Panos Valavanis – författare

Prompted by a visit to the Acropolis and its Museum, an amazing journey to the ancient world and its secrets begins. A curious student overwhelms a veteran archaeologist with his questions and, together, they try to discover the hidden secrets of the monuments. Their walk among the ancient buildings of the site and the Museum’s exhibits gives them the opportunity to discuss about the relationship between the ancient and the modern city, the historical phases and the adventures of the Acropolis, the emergence of Democracy, and the glorious battles fought during the Persian Wars. In addition, they attempt to interpret the building programme of Pericles, converse with great historical figures, and meet known and unknown protagonists who conceived, designed and built the great monuments: From the inspired politicians, the ingenious architects and the pioneering artists, to the extraordinary craftsmen and indefatigable slaves. The student and his teacher, aided by colourful images and reconstructions, enjoy a stroll through space and time, reviving the monuments and values of this glorious era, and connecting them with the challenges of our time.

Updated to include new historical and archaeological research and new photographic material from the many sites and monuments where excavation and restoration works have provided fresh insights. This book celebrates the athletes, the games, the sanctuaries, the cities and, above all, the inspiring spirit of the ancient Greeks over a span of a millennium and a half—from the earliest mentions of athletics in Homer’s Iliad and other literary sources, through the Classical age, and into the Hellenistic, Roman and late antique periods.Modelled on the physical exercises and competitions that existed in earlier Near Eastern cultures, hundreds of athletic games took place in Greek antiquity, extending across every area of the Mediterranean in which Greek culture flourished. In these five games the magnificent culture and ideology of Greek antiquity flourished, and the spectacle of the games gave rise to a sporting tradition that engages the world to this day.

2nd edition (2017) revised and enlarged, updated to include new historical and archaeological research and new photographic material from the many sites and monuments where excavation and restoration works have provided fresh insights. This book celebrates the athletes, the games, the sanctuaries, the cities and, above all, the inspiring spirit of the ancient Greeks over a span of a millennium and a half—from the earliest mentions of athletics in Homer’s Iliad and other literary sources, through the Classical age, and into the Hellenistic, Roman and late antique periods.Modelled on the physical exercises and competitions that existed in earlier Near Eastern cultures, hundreds of athletic games took place in Greek antiquity, extending across every area of the Mediterranean in which Greek culture flourished. In these five games the magnificent culture and ideology of Greek antiquity flourished, and the spectacle of the games gave rise to a sporting tradition that engages the world to this day.

A completely new account of the archaeological and historical evidence which relates to Delphi - the most important place in the ancient world.Each of the three sites at Delphi - the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Athena and the Gymnasium - are described in detail, along with its architectural development and the Museum, where the works of art on display can be directly related to the place in which they were found.A separate chapter discussed the Pythian festival, the oracular procedure and an interpretation of the Delphic rituals, to explain the arcane phenomena of the oracle and the enduring influence that the sanctuary had throughout ancient Greek history.Written in an accessible style, the book incorporates the results of the latest research into the sanctuary of Delphi and uses photographs to demonstrate the conservation works carried out in recent years.

A completely new account of the archaeological and historical evidence which relates to Delphi - the most important place in the ancient world.Each of the three sites at Delphi - the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Athena and the Gymnasium - are described in detail, along with its architectural development and the Museum, where the works of art on display can be directly related to the place in which they were found.A separate chapter discussed the Pythian festival, the oracular procedure and an interpretation of the Delphic rituals, to explain the arcane phenomena of the oracle and the enduring influence that the sanctuary had throughout ancient Greek history.Written in an accessible style, the book incorporates the results of the latest research into the sanctuary of Delphi and uses photographs to demonstrate the conservation works carried out in recent years.This is the French language edition.  The book is also available in English and Greek language editions.

A completely new account of the archaeological and historical evidence relating to Delphi - one of the most important places in the ancient world.Each of the three sites at Delphi - the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Athena and the Gymnasium - are described in detail, along with its architectural development and the Museum, where the works of art on display can be directly related to the place in which they were found.A separate chapter discusses the Pythian festival, the oracular procedure and an interpretation of the Delphic rituals, to explain the arcane phenomena of the oracle and the enduring influence that the sanctuary had throughout ancient Greek history.Written in an accessible style, the book incorporates the results of the latest research into the sanctuary of Delphi and uses photographs to demonstrate the conservation works carried out in recent years.

This is not simply a guidebook to the Acropolis Museum: by presenting the works of art exhibited in the museum, it endeavours to resynthesize the history of the Sacred Rock as part of the cultural and the wider historical process of Athens.Following the sequence of the visitor’s tour of the museum, it is lavishly illustrated with photographs, as well as with numerous plans and reconstruction drawings, which enable the reader to understand each of the fragmentarily preserved works in its context. It also answers many of the questions raised in the discerning reader’s mind: what was the size and the population of ancient Athens? what is the meaning of the beasts represented on the large Archaic pediments? what do the Korai statues represent? why did the Erechtheion become so complex and what was the role of the Karyatids? why was the temple of Athena Nike built in the Ionic order? what led Pericles and his advisers to opt for the specific building programme and how were the major public works financed? why was it decided to place an Ionic frieze on the Doric Parthenon? what political messages were transmitted to Sparta through the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon?

This is not simply a guidebook to the Acropolis Museum: by presenting the works of art exhibited in the museum, it endeavours to resynthesize the history of the Sacred Rock as part of the cultural and the wider historical process of Athens.Following the sequence of the visitor’s tour of the museum, it is lavishly illustrated with photographs, as well as with numerous plans and reconstruction drawings, which enable the reader to understand each of the fragmentarily preserved works in its context. It also answers many of the questions raised in the discerning reader’s mind: what was the size and the population of ancient Athens? what is the meaning of the beasts represented on the large Archaic pediments? what do the Korai statues represent? why did the Erechtheion become so complex and what was the role of the Karyatids? why was the temple of Athena Nike built in the Ionic order? what led Pericles and his advisers to opt for the specific building programme and how were the major public works financed? why was it decided to place an Ionic frieze on the Doric Parthenon? what political messages were transmitted to Sparta through the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon?

This is not simply a guidebook to the Acropolis Museum: by presenting the works of art exhibited in the museum, it endeavours to resynthesize the history of the Sacred Rock as part of the cultural and the wider historical process of Athens.Following the sequence of the visitor’s tour of the museum, it is lavishly illustrated with photographs, as well as with numerous plans and reconstruction drawings, which enable the reader to understand each of the fragmentarily preserved works in its context. It also answers many of the questions raised in the discerning reader’s mind: what was the size and the population of ancient Athens? what is the meaning of the beasts represented on the large Archaic pediments? what do the Korai statues represent? why did the Erechtheion become so complex and what was the role of the Karyatids? why was the temple of Athena Nike built in the Ionic order? what led Pericles and his advisers to opt for the specific building programme and how were the major public works financed? why was it decided to place an Ionic frieze on the Doric Parthenon? what political messages were transmitted to Sparta through the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon?

Designed to be a useful travel companion, this book’s descriptions and interpretative analyses help show the monuments in a new way, through an understanding of the historical, artistic and political events that contributed to their creation.Through the text and the illustrations we get to know the gods and heroes who were worshipped on the Acropolis, the leaders who envisaged the major projects, the artists who brought them to fruition, as well as the innovative ideas they applied, and the Athenian citizens who admired and enjoyed these achievements.95 colour illustrations. Greek language edition.

95 colour illustrations. The Athens Acropolis and its Museum constitute an integrated architectural and artistic unity, one of the most important in the history of global civilization. This informative and attractive guidebook is designed to be a useful travel companion; its descriptions and interpretative analyses help show the monuments in a new way, through an understanding of the historical, artistic and political events that contributed to their creation. Through the text and the illustrations we get to know the gods and heroes who were worshipped on the Acropolis, the leaders who envisaged the major projects, the artists who brought them to fruition, as well as the innovative ideas they applied, and the Athenian citizens who admired and enjoyed these achievements.

Designed to be a useful travel companion, this book’s descriptions and interpretative analyses help show the monuments in a new way, through an understanding of the historical, artistic and political events that contributed to their creation.Through the text and the illustrations we get to know the gods and heroes who were worshipped on the Acropolis, the leaders who envisaged the major projects, the artists who brought them to fruition, as well as the innovative ideas they applied, and the Athenian citizens who admired and enjoyed these achievements.95 colour illustrations.

Designed to be a useful travel companion, this book’s descriptions and interpretative analyses help show the monuments in a new way, through an understanding of the historical, artistic and political events that contributed to their creation.Through the text and the illustrations we get to know the gods and heroes who were worshipped on the Acropolis, the leaders who envisaged the major projects, the artists who brought them to fruition, as well as the innovative ideas they applied, and the Athenian citizens who admired and enjoyed these achievements.95 colour illustrations. Russian language edition

Designed to be a useful travel companion, this book’s descriptions and interpretative analyses help show the monuments in a new way, through an understanding of the historical, artistic and political events that contributed to their creation.Through the text and the illustrations we get to know the gods and heroes who were worshipped on the Acropolis, the leaders who envisaged the major projects, the artists who brought them to fruition, as well as the innovative ideas they applied, and the Athenian citizens who admired and enjoyed these achievements.95 colour illustrations.

This is not simply a guidebook to the Acropolis Museum: by presenting the works of art exhibited in the museum, it endeavours to resynthesize the history of the Sacred Rock as part of the cultural and the wider historical process of Athens.Following the sequence of the visitor’s tour of the museum, it is lavishly illustrated with photographs, as well as with numerous plans and reconstruction drawings, which enable the reader to understand each of the fragmentarily preserved works in its context. It also answers many of the questions raised in the discerning reader’s mind: what was the size and the population of ancient Athens? what is the meaning of the beasts represented on the large Archaic pediments? what do the Korai statues represent? why did the Erechtheion become so complex and what was the role of the Karyatids? why was the temple of Athena Nike built in the Ionic order? what led Pericles and his advisers to opt for the specific building programme and how were the major public works financed? why was it decided to place an Ionic frieze on the Doric Parthenon? what political messages were transmitted to Sparta through the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon?

Designed to be a useful travel companion, this book’s descriptions and interpretative analyses help show the monuments in a new way, through an understanding of the historical, artistic and political events that contributed to their creation.Through the text and the illustrations we get to know the gods and heroes who were worshipped on the Acropolis, the leaders who envisaged the major projects, the artists who brought them to fruition, as well as the innovative ideas they applied, and the Athenian citizens who admired and enjoyed these achievements.95 colour illustrations. French language edition.  Also available in English, Greek, Russian, Spanish and German.