Biographical Essays:
Was Socrates a Sophist?
Abstract: Faced with the same intellectual problems as the sophists, Socrates rejected their skeptical and relativist conclusions, and continued to believe in a truth beyond the everyday world of changing appearances, and in the ability of the human mind to attain real knowledge of that truth. But he understood that this idea could no longer be based on tradition and religion, but that a logical philosophical foundation had to be found, and therefore searched for definitions of moral terms in an almost scientific manner. His use of rhetoric and counter-argument in debate was not, as with the sophists, undertaken in order to persuade, or to win an argument, but in pursuit of real knowledge. In this respect he is the epitome of Plato’s ‘true philosopher’, living his life in an authentic search for a truth in which he believed, and dying without compromising his ideals.
Was Socrates a Sophist? in The Sophists: An Introduction, ed. Patricia O’Grady, Duckworth (2008).
Researchgate or Bloomsbury or email me
Herodotus
Abstract: In The Histories, Herodotus traces the cause and direction of the Persian Wars, in which the poor, independent city-states of Greece acted in concert to defeat invasion by a mighty eastern empire. For Herodotus, the Persian Wars were within living memory, and he interviewed priests, record-keepers and veterans, visited cities and temples, and inspected the heaped bones of the fallen on battlefields. The Persians met their nemesis after fighting a number of now famous battles on land and sea. Herodotus stressed the mutability of all things; great cities, empires and kings eventually fall, and small things become great, for: ‘Human prosperity never abides long in the same place’.
Herodotus, in Meet the Philosophers of Ancient Greece, ed. Patricia O’Grady, Ashgate (2005).
Researchgate or or email me
Academic Theses:
Patterns of Cave Use in Prehistoric Crete
Abstract: An examination of cave use on Crete in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages (Prepalatial to Postpalatial periods) from archaeological evidence. A methodology was developed for the determination of cave use from artefacts and archaeological features, and was applied to data from a hundred Cretan caves of this period. The types of activities which took place in the caves was established, and these were discussed in the context of three broad categories of use, i.e. the occupation/economic, burial and ritual functions. A classification of caves was devised, and the connection between cave type and cave use investigated. A degree of predictability was found in the types of cave used for particular functions in terms of their morphology and natural characteristics. Chronologically, the initial importance of caves for probable occupation/economic use was replaced by their function as places for burial, and later still a ritual importance; a trend which corresponds with cave use in other areas. However, within this broad pattern, significant geographical variation was revealed and discussed. This evidence was shown to be of importance for the interpretation of the political, economic, ritual and social changes which must have taken place during the periods studied.
Patterns of Cave Use in Prehistoric Crete, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Christine Louise Farmer. University of Birmingham, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology (1998) Findit@Birmingham: Thesis Vol 1 and Vol 2 Maps and Gazetteer
A Reconstruction of Aspects of Cretan Prepalatial Society from an Examination of Settlement Evidence
Abstract: The Prepalatial settlement evidence from Crete is examined using the theories of Settlement Archaeology. The extent of the effects of the environment on the siting, size, layout and forms of buildings and settlements is examined in order to isolate and study those features of settlement which may reflect the nature of Prepalatial society. These features are examined from the point of view of the effects of the economic, industrial, trading, cult and defensive activities of their occupants, as well as their social and political organisation. Given the present level of evidence, only tentative conclusions can be drawn. Changes in social organisation during the period are to be expected given the increased population at specific sites, and this is reflected in the appearance there of specialist structures and possible public buildings. Towards the end of the period there is evidence for a settlement hierarchy implying differences in function between sites. There are indications that certain activities were organised at a level higher than that of the individual household. The nature of a possible central authority is not determined, but whatever authority built and ‘occupied’ the later palaces and administered the palatial system may have existed in the Prepalatial period.
A Reconstruction of Aspects of Cretan Prepalatial Society from an Examination of Settlement Evidence, unpublished MPhil Thesis Christine Louise Farmer. University of Birmingham, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology (1993). Findit@Birmingham Thesis
How are Perceived Changes in the Functions of Minoan Palaces from the First to Second Palace Periods Reflected in the Appearance and Functions of New, Non-Palatial Buildings in the Neopalatial Period?
Abstract: A survey of evidence put forward by others to suggest changes in the functions of the palaces during this period, and examination of evidence from non-palatial buildings of the New Palace Period to determine whether this change is reflected in their functions. The study concentrates on the functions of the buildings around the Palace and region of Knossos, in relation to those of the Palace itself. The functions considered are cult function, industrial and agricultural production, storage, and administration. The problem of the variable archaeological evidence is discussed.
How are Perceived Changes in the Functions of Minoan Palaces from the First to Second Palace Periods Reflected in the Appearance and Functions of New, Non-Palatial Buildings in the Neopalatial Period? Christine Farmer, Dissertation for the degree of BA in Ancient History and Archaeology (1992).
Other Articles:
Leafcutter Bees in Brush and Ink: An article on some of my drawing techniques: Leafcutter Bees in Brush and Ink
The Three Fields: A green space in Norton, Stourbridge. Available as PDF: The Three Fields
Research Profiles:
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