Literacy and Paideia in Ancient Greece

This study traces the progress of literacy in Ancient Greece from its origins in the 8th century BC to the 4th century BC, when the major cultural institutions of Athens became totally dependent on alphabetic literacy.

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This book examines the progress of literacy in ancient Greece from its origins in the eighth century to the fourth century, when the major cultural institutions of Athens became totally dependent on alphabetic literacy. By introducing new evidence and re-evaluating the older evidence, Robb demonstrates that early Greek literacy can be understood only in terms of the rich oral culture that immediately preceded it, one that was dominated by the oral performance of epical verse, or "Homer." Only gradually did literate practices supersede oral habits and the oral way of life, forging alliances which now seem both bizarre and fascinating, but which were eminently successful, contributing to the "miracle" of Greece.