Cultural Memory and Identity in Ancient Societies (Cultural Memory and History in Antiquity)

"In recent years memory has become a central concept in historical studies, following the definition of the term 'Cultural Memory' by the Egyptologist Jan Assmann in 1994. Thinking about memory, as both an individual and a social phenomenon, has led to a new way of conceptualizing history and has drawn historians into debate with scholars in other disciplines such as literary studies, cultural theory and philosophy. The aim of this volume is to explore memory and identity in ancient societies. 'We are what we remember' is the striking thesis of the Nobel laureate Eric R Kandel, and this holds equally true for ancient societies as modern ones. How did the societies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome remember and commemorate the past? How were relationships to the past, both individual and collective, articulated? Exploring the balance between memory as survival and memory as reconstruction, and between memory and historically recorded fact, this volume unearths the way ancient societies formed their cultural identity."--Bloomsbury Publishing In recent years memory has become a central concept in historical studies, following the definition of the term 'Cultural Memory' by the Egyptologist Jan Assmann in 1994. Thinking about memory, as both an individual and a social phenomenon, has led to a new way of conceptualizing history and has drawn historians into debate with scholars in other disciplines such as literary studies, cultural theory and philosophy. The aim of this volume is to explore memory and identity in ancient societies. 'We are what we remember' is the striking thesis of the Nobel laureate Eric R Kandel, and this holds equally true for ancient societies as modern ones. How did the societies of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome remember and commemorate the past? How were relationships to the past, both individual and collective, articulated? Exploring the balance between memory as survival and memory as reconstruction, and between memory and historically recorded fact, this volume unearths the way ancient societies formed their cultural identity. How Did Ancient Societies Remember And Commemorate The Past? And How Was Cultural Identity, Both Individual And Collective, Formed And Articulated? In Recent Years Memory Has Become A Central Concept In Historical Studies, Following The Definition Of The Term 'cultural Memory' By The Egyptologist Jan Assmann In 1994. Thinking About Memory, As Both An Individual And A Social Phenomenon, Has Led To A New Way Of Conceptualizing History And Has Drawn Historians Into Debate With Scholars In Other Disciplines Such As Literary Studies, Cultural Theory And Philosophy. The Aim Of This Volume Is To Explore Memory And Identity In Ancient Societies. The Ancient Egyptian Scene Of 'pharaoh Smiting His Enemies' : An Attempt To Visualize Cultural Memory? / Maria Michela Luiselli -- Silent Voices? Cultural Memory And The Reading Of Inscribed Epigram In Classical Athens / Niall Livingstone -- Rhōmaizō ... Ergo Sum : Becoming Roman In Varro's De Lingua Latina / Diana Spencer -- Jewish Memory And Identity In The First Century Ad : Philo And Josephus On Dreams / Juliette Grace Harrisson -- Pausanias' Egypt / Martin Bommas -- Forgetting To Remember In The Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt / Anna Lucille Boozer -- Sculpture, Text And Recall : The Monument To Viscountess Harriet Fitzharris / Mary Harlow, Ray Laurence And Roger White. Edited By Martin Bommas. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In English; Occasional Phrases In Ancient Greek With English Translations.