5,729 research outputs found

    Accustomed to Obedience?

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    Many histories of Ancient Greece center their stories on Athens, but what would that history look like if they didn’t? There is another way to tell this story, one that situates Greek history in terms of the relationships between smaller Greek cities and in contact with the wider Mediterranean. In this book, author Joshua P. Nudell offers a new history of the period from the Persian wars to wars that followed the death of Alexander the Great, from the perspective of Ionia. While recent scholarship has increasingly treated Greece through the lenses of regional, polis, and local interaction, there has not yet been a dedicated study of Classical Ionia. This book fills this clear gap in the literature while offering Ionia as a prism through which to better understand Classical Greece. This book offers a clear and accessible narrative of the period between the Persian Wars and the wars of the early Hellenistic period, two nominal liberations of the region. The volume complements existing histories of Classical Greece. Close inspection reveals that the Ionians were active partners in the imperial endeavor, even as imperial competition constrained local decision-making and exacerbated local and regional tensions. At the same time, the book offers interventions on critical issues related to Ionia such as the Athenian conquest of Samos, rhetoric about the freedom of the Greeks, the relationship between Ionian temple construction and economic activity, the status of the Panionion, Ionian poleis and their relationship with local communities beyond the circle of the dodecapolis, and the importance of historical memory to our understanding of ancient Greece. The result is a picture of an Aegean world that is more complex and less beholden narratives that give primacy to the imperial actors at the expense of local developments

    The Witcraft of Seeing Things Differently : Hyperdetermined Humor, Unusual Viewpoints, and Narrative Rhetoric in Terry Pratchett's Discworld Novels

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    Sir Terry Pratchettin maineikasta ja menestynyttĂ€ Discworld-romaanisarjaa luonnehditaan yleensĂ€ koomiseksi fantasiaksi, ja vaikka sitĂ€ on aiemmin tutkittu etupÀÀssĂ€ fantasiakirjallisuutena, niin fantasiamiljöön lisĂ€ksi toinen nĂ€iden kirjojen silmiinpistĂ€vĂ€ piirre on huumorin ylenpalttinen runsaus. TĂ€ssĂ€ vĂ€itöskirjassa olen valinnut harvinaisemman lĂ€hestymistavan tutkiessani Discworld-romaaneja ensisijaisesti humoristisena kirjallisuutena, ja sen mukaisesti vĂ€itöskirjani keskeisimpĂ€nĂ€ tavoitteena on tutkia Terry Pratchettin huumorin poetiikkaa. Tarkemmin sanottuna olen asettanut tĂ€ssĂ€ vĂ€itöskirjassa tehtĂ€vĂ€kseni kartoittaa Terry Pratchettin huumorille ominaisimmat komiikan keinot ja tutkia, mikĂ€ tekee Discworld-romaaneista hauskoja. Discworld-romaaneille ominainen huumorin runsaus koostuu humorististen kuvausten ja koomisten kohtausten tiheĂ€n esiintymisen lisĂ€ksi komiikan keinojen laajasta valikoimasta. TĂ€ssĂ€ vĂ€itöskirjassa vĂ€itĂ€n, ettĂ€ Terry Pratchettin huumori on hyperdeterminoitua, mikĂ€ tarkoittaa, ettĂ€ hĂ€n yhdistelee erilaisia komiikan keinoja samassa kuvauksessa tai kohtauksessa. Siksi Pratchettin huumorin poetiikkaa kĂ€sittelevĂ€ vĂ€itöskirjani on samalla myös tutkimus hyperdeterminoidun huumorin rakentumisesta. SelkeyttÀÀkseni huumorin hyperdeterminaation rakentumista jaottelen komiikan keinot neljÀÀn kategoriaan: tilanteellisiin, kontekstuaalisiin, rakenteellisiin ja tyylillisiin. Sovellan tĂ€tĂ€ jaottelua vĂ€ittĂ€mĂ€llĂ€, ettĂ€ humoristista kuvausta tai koomista kohtausta voidaan perustellusti sanoa hyperdeterminoiduksi silloin, kun siinĂ€ yhdistellÀÀn komiikan keinoja useammasta kuin yhdestĂ€ kategoriasta. PidĂ€n Pratchettin huumorille ominaisten komiikan keinojen kartoittamista yhtenĂ€ tĂ€mĂ€n vĂ€itöskirjan keskeisimmistĂ€ kontribuutioista kirjallisen huumorin tutkimukselle. Tilanteellisista komiikan keinoista tarkastelen Discworld-romaaneista löytĂ€miĂ€ni esimerkkejĂ€ draamallisesta ironiasta ja absurdista logiikasta. Kontekstuaalisista komiikan keinoista kĂ€sittelen Pratchettin parodiaa ja satiiria, kun taas rakenteellisista komiikan keinoista tutkin, kuinka Pratchett kĂ€yttÀÀ paraprosdokiania, bathosta, toistuvia piloja (”figgin”) ja koomisia alaviitteitĂ€. TyylillisistĂ€ komiikan keinoista tutkailen Pratchettin koomisia kielikuvia (hyperbolia, metaforia, vertauksia ja personifikaatioita), hĂ€nen sanaleikkejÀÀn (paronomasia, antanaklasis, sanataskut ja kaksikieliset sanaleikit) sekĂ€ Pratchettin koomisia eufemismeja. LisĂ€ksi osoitan vĂ€itöskirjassani, ettĂ€ Terry Pratchettin huumorille on ominaista kulttuuristen kliseiden (eli tuttujen kulttuuri-ilmiöiden, totunnaisten ajattelutapojen ja vakiintuneiden esittĂ€misen konventioiden) esittĂ€minen humoristisen epĂ€tavallisista nĂ€kökulmista kĂ€sin. Discworld-romaaneissa Pratchett siirtÀÀ erilaisia oman maailmamme kulttuuri-ilmiöitĂ€ Discworld-nimiseen (suom. Kiekkomaailma) fantasiamaailmaansa, ja tĂ€mĂ€n maailmojen törmĂ€yttĂ€misen seurauksena kulttuuriset kliseet nĂ€yttĂ€ytyvĂ€t lukijalle samanaikaisesti tuttuina ja koomisen outoina. TĂ€llaiset humoristiset nĂ€kökulmat vahvistavat osaltaan huumorin hyperdeterminaatiota. Samalla kun fantasiamiljöö mahdollistaa kahden maailman koomisen törmĂ€yttĂ€misen ja oman maailmamme kulttuuristen kliseiden peilaamisen toisen maailman avulla, huumori toisaalta mahdollistaa Kiekkomaailmassa normaalia fantasiaa vapaamman mielikuvituksen lennon, eikĂ€ monia Discworld-romaaneissa kuvattuja asioita, tapahtumia ja ilmiöitĂ€ voisi esiintyĂ€ maailmoissa, jotka eivĂ€t rakennu absurdin logiikan, kulttuurisilla kliseillĂ€ leikittelyn ja koomisen liioittelun kaltaisten todellisuuta vÀÀristĂ€vien periaatteiden luoman ”taikuuden” varaan. Komiikan keinojen moninaisuuden, hyperdeterminoidun huumorin ja epĂ€tavallisten nĂ€kökulmien lisĂ€ksi tutkin vĂ€itöskirjassani sitĂ€, millaisia arvottavia asenteita kertojan humoristiset nĂ€kökulmat ja humoristisiin kuvauksiin sisĂ€ltyvĂ€t henkilöhahmojen tunnereaktiot paljastavat. Tulkitsen tĂ€llaisen arvottavan huumorin kirjalliseksi retorisen vaikuttamisen keinoksi, jonka avulla kirjailija pyrkii ohjailemaan lukijansa hyvĂ€ksyviĂ€ ja paheksuvia asenteita. Useimmiten Pratchettin huumori on kulttuurikriittistĂ€, eli parodista ja satiirista, mutta toisinaan humoristiset nĂ€kökulmat esittĂ€vĂ€t todellisen maailman kulttuuri-ilmiöitĂ€ myönteisinĂ€ ja ihailtavina. VĂ€itĂ€n tutkimuksessani, ettĂ€ kirjallisuuden retoriikka perustuu tĂ€llaisten kielteisten ja myönteisten asenteiden esittĂ€miselle ja ettĂ€ huumori on yksi kertomuksen retoriikan vaikutuskeinoista.Sir Terry Pratchett’s bestselling Discworld series of novels has been commonly described as comic fantasy, and although it has been previously studied mainly as fantasy literature, another conspicuous feature in these novels, in addition to the fantasy milieu, is their rich and abundant humor. In this study, I have chosen the road less travelled by approaching the Discworld novels as humorous literature, and, consequently, my main goal here is to study the poetics of Terry Pratchett’s humor— his “witcraft”. To be more precise, in this dissertation I have set myself the task of mapping out the comic devices that are most characteristic for Terry Pratchett’s witcraft and investigating what makes the Discworld novels funny. The richness of humor that is characteristic for the Discworld novels consists partly of the frequent occurrences of humorous descriptions and comic scenes, but also of the numerous comic devices that Pratchett deploys. In this dissertation, I argue that Terry Pratchett’s humor is hyperdetermined, which means that he tends to combine numerous comic devices in the same description or scene. Consequently, this study on the poetics of Terry Pratchett’s humor is at the same time a study on the construction of hyperdetermined humor. To better understand how hyperdetermined humor is constructed, I have devised a taxonomy that divides comic devices into four categories: situational, contextual, structural, and stylistic. Based on this taxonomy, I argue that the humor of a humorous description or a comic scene can be said to be truly hyperdetermined whenever it combines comic devices from more than one of these categories. I consider mapping out the comic devices that are most characteristic for Terry Pratchett’s witcraft to be one of the major contributions of this dissertation to the academic study of humor in literature. Of situational comic devices, I discuss and analyze examples of dramatic irony and absurd logic that I have detected in the Discworld novels. Of contextual comic devices, I discuss Pratchett’s parody and satire; of structural comic devices, I study Pratchett’s use of paraprosdokian, bathos, figgins (or running gags), and comic footnotes. Of stylistic comic devices, I investigate Pratchett’s comic imagery (hyperboles, metaphors, similes, and personifications), his puns (paronomasia, antanaclasis, portmanteaux, and bilingual puns), as well as Pratchett’s comic euphemisms. In this dissertation, I also demonstrate that representing cultural clichĂ©s (i.e., familiar cultural phenomena, customary ways of thinking, and conventional ways of representing) from humorously unusual viewpoints is characteristic for Terry Pratchett’s witcraft. In the Discworld novels, Pratchett transfers various cultural phenomena from the real world, our “Roundworld”, to a fantasy world called the Discworld, and as a result of this interworldly resonance, the cultural clichĂ©s of our Roundworld appear to the reader simultaneously as familiar and comically strange. These humorous viewpoints can be viewed as an additional constituent of hyperdetermined humor. While the fantasy setting of the Discworld novels allows Pratchett to set up comic resonance between the worlds, Pratchett’s humor also makes the Discworld a more imaginative and fantastic place than typical fantasy worlds. Many events and phenomena that are represented in the Discworld novels can only exist in a world where reality is distorted and enhanced by the special “magic” of comically absurd logic, playing with cultural clichĂ©s, and humorous exaggerations. In addition to the abundance of comic devices, hyperdetermined humor, and humorously unusual viewpoints, I also study in this dissertation what kinds of evaluative attitudes the narrator’s humorous viewpoints and the characters’ emotional reactions reveal. According to my interpretation, such evaluative attitudes are means of narrative rhetoric, where the author attempts to guide the reader’s attitudes of approval or disapproval. Pratchett’s humor is often critical—parodical or satirical—although occasionally the narrator’s humorous viewpoints represent the cultural phenomena of our Roundworld in a positive light, as something admirable. In this dissertation, I argue that narrative rhetoric is based on representing negative and positive attitudes, and that humor is one possible means of narrative rhetoric

    Jews in East Norse Literature

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    This book explores the portrayal of Jews and Judaism in medieval Danish and Swedish literary and visual culture. Drawing on over 100 manuscripts and incunabula as well as runic inscriptions and religious art, the author describes the various, often contradictory, images ranging from antisemitism and anti-Judaism to the elevation of Jews as morally exemplary figures. It includes new editions of 54 East Norse texts with English translations

    Security Elites in Egypt and Jordan after the Arab Spring : A Case Study on Securocracies’ Role on National Security, Domestic Power Politics, Regional Order and Middle Eastern Alliance Making between 2011 and 2021

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    The doctoral dissertation studied changes in the balance of power, alliance making and the hegemonic struggles of security elites within a Middle Eastern regional context over a ten year reference period between 2011 and 2021. The study focused on two case study countries: Egypt and Jordan. The results were compared within a historical context to the pre-Arab Spring era. The theoretical approach combined the English School of Thought and Middle Eastern Studies with a conceptual model of securocracy developed by the author. The primary contribution of the research is the realization of the core importance of securocracy within autocratic state systems. Inside securocracies there exists rivalling groups and organisations that counterbalance each other. The study points to the fact that the power struggle between executive powers – either purely domestic one or supported by foreign involvement, is the main driver behind why case study countries were in varying degrees dragged into instability and turmoil in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Securocracies can be divided into two main types: centralised and decentralised. The centralised model occurs when different elites groups have the same ”distance” to the ruler while having equal privileges and equal access to political power. The model predicts durability and stability of the regime (status quo). In the de-centralised model, there is an ongoing struggle amongst elite groups and “distances” to ruler are not equal, neither are the privileges. In Egypt the hegemonic struggle amongst elites took precedence over the interests and stability of the state after the Arab Spring and has continued since then. The situation at the end of 2021 is a de-centralised model where all executive powers are concentrated within President al-Sisi’s family dynasty (palace) and the leadership of military intelligence. This de-centralised type of securocracy makes Egypt’s situation fragile. Any impact from the outside, such as the Biden administration’s decision to impose additional conditions on U.S. financial military aid, could lead to a new hegemonic struggle challenging al-Sisi’s power. The securocracy’s survival strategy found in the study was the use of vertical power at all levels of the state hierarchy (” the winner takes it all”). In the situation of a power struggle, the ruler uses omni-balancing i.e., alliance making with powerful foreign states in order to gain an advantage against domestic rivals and revisionist regional states. The Egyptian example is al-Sisi’s rapprochement with Russia’s President Putin and his distancing of Egypt from its previous role of being the United States’ loyal Middle Eastern ally. The Jordanian example however, is the opposite, resulting in even closer relations with the United States since January 2021 when the two countries signed an updated Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The study also highlights that decisions concerning ruler succession in authoritarian states take place behind-the-scenes amongst the securocracy as it, per rule, prefers to choose a member inside its own interest group or alternatively a political figurehead that commits to protect securocracy’s privileged interests in exchange of their own power position. Within the Middle East, the recent U.S. pivot to Asia-Pacific created an opportunity for Russia to make a come-back. Russia, however, does not have the resources to compensate for the loss of U.S. financial military aid to the security elites. This in turn, and with Russia’s consent, has given space for regional state actors, particularly, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi-Arabia, to increase their influence. Gulf support to the regional clients is not free of charge: they request their clients adopt their own threat perceptions, take sides in armed conflicts and contribute to military capabilities which support the sponsors’ regional foreign and security policy goals.VĂ€itöstutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin kymmenen vuoden ajanjaksolla voimatasapainon muutosta LĂ€hi-idĂ€n alueellisessa valtarakenteessa, liittolaissuhteiden muutoksia sekĂ€ turvallisuuseliittien roolia maan sisĂ€isessĂ€ valtataistelussa. Tuloksia verrattiin historiallisessa kontekstissa arabikevĂ€ttĂ€ edeltĂ€vÀÀn aikaan kahdessa tapaustutkimusmaassa: EgyptissĂ€ ja Jordaniassa. TeoriaviitekehyksenĂ€ sovellettiin Englantilaisen koulukunnan ja LĂ€hi-idĂ€n tutkimuksen teoriamalleja, sekĂ€ tutkijan kehittelemÀÀ sekurokratian konseptuaalista mallia. Tutkimuksen keskeinen tulos on havainto sekurokratian merkittĂ€vĂ€stĂ€ roolista osana autoritaarista valtiomallia. Sekurokratian sisĂ€lle on luotu useita toinen toistaan tasapainottavia ryhmittymiĂ€. Tapaustutkimusmaiden arabikevÀÀn jĂ€lkeisen turvallisuustilanteen muutoksia selittĂ€vien tekijöiden joukossa turvallisuuseliittien valtakamppailu nousi merkittĂ€vÀÀn rooliin. Valtakamppailua kĂ€ytiin eliittien kesken joko pelkĂ€stÀÀn maan sisĂ€llĂ€ tai vaihtoehtoisesti osin myös valtion ulkopuolisten voimien tukemana. Tutkimuksen perusteella sekurokratiat voidaan jakaa kahteen pÀÀtyyppiin: keskitettyyn ja hajautettuun malliin. Jos eri turvallisuuseliitti-ryhmien edut, vallankĂ€yttö ja etĂ€isyys vallan keskipisteeseen ovat tasapainossa puhutaan keskitetyn sekurokratian mallista, mikĂ€ ennustaa vallassa olevan regiimin pysyvyyttĂ€ ja vakautta. Jos taas sekurokratian rakenne on hajautetun mallin mukainen, sen valtakamppailu voi johtaa yhden osan pyrkimyksiin hegemonia-asemasta. Egyptin tapauksessa arabikevÀÀn jĂ€lkeinen turvallisuuseliittien valtakamppailu asetettiin maan vakauden edelle ja eliittien valtakamppailu on jatkunut tĂ€hĂ€n pĂ€ivÀÀn. Tilanteessa vuoden 2021 lopussa valta on al-Sisin perhedynastialla ja sotilastiedustelun eliitillĂ€ (hajautettu malli). Hajautettu malli ei ennusta pitkĂ€aikaista vallassa pysymistĂ€; vahva ulkopuolinen herĂ€te, esimerkiksi Bidenin hallinnon sotilaallisen talousavun lopettaminen voisi johtaa uuteen valtakamppailuun ja al-Sisin valta-aseman haastamiseen. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat, ettĂ€ sekurokratoiden selviytymisstrategiana on vallanvertikaalin kĂ€yttö valtiohallinnon eri tasoilla. Valtakamppailun tilanteessa kĂ€ytetÀÀn tasapainotusstrategiaa (omni-balancing), missĂ€ alueellisia vahvoja valtioita ja suurvaltoja pyritÀÀn yhdistĂ€mÀÀn hallitsijan puolelle kilpailevia eliittiryhmittymiĂ€ tai revisionistisia ulkovaltoja vastaan. EgyptissĂ€ presidentti al-Sisin valtaannousu johti maan lĂ€hentymiseen presidentti Putinin VenĂ€jĂ€n kanssa sekĂ€ etÀÀntymiseen aiemmasta Yhdysvalloille uskollisen LĂ€hi-idĂ€n liittolaisen roolista. Jordaniassa puolestaan maa on nyt entistĂ€ tiiviimmin liittoutunut Yhdysvaltojen kanssa. EsimerkkinĂ€ tĂ€stĂ€ on tammikuussa 2021 maiden kesken solmittu sotilasyhteistyötĂ€ ja jordanialaisten tukikohtien kĂ€yttöÀ sÀÀtelevĂ€ isĂ€ntĂ€maatuki-sopimus. Tutkimustulosten valossa autoritaariselle vallanperimykselle tyypillistĂ€ on se, ettĂ€ julkisuuteen nĂ€kymĂ€ttömĂ€n sisĂ€isen valtakamppailun jĂ€lkeen uudeksi valtionpÀÀmieheksi pyritÀÀn nostamaan sekurokratian sisĂ€ltĂ€ sen oman intressiryhmĂ€n edustaja, tai vaihtoehtoisesti sekurokratian valitsema ulkopuolinen poliitikko, jonka vastuulle korporaation intressien vaaliminen lankeaa vastapalveluksena sekurokratian tuesta keulakuva-poliitikon vallassa pitĂ€miseksi. Alueellisen turvallisuusjĂ€rjestyksen osalta tutkimuksen tulokset osoittavat sen, ettĂ€ Yhdysvaltojen painopisteen siirto Tyynellemerelle vii ja Aasiaan on antanut VenĂ€jĂ€lle mahdollisuuden palauttaa vaikutusvaltaansa LĂ€hiitÀÀn. VenĂ€jĂ€llĂ€ ei kuitenkaan ole resursseja kompensoida Yhdysvaltojen arabivaltioiden turvallisuuseliiteille allokoimaa taloudellista tukea. TĂ€mĂ€ on antanut tilaa alueellisten toimijoiden kuten Yhdistyneiden arabiemiirikuntien ja Saudi-Arabian vaikutusvallan kasvattamiselle - tosin VenĂ€jĂ€n hyvĂ€ksynnĂ€llĂ€. Tuki ei myöskÀÀn tule ilmaiseksi, sillĂ€ sponsorit edellyttĂ€vĂ€t, ettĂ€ niille alisteisessa asemassa olevat maat omaksuvat tukijavaltioidensa uhkakuvat, sekĂ€ konfliktitilanteissa kontribuoivat sotilaallisia kyvykkyyksiĂ€ nĂ€iden valtioiden ulko- ja turvallisuuspoliittisten pÀÀmÀÀrien saavuttamiseksi

    New Computational Methods for Automated Large-Scale Archaeological Site Detection

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    Aquesta tesi doctoral presenta una sĂšrie d'enfocaments, fluxos de treball i models innovadors en el camp de l'arqueologia computacional per a la detecciĂł automatitzada a gran escala de jaciments arqueolĂČgics. S'introdueixen nous conceptes, enfocaments i estratĂšgies, com ara lidar multitemporal, aprenentatge automĂ tic hĂ­brid, refinament, curriculum learning i blob analysis; aixĂ­ com diferents mĂštodes d'augment de dades aplicats per primera vegada en el camp de l'arqueologia. S'utilitzen mĂșltiples fonts, com ara imatges de satĂšl·lits multiespectrals, fotografies RGB de plataformes VANT, mapes histĂČrics i diverses combinacions de sensors, dades i fonts. Els mĂštodes creats durant el desenvolupament d'aquest doctorat s'han avaluat en projectes en curs: UrbanitzaciĂł a HispĂ nia i la GĂ l·lia MediterrĂ nia en el primer mil·lenni aC, detecciĂł de monticles funeraris utilitzant algorismes d'aprenentatge automĂ tic al nord-oest de la PenĂ­nsula IbĂšrica, prospecciĂł arqueolĂČgica intel·ligent basada en drons (DIASur), i cartografiat del patrimoni arqueolĂČgic al sud d'Àsia (MAHSA), per a la qual s'han dissenyat fluxos de treball adaptats als reptes especĂ­fics del projecte. Aquests nous mĂštodes han aconseguit proporcionar solucions als problemes comuns d'estudis arqueolĂČgics presents en estudis similars, com la baixa precisiĂł en detecciĂł i les poques dades d'entrenament. Els mĂštodes validats i presentats com a part de la tesi doctoral s'han publicat en accĂ©s obert amb el codi disponible perquĂš puguin implementar-se en altres estudis arqueolĂČgics.Esta tesis doctoral presenta una serie de enfoques, flujos de trabajo y modelos innovadores en el campo de la arqueologĂ­a computacional para la detecciĂłn automatizada a gran escala de yacimientos arqueolĂłgicos. Se introducen nuevos conceptos, enfoques y estrategias, como lidar multitemporal, aprendizaje automĂĄtico hĂ­brido, refinamiento, curriculum learning y blob analysis; asĂ­ como diferentes mĂ©todos de aumento de datos aplicados por primera vez en el campo de la arqueologĂ­a. Se utilizan mĂșltiples fuentes, como lidar, imĂĄgenes satelitales multiespectrales, fotografĂ­as RGB de plataformas VANT, mapas histĂłricos y varias combinaciones de sensores, datos y fuentes. Los mĂ©todos creados durante el desarrollo de este doctorado han sido evaluados en proyectos en curso: UrbanizaciĂłn en Iberia y la Galia MediterrĂĄnea en el Primer Milenio a. C., DetecciĂłn de tĂșmulos mediante algoritmos de aprendizaje automĂĄtico en el Noroeste de la PenĂ­nsula IbĂ©rica, ProspecciĂłn ArqueolĂłgica Inteligente basada en Drones (DIASur), y cartografiado del Patrimonio del Sur de Asia (MAHSA), para los que se han diseñado flujos de trabajo adaptados a los retos especĂ­ficos del proyecto. Estos nuevos mĂ©todos han logrado proporcionar soluciones a problemas comunes de la prospecciĂłn arqueolĂłgica presentes en estudios similares, como la baja precisiĂłn en detecciĂłn y los pocos datos de entrenamiento. Los mĂ©todos validados y presentados como parte de la tesis doctoral se han publicado en acceso abierto con su cĂłdigo disponible para que puedan implementarse en otros estudios arqueolĂłgicos.This doctoral thesis presents a series of innovative approaches, workflows and models in the field of computational archaeology for the automated large-scale detection of archaeological sites. New concepts, approaches and strategies are introduced such as multitemporal lidar, hybrid machine learning, refinement, curriculum learning and blob analysis; as well as different data augmentation methods applied for the first time in the field of archaeology. Multiple sources are used, such as lidar, multispectral satellite imagery, RGB photographs from UAV platform, historical maps, and several combinations of sensors, data, and sources. The methods created during the development of this PhD have been evaluated in ongoing projects: Urbanization in Iberia and Mediterranean Gaul in the First Millennium BC, Detection of burial mounds using machine learning algorithms in the Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, Drone-based Intelligent Archaeological Survey (DIASur), and Mapping Archaeological Heritage in South Asia (MAHSA), for which workflows adapted to the project’ s specific challenges have been designed. These new methods have managed to provide solutions to common archaeological survey problems, presented in similar large-scale site detection studies, such as the low precision in previous detection studies and how to handle problems with few training data. The validated approaches for site detection presented as part of the PhD have been published as open access papers with freely available code so can be implemented in other archaeological studies

    Traditional Chinese State Ritual System of Sacrifice to Mountain and Water Spirits

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    This book focuses on the traditional Chinese ritual system of sacrifice to mountain and water spirits, a significant but largely overlooked sub-field of Chinse religious studies. This system mainly comprised the five sacred peaks, five strongholds, four seas, and four waterways, and was maintained for two thousand years in imperial China. As state ritual, it was constructed of by Confucian ritual culture, but in practice, it gradually interacted and integrated with various religious traditions, such as Daoism, Buddhism, and folk belief, especially in its local manifestation and dissemination. The eighteen great mountains and waters marked geographical and directional borders and territories modelled on the yin-yang and five-phase framework that helped shape Chinese people’s cosmographical understanding of the world. Together, they constituted a set of sacred spaces symbolizing the sanctioned political legitimacy of the imperium and functioning as the loca for communication with the divine, as well as the media between religion and its secular context, state ideology and local beliefs, or various ethnic groups. Through the discovery of a rich variety of historical sources, especially stele inscriptions preserved in the sacrificial temples, the contributors of the ten chapters in this volume examine the sacred peaks, strongholds, seas, and waterways respectively. While each of the chapters explores one or more perspectives, together they reveal the rich implications and ramification of the ritual system and present the first comprehensive study of this sub-field

    Healing Grief: A Commentary on Seneca's Consolatio ad Marciam

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    Both our view of Seneca’s philosophical thought and our approach to the ancient consolatory genre have radically changed since the latest commentary on the Consolatio ad Marciam was written in 1981. The aim of this work is to offer a new book-length commentary on the earliest of Seneca’s extant writings, along with a revision of the Latin text and a reassessment of Seneca’s intellectual program, strategies, and context. A crucial document to penetrate Seneca’s discourse on the self in its embryonic stages, the Ad Marciam is here taken seriously as an engaging attempt to direct the persuasive power of literary models and rhetorical devices toward the fundamentally moral project of healing Marcia’s grief and correcting her cognitive distortions. Through close reading of the Latin text, this commentary shows that Seneca invariably adapts different traditions and voices – from Greek consolations to Plato’s dialogues, from the Roman discourse of gender and exemplarity to epic poetry – to a Stoic framework, so as to give his reader a lucid understanding of the limits of the self and the ineluctability of natural laws
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