Greek Sicilian Burials

This week I continued the lecture series from La Trobe University. There was a guest speaker, Dr. Gillian Shepherd, discussing the Corinthian colony in Sicily. First, she talks about the possible reasons that Greeks ended up in Italy. I found this discussion to be interesting because I was under the impression that Greeks created colonies due to over population. While she discussed that theory, Dr. Shepherd addressed it as that - just a theory. The problem with that theory is that while Corinth created many colonies, a city-state like Athens did not. Because the population was supported in one place, it does not seem logical that it would not be able to be supported in a nearby area. Other theories include groups moving for trade or moving due to dissatisfaction with the political system.

The main part of the lecture was a discussion concerning the differences in burial practices in Sicily as compared to Corinth. In Sicily apparently the corpse was placed in the extended position we would think a corpse to be placed, which contrasts the traditional fetal position. Additionally, Greeks in Sicily were much more generous with grave goods. While Dr. Shepherd notes the differences, she does make a point that overall the burial practices were still obviously Greek. Also, it is not really known why the practices changes other that just natural divergence.