Speaking of Techne. Craft Impact in Athenian Society

Description

The importance of craft to ancient Greek societies like Athens has been increasingly appreciated in recent scholarship. A new – or reiterated – interest in the intricacies of power dynamics in archaic and classical poleis, and a broader economic outlook have put non-elite populations and their contributions firmly into the spotlight. This talk will retrace the process of ‘gentrification’ of Athenian craftspeople: their inclusion, at least in potential, into the elite. By the later fourth century BC, this process was by and large complete; but how far back can we find its beginnings? Depending on the answer to this question, what impact may craft and craftspeople have had on the development of the classical Athenian polis? Arguably, the influx of craft expertise to Athens and its role as a craft hub from the late sixth and early fifth centuries onwards, may have created an early form of knowledge economy. This in turn could have driven innovation and creativity in other domains. By casting the net wide, the rare key pieces of evidence for the impact of craft on this development of societal innovation will be collected to explore the value of techne.

Period	18 Jan 2023
Held at	Netherlands Institute Athens, Greece
Degree of Recognition	International