Herodotus on the Death of Atys and an Anatolian Heroic Archetype

Herodotus’ story of the death of Atys, son of Croesus (1.34-45) has long been seen as an example of Herodotus’ willingness to embroider if not invent stories for their dramatic effect in his narrative. Images on a distinctive class of funerary monuments from Anatolia demonstrate that the elements of the story of Atys derive from a tradition of commemorating noble rulers. Herodotus’ account is thus recognizable not as free invention, but as a reworking of a traditional memory of Atys, whose life was celebrated and death was mourned according to what may be termed an Anatolian heroic archetype.

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Work Title Herodotus on the Death of Atys and an Anatolian Heroic Archetype
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Mark Munn
Keyword
  1. Anatolia
  2. Atys
  3. Funerary stelae
  4. Herodotus
  5. Hunting
  6. Lydia
  7. Marriage
  8. Totenmahl
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Research Paper
Publication Date 2024
Subject
  1. Ancient history and Anatolian archaeology
Language
  1. English
Deposited November 19, 2024

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Subject, Language, and 2 more Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Anatolia, Atys, funerary stelae, Herodotus, hunting, Lydia, marriage, Totenmahl
    Subject
    • Ancient history and Anatolian archaeology
    Language
    • English
    Description
    • Herodotus’ story of the death of Atys, son of Croesus (1.34-45) has long been seen as an example of Herodotus’ willingness to embroider if not invent stories for their dramatic effect in his narrative. Images on a distinctive class of funerary monuments from Anatolia demonstrate that the elements of the story of Atys derive from a tradition of commemorating noble rulers. Herodotus’ account is thus recognizable not as free invention, but as a reworking of a traditional memory of Atys, whose life was celebrated and death was mourned according to what may be termed an Anatolian heroic archetype.
    Publication Date
    • 2024
  • Added Creator Mark Munn
  • Added Munn (forthcoming) Herodotus on the Death of Atys and an Anatolian Heroic Archetype.pdf
  • Updated Publisher's Statement, License Show Changes
    Publisher's Statement
    • Under review for publication
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Description, Publisher's Statement Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Anatolia, Atys, funerary stelae, Herodotus, hunting, Lydia, marriage, Totenmahl
    • Anatolia, Atys, Funerary stelae, Herodotus, Hunting, Lydia, Marriage, Totenmahl
    Description
    • Herodotus’ story of the death of Atys, son of Croesus (1.34-45) has long been seen as an example of Herodotus’ willingness to embroider if not invent stories for their dramatic effect in his narrative. Images on a distinctive class of funerary monuments from Anatolia demonstrate that the elements of the story of Atys derive from a tradition of commemorating noble rulers. Herodotus’ account is thus recognizable not as free invention, but as a reworking of a traditional memory of Atys, whose life was celebrated and death was mourned according to what may be termed an Anatolian heroic archetype.
    • Herodotus’ story of the death of Atys, son of Croesus (1.34-45) has long been seen as an example of Herodotus’ willingness to embroider if not invent stories for their dramatic effect in his narrative. Images on a distinctive class of funerary monuments from Anatolia demonstrate that the elements of the story of Atys derive from a tradition of commemorating noble rulers. Herodotus’ account is thus recognizable not as free invention, but as a reworking of a traditional memory of Atys, whose life was celebrated and death was mourned according to what may be termed an Anatolian heroic archetype.
    • Under review for publication
    Publisher's Statement
    • Under review for publication