DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF ACHAEAN EXISTENCE IN WESTERN ANATOLIA: A COMPARISON BETWEEN ACHAEAN AND LOCAL FEATURES BASED ON DIFFUSION THEORY

KAN M. H.

Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi, cilt.13, sa.1, ss.325-336, 2023 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

This paper focuses on three selected LBA centres of Western Anatolia (Troy, Panaztepe and Anaia), which represent different features of Achaean influence; and aims to put out a proper, analytic, scientific method to clarify the picture of “Western Anatolia in 2nd Millenium BC”, at least in Achaean perspective. The Diffusion Theory simply classifies the influence of a foreign culture through tangible cultural features and their existence levels in a local market. Applying this theory to Achaean features in Western Anatolian centres would produce an analytic and rational data on the subject. Achaeans who were independent and unorganized city-states, seem to be the practitioners of a very well-organized trade strategy, focusing on three levels of market penetration: first, being foreign merchants in the capitals of strong local states and dominating the market with aesthetic and relatively in-expensive goods; second, settled emporiums by treaties with local lords; third, dominating free trade zones with their strong fleet and wide-spread production volume. Establishing such a trade network needs a decision-making mechanism, an organization of some kind.