked by the editors.
"We were pleased to welcome Alexander Herda, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Klassische Archäologie – Winckelmann-Institut, to discuss the Geoarchaeology of Miletos. He was joined in the discussion by guests Douglas Frame,... more
"We were pleased to welcome Alexander Herda, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Klassische Archäologie – Winckelmann-Institut, to discuss the Geoarchaeology of Miletos. He was joined in the discussion by guests Douglas Frame, and Gregory Nagy."
The interview is also available at:
http://hour25.heroesx.chs.harvard.edu/?p=9566
Abstract:
Geoarchaeology in the City of Thales. Palaeogeography and its Impact on the Settlement History of Miletos in Western Turkey
Over the past six millennia, the famous ancient Greek harbor city of Miletos and its environs at the western coast of modern Turkey have experienced major changes in palaeogeography, related to (a) the progradation of the Maeander delta (today’s Büyük Menderes ), (b) coastal dynamics such as littoral accumulation and fluctuations of sea level during the Holocene, (c) denudation processes from the adjacent slopes south of the city, and (d) the permanent impact of humans on the ecosystem since Late Neolithic times (end of 4th millennium BCE).
Our multidisciplinary research project, Geoarchaeology in the City of Thales. Palaeogeography and its Impact on the Settlement History of Miletos in today’s Western Turkey, aims at bringing together the results of historical, archaeological, geoarchaeological as well as geophysical research of the last 25 years for a better understanding of the settlement history of this Greek harbor town. Why was Miletos such an important center of commercial and cultural exchange since Early Bronze Age? Why could it develop into the most active of all Greek colonial powers in Archaic times (7th/6th centuries BCE), founding settlements from Egypt to the Crimea? And finally: How to understand the evolution of such persons as Thales or Anaximander, founders not only of the Milesian School of philosophy, but finally, of modern western, European philosophy and scientific thought?
Most recent research concentrated on completing our data for (a) a diachronic reconstructing of the ever changing shore lines of the Milesian peninsula, (b) the impact of landscape change on the town planning, first of all on the invention of the orthogonal insula-street-grid in the 6th century BCE, and (c) the development of the up to six harbors as basis of Miletos’ commercial power.
The interview is also available at:
http://hour25.heroesx.chs.harvard.edu/?p=9566
Abstract:
Geoarchaeology in the City of Thales. Palaeogeography and its Impact on the Settlement History of Miletos in Western Turkey
Over the past six millennia, the famous ancient Greek harbor city of Miletos and its environs at the western coast of modern Turkey have experienced major changes in palaeogeography, related to (a) the progradation of the Maeander delta (today’s Büyük Menderes ), (b) coastal dynamics such as littoral accumulation and fluctuations of sea level during the Holocene, (c) denudation processes from the adjacent slopes south of the city, and (d) the permanent impact of humans on the ecosystem since Late Neolithic times (end of 4th millennium BCE).
Our multidisciplinary research project, Geoarchaeology in the City of Thales. Palaeogeography and its Impact on the Settlement History of Miletos in today’s Western Turkey, aims at bringing together the results of historical, archaeological, geoarchaeological as well as geophysical research of the last 25 years for a better understanding of the settlement history of this Greek harbor town. Why was Miletos such an important center of commercial and cultural exchange since Early Bronze Age? Why could it develop into the most active of all Greek colonial powers in Archaic times (7th/6th centuries BCE), founding settlements from Egypt to the Crimea? And finally: How to understand the evolution of such persons as Thales or Anaximander, founders not only of the Milesian School of philosophy, but finally, of modern western, European philosophy and scientific thought?
Most recent research concentrated on completing our data for (a) a diachronic reconstructing of the ever changing shore lines of the Milesian peninsula, (b) the impact of landscape change on the town planning, first of all on the invention of the orthogonal insula-street-grid in the 6th century BCE, and (c) the development of the up to six harbors as basis of Miletos’ commercial power.
In the early second century BCE, Miletus attempted to increase its territorial control at the expense of its neighbors, Magnesia on the Maeander (Milet I 3.148) and Heraclea by Latmus (Milet I 3.150). It resulted in two wars at least,... more
In the early second century BCE, Miletus attempted to increase its territorial control at the expense of its neighbors, Magnesia on the Maeander (Milet I 3.148) and Heraclea by Latmus (Milet I 3.150). It resulted in two wars at least, ended by two peace treaties that we have kept. A third community was also involved, Pidasa, which was integrated in the Milesian territory on the occasion of a sympoliteia treaty (Milet I 3.149).
These three conventions show how a Greek city had to handle the consequences of a war, especially from an economic stance. The main topics I discuss in this paper are the taxation of trade and some aspects of the way the system of taxation functioned in the Greek cities. Indeed, the ancient Greek taxes used to be seen as a simple source of income. However these three agreements show that a city could make use of the tax exemption in a social and economic perspective. Firstly, in a short- and medium-term, it could help to recover after a period of war or to prevent the same issues in case of a new one. Limited to a personal use, these exemptions concerned a social perspective. But in the long-term, some tax exemptions can be viewed as economic choices to the extent that they were intended to be permanent and to enhance a specific economic activity. Consequently, tax exemption appears to be used as an economic tool by some ancient states.
These three conventions show how a Greek city had to handle the consequences of a war, especially from an economic stance. The main topics I discuss in this paper are the taxation of trade and some aspects of the way the system of taxation functioned in the Greek cities. Indeed, the ancient Greek taxes used to be seen as a simple source of income. However these three agreements show that a city could make use of the tax exemption in a social and economic perspective. Firstly, in a short- and medium-term, it could help to recover after a period of war or to prevent the same issues in case of a new one. Limited to a personal use, these exemptions concerned a social perspective. But in the long-term, some tax exemptions can be viewed as economic choices to the extent that they were intended to be permanent and to enhance a specific economic activity. Consequently, tax exemption appears to be used as an economic tool by some ancient states.
An extended English version of this talk will appear soon in the Proceedings of the Danish Institute at Athens 7, 2013, 49-103, under the title: "On the Lion Harbour and other Harbours in Miletos: recent historical, archaeological,... more
An extended English version of this talk will appear soon in the Proceedings of the Danish Institute at Athens 7, 2013, 49-103, under the title: "On the Lion Harbour and other Harbours in Miletos: recent historical, archaeological, sedimentological, and geophysical research", co-authored with H. Brückner, M. Müllenhoff, W. Rabbel und H. Stümpel