Diachrony

Die Beiträge dieser gesamtaltertumswissenschaftlichen Reihe behandeln hauptsächlich Themen zur Antike aus dem Bereich der Literatur-, Bild-, Medien-, Theater-, Religions- und Kulturwissenschaften. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Anwendung moderner Theorien, z. B. auf dem Gebiet der Anthropologie, Performativität und Narrativität, auf dem interdisziplinären Vergleich, auf der mythisch-rituellen und ikonischen Poetik von Texten und bildlichen Darstellungen sowie auf der Rezeption antiker Stoffe in diesem Kontext.

---

Not a few of the more prominent and persistent controversies among classical scholars about approaches and methods arise from a failure to appreciate the fundamental role of time in structuring the interpretation of Greek culture. Diachrony showcases the corresponding importance of diachronic models for the study of ancient Greek literature and culture. Diachronic models of culture reach beyond mere historical change to the systemically evolving dynamics of cultural institutions, practices, and artifacts. The papers collected here illustrate the construction and proper use of such models. They emphasize the complementarity of synchronic and diachronic perspectives and highlight the need to assess how well diachronic models fit history. The contributors to this volume strive to be methodologically explicit as they tackle a wide range of subjects with a variety of diachronic approaches. Their work shows both the difficulty and the promise of diachronic analysis. Our incomplete knowledge of Greek antiquity throughout time and the Greeks' own preoccupation with the past in the construction of their present make diachronic analysis not just invaluable but indispensable for the study of ancient Greek literature and culture.