The Vulcan Historical Review Publications by Dana Dawson
Examines the origin, nature, and evolution of the Serapis cult from the early Ptolemaic to Roman ... more Examines the origin, nature, and evolution of the Serapis cult from the early Ptolemaic to Roman period. The Serapis cult helped cement Ptolemaic rule, aided in forming peaceful relations with the Egyptian population, provided the Greeks with a new cult for their new home, and provided an opportunity for royal favor, representing the partial fusion of Greek and Egyptian culture in Ptolemaic Egypt.
Examines how the histories of Alexandria and Venice became intermingled through trade and events ... more Examines how the histories of Alexandria and Venice became intermingled through trade and events of late antiquity into the Middle Ages. Through depictions of Alexandria such as those found in the mosaics of San Marco and in Venetian renaissance paintings, through Alexandrian inspired architecture, and through the revival of Greek scholarship after the fall of Constantinople, Venice adopted and reinvented the memory of the ancient city of Alexandria in developing their new cultural identity that culminated in the Venetian Renaissance. While Alexandria seemed to fall into this disrepair during the Renaissance, Venice became the new cultural, intellectual, and trading center between the East and Western Europe. When the Venetians stole the body of St. Mark from Alexandria, Venice inherited Alexandria’s prestige and developed a new identity through the incorporation of Alexandrian culture—in essence, becoming the new Alexandria.
UA History Conference Presentation by Dana Dawson
Papers by Dana Dawson
Embodiment and Meaning: Muay Thai in Different Cultural Contexts, 2024
This qualitative meta-analysis, drawing from published articles, books, and ethnographies, examin... more This qualitative meta-analysis, drawing from published articles, books, and ethnographies, examines Muay Thai through the interdisciplinary lens of martial arts studies, cultural studies, and anthropological literature. I argue that the interpretation of Muay Thai is intricately tied to its cultural context, revealing dimensions such as cultural heritage, systemic violence, and the global dissemination of martial arts. Framed within anthropological literature on embodiment and cultural performance, the paper understands Muay Thai, akin to dance, as an embodied cultural performance shaped by bodily knowledge and practice. The analysis delves into the nuanced meanings of Muay Thai across three cultural contexts: native practitioners in Thailand, foreign practitioners in Thailand, and global practitioners in a mixed martial arts (MMA) community. A reflexive component, contributing a unique perspective from my training experience in a U.S.-based MMA gym offering Muay Thai, is also included. By combining insights from different disciplines, this meta-analysis provides a thorough overview of Muay Thai scholarship, fostering a comprehensive understanding of this martial art amidst integration into the wider MMA landscape.
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The Vulcan Historical Review Publications by Dana Dawson
UA History Conference Presentation by Dana Dawson
Papers by Dana Dawson