History of Ancient Pottery: Greek, Etruscan, and Roman. Volume 1 (of 2)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

48154

Title

History of Ancient Pottery: Greek, Etruscan, and Roman. Volume 1 (of 2)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This authoritative volume offers a comprehensive survey of ancient pottery from Greece, Etruria, and Rome, tracing technical evolution and artistic styles from the Mycenaean era through the Hellenistic period. Written by H. B. Walters based on Samuel Birch's pioneering work, it serves as an essential reference for students of classical archaeology.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1905 by H. B. Walters and Samuel Birch, this volume serves as a comprehensive update to Dr. Samuel Birch's seminal 1873 treatise on ancient pottery. Reflecting the doubling and tripling of available archaeological material since its inception, the text establishes a unified scientific approach to understanding the chronology and artistic development of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman ceramics. While retaining the technical outlines of production from thirty years prior, the historical sections have been entirely re-written, expanding coverage of vase-painting subjects from two chapters to six. The work systematically examines discoveries across the Mediterranean, beginning with Africa. It details Mycenaean finds in Egyptian tombs dating back to the eighteenth dynasty and highlights the extensive pottery series from the Ionian colony at Naukratis. The text explores Cypriot sites where Mycenaean and Graeco-Phoenician wares were abundant, noting specific local varieties and the influence of Hellenic settlements. Turning to Italy, the authors distinguish between vases found in Etruria and those from Magna Graecia. They analyze how Greek exports influenced local populations, such as the Osco-Samnites, and describe distinct regional styles. A significant portion is dedicated to Boeotian Geometrical ware, characterized by reddish-yellow clay and vegetable motifs like palmettes found at Thebes and Tanagra. The text also addresses the transition from Mycenaean to Geometrical styles and the emergence of Proto-Attic vases. By integrating modern research with classical studies, the book moves beyond mere collection of material to provide a firmly based branch of classical archaeology. It offers a condensed yet up-to-date account essential for students, covering everything from primitive Thera-style wares in Marseilles to the sophisticated black-figured productions of Athens, thereby solidifying its status as a standard reference for ancient ceramic history.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Art