Beyond Magna Graecia: New Developments in South Italian Archaeology The Contexts of Apulian and Lucanian Pottery

This conference will contribute to the rapidly evolving field of South Italian archaeology. Traditional views see the colonial Greeks in South Italy as the producers and consumers of Apulian pottery (map). Recent excavations and revaluations of archaeological evidence reveal a radically different picture: Italic people, not the colonial Greeks, are more likely to be the producers and consumers of these objects. This revelation opens the door to important and exciting questions about the meaning of “hellenisation” in South Italy. Were Greek tragedies and comedies performed during the 4th Century in Italic communities like Ruvo di Puglia and Canosa? What was the nature of trade between mainland Greece (particularly Athens) and the Italic people? Did Italic ideas influence Attic arts and religion as well as vice versa? What are the implications of the rich 4th Century Italic tombs at Ruvo and Rutigliano? What was the function of monumental (1.45m h) Apulian figure decorated vases? Background reading available here.

We believe this conference can be a watershed moment in the study of Apulian material culture. Although Italian archaeologists have been publishing results of new excavations in regional journals, and scholars from Germany, the UK, Australia, and America are writing on this topic, never has there been a single conference devoted to the subject, nor has there been a synthetic publication of the topic in English. The goal of the conference is to bring these individual, multilingual voices together, but also to provide an introduction and assessment of an important topic with which many scholars have little acquaintance. Proceedings will be published, and speakers will be assigned appropriate topics so that the publication and the conference presents a sound introduction to the topic, its problems, and a better understanding of the evidence.

This conference is made possible by generous support of the Semple Fund of the University of Cincinnati Department of Classics. Organizers: Professor Thomas Carpenter, Ohio University, Professor Edward Robinson, University of Sydney, Professor Kathleen Lynch, University of Cincinnati.