A Small Greek World: Networks in the Ancient Mediterranean (Greeks Overseas)

This is a fascinating exploration of Greek 'colonisation' in the Archaic period (approximately 750-500 BC). The central thesis of the book is that "the more the Greeks became dispersed, somehow the more "Greek" they became" (5). This is then supported by substantial reference to network theory (part of complexity theory). In essence, no one planned the Greek network but it came into being as a result of the myriad actions of people founding new settlements across the Mediterranean world.As a newcomer to this area of study, I found Malkin's argument quite convincing. The emphasis on connectivity seems wholly appropriate. Some chapters advance the thesis more than others but, overall, I would very much recommend the book.

The book arrived in damaged condition; it looked as if it had been dropped. I will not be using BLACKWELLS again.

A must have for anyone studying ancient Greece and their network system