Βιώνοντας τον δημόσιο χώρο στην αρχαία Ελλάδα (6ος-1ος αι. π.Χ.). Δρόμοι, πλατείες και ελεύθεροι ανοιχτοί χώροι στις πόλεις, τα ιερά και τα νεκροταφεία

Abstract

Up to date the archaeological research has mainly focused on the structured environment, while the significant to ancient public life, open air free spaces, have been largely neglected. These spaces were consciously created or left as such, within ancient cities, sanctuaries and cemeteries. A public space operates dynamically in three dimensions and it is shaped both by the architectural structures that surround it and by natural or artificial landmarks, but also by the people themselves who use and “experience” it in everyday life or in specific circumstances. Spaces within the anthropogenic environment, roads (urban, sacred, funerary), squares and open air free spaces, in varying forms and sizes, jointly by the structures (temples, shrines, graves etc) and performances (processions, sacrifices etc) which they are associated with, constitute places of collective memory and identity. Spaces that correspond to the aforementioned parameters are examined in the research project entitled “Experiencing the public space in ancient Greece (6th-1st c. B.C.) Roads, squares and open air free spaces in cities, sanctuaries and cemeteries” funded by the O.P. “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning”, co-funded by the European Social Fund (E.S.F.). A summary of the project’s aims, methodology, research questions and selected case studies is here presented.