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Tripod Dedication: Gift and Commodity Exchange in Ancient Greece

In: The Critique of Archaeological Economy

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  • Stefanos Gimatzidis

    (Austrian Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Early Greek economic relations were previously examined through a gift exchange perspective inspired by epic literature and ethnography. A structured society and economy were presumed in subsequent interpretative narratives, suggesting that valuable goods were exchanged mainly among and for the benefit of elite members. This paper argues for an alternative understanding of the early Greek economy through a new approach to the ritual dedication of bronze tripods in Greek sanctuaries that has been traditionally perceived as an emblematic practice of gift exchange. In this paper, tripod dedication is understood instead as a pronounced manifestation of wealth exchange and accumulation in early Greece. This practice is further scrutinised as a paradigm of border fluidity between gifts and commodities depending on the social context of their circulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefanos Gimatzidis, 2021. "Tripod Dedication: Gift and Commodity Exchange in Ancient Greece," Frontiers in Economic History, in: Stefanos Gimatzidis & Reinhard Jung (ed.), The Critique of Archaeological Economy, chapter 0, pages 163-182, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:frochp:978-3-030-72539-6_9
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-72539-6_9
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