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Issue 7 by Kleos - the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology Issue 7

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology, 2024

The seventh Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars ... more The seventh Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars of (r)Ma and PhD‐level. The papers included in the issue cover a wide range of subjects, starting with the second millennium BCE in Mycenae, to discussions about repatriation and colonialism in existing collections. As is our custom, you will find the papers ordered in chronological order, leaving aside disciplinary divides.

Research paper thumbnail of Unveiling the symbolic significance of Mycenaean weaponry: exploring material culture and death in the Late Bronze Age Argolid

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology, 2024

This paper delves into the Late Bronze Age Mycenaean civilisation's burial customs, t... more This paper delves into the Late Bronze Age Mycenaean civilisation's burial customs, to elucidate the dynamic relationship between weaponry assemblages and evolving societal dynamics by focusing on Mycenae, Dendra, and Prosymna. During the Palatial period, these societies underwent significant transformations, transitioning from kin groups to nuclear families as political units, reflecting shifts in societal organisation and power dynamics. The research scrutinises the specific weaponry findings in shaft graves, tholos tombs, and chamber tombs, elucidating their roles in combat functions and as prestige objects. By categorising the morphology of weaponry types, this study investigates the practicality of these weapons in warfare and their symbolic significance. The contextual analysis of burial sites unveils military identity and broader social conditions. The presence of precious material and intricate designs in weaponry underscores their roles in projecting social status and identities. This paper emphasises the intricate relationships between weaponry, elite representation, and cultural identity, providing fresh insights into Mycenaean militarism and social dynamics.

Research paper thumbnail of Suspend your disbelief: spontaneous generation in Antigonus’s paradoxography

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin for Ancient Studies and Archaeology, 2024

The term ‘paradoxography’ (‘marvel‐writing’) refers to compilations of excerpted historical, ethn... more The term ‘paradoxography’ (‘marvel‐writing’) refers to compilations of excerpted historical, ethnographical, natural scientific, and biological phenomena, which emerged in 4th century BC Alexandria with the purpose of presenting extraordinary phenomena. Twentieth‐century scholarship has depicted paradoxography as a misuse of legitimate historical and scientific works for the purpose of entertainment, while recent scholarship casts a more generous view of the relationship between paradoxographical compilations and their source texts. Nonetheless, the nature of paradoxography’s engagement with science remains a desideratum of research. The present article focuses on Antigonus (fl. c. 240 BC) and his Collection of Marvellous Investigations (Συναγωγὴ ἱστοριῶν παραδόξων), demonstrating how he invokes wonder in spontaneous generation—a biological process thought in antiquity to explain the appearance of organisms without being generated by another of their kind, such as insects in rotting matter. Antigonus assumes his readers’ familiarity with spontaneous generation, unlike other topics he discusses. This article demonstrates that, by positioning spontaneous generation as an object of wonder, Antigonus engages with contemporary discourse and encourages inquiry into this generative process. I introduce the history and critical reception of paradoxography, its stylistic features, and analyse Antigonus’s references to spontaneous generation to emphasise his work’s participation in scientific inquiry.

Research paper thumbnail of Rome and its allies in Asia Minor: a study on political relationship between Rome, Rhodes, and Pergamon from the Peace of Apamea to the end of Third Macedonian War

The Battle of Magnesia (190 BC) ended with the victory of the Romans and their all... more The Battle of Magnesia (190 BC) ended with the victory of the Romans and their allies, and the distribution of former Seleucid territories west of the Taurus Mountains to Rhodes and Pergamon, who contributed crucially to Rome’s victory. Although the Romans de facto held the sole supremacy of the Mediterranean, Rhodes and Pergamon acted as independent states. Their relationship did not always go smoothly, whilst Rome’s dissatisfaction and enmity towards Rhodes and Pergamon grew steadily.
The paper will analyse substantial events and turning points in the relationship between Rome and its primary allies in the Eastern Mediterranean from the Peace of Apamea (188 BC) to the aftermath of the Third Macedonian War (171‐168 BC): the disputes between Rhodes and Lycia with Roman interventions and Roman hostilities to Rhodes and Pergamon after the Third Macedonian War. By examining surviving literary accounts and comparative studies of the Rhodo‐Lycian and Pergamene‐Galatian conflicts, this paper suggests a Roman strategy to allies with whom they were dissatisfied. The Romans could sink their allies’ strength by granting autonomy to revolting areas whose armed rebellions had been suppressed by the allies recently and by encouraging them to revolt again.

Research paper thumbnail of Hadrian’s ecumenical vision of Empire: reconsidering the ideological function of personifying the Roman provinces on Hadrianic coinage

From as far north as Britannia to as far south as Africa and Mauretania, the provi... more From as far north as Britannia to as far south as Africa and Mauretania, the provinces of the Roman empire came to be represented as allegorical female figures on a large variety of mediums including statues, mosaics and, most significantly, coinage. The personification of the provinces was a recurring phenomenon on Roman coinage, yet it is not until emperor Hadrian (117‐138 AD) that this representational device was used in such a systematic and unprecedented way. This paper explores how Hadrian’s utilisation of these personifications challenged the Roman tradition of using images of defeated and conquered provinces fallen to the might of Rome. The usage of coinage will be explored as part of the wider programme demonstrating how these policies worked in tandem to create and propagate an idealised ‘ecumenical’ view of the Roman Empire under Hadrian and how the empire stood to benefit from reconfiguring their relationship with the provinces. In highlighting and interrogating the ideologically charged nature of these personifications, this paper will also seek to counterbalance past scholarly interpretations of this series. In particular, challenging the dominant interpretation by Jocelyn Toynbee which was heavily influenced by the imperial climate of early twentieth‐century Britain. Thus, it is essential to re‐examine this ideology in light of the benefits to the imperial power of projecting an ecumenical vision of empire and how it might serve as encouragement for provincial collusion in the project of empire.

Research paper thumbnail of Carthago Prosperanda Est. Representation of Carthaginians in Video Games

Roma Aeterna! Words corroborated by the continuous popularity of the Romans in the e... more Roma Aeterna! Words corroborated by the continuous popularity of the Romans in the ever‐growing video game industry. Games and movies, along with their respective fields of study, often favour the Roman Empire as the star of the show.1 Instead, this paper analyses one of their greatest adversaries in video games: the Carthaginians. The article explores the representation of the Carthaginians in the digital ludic realm and the sources used to form these representations. Furthermore, the study analyses how game designers manage gaps in the historical record. The absence of Carthaginian literary texts means the creators turn to other sources or adopt alternative approaches. How can lacunas in sources turn into a depiction of a complex culture and society? The paper analyses two popular video games: Imperator: Rome and Old World.2 The focus lies on the influence of ancient and historiographic sources in shaping digital representation, as evident from in‐game texts and game files. This analysis requires a multidisciplinary methodology and perspective, combining historical research and game studies. The study demonstrates the great influence that Roman and Greek sources have on the representation of Carthage in video games. Additionally, I discuss developers’ approaches to gaps in knowledge, and what other sources they employ to create a complete and layered representation.

Research paper thumbnail of Holocaust, Colonialism, Slavery. Entangled Histories of a Benin Bronze from a Jewish Collection

In 2018, a German auction house sold a Benin Bronze from the collection of German‐J... more In 2018, a German auction house sold a Benin Bronze from the collection of German‐Jewish publisher Rudolf Mosse. It had been forcefully auctioned off by the National Socialist regime in 1934, making the Bronze a Nazi‐looted object. Therefore, prior to the sale, the auction house came to a financial agreement with Mosse’s heirs. Since 2018, debates on restitution and the Benin Bronzes have developed tremendously. On the one hand, the Benin Bronzes―a group of cultural objects from the Royal Kingdom of Benin in today’s Nigeria that were violently looted by British soldiers in 1897―have become emblematic for a new rise of urgency concerning colonial restitution, and multiple museums and national government have returned Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. On the other hand, in 2022 the US‐based Restitution Study Group opposed these returns and claimed that the Bronzes should be made accessible to descendants of enslaved people in the US. They claim that the Kingdom of Benin had created the Bronzes from brass that the Kingdom had received for its active role in the transatlantic slave trade.
This article dives into the object history of this Benin Bronze from Mosse’s collection, situating it within the intersecting violent contexts of the Holocaust, colonialism and slavery. Therefore, this article connects the case of the Benin Bronze to an influx of relational approaches in transitional justice, the study field that explores the long‐term effects of mass violence as well as the specific judicial and non‐judicial processes that have been developed to confront these episodes of mass violence. The aim is to showcase the potential and limits of material culture approaches and provenance research for transitional justice, as well as to critically reflect on mechanisms of restitution that in themselves are influenced by processes of meaning‐making, prioritization and selection.

Research paper thumbnail of Emma M. Payne (2021). Casting the Parthenon Sculptures from the Eighteenth Century to the Digital Age. London: Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781350120358

News by Kleos - the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Research paper thumbnail of CALL FOR PAPERS -KLEOS ISSUE 8

Are you interested in publishing a peer-reviewed paper and boosting your academic CV? In that cas... more Are you interested in publishing a peer-reviewed paper and boosting your academic CV? In that case Kleos invites enthusiastic early career researchers to submit a contribution to Kleos Issue 8, to be published in Autumn 2025. Contributions on any subject related to the academic fields of ancient history, classics and archaeology will be received with interest!

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for editors 2024

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peerreviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the six open positions within the editorial board of Kleosthe Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology. What is Kleos? Kleos is a peer-reviewed, open access academic journal, which aims to provide a possibility to graduate and PhD students, as well as starting independent researchers, to publish their research in the fields of classics, ancient history and archaeology. The journal is run by an interdisciplinary team of seven editors (two editors from each main study field and one chief-editor). This editorial team is supported by the journal's academic advisory council. The quality of the editorial process is furthermore guaranteed by the expert peer reviewers involved.

Research paper thumbnail of EXTENDED DEADLINE! KLEOS Call for archaeology and ancient history editors

EXTENDED DEADLINE! 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒 Are you an enthusiastic (... more EXTENDED DEADLINE!
𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒

Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD-student and would you like to gain academic publishing experience as part of an interdisciplinary team of academic pears?

Apply now for the positions of Archaeology Editor and Ancient History Editor within the editorial board of Kleos. The deadline for the application is 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 December 4𝐭𝐡, so be sure to mail us your application in time!

More information on how to apply for this position is provided on the poster!

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for archaeology and ancient history editors

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peer reviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students in Archaeology and Ancient History to apply for the four open positions within the editorial board of Kleos-the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for Classics Editor

Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD student and would you like to gain academic publishing exper... more Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD student and would you like to gain academic publishing experience as part of an interdisciplinary team of academic peers?

Apply now for the open position within the editorial board of Kleos! We are looking for applicants in the field of classics.

See the call below for more information.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for editors 2022

Kleos Call for Editors, 2022 Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do yo... more Kleos Call for Editors, 2022

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peerreviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the two open positions within the editorial board of Kleos-the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

If you wish to apply please send a short letter of application (no longer than one A4) by Monday 28th of November 2022 in which you address your background (field of study, current position/occupation, topics of interest etc.), motivation and previous experience (editorial and board experience, your networks, specific skills etc.). Letters can be sent to bulletin.kleos@gmail.com.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos Call for Papers Issue 6!

Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers – both MA and PhD students – from the f... more Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers – both MA and PhD students – from the fields of ancient studies, classics and archaeology to submit a contribution to Kleos! The Call for Papers for Kleos Issue 6, to be published in Spring 2023, is out now!

If you wish to apply please send a short abstract (no longer than 300 words) as a Word file by the 29th of March 2022 to bulletin.kleos@gmail.com. For more information see the flyer.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for editors 2021

Kleos Call for Editors, 2021

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peerreviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the two open positions within the editorial board of Kleos-the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

If you wish to apply please send a short letter of application (no longer than one A4) by Friday 8th of October 2021 in which you address your background (field of study, current position/occupation, topics of interest etc.), motivation and previous experience (editorial and board experience, your networks, specific skills etc.). Letters can be sent to bulletin.kleos@gmail.com.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos Call for Papers Issue 5!

Call for Papers Issue 5 (2022)

The Kleos Call for Papers for issue 5 (to be published in may 2022) is out now! Deadline: April 3... more The Kleos Call for Papers for issue 5 (to be published in may 2022) is out now! Deadline: April 30th 2021

Issue 6 by Kleos - the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Kleos Issue 6, 2023

The sixth Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars of... more The sixth Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars of (r)Ma and PhD‐level. The papers included in the issue cover a wide range of subjects, ranging from the events of 70 AD, which marked an important point in Jewish history, to the reception and manipulation of the figure of King Alfred of Wessex in modern fan fiction. As is our custom, you will find the papers ordered in chronological order, leaving aside disciplinary divides.

Research paper thumbnail of A New Periodisation? Recent Innovations in Studies on the Impact of the Destruction of the Second Temple

As the title suggests, the article introduces the historiographical debate on the destruction of ... more As the title suggests, the article introduces the historiographical debate on the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The author presents different interpretations of this event and how this came to be viewed as a watershed moment in Jewish history. In doing so, the author effectively questions long‐standing and sometimes anachronistic interpretations of historical events and formed time periods.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the Identity of Mezurashizuka Decorated Tomb's Painting: Introducing a New Perspective

Claudia Zancan dives into the materialisation of the society of the Late Kofun period on the isla... more Claudia Zancan dives into the materialisation of the society of the Late Kofun period on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. Through the analysis of the style, iconography and iconology of the recovered materials and preserved decorations, the author reveals the hybrid nature of the artistic production, material culture, grave goods produced by a society which merged elements of peninsular origin with local culture.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology Issue 7

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology, 2024

The seventh Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars ... more The seventh Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars of (r)Ma and PhD‐level. The papers included in the issue cover a wide range of subjects, starting with the second millennium BCE in Mycenae, to discussions about repatriation and colonialism in existing collections. As is our custom, you will find the papers ordered in chronological order, leaving aside disciplinary divides.

Research paper thumbnail of Unveiling the symbolic significance of Mycenaean weaponry: exploring material culture and death in the Late Bronze Age Argolid

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology, 2024

This paper delves into the Late Bronze Age Mycenaean civilisation's burial customs, t... more This paper delves into the Late Bronze Age Mycenaean civilisation's burial customs, to elucidate the dynamic relationship between weaponry assemblages and evolving societal dynamics by focusing on Mycenae, Dendra, and Prosymna. During the Palatial period, these societies underwent significant transformations, transitioning from kin groups to nuclear families as political units, reflecting shifts in societal organisation and power dynamics. The research scrutinises the specific weaponry findings in shaft graves, tholos tombs, and chamber tombs, elucidating their roles in combat functions and as prestige objects. By categorising the morphology of weaponry types, this study investigates the practicality of these weapons in warfare and their symbolic significance. The contextual analysis of burial sites unveils military identity and broader social conditions. The presence of precious material and intricate designs in weaponry underscores their roles in projecting social status and identities. This paper emphasises the intricate relationships between weaponry, elite representation, and cultural identity, providing fresh insights into Mycenaean militarism and social dynamics.

Research paper thumbnail of Suspend your disbelief: spontaneous generation in Antigonus’s paradoxography

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin for Ancient Studies and Archaeology, 2024

The term ‘paradoxography’ (‘marvel‐writing’) refers to compilations of excerpted historical, ethn... more The term ‘paradoxography’ (‘marvel‐writing’) refers to compilations of excerpted historical, ethnographical, natural scientific, and biological phenomena, which emerged in 4th century BC Alexandria with the purpose of presenting extraordinary phenomena. Twentieth‐century scholarship has depicted paradoxography as a misuse of legitimate historical and scientific works for the purpose of entertainment, while recent scholarship casts a more generous view of the relationship between paradoxographical compilations and their source texts. Nonetheless, the nature of paradoxography’s engagement with science remains a desideratum of research. The present article focuses on Antigonus (fl. c. 240 BC) and his Collection of Marvellous Investigations (Συναγωγὴ ἱστοριῶν παραδόξων), demonstrating how he invokes wonder in spontaneous generation—a biological process thought in antiquity to explain the appearance of organisms without being generated by another of their kind, such as insects in rotting matter. Antigonus assumes his readers’ familiarity with spontaneous generation, unlike other topics he discusses. This article demonstrates that, by positioning spontaneous generation as an object of wonder, Antigonus engages with contemporary discourse and encourages inquiry into this generative process. I introduce the history and critical reception of paradoxography, its stylistic features, and analyse Antigonus’s references to spontaneous generation to emphasise his work’s participation in scientific inquiry.

Research paper thumbnail of Rome and its allies in Asia Minor: a study on political relationship between Rome, Rhodes, and Pergamon from the Peace of Apamea to the end of Third Macedonian War

The Battle of Magnesia (190 BC) ended with the victory of the Romans and their all... more The Battle of Magnesia (190 BC) ended with the victory of the Romans and their allies, and the distribution of former Seleucid territories west of the Taurus Mountains to Rhodes and Pergamon, who contributed crucially to Rome’s victory. Although the Romans de facto held the sole supremacy of the Mediterranean, Rhodes and Pergamon acted as independent states. Their relationship did not always go smoothly, whilst Rome’s dissatisfaction and enmity towards Rhodes and Pergamon grew steadily.
The paper will analyse substantial events and turning points in the relationship between Rome and its primary allies in the Eastern Mediterranean from the Peace of Apamea (188 BC) to the aftermath of the Third Macedonian War (171‐168 BC): the disputes between Rhodes and Lycia with Roman interventions and Roman hostilities to Rhodes and Pergamon after the Third Macedonian War. By examining surviving literary accounts and comparative studies of the Rhodo‐Lycian and Pergamene‐Galatian conflicts, this paper suggests a Roman strategy to allies with whom they were dissatisfied. The Romans could sink their allies’ strength by granting autonomy to revolting areas whose armed rebellions had been suppressed by the allies recently and by encouraging them to revolt again.

Research paper thumbnail of Hadrian’s ecumenical vision of Empire: reconsidering the ideological function of personifying the Roman provinces on Hadrianic coinage

From as far north as Britannia to as far south as Africa and Mauretania, the provi... more From as far north as Britannia to as far south as Africa and Mauretania, the provinces of the Roman empire came to be represented as allegorical female figures on a large variety of mediums including statues, mosaics and, most significantly, coinage. The personification of the provinces was a recurring phenomenon on Roman coinage, yet it is not until emperor Hadrian (117‐138 AD) that this representational device was used in such a systematic and unprecedented way. This paper explores how Hadrian’s utilisation of these personifications challenged the Roman tradition of using images of defeated and conquered provinces fallen to the might of Rome. The usage of coinage will be explored as part of the wider programme demonstrating how these policies worked in tandem to create and propagate an idealised ‘ecumenical’ view of the Roman Empire under Hadrian and how the empire stood to benefit from reconfiguring their relationship with the provinces. In highlighting and interrogating the ideologically charged nature of these personifications, this paper will also seek to counterbalance past scholarly interpretations of this series. In particular, challenging the dominant interpretation by Jocelyn Toynbee which was heavily influenced by the imperial climate of early twentieth‐century Britain. Thus, it is essential to re‐examine this ideology in light of the benefits to the imperial power of projecting an ecumenical vision of empire and how it might serve as encouragement for provincial collusion in the project of empire.

Research paper thumbnail of Carthago Prosperanda Est. Representation of Carthaginians in Video Games

Roma Aeterna! Words corroborated by the continuous popularity of the Romans in the e... more Roma Aeterna! Words corroborated by the continuous popularity of the Romans in the ever‐growing video game industry. Games and movies, along with their respective fields of study, often favour the Roman Empire as the star of the show.1 Instead, this paper analyses one of their greatest adversaries in video games: the Carthaginians. The article explores the representation of the Carthaginians in the digital ludic realm and the sources used to form these representations. Furthermore, the study analyses how game designers manage gaps in the historical record. The absence of Carthaginian literary texts means the creators turn to other sources or adopt alternative approaches. How can lacunas in sources turn into a depiction of a complex culture and society? The paper analyses two popular video games: Imperator: Rome and Old World.2 The focus lies on the influence of ancient and historiographic sources in shaping digital representation, as evident from in‐game texts and game files. This analysis requires a multidisciplinary methodology and perspective, combining historical research and game studies. The study demonstrates the great influence that Roman and Greek sources have on the representation of Carthage in video games. Additionally, I discuss developers’ approaches to gaps in knowledge, and what other sources they employ to create a complete and layered representation.

Research paper thumbnail of Holocaust, Colonialism, Slavery. Entangled Histories of a Benin Bronze from a Jewish Collection

In 2018, a German auction house sold a Benin Bronze from the collection of German‐J... more In 2018, a German auction house sold a Benin Bronze from the collection of German‐Jewish publisher Rudolf Mosse. It had been forcefully auctioned off by the National Socialist regime in 1934, making the Bronze a Nazi‐looted object. Therefore, prior to the sale, the auction house came to a financial agreement with Mosse’s heirs. Since 2018, debates on restitution and the Benin Bronzes have developed tremendously. On the one hand, the Benin Bronzes―a group of cultural objects from the Royal Kingdom of Benin in today’s Nigeria that were violently looted by British soldiers in 1897―have become emblematic for a new rise of urgency concerning colonial restitution, and multiple museums and national government have returned Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. On the other hand, in 2022 the US‐based Restitution Study Group opposed these returns and claimed that the Bronzes should be made accessible to descendants of enslaved people in the US. They claim that the Kingdom of Benin had created the Bronzes from brass that the Kingdom had received for its active role in the transatlantic slave trade.
This article dives into the object history of this Benin Bronze from Mosse’s collection, situating it within the intersecting violent contexts of the Holocaust, colonialism and slavery. Therefore, this article connects the case of the Benin Bronze to an influx of relational approaches in transitional justice, the study field that explores the long‐term effects of mass violence as well as the specific judicial and non‐judicial processes that have been developed to confront these episodes of mass violence. The aim is to showcase the potential and limits of material culture approaches and provenance research for transitional justice, as well as to critically reflect on mechanisms of restitution that in themselves are influenced by processes of meaning‐making, prioritization and selection.

Research paper thumbnail of Emma M. Payne (2021). Casting the Parthenon Sculptures from the Eighteenth Century to the Digital Age. London: Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781350120358

Research paper thumbnail of CALL FOR PAPERS -KLEOS ISSUE 8

Are you interested in publishing a peer-reviewed paper and boosting your academic CV? In that cas... more Are you interested in publishing a peer-reviewed paper and boosting your academic CV? In that case Kleos invites enthusiastic early career researchers to submit a contribution to Kleos Issue 8, to be published in Autumn 2025. Contributions on any subject related to the academic fields of ancient history, classics and archaeology will be received with interest!

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for editors 2024

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peerreviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the six open positions within the editorial board of Kleosthe Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology. What is Kleos? Kleos is a peer-reviewed, open access academic journal, which aims to provide a possibility to graduate and PhD students, as well as starting independent researchers, to publish their research in the fields of classics, ancient history and archaeology. The journal is run by an interdisciplinary team of seven editors (two editors from each main study field and one chief-editor). This editorial team is supported by the journal's academic advisory council. The quality of the editorial process is furthermore guaranteed by the expert peer reviewers involved.

Research paper thumbnail of EXTENDED DEADLINE! KLEOS Call for archaeology and ancient history editors

EXTENDED DEADLINE! 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒 Are you an enthusiastic (... more EXTENDED DEADLINE!
𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒

Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD-student and would you like to gain academic publishing experience as part of an interdisciplinary team of academic pears?

Apply now for the positions of Archaeology Editor and Ancient History Editor within the editorial board of Kleos. The deadline for the application is 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 December 4𝐭𝐡, so be sure to mail us your application in time!

More information on how to apply for this position is provided on the poster!

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for archaeology and ancient history editors

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peer reviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students in Archaeology and Ancient History to apply for the four open positions within the editorial board of Kleos-the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for Classics Editor

Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD student and would you like to gain academic publishing exper... more Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD student and would you like to gain academic publishing experience as part of an interdisciplinary team of academic peers?

Apply now for the open position within the editorial board of Kleos! We are looking for applicants in the field of classics.

See the call below for more information.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for editors 2022

Kleos Call for Editors, 2022 Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do yo... more Kleos Call for Editors, 2022

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peerreviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the two open positions within the editorial board of Kleos-the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

If you wish to apply please send a short letter of application (no longer than one A4) by Monday 28th of November 2022 in which you address your background (field of study, current position/occupation, topics of interest etc.), motivation and previous experience (editorial and board experience, your networks, specific skills etc.). Letters can be sent to bulletin.kleos@gmail.com.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos Call for Papers Issue 6!

Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers – both MA and PhD students – from the f... more Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers – both MA and PhD students – from the fields of ancient studies, classics and archaeology to submit a contribution to Kleos! The Call for Papers for Kleos Issue 6, to be published in Spring 2023, is out now!

If you wish to apply please send a short abstract (no longer than 300 words) as a Word file by the 29th of March 2022 to bulletin.kleos@gmail.com. For more information see the flyer.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for editors 2021

Kleos Call for Editors, 2021

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peerreviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the two open positions within the editorial board of Kleos-the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

If you wish to apply please send a short letter of application (no longer than one A4) by Friday 8th of October 2021 in which you address your background (field of study, current position/occupation, topics of interest etc.), motivation and previous experience (editorial and board experience, your networks, specific skills etc.). Letters can be sent to bulletin.kleos@gmail.com.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos Call for Papers Issue 5!

Call for Papers Issue 5 (2022)

The Kleos Call for Papers for issue 5 (to be published in may 2022) is out now! Deadline: April 3... more The Kleos Call for Papers for issue 5 (to be published in may 2022) is out now! Deadline: April 30th 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Kleos Issue 6, 2023

The sixth Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars of... more The sixth Kleos issue is out! As always, we are proud to present the work of starting scholars of (r)Ma and PhD‐level. The papers included in the issue cover a wide range of subjects, ranging from the events of 70 AD, which marked an important point in Jewish history, to the reception and manipulation of the figure of King Alfred of Wessex in modern fan fiction. As is our custom, you will find the papers ordered in chronological order, leaving aside disciplinary divides.

Research paper thumbnail of A New Periodisation? Recent Innovations in Studies on the Impact of the Destruction of the Second Temple

As the title suggests, the article introduces the historiographical debate on the destruction of ... more As the title suggests, the article introduces the historiographical debate on the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The author presents different interpretations of this event and how this came to be viewed as a watershed moment in Jewish history. In doing so, the author effectively questions long‐standing and sometimes anachronistic interpretations of historical events and formed time periods.

Research paper thumbnail of Investigating the Identity of Mezurashizuka Decorated Tomb's Painting: Introducing a New Perspective

Claudia Zancan dives into the materialisation of the society of the Late Kofun period on the isla... more Claudia Zancan dives into the materialisation of the society of the Late Kofun period on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. Through the analysis of the style, iconography and iconology of the recovered materials and preserved decorations, the author reveals the hybrid nature of the artistic production, material culture, grave goods produced by a society which merged elements of peninsular origin with local culture.

Research paper thumbnail of Social and Religious Differences in the Rural Village of Gózquez (San Martín de la Vega, Madrid, Spain)

The author discusses how a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study of both the materiality and ... more The author discusses how a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study of both the materiality and stratigraphic research can shed new light on social and religious differences shift of Early Medieval Spain. Exploring the settlement and cemetery at Gózquez, the author analysis the transition between the Visigoths and the Moors in central Spain.

Research paper thumbnail of German and French Colonial Restitution -'New Relational Ethics' or Using the Legacy of Empire?

This paper examines the way colonizer states make use of objects to build their relations with fo... more This paper examines the way colonizer states make use of objects to build their relations with former colonized countries. This leads into a discussion about the role the materiality of these objects plays in said relationship, while further looking into the layered meanings they have.

Research paper thumbnail of Digging King Alfred. Representations of Archaeological Artefacts in Alfredian Fanfiction

In this dialogue, Mussies presents an innovative analysis of the representations of archaeologica... more In this dialogue, Mussies presents an innovative analysis of the representations of archaeological artefacts in modern fanfictions of the English King of Wessex. Mussies – and subsequently Dr. Guerrero‐Pico – reflect on the use of this online genre to explore how archaeological narratives are being constructed outside academia.

Research paper thumbnail of Interdisciplinarity and Archaeology: A Review of the 2022 ARCHON Day. Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, Amersfoort. October 28, 2022.

Thomas Hijzen reviews the events of the ARCHON Day 2022, held at the Rijksdienst voor het Culture... more Thomas Hijzen reviews the events of the ARCHON Day 2022, held at the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed at Amersfoort last October on the theme ‘Interdisciplinary Collaborations’. Hijzen outlines the different presentations and goes deeper into some of the theoretical topics which were discussed at this one‐day event.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos -Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Kleos Issue 5 | 2022 The fifth Kleos issue is out, our first lustrum issue! We are proud to prese... more Kleos Issue 5 | 2022
The fifth Kleos issue is out, our first lustrum issue! We are proud
to present the work of starting scholars of (r)Ma and PhDlevel.
This issue also is a special one: it does not only contain
regular Kleos papers, but also the proceedings of the conference
‘Narrative and Storytelling in Archaeology’. With no precise
intention in the original selection of the papers, both the
conference and regular articles share the theme of ‘narrativity’.
Covering a wide range of subjects, the papers range from the
application of this concept in the field of archaeology to classics.

Research paper thumbnail of Why archaeologists should tell stories. Looking back at the NASTA 2021 Conference

As the title suggests, the article introduces the concept of ‘storytelling’ in archaeology, addre... more As the title suggests, the article introduces the concept of ‘storytelling’ in archaeology, addressing the key‐moments of its application in the field and leading to the organization of the first edition of the Narrative and Storytelling in Archaeology (NASTA) conference on the 29th of April 2021. The authors present the structure of the conference, encompassing the essence of what drives us to tell stories and how narrative can impact and interest the academic community.

Research paper thumbnail of Ethical Considerations in Narratives of Death: The Case of the Tophet

The paper dives into the ethics of archaeological mortuary narratives in relation to a case study... more The paper dives into the ethics of archaeological mortuary narratives in relation to a case study of how archaeologists have interpreted the archaeological mortuary data on child deaths in so‐called Phoenician‐Punic Tophet sanctuaries. By doing so, Mura shows how archaeologists are active agents who have the power to shape mortuary narratives, and the consequent need to raise questions surrounding our responsibilities as archaeologists and start a discussion on best practices for sensitive archaeological mortuary narratives.

Research paper thumbnail of Narrativity in Olympiodorus' Commentary on Plato's First Alcibiades

In this paper, the philosophical approach of the Neoplatonic commentator Olympiodorus is discusse... more In this paper, the philosophical approach of the Neoplatonic commentator Olympiodorus is discussed from a narratological perspective. In this commentary, Olympiodorus emphasizes the superiority of philosophical knowledge. Umsu shows that a narratological approach provides an understanding of Olympiodorus exegetical method: he interacts with his narratees through the Platonic dialogue, in which an important role is reserved for stories dealing with Plato himself.

Research paper thumbnail of Trailing Behind or Taking Strides? An Investigation into the Decolonisation of Archaeological Material in the Museum

The paper examines the multiple contested heritages of museum artefacts held in the Western World... more The paper examines the multiple contested heritages of museum artefacts held in the Western World. By using the British Museum as a test case, specifically though its Collecting and Empire Trail, it investigates
the sharing of stories and narratives within a powerful institution and collecting environment. This leads on to a critique of the application and appropriateness of a decolonizing approach to a highly colonial past.

Research paper thumbnail of Recreating an excavation in Minecraft Education Edition

This dialogue paper presents the methodological and theoretical approaches applied in the creatio... more This dialogue paper presents the methodological and theoretical
approaches applied in the creation of a virtual field school map in
Minecraft Education Edition. Contextualising their results within a
wider debate of interactive pasts and education and videogames,
Poulsen – and subsequently Dr. Ariese – reflect on the various
possibilities and limitations this tool presents as an educational
outreach tool within the field of archaeology.

Research paper thumbnail of ARCHON Day 2021: Decolonising Archaeology

This paper reviews the event ARCHON Day 2021, held at the Allard Pierson Museum last October on t... more This paper reviews the event ARCHON Day 2021, held at the Allard Pierson Museum last October on the theme ‘Decolonising Archaeology’. It outlines the different presentations and goes deeper into some of the theoretical topics which were discussed at this one‐day event.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos -Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology

Kleos Issue 4 | 2021 The fourth Kleos issue is out! We are proud to present the work of starting... more Kleos Issue 4 | 2021
The fourth Kleos issue is out! We are proud to present the work of starting scholars of (r)MA, PhD, and even BAlevel in the fields of Ancient History, Classics and Archaeology.
The papers included in the issue cover a wide range of subjects, ranging from gendered patterns in funerary practices of the Northwest‐European Corded Ware culture to the opportunities that present day collaborations between game developers and scholars of the ancient past can offer us.

Research paper thumbnail of Reassessing the Gender Ideology of the Supra-Regional Corded Ware Culture

Kleos Issue 4 | 2021

The Corded Ware culture (c. 2900-2200 BC; hereafter ‘CWC’ for the phenomenon itself or ‘CW’ as th... more The Corded Ware culture (c. 2900-2200 BC; hereafter ‘CWC’ for the phenomenon itself or ‘CW’ as the adjective) is a widespread prehistoric phenomenon encountered throughout Europe and was characterised by standardised burial practices and material culture. Recent studies incorporating scientific methods have revived the traditional hypothesis, that the sudden appearance of the CWC was caused by mass migrations from the Pontic Caspian steppe. Among other things, this new archaeological culture is typically associated with the introduction of a binary gender system and the establishment of a patriarchal society.

However, such a narrative is largely rooted in andro- and ethnocentric, Western assumptions: biological sex is equated with gender, grave goods are taken as a direct representation of identity, and weapons (i.e. the CW ‘battle-axe’) are associated with masculinity. Moreover, burials under barrows are overrepresented in the ‘grand narrative’ of the CWC, while other funerary and depositional contexts are underrepresented.

Research paper thumbnail of Becoming Roman? Romanness, Non-Romanness, and Barbarity in Pacatus’ panegyric on Theodosius

This paper analyses the use of the stereotypical concepts of Romanness and barbarity in Pacatus’ ... more This paper analyses the use of the stereotypical concepts of Romanness and barbarity in Pacatus’ Panegyrici Latini 2(12), delivered in 389 AD. The Gallic panegyrist had to address the Eastern Roman emperor Theodosius’ employment of Gothic troops against his Roman adversary, Magnus Maximus, who was stationed in the Western Empire, which could have been grounds for the Western elite to question his legitimacy. This speech is an early example of the deteriorating dichotomy between Romans and non-Romans, a trend which would continue in the fifth century. The speech provides us with a singular Roman perspective on the changing ethnic composition and hierarchy within the Empire.

By analysing Pacatus’ descriptions of the Goths, it becomes clear that they are ascribed more positive, almost Roman traits, while at the same time still corresponding to the prevailing barbarian stereotype to some degree. Moreover, by simultaneously suggesting that Maximus’ soldiers have lost their Roman identity, Pacatus problematises the distinctions between Romans and non-Romans, Goths and barbarians, and consequently the idea of civil war itself, even further.

Research paper thumbnail of 'Mixing Roses with Milk': Recovering the Tradition behind the Ekphrasis of Niketas Eugenianos’ Drosilla and Charikles 1.120-158

This article discusses similarities between a passage from Niketas Eugenianos’ novel Drosilla and... more This article discusses similarities between a passage from Niketas Eugenianos’ novel Drosilla and Charikles and the poem anacr. 16. Although connections between Eugenianos’ novel and the Anacreontea poems have been discussed in modern scholarship, this particular resemblance has not yet been discussed. Notable similarities between the passages are, first, a painter that supposedly contributed to the creation of the girls, and second, the use of the metaphor of a mixture of milk and roses to describe the girls’ skin colour.

This article firstly aims to analyse these similarities and discuss the possibility that Eugenianos retrieved inspiration from anacr. 16. As Drosilla and Charikles contains many references to ancient texts, the Anacreontea poems are not the only possible source of inspiration. Therefore, this article secondly aims to compare the passage from Eugenianos’ text with similar descriptions of beautiful people from other ancient and Byzantine novels.

Research paper thumbnail of The Early Medieval Augustus. An analysis of Orosius’ Influence on Charlemagne’s Reception of Augustus

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, left a legacy that was used and abused by many political actor... more Augustus, the first Roman emperor, left a legacy that was used and abused by many political actors well after his death, even up to the present day. During the decline of the Western Roman Empire in the early fifth century AD, a Spanish priest named Orosius created a new, ingenious concept of Augustus as the emperor who, as God’s divine instrument, had facilitated the early rise of Christianity. For the next thousand years, this concept was the dominant interpretation of Augustus. One of the most renowned medieval rulers who used Augustus’ legacy for his own purposes, was Charlemagne. This article will examine the extent to which the two so-called ‘pillars of Carolingian reception’, the imperial coronation of 800 AD and Charlemagne’s biography written by Einhard, were based on this ‘Orosian’ perception of Augustus.
By doing so, this article aims to contribute to the ongoing debate concerning Charlemagne’s reception of Augustus. It will conclude that Charlemagne and his contemporaries were not as interested in any Christian aspects of Augustus’ legacy as, given the dominance of Orosius’ perception of Augustus in the Middle Ages, might be expected.

Research paper thumbnail of Climbing on Culture: The Public Opinion on Archaeological Heritage Management through Assassin's Creed Origins and Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Kleos Issue 4, 2021

The initial research in the article ‘Climbing on Culture, the public opinion on heritage manageme... more The initial research in the article ‘Climbing on Culture, the public opinion on heritage management through Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’ focused on understanding how people thought video games help preserve heritage and generate enthusiasm. Although the majority of the participants agreed that they enjoyed the interactivity with cultural heritage through a gaming experience, many also agreed that there is room for progress. Moving away from the survey itself, it is useful to reflect on the relationship between the gaming industry, scholars and heritage in a more general sense. In doing so, heritage may be represented in a better way through means of video games. Two main points will be briefly discussed, namely what the contribution of academics and specialists could be in the production of games and how to achieve cultural diversity in video games.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos - Issue 3 2020

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology Issue 3, 2020

We proudly present Kleos issue 3, which contains the work of starting scholars of both (r)MA‐ and... more We proudly present Kleos issue 3, which contains the work of starting scholars of both (r)MA‐ and PhD‐level. The open-theme call for papers for this issue resulted in a wide range of contributions. The subjects range from the analysis of ancient Roman rites to archaeological studies of early modern Amsterdam.

Research paper thumbnail of Sound Experience in Archaeology and Field Investigations: An Approach to Mapping Past Activities Through Sound at Mount Lykaion’s Sanctuary of Zeus

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology - issue 3, 2020

The recent increase of sensory archaeology investigations has broadened the theory and field prac... more The recent increase of sensory archaeology investigations has broadened the theory and field practices employed when examining ancient site experience. Sound and acoustics have played a recurring theme in many studies, from retracing past acoustic designs to investigating the impacts of an ancient everyday soundscape. The development of sense‐based archaeological explorations in the early 21st century coincided with similar phenomenologically related inquiries across the built environment fields, from contemporary architectural theory and city planning to intangible and values‐based heritage practices. In this discussion, an initial overview of the current discourse of sensory archaeology, archaeoacoustics, and ancient sound studies highlights discursive and applied overlaps from architectural and soundscape theory. The review focuses in particular on the field of psychoacoustics and recent advances in predicting the human response to differing sonic conditions. It also sets the multidisciplinary stage for current fieldwork at the Hellenic sanctuary of Zeus on Mount Lykaion, Greece. Few written accounts of this site remain from antiquity, and the architectural remnants are limited and fragmented; thus the rituals and athletic competition practices of antiquity remain largely unknown. One must look to other informative sources to gain insights into the past. Sonic relationships observed at the site enable startling communicative ability between certain distant locations, often linking landscape features and building footprints. Could such synchronicities point to possible acoustic awareness in the ancient siting of structures? It remains a logical possibility considering the public and performative nature of Zeus’ cult practices at other contemporaneous sites. Binaural recording technology, psychoacoustic analyses, and site‐mapping techniques are presented as tools for detecting whether and where such determinative patterns exist between the site and surrounding mountainous terrain. The methodologies that bridge these technologies with theoretical approaches from multiple disciplines will be described in detail along with the first findings and their possible significance.

Research paper thumbnail of “You’re Inflaming Me Even Though I Don’t Want To Flare up!” Medicine in Herodas’ Mimiamb 4

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology issue 3, 2020

Mimiamb 4 of the third century BC Greek poet Herodas (or Herondas) tells of two women, Kynno and ... more Mimiamb 4 of the third century BC Greek poet Herodas (or Herondas) tells of two women, Kynno and Kokkalo, who, together with the slave girl Kydilla, visit a sanctuary of Asclepius. Here, the women plan to sacrifice a cockerel to the god in order to thank him for healing them from some unspecified conditions. The women encounter all sorts of votive artworks in the sanctuary, which are so compelling that Kydilla cannot help but stand and stare, angering her mistress Kynno, who exclaims, “[m]ay this god here be my witness, Kydilla, you’re inflaming me even though I don’t want to flare up!” The setting of this poem in an important centre of Asclepius’ healing cult should, I suggest, alert Herodas’ learned audience to possible medical influence in the poem, and allows me to propose a new interpretation of the verses quoted. I will argue that this passage is meant as a medical joke, which perhaps makes clear what condition the women had been suffering from, and which aided Herodas in the construction of his characters in the mimiamb.

Research paper thumbnail of The Pass Under the Yoke: Denoting the Defeated in Ancient Italic Ritual Practice

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology Issue 3, 2020

In the aftermath of the defeat at the Battle of the Caudine Forks in 321 BC, a Roman army was for... more In the aftermath of the defeat at the Battle of the Caudine Forks in 321 BC, a Roman army was forced to pass under a yoke, which was “formed with three spears, two fixed in the ground, and one tied across”, as Livy writes. By agreeing to pass under this yoke – “unarmed and with a single garment each” – the Romans were consequently allowed to return home freely. This peculiar ritual has been recounted by various authors on various occasions and appears to have functioned as a means of concluding conflicts without additional bloodshed. The prevalence of the ritual in the sources suggests some form of a historical basis and compels a closer and more encompassing analysis. The ritual has received little scholarly attention and has generally been interpreted as a purificatory rite de passage. This conclusion is derived from the myth of Horatius, who was purified of his bloodguilt by passing under a beam. However, scholars have not sufficiently looked beyond this myth. This paper investigates the ritual of the pass under the yoke from a historical perspective, considering the full corpus of source material that refers to the ritual. This is a new approach, and it will demonstrate that the pass under the yoke must have been performed for reasons other than purification, and that it mostly pertained to the Samnite Wars (343‐290 BC). Additionally, a more narratological interpretation, which considers the pass under the yoke as a topos, may prove effective as well. In short, a more complex approach to the ritual is requisite.

Research paper thumbnail of Rattles, Toys and Miniature Artefacts: Archaeological Insights into Childhood and Children’s Identities at Vlooienburg, Amsterdam ca. 1600‐1800

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology Issue 3, 2020

Archaeological excavations of more than 100 cesspits1 in the Vlooienburg neighbourhood in Amsterd... more Archaeological excavations of more than 100 cesspits1 in the Vlooienburg neighbourhood in Amsterdam in 1980‐81 produced several find assemblages, containing significant amounts of objects which can be related to childhood. Miniature artefacts, gaming pieces, toys, rattles and other finds were recovered from the site and help us to shed light on the position of children and the processes of their socialization within the Vlooienburg community between circa 1600 and 1800. The first goal of this paper is to disclose the child‐related archaeological data from Vlooienburg in order to contribute to the archaeological and historical study of children’s identities in the past. Through a first analysis of these finds the second goal is to enrich our understanding of the care for children in the 17th and 18th century. In order to do so, this paper will first discuss the artefacts related to babies and toddlers, followed by the investigation of toys and play time for children of an older age. A specific element within the analysis of the toys will be the study of the many miniature artefacts that were uncovered during the Vlooienburg excavations. They make up a significant part of this study due to their role in children’s games, in which daily adult life and routine was mimicked by children, encouraging their socio‐cultural development.

Research paper thumbnail of OIKOS Nunspeet Seminar: Methods and Techniques (November 8‐9, 2019)

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology Issue 3, 2020

The Nunspeet Seminar is an annual event organised by OIKOS, the national research school in Class... more The Nunspeet Seminar is an annual event organised by OIKOS, the national research school in Classical Studies. the aim of the seminar to share information about the developments and methodological practices in the fields, but also to talk about the challenges that one may encounter in their subdisciplines. This article presents a short summary and synthesis of this seminar.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos issue 2 - 2019

Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology is a peer-reviewed, open access aca... more Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology
is a peer-reviewed, open access academic online journal,
launched in 2014, which publishes current research and review articles
by graduate and PhD students, as well as starting independent
researchers, from the fields of archaeology and ancient studies (i.e.
classics and ancient History). Kleos also provides reviews of recent
books, conferences and exhibitions.The journal is published once a
year and its main goal is to provide a possibility to graduate and PhD
students to publish their research. The journal thus mainly aspires to
serve as a platform for starting academic careers, and help students
and starting researchers to share their research, gain experience in
publishing, and improve their scientific skills. At the same time the
journal aims to provide an overview of the research being conducted
within the fields of archaeology, ancient history and classics, and
support the interdisciplinary dialogue between these adjacent
academic disciplines.

Research paper thumbnail of Mattia D'Acri - New observations on the Sybaritide between 510 and 444 BC

Kleos Issue 2, 2019

In 510 BC, the city of Sybaris, an ancient Achaean colony founded in 720/710 BC, was destroyed by... more In 510 BC, the city of Sybaris, an ancient Achaean colony founded in 720/710 BC, was destroyed by the city of Kroton by diverting the river Crathis, according to Strabo. Some seven decades later, in 444 BC, the same site saw the foundation of the Panhellenic colony of Thurii, situated just above the remains of the ancient settlement. While the centuries preceding the destruction of Sybaris and following the foundation of Thurii are widely documented both archaeologically and historically, research on the period between
these two cities has been based almost entirely on historical and numismatic sources, without serious reference to the regional archaeological data. During this seventy-year period, contrary to the prevailing hypothesis, life in Sybaris and its territory
continued, as testified by archaeological evidence from the city and its chora. This paper focuses on this particular historical period, drawing on that evidence, especially ceramics and related contexts, and provides an initial interpretation of the data in their regional context, re-establishing a forgotten connection between
the Achaean colony and its Panhellenic successor.

Research paper thumbnail of Sander Egberink - Revisiting Statues: The appropriation of Pompeius Magnus at the Forum of Augustus

Kleos Issue 2, 2019

Ever since Paul Zanker published his book ‘Forum Augustum’ in 1968, there has been debate regardi... more Ever since Paul Zanker published his book ‘Forum Augustum’ in 1968, there has been debate regarding the Forum of Augustus as a ‘propaganda forum’. In this article, a novel approach is suggested to add to this debate by borrowing the notion of ‘appropriation’
from cultural history. In order to attune this approach to the study of ancient monuments, the three questions of how, why and who serve as analytical tools to study the process of appropriation. The case under study is the group of Republican statues at the Forum of Augustus, more specifically the statue of Pompeius Magnus.
The result of the analysis is twofold:
1. appropriation is a useful notion for the study of monuments in which the past played a pivotal role;
2. psychological preparation, selection criteria and deliberate alterations, as well as the design of comparison for visitors, were all highly relevant in the appropriation of the Republican past in the Forum Augustum.

Research paper thumbnail of Eline Verburg - The Tomba Campana: a long-debated ‘discovery’. Considering the finds of a 19th-century excavation that never happened

Kleos Issue 2, 2019

This paper critically re-evaluates the publication history of the Tomba Campana in Veii from its ... more This paper critically re-evaluates the publication history of the Tomba Campana in Veii from its discovery until today. The Tomba Campana is of great value for Italian archaeology because of its unique and early wall paintings and rich grave goods. However, its modern post-excavation history is turbulent and controversial.
The aim of this paper is to give a short overview of the events surrounding the discovery of the tomb and its contents both during and after the discovery, in order to add to the line of interpretation developed by F. Roncalli, F. Delpino et al. The introduction will discuss publications from the 19th and 20th centuries. Following
this introduction, a short biography of the discoverer, Giovanni Pietro Campana, will be given. Subsequently, the contents of the tomb will be discussed. Lastly, this paper will contextualise the ‘discovery’ within the context of how antiquarians dealt with authenticity in the field of archaeology in the early 19th century, the period in which the tomb was discovered.

Research paper thumbnail of Martine Diepenbroek - From Fire Signals to ADFGX. A case study in the adaptation of ancient methods of secret communication

Kleos Issue 2, 2019

Very early-on in Greek history mountaintops were already used as watch-towers and signalling stat... more Very early-on in Greek history mountaintops were already used as watch-towers and signalling stations from which messages could be sent over long distances by fire signals. In these earliest examples it was only possible to send one prearranged message, something that was often not sufficient in case communicating
parties needed to communicate on urgent matters. The fourthcentury BC military author Aeneas Tacticus accordingly invented a method for fire signalling, whereby a series of messages could be sent related to events that often occur in warfare. The system might have been used as a cryptographic device. Due to errors in Aeneas’ system, Polybius improved another system based on the same principles, which in turn formed the basis for the modern ‘Polybius square’, used by the Germans for their ADFGX- and ADFGVX-ciphers: secret cipher systems used in the First World War. There is no clear evidence linking Aeneas’ fire signalling method directly to the German ciphers. However, it will be shown
that Polybius used Aeneas’ system in his own fire signalling method. Polybius’ method in turn impacted the development of the Polybius square and its use in the ADFGX and ADFGVX ciphers. By analysing the ancient history of Polybius’ method for fire signalling and the merits of applying this to the use of the
square in the German ciphers, it will be shown how an ancient fire signalling method inspired modern ciphers.

Research paper thumbnail of A platform for Dutch academic archaeology - Archon Newsletter

Research paper thumbnail of Marlena Whiting & Emilia Salerno - Women and Pilgrimage In the ancient and pre-modern world (University of Amsterdam. June 8-9, 2018)

Kleos Issue 2, 2019

This conference was organized as part of Dr. Marlena Whiting’s NWO Veni research project “Genderi... more This conference was organized as part of Dr. Marlena Whiting’s NWO Veni research project “Gendering Sacred Space: Female Networks, Patronage, and Ritual Experience in Early Christian Pilgrimage”, to encourage scholars working on the field of women and pilgrimage in different periods and different cultures to explore and share some of the methodological challenges and insights that their particular area of expertise has yielded. The conference was co-organized by Ms Emilia Salerno (MA), a specialist in gender and the Roman cult of Magna Mater.

Research paper thumbnail of Discussion Article - What did you do last summer? any outreach? Archaeological practice in University education

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos - Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology - Issue 1, 2015

Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology - 2015 issue 1 , Dec 2015

Kleos 1 | 2015 2 C O L O P H O N K leos -Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology is... more Kleos 1 | 2015 2 C O L O P H O N K leos -Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology is a peer -reviewed, open access (post)graduate journal that publishes original research papers in the fields of ancient history, classics and archaeology.

Research paper thumbnail of A miniature bronze wheel-shaped object from the Plakari hill in southern Euboea, Greece

This paper explores the meaning of a miniature wheel-shaped object, that was found in the summer ... more This paper explores the meaning of a miniature wheel-shaped object, that was found in the summer of 2011 on the hill top of Plakari, located closely to the town of Karystos in southern Euboea. Recently, material characteristics have gained more interest in studies that concentrate on inferring meaning from objects of the past. In this paper, it will be argued that an object’s meaning derives from both its context and its material
characteristics. At the same time, it should be realized that meanings are situated in the present, dependent on the cultural context of the interpreter. In order to find the meaning of the wheel-shaped object from Plakari, both context and material are central. In order to do so, comparanda for the object from elsewhere in Greece, Macedonia and Kosovo
will be discussed, as well as its own context, a hestiatorion dated to the first half of the fourth century BC. Subsequently, the object’s material characteristics (material, size and design) will be considered.

Research paper thumbnail of Bodies in showcases

Nowadays, even though it is quite normal to see (ancient) human remains in museums next to vases,... more Nowadays, even though it is quite normal to see (ancient) human remains in museums next to vases, paintings and other objects, this idea of the display of human remains is still being heavily discussed. The main aim of this article is to investigate the display of human remains in museums on a meta-level, by asking the question why do people have a problem with
witnessing other, dead people in museums. An interdisciplinary approach will be used, combining archaeology, social anthropology and neuroscience and propose an answer to this question. What do a little boy and a vase have in common? Both of them might end up in a museum next to each other after they have lost their Original function: the vase as a vessel and the little boy as a living human being and both got excavated by an archaeologist and gain a new meaning as an
archaeological find.
In this article an attempt will be made to get a better understanding on the subject of the display of human remains in museums as archaeological objects. The question posed in the beginning, and the research presented in this article were inspired by a particular object: a child mummy displayed in
the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden.

Research paper thumbnail of The bridge on the river Meuse. Reinterpreting a Roman dedicatory inscription

During the 1990s, excavations were carried out by the former Rijksdienst voor het Oudheidkundig B... more During the 1990s, excavations were carried out by the former Rijksdienst voor het Oudheidkundig Bodemonderzoek (ROB) at the location of the Late Roman bridge at Cuijk. Three intact bridge piers were discovered consisting of large wooden piles with iron shoes that were driven into the sand and the
underlying gravel. On one of these piles an inscription was found. It read ETERNA, which the excavators considered to be a reference to the wish for the bridge's eternal existence. In the first half of this article we argue that it should in fact be considered a personal name, providing an analysis of the
inscription itself and comparing it to a number of parallels from various military sites in Germania Inferior. In the second half we take a closer look at the archaeological and epigraphical record in an attempt to answer the questions who this person could have been and what reason he could have
had to carve out his name.

Research paper thumbnail of Identity -a material approach

Review article exploring the construction of identity in the past through the production, consump... more Review article exploring the construction of identity in the past through the production, consumption and adoption of material culture. That will show using examples that in all stages of the use of material culture in the past, from the production stage to its eventual use, a suitable environment was provided for the construction and communication of social and other
identities. In light of the theme of this issue of Kleos, the paper provides an overview on how to think about material culture.

Research paper thumbnail of A dialogue: Part 1 The urban start-up of the Heuneburg and Part 2 The rise of urbanism in Early Europe

Kleos publishes several types of papers; one of these is a dialogue paper by at least two authors... more Kleos publishes several types of papers; one of these is a dialogue paper by at least two authors. For the first dialogue of this series of articles, Karin Scharringhausen invited Dr. Manuel A. Fernández-Götz to respond to her review of his lecture “Path to complexity: Centralization and urbanization processes in Early Iron Age Europe”, given on 2 October 2013 at the Free University Amsterdam. In her review of the lecture Karin Scharringhausen focusses on the theoretical approach of Fernández-Götz. Manuel Fernández-Götz kindly wrote the response to Scharringhausen for the first Kleos dialogue. His contribution, the rise of urbanism in Early Europe, presents his complementary thoughts rather than a direct response.

Research paper thumbnail of Review of E. H. Cline (ed.), 1177 B.C. The year civilization collapsed, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Review of William S. Hanson/Ioana A. Oltean (eds.), 2013: Archaeology from historical aerial and satellite archives

The book is highly recommended to those with an interest in using historic aerial imagery for arc... more The book is highly recommended to those with an interest in using historic aerial imagery for archaeology or other purposes, since it offers practical information on the availability and access to the photographs and addresses issues of methodology. The editors succeed in convincing the reader of the added value of historic aerial and satellite images for archaeological research.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS flyer for contributors

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS - Editorial Policy.pdf

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS - author guide.pdf

This short manual provides all the necessary information on the process of submitting a paper and... more This short manual provides all the necessary information on the process of submitting a paper and contributing to a Kleos issue. Please read this carefully if you are interested in submitting a paper to Kleos.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Copyright permission form

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for Papers Issue 7!

Are you interested in publishing a paper and boosting your academic CV? In that case Kleos invite... more Are you interested in publishing a paper and boosting your academic CV? In that case Kleos invites enthusiastic starting researchers to submit a contribution to Kleos Issue 7, to be published in Spring 2024. Contributions on any subject related to the academic fields of ancient history, classics and archaeology will be received with interest!

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos Issue 6 (2023) - Call for papers - Extension of deadline!

Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers to submit a contribution to Kleos Issue... more Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers to submit a contribution to Kleos Issue 6, to be published in Spring 2023. Contributions on any subject related to the academic fields of ancient history, classics and archaeology will be received with interest!

If you wish to apply please send a short abstract (no longer than 300 words) as a Word file by the 24th of April 2022 to bulletin.kleos@gmail.com. For more information see the flyer.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos Issue 4 - Call for papers - Extension of deadline!

Kleos cordially invites enthousiastic starting researchers to submit a contribution to Kleos Issu... more Kleos cordially invites enthousiastic starting researchers to submit a contribution to Kleos Issue 4, to be published in May 2021!

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS issue 3 (2020) - Call for papers - Extension of Deadline!

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Would you like to publish your BA/MA thesis or a great paper from one of your courses? KLEOS cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers – including BA/MA and PhD students – from the fields of Ancient Studies and Archaeology to submit a paper to KLEOS – the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology!

Research paper thumbnail of CALL FOR PAPERS! - 2018

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Would you like to publish your BA/MA thesis or a great paper from one of your courses?
KLEOS cordially invites enthusiastic starting researchers – including BA/MA and PhD students – from the fields of Ancient Studies and Archaeology to submit a paper to KLEOS – the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology!

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos: Call for papers- second issue - 2016

Kleos: Call for papers- second issue - 2016 Kleos is the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies a... more Kleos: Call for papers- second issue - 2016

Kleos is the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology. It is a peer-reviewed, open access English-language journal that publishes current research and review articles, in the fields of (ancient) history, classics and archaeology. Kleos is run by an editorial team of postgraduates from the Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology, and coached by members of ACASA’s academic staff.

Kleos bulletin invites contributions on archaeological method, theory, and valorisation with regard to the history and archaeology from Prehistoric to Early Modern times. Kleos bulletin is a graduate journal that encourages debate and presents research done by postgraduates, PhD candidates, as well as independent researchers in the fields of northwest European, Mediterranean and Near Eastern archaeology, and ancient history. The second issue of Kleos does not have a specific theme.

The deadline for submission of an abstract (ca. 300 words) is 24th June 2016.
The deadline for submission of a first draft is 30th August 2016.
For more details: https://www.academia.edu/12071064/Publish_your_paper_or_review
or check out our website: http://kleos-bulletin2-0.webnode.nl/
If you have any questions about the submission process, please email to kleosbulletin2.0@gmail.com

For the first time, Kleos bulletin will award the most downloaded paper with a “Best Paper Award”.
The best paper award aims to stimulate the dispersion and communication of academic knowledge and further the quality of student and young-academic papers.
The name of the winner will be published on the Kleos website and associated social media. There is an honorarium for the best paper award. This is currently set at 250 Euros for the winning paper.

Best Paper Award Guidelines:

  1. The paper must be written by the author who submitted the first abstract or first draft of the paper. The paper can be a short/-long or a discussion article as described in the Kleos guidelines.
  2. The paper may not have been published before in any other format and must have been published in the second issue of Kleos bulletin. Thus, excluding articles from previous issues or reprints of earlier drafts of papers.
  3. Only downloads are counted, not online views. The downloads that count are from the Kleos academia site, https://vu-nl.academia.edu/KLEOSBulletin. The downloads will be made public so that authors and sponsors can follow your progress. The downloads will be counted for a period of three months. The highest count will win! If there are two or more papers with the same number of downloads, the paper that has been bookmarked most will win. If two or more papers have the same number of bookmarks, Kleos editorial team will extend the period in which downloads will be counted for a month until there is a clear winner.

Research paper thumbnail of Kleos : Call for Papers - first issue - 2015

"Kleos, the new Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology is a peer-reviewed, open ac... more "Kleos, the new Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology is a peer-reviewed, open access English-language bulletin that publishes current research, as well as review articles, in the fields of (ancient) history, classics and archaeology. Kleos is run by an editorial team of postgraduates of the Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaeology and coached by members of ACASA’s academic staff.
The topics discussed in Kleos address archaeological method, theory, and valorisation with regard to the history and archaeology from Prehistoric to Early Modern times. The Journal encourages debate and presents research done by postgraduates, PhD candidates, as well as independent researchers in the fields of northwest European, Mediterranean and Near Eastern archaeology and ancient history.
Deadline
The deadline for submissions is 30th of May, 2014. If you have questions about the submission process, please email to info@kleosbulletin.org"

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS Call for English Editors

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you have a high level knowledge ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you have a high level knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation? The peer reviewed journal Kleos cordially invites enthusiastic researchers as well as (R)MA and PhD students in Archaeology, Ancient History and Classics to apply for the two open positions to work as English editors.

Research paper thumbnail of KLEOS - Call for editors 2020

CALL FOR EDITORS! Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD student and would you like to gain academi... more CALL FOR EDITORS!
Are you an enthusiastic (R)MA or PhD student and would you like to gain academic publishing experience as part of an interdisciplinary team of academic peers?
Apply now for one of the three open positions within the editorial board of Kleos! We are looking for applicants in archaeology and ancient studies as well as classics.

Research paper thumbnail of CALL FOR LANGUAGE EDITORS

The peer-reviewed journal KLEOS cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply fo... more The peer-reviewed journal KLEOS cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the eight open positions within the editorial board of KLEOS – the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

Research paper thumbnail of CALL FOR EDITORS 2019

Kleos Call for Editors 2019 - Apply now!

Research paper thumbnail of CALL FOR EDITORS

Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic ... more Are you interested in gaining academic publishing experience? Do you want to boost your academic CV and further develop your academic network? Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team of academic peers? The peer-reviewed journal KLEOS cordially invites enthusiastic (R)MA and PhD students to apply for one of the two open positions within the editorial board of KLEOS – the Amsterdam Bulletin of Ancient Studies and Archaeology.