Jane Ellen Harrison
Primitive Athens as described by Thucydides
"Primitive Athens as described by Thucydides" by Jane Ellen Harrison is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work critically examines the ancient city of Athens as articulated by the historian Thucydides, particularly focusing on its character and limits prior to the unification under Theseus. Through an analysis supported by archaeological evidence and literary interpretations, Harrison seeks to illuminate the smaller, more primitive Athens that preceded its later grandeur. At the start of the book, Harrison provides a preface explaining her motivations for writing this work, particularly her desire to counter the prevailing interpretations of Thucydides’ accounts that she believes do not align with contemporary archaeological findings. She suggests that Thucydides describes an Athens that consisted primarily of the Acropolis and a few surrounding areas, highlighting the distinction between the early scattered communities and the larger city that would develop later. The opening introduces the concept of “citadel communities” or “burghs,” which were at the heart of ancient Athenian life before the transformative Synoikismos led by Theseus, asserting the book's intent to establish a clearer vision of Athens' early history and its significance.