A Cultural History of Gardens in Antiquity

by Gleason, Kathryn

• ISBN13: 9780857850294
• ISBN10: 0857850296
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2015-05-01
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

The history of gardens in antiquity is characterized by a rich mix of cultures interacting throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. This period - from the sixth century BCE to the sixth century CE - was foundational to the later periods of garden history. The emergence of advanced horticultural techniques, sustained regional and international trade routes, and centralized power structures promoted the development of highly sophisticated garden culture in both private and public contexts.

New evidence derived from archaeology and fresh analysis of literary and visual sources revises our perspective, reminding us that these garden cultures were varied and diverse, yet connected through ritual, trade, conquest, and cultural practices in ways we are only beginning to define.

Author Biography

Kathryn Gleason is Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Archaeology at Cornell University. She is co-editor of The Archaeology of Garden and Field and executive editor of Gardens of the Roman Empire.

Table of Contents

A Cultural History of Gardens in Antiquity, Edited by Kathryn Gleason

Introduction

Design, Kathryn Gleason, Cornell University, USA

Types of Gardens, Inge Nielsen, University of Hamburg, Germany

Plantings, Lena Landgren, Lund University, Sweden

Use and Reception, Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis, Graduate Center, CUNY, USA

Meaning, Katharine T. von Stackelberg, Brock University, Canada

Verbal Representations, Antony R. Littlewood, University of Western Ontario, Canada and Katharine T. von Stackelberg, Brock University, Canada

Visual Representations, Catherine Kearns, Cornell University, USA

Gardens and the Larger Landscape, Kelly D. Cook, University of Maryland, USA and Rachel Foulk, Ferris State University, USA