Strabo's Cultural Geography The Making of a Kolossourgia

Strabo of Amasia, a Greek geographer of the Augusto-Tiberian period, observed the Roman world of his time. He collected his observations in his magnum opus, the Geography, which he described as a 'Kolossourgia', a colossal statue of a work. This term reflects not only the work's size in seventeen books, but also its multi-faceted nature, composed of many different elements like the detailing on a statue. In this 2005 volume an international team of Strabo scholars explores those details, discussing the cultural, political, historical and geographical questions addressed in the Geography. The collection offers a number of different approaches to the study of Strabo, from traditional literary and historical perspectives to newer material and feminist readings. These diverse themes and approaches inform each other to provide a wide-ranging exploration of Strabo's work, making the book essential reading for students of ancient history and ancient geography.

Introduction; 1. Kolossourgia. 'A colossal statue of a work' Sarah Pothecary; 2. Reflections of philosophy: Strabo and geographical sources Christina Horst Roseman; 3. Who is a barbarian? The barbarians in the ethnological and cultural taxonomies of Strabo Eran Almagor; 4. Gender at the crossroads of empire: locating women in Strabo's Geography Denise Eileen McCoskey; 5. Strabo and Homer: a chapter in cultural history Anna Maria Biraschi; 6. Strabo's use of poetry Daniela Dueck; 7. Strabo's sources in the light of a tale Nikos Litinas; 8. The foundation of Greek colonies and their main features in Strabo: a portrayal lacking homogeneity? Francesco Trotta; 9. 'Men of high reputation' in Strabo's Geography Johannes Engels; 10. Comparing Strabo with Pausanias: Greece in context vs. Greece in depth Maria Pretzler; 11. The European provinces: Strabo as evidence Sarah Pothecary; 12. Amasya and Strabo's patria in Pontus Hugh Lindsay; 13. Cappadocia through Strabo's eyes Silvia Panichi; 14. Greek geography and Roman empire: the transformation of tradition in Strabo's Euxine David Braund; 15. Josephus' hidden dialogue with Strabo Yuval Shahar; 16. Temporal layers within Strabo's description of Coele Syria, Phoenicia and Judaea Ze'ev Safrai.

Strabo of Amasia's Geography observes the world of the Augustan period. This 2005 volume explores a wide range of questions addressed in the Geography and offers different approaches for their study. Written by an international team of scholars, it is essential reading for students of ancient history and ancient geography.