Geography and history in Boiotia C.550-335BC

The thesis discusses the relationship between geography and history in Boiotia between the middle of the sixth century and 335BC. The study is based on the belief that the
history of Boiotia is rendered more intelligible when seen through the processes of geographic construction in which its inhabitants were involved.

After an introduction that outlines the theoretical basis of the work in postmodern geography, landscape phenomenology, and the Annales School of history, the thesis is divided into three principal parts. The first seeks to understand the physical environment of the region, as well as the natural and man-made changes that affected
the region in the period before the sixth century. The chapter also discusses the ecology of the region as well as its demographic, economic, and cultural background. The
second part investigates the objective, built environment and the physical aspects of the way in which individuals and communities shape and change the world around them.
Aspects considered include the processes of delimiting borders, the effect of city-walls, watchtowers and sanctuaries on social and political dynamic of the region. The third part focuses on the subjective, imagined environment, which seeks to explore the way in
which Boiotians (and those outside the area) interpreted the geography of the region. The final part of the thesis is an attempt to apply the ideas developed in the main body
of the thesis to a specific event: the destruction of Thebes by Alexander the Great. The work is followed by an annex, which seeks to provide a broad diachronic overview of the history of Boiotia from 550-335BC.