Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the fifth century BCE there were three defining periods in Athenian history that challenged its society: the Persian Wars (490 – 479 BCE); Periclean Athens (mid-fifth century); and the Peloponnesian War (431 – 404 BCE). As the development of identity is a reactionary process, these three periods had a profound effect on the Athenian identity and led to the redefinition of this self-image along the primordialist models. Two premises are combined in this study. Firstly that comparisons to contrary ethnicities are vital to the development of identity, and secondly that the visual articulation of an identity is essential to the reinforcement and maintenance of this self-image. This can be applied to the development of Athenian identity during the fifth century BCE as reflected in Attic vase painting. Through a study of the "other" imagery produced in this century, with special attention given to Amazons, it is possible to see the development and nature of the Athenian identity during each of the three periods. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tydens die vyfde eeu vC was daar drie omskrywende periodes in Atheense geskiedenis wat hul samelewing uitgedaag het: die Persiese Oorloë (490 – 479 vC); Perikleiese Athene (mid-vyfde eeu); en die Pelopponiese Oorlog (431 – 404 vC). Omdat die ontwikkeling van identiteit 'n reaksionêre proses is, het hierdie drie periodes 'n diepgaande indruk op die Atheense identiteit gehad en het bygedra tot die herdefiniesie van hierdie selfbeeld volgens die primordialis modelle. Twee stellings word gekombineer in hierdie studie. Eerstens dat vergelykings aan teenoorgestelde etnisiteite essensieel is vir die ontwikkeling van identiteit, en tweedens, dat die visuele artikulasie van 'n identiteit noodsaaklik is vir die versterking en onderhoud van die selfbeeld. Dit kan toegepas word by die ontwikkeling van Atheense identiteit gedurend die vyfde eeu vC soos in Attiese vaas versiering uitgebeeld is. Deur middel van 'n studie van die "ander" beelde geskep in die eeu, met spesiale aandag aan Amasone, is dit moontlik om die ontwikkeling en karakter van die Atheense identiteit gedurend elk van die drie periodes te verstaan.