Michigan (2016) h/b 290pp £65.60 (ISBN 9780472119844)
P.’s professed aim is ‘to substitute a picture of a changeless backdrop of constant economic connectivity with that of a dynamic landscape responsive to the historical contingencies affecting the wider Mediterranean.’ He seeks to weave the features of the landscape into the broader picture of the ‘political, economic, social, religious and cultural shifts of the Mediterranean world.’ The result of the work, supported by the findings of the Eastern Korinthia Archaeological Survey between 1997 and 2003, is an extensively referenced book packed to the gunwales with information covering the different features of Corinth (isthmus, gate, diolkos, bridge, canal and surrounding district).
P. begins with an introduction to the way that our image of Corinth is as heavily influenced by nineteenth century globalism as it is by ancient writers. The position of Corinth and its importance in facilitating maritime traffic have long been assumed to be the basis for its economy; moreover, the popular image of boats being hauled across the isthmus has intrigued scholars and visitors alike. P. merrily pops both balloons: Roman Corinth was planned as a typical agrarian colony, and ship-portaging along the diolkos was far from frequent, largely because it was extraordinarily difficult. Further, P. notes that it functioned most immediately as a gate for traffic by land; when closed via fortifications, it could restrict both commercial and military traffic. It was this ability to control traffic flow that gave Corinth its strategic significance. In addition, Corinth’s position at the junction of key roads in and out of the Peloponnese was one of the reasons that the sanctuary at Isthmia grew to such an impressive monument.
P. notes that Polybius’ account of the destruction of Corinth and the Roman settlement of Greece factor in the strategic and commercial significance of the Isthmus. Put simply, the Romans valued control. However, the Roman destruction of Corinth did not result in the destruction of Corinthians; Cicero and others claimed to have seen Corinthians inhabiting the region, and their claims are backed up by archaeological evidence. Whilst there is little recorded information of events between the sack of the city and the formation of the Roman colony in 44 BC, there is the remarkable story of Marcus Antonius, the Roman proconsul who portaged a fleet of ships over the isthmus before sailing on to battle Cilician pirates in 102 BC. The story serves as a backdrop to P.’s comments about the enormous difficulties involved in portaging ships.
P.’s book has both the depth and scholarship that would make it invaluable to undergraduate and postgraduate alike. However, the general interested reader could find much to engage with; and while the archaeological detail is admirable, it could be skimmed over with little problem. My only quibble with the book is with the photographs; in some cases the reproduction is quite poor, rendering the photographs rather superfluous.
Cath Milnes