Thetis

Mannheimer Beiträge zur klassischen Archäologie und Geschichte Griechenlands und Zyperns
Herausgegeben von Reinhard Stupperich und Heinz A. Richter

Band 16/17 (2010) ISBN 978-3-447-96397-5 online bestellen

• Die Schifffahrt nach dem Zusammenbruch der mykenischen Palastkultur
• Yasemin Leylek
  New archaeological excavations and artefacts have helped to illuminate the so called „Dark Ages“ of Greece. There was no sudden break down of the Mycenaean culture after the destruction of the palaces. Ceramic fragments from Kynos with ship representations and depictions of naval battles, which date in the SH IIIC period, support the existence of shipping, navigation and even naval warfare after the reign of the wanax. Naval scenes were also one of the most important topics of the following geometric art.
• Überlegungen zu den ‘Greek Tile Works’ in Korinth
• Gerhild Hübner,
  The socalled ‘Tile Works’ at Corinth situated on one of the Northern terrasses about in between the North Cemetery and the Isthmian Gate (cf. figs. 1-2) have been excavated November 1939, in spring 1940 and recontrolled during the fifthy´s. The final publication on the spot in the Greek period appeared in 2006 (Hesperia Suppl. 35 by G. S. Merker with appendices of Charles K.Williams II and G. Davidson Weinberg), a second one on the Roman Tile Works is still under preparation. The book has been reviewed so far yet by P. Sapirstein (AJA 112, 2008; 364-365) and G. Hübner (Gnomon 80, 2008, 714-722). Regardless of the proper year of publication the site and a remarkable number of finds being included already into specific investigations before have been quite well known since years to most archaeologists in Greece.
  Besides of the history of the excavation itself the article above deals specially with the fragments of terracotta revetments carefully described in the catalogue raisonne by Charles K. Williams II, the former director of the Corinth Excavations. The discussion on the functions of those artefacts, originally and under reused conditions, is combined with the problem of chronology of the tiles themselves and of the kilns, some partly served to repare the walls, and of the topographic signification of the area in general. Those aspects are thought to comment in a certain way the commercial and social background of Corinthian craftsmanship in this field was underlied. Several further remarks on the topic may be considered as contribution to an overview on roof tiles questions still lacking as a subject of broader interest.
• “He Took the Behaviour of the Serpent as a Sign from the Heaven”: An Approach to Athenian Religion
• Diana Rodríguez Pérez,
  I present here an analysis of one of the most conspicuous animals and powerful religious symbols of the Greek culture in relation with the Athenian religion: the snake. A serpent was thought to live at the top of the sacred rock of Athens, and it was regularly fed with honey cakes. It seems to have been a very usual inhabitant there and it is only its disappearance what deserves mention in Hdt. 41, 3.4 and Plut. Them. X, 12. The identity and origin of such illustrious inhabitant was not very clear in the ancient world itself. For some authors it was Erichtonios, the “divine child” who was born on the Acropolis and who died also on it as Erechtheus. For others, it was closely related with Athena, the poliad goddess who watched over the city. I will go through all these figures and will deal with other baby heroes also fed with honey cakes. I will also look back to Mycenaean and Minoan times so as to try to grasp the meaning and possible origin of the Athenian sacred snake, always bearing in mind both artistic and literary references.
• Lumpen für Artemis Brauronia? Zum Wortgebrauch von ημιυφες, κτενωτος, καινον, ρακος in den Inschriftentafeln des Brauronions auf der Akropolis in Athen
• Martha Weber,
  The adjectives ρακος, ημιυφες and καινον define textiles listed on the inventories on marble stelai at the Brauronion on the acropolis. A new translation of these adjectives disproves the verdict of the Brauronian as “junk room” that came up by A. Michaelis. In fact, the new translation reveals the function of these donations as being used in cultic actions as they were pointed out by G. Despinis
• Pflanzliche Ornamentik des 4. Jhs. v.Chr. und ihre Bedeutung. Die Frage nach Hypnos und Thanatos
• Frank Hildebrandt,
  with vegetable anthemion there are shown flowers en face with capsules, which are identified as poppy plants with fruit stands. Poppy is found with various deities as an attribute: In addition to the goddess of fertility, Demeter, it is found particularly with the gods of sleep and death. Probably since the 5th century BC poppy was the attribute of the god Hypnos. The beginning of this new ornament shows a change in viewing death in the classical period. It is likely that the scenes with Hypnos and Thanatos with the onset of stone monuments in Attica follows a reduction of this substance on the cipher-like element with the poppy capsule.

• Die Geschichte wiederholt sich? Die römischen Grenzen aus der Sicht eines heutigen europäischen Archäologen († 1314)
• Eduard Nemeth,
  There are many resemblances between certain situations, events and procedures along the frontiers of the Roman Empire and some nowadays frontiers. The Roman authorities had to deal with immigration (both legal and illegal), trade, raids and wars on the borders. This paper underlines these similarities and seeks to establish whether the history repeats itself. The main conclusion is that even if the history does not repeat itself identically, there are enough parallels between our world of today and the Roman times, from which one could learn if one is willing to do so.

• Ottoman Cyprus: New Studies on an Obscure Field. A Review
• Kyriakos N. Demetriou,
  undergoing a large-scale revision that affects significantly our perceptions of Ottoman politics and culture. In this re-conceptualized context of developments in the historiography of the Ottoman Empire, radically departed from pre-existing patterns of nationalist historiography, the editors of Ottoman Cyprus (Harrassowitz Verlag, 2009) are confronted with a significant challenge: to examine, from a variety of outlooks and within a fresh research agenda, a most important and long neglected era in Cyprus history: the Ottoman rule (1570/71-1878). A large apparatus of documentary sources, archival material, historical testimonials, and a good brunt of expertise are called to implement the project. The volume has a twofold aim: First, to enrich the variety of studies on the Ottoman era in Cyprus by presenting works on a thematic multiplicity, ranging from a“primarily historical” works to explorations in the domains of “art, folklore and literature”. Second, the volume aims to “offer new approaches to the history of institutions and developments in Cyprus during the Ottoman period, in an attempt to propose a new interpretative framework and a more analytical reading of the historical part”. This essay examines in detail the individual contributions to conclude that (despite preconceptions and intellectual commitment implicit in modernist, revisionist historiographical approaches), the volume succeeds in offering fresh perspectives on a number of issues thus constituting a useful companion to the politics and culture of an important era in Cypriot history.
• Johann Wilhelms Bilder und die Mythologie. Zu einer Ausstellung in München
• Reinhard Stupperich,
  Elector Palatine Johann Wilhelm, who tried to regain the dominant position among the electors, lost by his predecessor, so-called Winter King Frederic V, to the Bavarian branch of the Wittelsbach family during the Thirty Years War, took much effort to increase the powerful representation of his house’s wealth and predominance. As he was a great friend of painting, one of his preferred media in demonstrating his power was the exhibition of works of art which caused him to add a special gallery building to his residence at Dusseldorf to house his collection of paintings and statues. In this enterprise he was helped by the close ties to his relatives at the courts of Madrid, Vienna and especially Florence, with whom he exchanged works of art as diplomatic gifts. The statues had to be acquired in some hastened actions by his agents in Italy, the Medici connection helped in providing casts of the most famous antique statues, and a special Italian accent was added to his collection otherwise dominated by painters from the Netherlands. His special love for Flamish and Dutch painting made him spend enormous sums on works by Rubens, van Dyck, Jan Brueghel the Elder and his court painters van der Werff and van Douven. Most works from his collections are now in Munich where some of the original hangings of his paintings in the castle and gallery at Dusseldorf has been reconstructed in a commemorative exhibition in 2009. Thus for the first time one has a comprehensive impression of his collections. The article takes the opportunity to try to evaluate the amount and importance of antique and especially of mythological themes among the paintings in his collection. Thus it turns out that – in spite of the predominance of religious themes - they play a central role in the hanging by being placed at central points on the walls. The theory that Johann Wilhelm’s paintings showed the preponderance of religious engagement as opposed to the banning of the heathenish statues to the basements, is therefore wrong.
• Johann Christian Bachs Endimione
• Reinhard Stupperich,
  The so called London Bach, youngest son of the famous choirmaster of St. Thomas at Leipzig, was a successful composer of operas, much esteemed by the Elector Palatine Carl Theodor who at that time held the biggest court orchestra in all of Europe. When Johann Baptist Wendling, a Mannheim composer and flute teacher of the Elector Palatine, visited Bach in London, accompanied by his wife and daughter, both opera singers, Bach dedicated to him a serenata (i.e. a small opera) on the Greek love story of the shepard Endymion and the goddess Diana. On their return the Wendlings brought the serenata to the Mannheim court, where it was performed more than once. It is argued here that Bach adapted the disposition of the legend’s personal to the situation of those involved in the performance, the Wendlings, himself and the Elector Palatine; thus he freed himself of his rejected love to Wendling’s daughter.
• Church, State and Politics in 19th Century Cyprus
• Victor Roudometof - Michalis N. Michael,
  This article examines the relationship between the Orthodox Church of Cyprus and the State in the context of Cyprus’ politics during the 19th century and the turn of the 20th century. A brief overview of the socio-economic and political functions of the Orthodox Church under the Ottoman rule shows that the Church was an institution fully incorporated within the framework of the Ottoman state. Its prelates held high political positions in the State hierarchy. Then, a review of the specific changes brought into socio-economic situation and the legal structures of Church-State relations as a result of the British occupation of the island (1878) is presented. We argue that the new post-1878 British legal and political colonial regime led to significant shifts in the social and cultural landscape of the relations between the State and the Church. Next, we inquire into the Church’s response. In our view, the Church’s expanded role in secular education and domestic politics represented a response to the challenges of the colonial regime. We further address the issue of the Church prelates participation into the island’s colonial government structures. We argue that their political participation was a consequence of the profound legitimacy crisis faced by the Church hierarchy as a result of the extensive modifications imposed by the post-1878 modernizing British colonial structures.
• Louis Dumesnil de Maricourt. Consul de France à Larnaca et ‘excellent homme’ (15 mars 1862 – 26 juillet 1865)
• Lucie Bonato
  Louis Dumesnil de Maricourt was appointed Consul of France in Larnaca in 1862 and died from cholera three years later. Besides the usual reports on trade and navigation, his abundant correspondence- no less than 250 missives to the Ministry in Paris and the Ambassador in Constantinople- provides precise documentation on the political, economic and social situation in Cyprus, as well as the everyday life there. This testimony is of special interest not only by its timing during the dwindling French influence to the benefit of England but also when the island was feeling the early vibrations of modernity.
• La France et l’Archéologie Chypriote pendant a gestion du consul Louis Dumesnil de Maricourt (1862-1865)
• Lucie Bonato,
  as a curiosity, France got involved in archaeological research there, in particular while Louis de Maricourt (1862- 1865) was in charge of the French consulate in Larnaca. In 1862, took place the first French archaeological mission directed by Melchior de Vogüé which, besides diggings in Athienou and Dali, took possession of the famous “vase d’Amathonte” which removal in 1865 was quite an achievement. Charles de Maricourt, brother of the consul, collected Cypriot antiquities but not for commercial purpose, it was only a source of entertainment. His name is definitely linked to the discovery of the sanctuary of the “Goddess of the Salt-Lake” near Kition. If a few terracottas are today in the Louvre, the site was later looted and its material irremediably scattered all over the world.
• Klassische Tradition des spätwilhelminischen Historismus. Aufgezeigt am Oeuvre Richard Perreys in Mannheim
• Reinhard Stupperich,
  Though he came from a traditional architectural background the new Mannheim chief architect Richard Perrey was quite an inventious technician. During two decades at the beginning of the 20th century he impressed his mark on the city of Mannheim especially by building lots of big schools for the ever increasing number of children in the rapidly growing industrial metropolis. An important factor was the fondness of the baroque style of the residential town centre, which made him restore the central administration building in the centre as town hall and adapt features of the residential palace on the border of the town. Thus he contributed greatly to the preservation of the general character of the town. Here it is shown that Perrey’s works contained more of classical examples in concept and detail than is conceived at first glance.
• The Cyprus Question and the Settlement of Greek-Bulgarian Abeyances
• Areti Tounda-Fergadi,
  The Cyprus crisis of the years 1963-1964, the subsequent tension in Greek-Turkish relations, the change of the political situation in Greece which had taken place on 3 November 1963, are some of the events which inflicted and allowed the Government of Center Union (Enosis Kentrou) to hasten the procedures for the settlement of Greek-Bulgarian relations. The Greek-Bulgarian rapprochement, which became reality in the summer and autumn of 1964, constitutes indeed an interesting case of Cold War diplomacy as it ended a multi-annual diplomatic struggle, a litigation not only financial but also territorial which dated back to the Second Balkan War. What is more, the controversy between the two countries over the interpretation of stipulations of older international texts relating to Bulgaria’s economic exit to the Aegean Sea was decisively ended. The settlement of Greek-Bulgarian economic abeyances constituted a tangible proof that countries belonging to opposing ideological and political camps could cooperate, despite their differences, thus contributing both in the mid and in the long term to the consolidation and to the maintenance of international peace.

• Zypern und das moderne Seerecht – eine weitere Facette im Konflikt
• Thorsten Kruse,
  The Modern Law of the Sea was introduced in the 20th century to secure political, economic and ecological interests in the waters of all states involved. Its aim is to provide a basis for arbitration in conflicts regarding these matters. The Law of the Sea constitutes one further element within the context of the Cyprus conflict. While Greece and Cyprus ratified the International Sea Convention in the 1990s Turkey until now has not accepted the guidelines of the UN Convention as a legal basis. After a short introduction on the history of the Modern Law of the Sea this paper outlines the positions of the three states mentioned on this matter and their consequences on the Cyprus issue. It appears that even this single aspect of the conflict reflects all the essential problems which made it impossible until now to find a solution concerning the Cyprus issue.
• Weg in die Katastrophe und verpasste Gelegenheiten (Zypern 1965-1977)
• Harald Gilbert,
  The article deals with the fourth and last volume of Richters “History of the Island of Cyprus” which covers the years from the end of the Civil War 1965 to the signing of the High Level Agreement and Makarios’ death 1977. Richter describes the conflict between the two communities, the involvement of Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States (which were not at all interested in dealing with the problems of Cyprus) and the United Nations and the reasons for the failure to find a solution before (and after) the coup of the Junta and the Turkish invasion. The article especially discusses the attempts to find a solution, the roles of Clerides and Makarios and tries to give answers to the question of responsibility for all the lost opportunities.
• Henry Kissinger und Zypern
  • Heinz A. Richter,
    Many Greeks and Greek Cypriots are convinced that Henry Kissinger was the sinister architect of the Cyprus problem. Taking a closer look one easily recognizes that these arguments are preconceived opinions and projections of prejudices and the expressions of emotions which have little in common with the historical truth. They are based on conspiracy theories. This article rejects such interpretations. The Cyprus catastrophe was not the result of a sinister conspiracy but due to the lack of information, ignorance and arrogance and the projection of political concepts alien to the area by Henry Kissinger. He did not intervene but followed a laissez-aller policy with a benevolent eye on Turkey which he considered more important for US interests than Greece or little Cyprus. Cyprus was a kind of fly which disturbed his circles of world politics and thus he did not mind when Turkey intervened militarily.
• Is Litigation The Only Way To Empty “International” Museums’ Trophy Cases Of Their Looted Treasures?
• Michael J. Reppas II.,
  The 1963 British Museum act was created by the British Parliament to provide the guidelines which dictate the powers of the Museum Trustees with respect to the art, artifacts and other items comprising its vast collection. A recent court decision by the High Court of Justice in London, however, puts the integrity of the museum and the British Parliament itself in question as the court refused to authorize the museum to release from its collection positively identified NAZI looted Holocaust art to the heirs of the victim. This article examines the legal and ethical aspects of this incredible case and underscores of the compelling need to increase legal action to prohibit these horrific crimes of the past from being further ignored.
• Zur Eröffnung des Akropolis-Museums am 20. Juni 2009
• Reinhard Stupperich,
  the Acropolis was opened in Athens in June 2009, a decades long quarrel was ended by a marvellous solution. The building of the Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi, though seen by itself of seemingly unwieldy modernity, is integrated by the neighbouring classizising buildings in a pleasant and welcome way. It preserves the excavations underneath. It presents the Parthenon marbles in about the same disposition and orientation as on the building itself and within view of the newly restored temple. The marbles available from the other temples on the Acropolis are exhibited close by. Many more of the finds from the acropole are presented now as well. In a big hall the votive statutes from the sanctuaries come back to a new life in ful light among the visitors. This would be a wonderful place for the Elgin Marbles to be presented in reunion with their other half.
• Zu den Verhandlungen im Zusammenhang mit dem deutschen Abzug aus Athen 1944
• Heinz Richter - Reinhard Stupperich,
  When the last German troups left Athens in Octobre 1944 without destroying infrastructure necessary for the life of the capital, as they had been ordered by Hitler, this was due to secret negotiations with different Greek and British partners. Behind this was mainly the initiative of the future Heidelberg classical archaeologist Roland Hampe, at that time translator to the last German general in command at Athens, Hellmuth Felmy. Ten years after these events Hampe published a personal report of the events, which is reprinted here. In order to help today’s readers to understand the situation light is put here on the personal career of Hampe as well as on the political and military situation in Athens at the end of the war.
• Die Rettung Athens im Oktober 1944
• Roland Hampe,
  Hampes report on the saving of Athens from Hitler’sorder for destruction in 1944 reprinted here with some minor corrections from the author’s manuscript was published ten years after the events in Athens. It is a historical document of major importance that should not be forgotten by historians. The last general in command at Paris v. Choltitz had been sentenced to death by Hitler’s judges because of exactly the same deed as general Felmy. Hampe describes how he despite this persuaded the general to attempt the declaration of Athens as on ‘open city’, and how with the help of his Greek friends they managed to get in touch and to negotiate with some of the more influential opposition leaders and for a short period achieved some sort of armistice with the ELAS partisans and on the other side even some restraint by the British army.