The Mediterranean in Antiquity

A fresh overview of the Mediterranean in antiquity, combining archaeology, history, ecology, climate, globalization, and network theories.

This is a cross-disciplinary study of the Mediterranean in antiquity, which combines archaeology, history, ecology, climate, globalization, and network theories. It goes beyond viewing the Mediterranean merely as a sea surrounded by landmasses, instead examining its significance for – and relationship with – its bordering regions.This is a cross-disciplinary study of the Mediterranean, which combines archaeology, historiography, ecology, climate, globalization, and network theories. It situates the Mediterranean both within and beyond traditional area studies, promoting broader, comparative, and cross-disciplinary approaches to antiquity. Its nine contributions, written by internationally recognized scholars within their respective study areas, challenge existing frameworks and encourage scholars to rethink how the Mediterranean is conceptualized, drawing on renewed concepts and diverse evidence. The studies guide the reader to desert environments such as the Sahara, Egypt, Palmyra, and Greece, while exploring topics including urban religion, mythology, social complexity, and iconography.