It also sheds light on how comic poets make use of the scenic or imaginary representations of the bodies of those who are targets of political, social, or intellectual satire. This study thus leads to a re-examination of the modalities of comic mimesis, in particular when addressing sexual codes in cross-dressing scenes which reveal the artifice of the fictional body. It also explores how costumes-masks, padding, phallus, clothing, accessories-and gestures contribute to the characters’ visual identity in relation with speech: it analyzes the cultural, social, aesthetic, and theatrical conventions by which spectators decipher the body. After introducing comic texts and comedy-related vase-paintings in the regional contexts, the book considers the generic features of the comic body, characterized as it is by a specific ugliness and a constant motion. The study also aims to refine knowledge of the various connections between Attic comedy and comic vases from Sout Italy and Sicily (the so-called ‘phlyax vases’). Overall, I consider this study to be a fine addition to my own library and a valuable asset to better understanding the role of Greek horsemen in general and their Tarantine variants in particular.Abstract Using both textual and iconographic sources, this richly illustrated book examines the representations of the body in Greek Old and Middle Comedy, how it was staged, perceived, and imagined, particularly in Athens, Magna Graecia, and Sicily. Thus, the term 'Tarantine' had probably already come to denote a certain type of horseman rather than a nationality (Fields accepts this for the end of the Third century and admits it might have occured much earlier).Please note that the foregoing comments might seem highly critical, but these are really very minor points. had likely brought this highly effective style eastward (at least to Greece and, perhaps, as far as Asia Minor). Greek mercenaries fighting for Taras in the period 343-331 B.C. It's more believable that these were Greek riders of closer origin that fought in a manner similar to the Tarantines (i.e. These men are operating in Asia Minor and it's hard to justify their importation all the way from Italy. 14) actually refers to riders from Taras itself. Finally, it seems unlikely that the first mention of Tarantine horsemen (in 317 B.C. and didn't reach 1,000 rider proportions until late in the early 4th century at best. This probably began with Taras' victory over neighboring Thurii in 440 B.C. In fact, extensive expansion of the previlaged horse-owning class would have come only after considerable economic growth through acquisition of new territory. and must have still fielded but a modest mounted force.

In the mid-5th century, Taras had barely recovered from a catastrophic defeat against the Iapyians in 473 B.C. Yet this comes from an estimate by Strabo for Taras' maximum strength in the mid-4th century B.C. Second, Fields cites a Tarantine aristocratic horse militia of 1,000 riders in the mid-5th century B.C. Indeed, tactical data cited elsewhere by Fields in this very volume also contradict Fuller's theories.

These originated as a way for Fuller to cite historical roots for his equally faulty theories on armored warfare (a great discussion of whose shortcomings can be found in ASIN:0060009772 The Blitzkrieg Myth: How Hitler and the Allies Misread the Strategic Realities of World War II). 51) appears to derive (perhaps indirectly) from oft repeated but badly flawed concepts of J.F.C. All the same, there are more than enough fresh insights and new material here to make this a worthy supplement to those much longer works.My quibbles on the content are as follows: First, the brief discussion of Macedonian cavalry battle included (p. Also, due to its brevity, this effort is not an adequate replacement for more comprehensive studies like those of Spence, Worley, or Gaebel. It should be noted that there is a notable lack of reference material (both writeen and pictorial) on Tarantine horsemen themselves, thus the bulk of the discussion here is actually applicable to most Grecian riders of the Hellenic and Hellentistic periods. “This is a slim but very informative volume on ancient Greek horsemen with special reference to the cavalry of Taras in southern Italy.

Tarentine horseman of magna graecia pdf