Open Access Journal: Electryone - `Hλεκτρυώνη

Electryone is an English-language, peer reviewed online journal devoted to ancient historical and philological issues covering the period between the 2nd and 1st millennia BC  and the Roman period A.D.  Electryone welcomes articles between 4,000 and 8.000 words, shorter notes, responses, etc. up to 2,500 words, and book reviews. It also welcomes presentations of new publications, announcements for conferences and information about research programs.

Electryone focuses on the Mediterranean region and on matters referring to interactions of the Mediterranean with neighboring areas, but presents an international forum of research, innovative interpretations, critical reviews, analyses of ancient text sources, comparative studies, mythological issues, archive research reports, interaction of ancient history with topography and archaeology, and applied new technologies on historical and classical studies.

Electryone covers the full range of classical studies (i.e. 2nd millennium to late Rome) but is particularly interested in classical antiquity and its relationship to other cultures.

Volume 1 Issue 2

1. M. Aguirre, “Deukalion and Pyrrha: Re-reading the Greek Flood myth”, (2013) Vol. 1 Iss. 2, pp. 1-12
In recent years the most common way to interpret the Greek myth of the Flood has been through a comparative approach in the context of the relationship between Greek and Near Eastern cultures and the influences of the Near East on Greek traditions, literature, religion and myth. My article does not intend to re-examine the conclusions of this research, but, without diminishing the obvious importance of the comparative approach, to focus on the most ‘canonical’ Greek version of the myth and to highlight some aspects of it which in my view have not been so deeply explored.
 2. N. Panagiotakis, M. Panagiotaki, A. Sarris,”The Earliest Communication System in the Aegean” (2013) Vol. 1, Iss 2,  pp. 13-27
A communication system based on fire signals was identified in Crete by the field archaeologist Nikos Panagiotakis, during an archaeological survey he conducted in the Pediada region in central Crete (from 1982 to 1989), covering more than 800 sq. km. The Pediada lies between the Bronze Age palatial sites of Knossos and Malia (from west to east) and extends south and southeast of modern Heraklion. The communication system was used during the Minoan period, especially between 1900-1700 BC. It worked by means of codified fire signals sent from the top of large, man-made constructions (in the shape of a truncated cone), built on the tops of hills or ridges. The network with its interconnecting visual contact could keep a close watch over, and so control natural passes and routes, covering the whole countryside and the coasts.
3. Ι. Deraj, “Xenophon’s Representation of Socratic διαλέγεσθαι” (2013) Vol. 1, Iss. 2, pp.28-38
This paper deals with the problem of Xenophon’s representation of Socratic διαλέγεσθαι (dialogic conversation). The author analyzes selected examples of its use by Xenophon in his adaptation of the Socratic ethics in Memorabilia and compares it with Plato’s use of διαλέγεσθαι in his early dialogues. The main hypothesis of this paper is that the Socratic use of διαλέγεσθαι should not be identified with Socrates’ use of elenchus (ἔλεγχος). The author suggests an implication of this hypothesis is that the question-answer turn-taking form of διαλέγεσθαι is not its essential feature. He attempts to demonstrate that what constitutes the essence of both Socrates’ use of διαλέγεσθαι in Xenophon’s Memorabilia 4 and of Odysseus’ use of persuasive speech in Antisthenes’ Odysseus or on Odysseus is the purpose of examining and transforming one’s individual ethos (ἦθος).
4. Review: T. Samuels, “Denise Eileen McCoskey, Race: Antiquity and its Legacy” (2013) Vol. 1, Iss. 2, pp.39-43

Volume 1 Issue 1

1. K. Wrenhaven, “Barbarians at the Gate: Foreign Slaves in Greek City-States”, (2013) Vol. 1 Iss.1, pp. 1-17
This article considers the relationship between interconnectivity and Greek slavery, in particular, the slave trade and the geographical sources of slaves in Greek city-states. Since there exists no extant treatment of the slave-trade from Greek antiquity, most of the evidence is indirect and focuses primarily upon the Classical period. A variety of source material is examined, including Greek drama, art, historiography, and inscriptions. Of specific interest is the often problematic nature of the evidence for the slave trade and the ethnicity of slaves. Although it is clear that the Greeks traded in foreign slaves, how most slaves were acquired and from where are questions that continue to confound modern scholars. This article does not seek to provide a definitive answer to these questions, but aims to further the discussion through a consideration of why the Greeks preferred foreign slaves, how slaves were procured and from where, how we might determine the ethnicity of slaves through indirect evidence (such as names), and the presence of foreign slaves in Attica, where most of the source material originates.
2. R. Covino, “Stasis in Roman Sicily”, (2013) Vol. 1 Iss. 1, pp. 18-28
This article seeks to examine the evidence for three instances of stasis-prevention efforts from the period of Roman dominion known to us through the medium of Cicero’s Verrines. In doing so, it will build on the work of Berger who examined the phenomenon of stasis in Sicily and Southern Italy during preceding eras and of Eilers who examined the Roman patrons of Greek cities. The article establishes a timeline for the Romans’ efforts and then draws conclusions about the people involved in stasis-prevention in the province and the Romans’ hands-off approach to civic government in Sicily during the Republic.
3. M. Melotti, “Αrchaeological tourism and economic crisis. Italy and Greece”, (2013) Vol. 1 Iss. 1, pp. 29-53
Before the recent economic crisis, both in Greece and in Italy there was an extraordinary development in various kinds of urban activities. Some of them have considerably affected museums and archaeological sites and have made them more attractive to the new post-modern tourism of sensory and emotional character. The new Acropolis Museum in Athens was almost a symbol of this change, but also the new exhibition spaces in commercial centres and underground stations must be taken into account. In Italy a similar change occurred in some of its major towns, such as Rome, Turin, Naples, Cagliari and Reggio Calabria. The outbreak of the crisis has subsequently brought to a halt the proliferation of these initiatives and has induced critical reflections on what has happened and what may yet happen. Urban policies, gentrification and beautification processes must be reconsidered. It is no longer time for archaeology without finds and atmosphere without contents, accordingly to the post-modern model. However, the de-intellectualization of today’s societies obliges even the most serious scholars to take into account the potential of some forms of edutainment, such as living history and re-enactment, which up-to-now have been under-evaluated and despised by archaeologists and historians.
4. M. Porubjak, “Theognis and the Social Role of Measure.”, (2013) Vol. 1 Iss. 1, pp. 54-65
The paper deals with the beginnings of the Greek ethical discourse in elegies of an archaic lyric poet Theognis of Megara. In the introduction author shortly discusses the question of origin and influence of the Theognidea. Then he gradually follows and interprets the occurrences of the expression “μηδὲν ἄγαν” (Nothing in excess), of the words σωφροσύνη (soundness of mind), σάοφρων (temperate), μέτρον (measure) and μέτριος (moderate), according to the problem of ἀρετή (excellence). On the basis of symposium description in the Theognidea and its functions, author shows the crucial social dimension of researched capabilities. He also tries to show how Theognis grasps the wisdom as a quality that has to be tried for and cared for. In the end author states that for Theognis the excellences such as wisdom, justice, sound mind and proper measure are conditio sine qua non for functioning of all social relations – from erotic relations through symposium to polis itself.
5. Review: M. El-Nowieemmy, “Virgil: The Aeneid, translated into Arabic with notes by various hands, revised by A. Shaarawi”, (2013) Vol. 1 Iss. 1, pp.66-68