CLAS 527 - Archaeology of the Peloponnesos

This course will cover aspects of the history and archaeology of the southern region of mainland Greece, the Peloponnesos, between the Bronze Age to the Roman periods. Particular attention will be paid to an understanding of the geography of the region and its resulting effects on political organization, economic production and influences on the creation and maintenance of ancient cities and sanctuaries. The history and archaeological remains of each of the provinces of the Peloponnesos will be considered including Achaea, Arcadia, the Argolid, the Corinthia, Messenia, Laconia and Elis. The Peloponnesos is a large peninsula and geographic area of southern Greece. The topography of the region includes mountains, rivers, plains, harbors and has some of the finest agricultural land in Greece. It is a region that has a very rich mythology and history. In antiquity the area was famous for many cities and sanctuaries and contains evidence from the Paleolithic period through the Ottoman period and to the modern day. The course will be offered in different years and the focus will be one of the ancient and modern political regions of the Peloponnesos: Corinthia, Argolid, Achaea, Arcadia, Elis, Messenia and Laconia. Topics to be considered include settlements, cities, sanctuaries, tombs, architecture, pottery, small finds.