Kapon Editions – serie

In The Story of Lemnos Dimitris Plantzos has written the long history of the relatively unknown and, until recently, somewhat ignored Aegean island of Lemnos. The story is a fascinating narrative, a true chronicle of the place and its people. The book is illustrated throughout in colour.Readers will find detailed information about the society, economy, political life, art, and the intellectual output of the island over time, from the first nomadic settlements during the late Palaeolithic period (ca. 10,500 BC) up to today. There are extensive references to the prehistoric cities of Poliochni and Myrina, to the important sites of Koukonisi, Hephaestia and Kaveirion during the Archaic and Classical periods (7th-4th centuries BC), Lemnos of the Hellenistic and Roman eras, Lemnos as a Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman possession, and of course the life of the island and its inhabitants from the liberation of 1912-13 onwards.Finally, we get to read about Lemnos of today: places of historical importance, archaeological sites and museums, also locations of natural beauty, geological monuments and places of ecological interest, beaches and traditional settlements. The author also covers the intangible and gastronomic heritage of Lemnos, and also the music and dance tradition that is alive to this day. Language of text: Greek

In The Story of Lemnos Dimitris Plantzos has written the long history of the relatively unknown and, until recently, somewhat ignored Aegean island of Lemnos. The story is a fascinating narrative, a true chronicle of the place and its people. The book is illustrated throughout in colour.Readers will find detailed information about the society, economy, political life, art, and the intellectual output of the island over time, from the first nomadic settlements during the late Palaeolithic period (ca. 10,500 BC) up to today. There are extensive references to the prehistoric cities of Poliochni and Myrina, to the important sites of Koukonisi, Hephaestia and Kaveirion during the Archaic and Classical periods (7th-4th centuries BC), Lemnos of the Hellenistic and Roman eras, Lemnos as a Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman possession, and of course the life of the island and its inhabitants from the liberation of 1912-13 onwards.Finally, we get to read about Lemnos of today: places of historical importance, archaeological sites and museums, also locations of natural beauty, geological monuments and places of ecological interest, beaches and traditional settlements. The author also covers the intangible and gastronomic heritage of Lemnos, and also the music and dance tradition that is alive to this day.

The essays included in this volume focus on the complex relationship between the Jewish question, Jews themselves, the Modern Greek Enlightenment and the Greek War of Independence of 1821.As a result of long-term archival research in Greece, France, Germany, Israel and America, we discovered unknown documents revealing important, yet so often forgotten, aspects of this era. That is the first step towards reconsidering the Jewish population’s role, action and dynamics through a period of radical change, which extends from the pre-revolutionary years and the Revolution to the establishment of the Greek state and the following decades. Through central and off-axis narratives, we discuss the multidimensional character of the Greek identity’s formation process. By doing so, we also illustrate the contribution of the Jews to the Revolution of 1821, highlighting this era’s visions and demonstrating the refutations that followed. In this perspective, our research subject transcends its concrete historical context, revealing its unexpected typicality.Text in Greek

The Middle Ages arguably constitute the golden age of the prominent fortress town of Methone, an ancient settlement sited on the west coast of the Messenian peninsula of the Peloponnese. Its medieval magnificence is reflected in the strong fortification walls, built by the Venetians, who expelled the Frankish garrison of Geoffrey of Villehardouin in 1206, and took over the town three years later, following the signing of the Treaty of Sapientza in 1209. When the Venetians conquered Crete, Methone functioned as a bulwark of their colony in their competition with the Genoese. The fortress turned into a station on the way to the coasts of Asia and the Holy Land. Chroniclers of the West describe the Peloponnese as “L’Île de Modon” (Island of Methone). The significance of the fortress becomes evident in the note verbale of Doge A. Barbarigo in 1500 (after its capture by the Ottomans) to the Pope, the king of Spain and other princes: “we have lost the marvellous base for all ships sailing towards the East”. In the wake of the Naval Battle of Navarino, the liberating French troops of the commander-in-chief Maison, built a new town outside the walls. What survive today within the fortress are the ruins of Ottoman baths (hammam) and a minaret, underground cisterns, a gunpowder magazine and the church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour.

This book, a collection of studies by various different authors, approaches the Ottoman monuments of Greece as the heritage of a historical period that lends itself to multiple readings. The authors approach the subject from a wide range of disciplines, including history of art, archaeology, architecture and urban studies. Through fascinating unpublished archival photographic and epigraphic material, the writers enrich our knowledge of the emblematic Ottoman monuments of Greek cities and foreground unknown aspects of the architecture of rural Greece.In the pages of the book, the stories of places, buildings and people from the Ottoman era come alive. These stories constitute a major contribution to discussion of this special part of modern Greece’s heritage. The critical analyses renew and broaden our awareness of the fields of Ottoman studies and Greek cultural heritage.

This edited collection opens a window into the world of Byzantine and post-Byzantine textiles by exploring the different traditions that developed in the Eastern Mediterranean from Late Antiquity to the Early Modern era. The book’s editors and contributors have created a complex scientific canvas, based on their complementary interests and expertise. The book, which aspires to fill a significant void in Greek literature, is characterized by this spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration; it offers an overview of the most important local textile products, together with the Eastern and Western imports that used to reach the busy markets of Byzantium and Ottoman Greece. The aim is to showcase this important, yet still obscure, facet of material culture. Within this frame, its chapters discover different aspects of economic, social, religious and artistic history; most of them interwoven in the study of textiles, much like a loom’s warp and weft for the production of elaborate designs.

The Agora Modiano has been reborn as a modern covered food market occupying a stunningly tasteful building. The variety of texts contained in this book reflects the diverse character of the Market. Texts written by politicians, university professors, entrepreneurs, athletes, institutional bodies of the city of Thessaloniki, artists, but also authentic testimonies of shopkeepers, who spent a lifetime in Modiano, portray the Market’s ambience. The accompanying rich photographic material captures nostalgic moments of the past, but also images of the Market’s operation today.

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.

Ioannina constitutes a world intertwined with its legends and the elements of nature. A city in which the lake plays a leading role, acting as a scenic artist, but also a narrator. Simultaneously, it is a city which, like the mountains surrounding it, is firmly set on the ground and, at the same time, immersed in the charm of its age-old history. Heroes, religions, myths and memories, all of which are possessions and spoils of this unique Siren, who for thousands of years now has been enticing us into listening to the song of this land.This book attempts to set out on a journey through space and time. With intermediate “stops” at the ages before and after the invention of script, the Byzantine and post-Byzantine times, the city’s conquest by the Ottomans, the reign of Ali Pasha and the Reform period to his demise and the Liberation. With “stops” at the caves of Perama and Kastritsa, Dodona —the Oracle of earth and sky, with the “high-crested” oak tree and the will of Zeus—, the Nissi (Island) —with the significant monastic state and the figures of the ancient Greek philosophers depicted on its wall paintings—, the Castle, the city of the past and the present.Man has always been at the centre of this swirl of events through space and time. It seems that his anxieties, as these were expressed in Dodona’s oracular tablets when he desperately sought prophecies, or when he silently visited a church, a mosque or a synagogue to pray, have barely changed. To him, time is no different than Plato’s perception of it: a moving image of eternity.

A documented tour of the history of the Sephardic Jews, chronicling their persecution and ejection from the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the C15th, recounting their life in the Ottoman Empire, with an emphasis on Thessaloníki, until the first decades of the 20th century.At the end of the 15th century, hundreds of thousands of Jews who refused to convert to Christianity were expelled from Spain, leaving behind a glorious past. After many adventures, most of the Sephardi (Sfarad means Spain) fled to the Ottoman Empire, where with their skills, know-how and culture, they built a new life. They settled in the major port cities, established dozens of communities with an advanced form of autonomy, and excelled in medicine, diplomacy and international trade. In particular, the community of Thessaloníki developed at a rapid pace, experienced days of glory; its glow as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” was preserved for hundreds of years after its sun had set. Five centuries later, most Sephardi of Thessaloníki met a tragic death in Auschwitz.Greek language text

The Basilica B’ in the archaeological site of Philippi dates back to the middle, approximately, of the sixth century AD and is an enigma in the history of architecture of the Justinian period of the Greek area. The present study attempts to clarify key issues of conflicting opinions that burden the relevant literature so far and to improve our knowledge on a number of unclear elements. In this context, the fact that the Basilica B’ was never completed as a building and did not function as a temple is documented, converging with the opinion of the excavator Paul Lemerle, while, at the same time, an attempt is made to determine the architect’s intentions regarding the design of the Basilica. Finally, the timeline of its construction phases is clarified and an attempt is made to determine the identity of the architect who undertook its design and construction.Text in Greek

The author describes his adventures over most of a lifetime across the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas where he pursued careers as diplomat and educator. Those years were abundant in thrills at embassies, consulates, colleges, monasteries and in the deep blue sea. These accounts range from assisting afflicted Americans to restore their lives to aiding the inhabitants of a monastery to capture coveted seafood. One notable adventure was enabling a young Polish diplomat in Izmir to flee the “Iron Curtain“ and find a new life in New York City.

What follows the Fall of Constantinople?  How does the Ottoman capital develop? How do its residents survive and how do the Greek-Orthodox people organize their life? How deep is the effect of the Fall? Is there continuity from the pre-fall period? The book draws information from Constantinople chronicles, travellers’ narratives, diaries of Westerners who lived among the Greek-Orthodox people, preacher sermons revealing the existing social problems, from the heroic new martyrs commemorated in the Synaxaria, as well as from older texts of Greek historians and articles of contemporary Ottomanists. The reader follows the travellers in their exploration of Constantinople at the time –in its historic centre and its outskirts. Eventually, the city’s ancient and byzantine monuments cease to exist; the Byzantine Poli (City) becomes “blurry.” A new, Ottoman capital arises and begins to flourish, though its heyday is besmirched by chronic scourges: fires, earthquakes, epidemics, famine, and sufferings, against which everyone is powerless. The life of the Greek-Orthodox people, and others, develops around their “mahallah” (neighbourhood), their parish, their guilds, the market. This is also the period when Greek Orthodox begin their first contacts with both the West, mostly with Protestants, and the orthodox Russia.Greek language text

The Queen’s Tower and Estate, located at Ilion, is a hidden gem of Attica. Officially declared as a Greek contemporary monument, Pyrgos opened to the public in 2012, after undergoing a multiyear restoration, the longest in its eventful history. This book fills in various historical gaps. It guides the reader through the first years of the creation of the independent Greek State, and the arrival of King Otto to Greece in 1832; it also presents the multifaceted work of his wife, Amalia. The Queen’s aim was to create a model agricultural unit that would inspire the development of agriculture and livestock farming in Attica. Her vision came into existence in Ilion. During the years of her husband’s reign, Amalia devoted a lot of time to the creation of the Estate, or “Eptalofos” (Seven Hills) as she named it, and the Athens National Garden –thus, leaving her mark on green and garden-designing policies in Greece. Pyrgos is one of the best-preserved Gothic-style monuments in Greece. The authentic decoration in the inside of the building, as well as the gardens around it, impress the visitors. Eventually, a big part of the Estate became public property; the “Antonis Tritsis Park” was created in the adjoining area. Today, the Queen’s Tower Estate continues its tradition to produce excellent wines and remains open to visitors.Text in Greek

Photographs and texts frame the narrative of the painful journey of discovery, from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz, of the deaths of Renée Revah’s family members in the concentration camp.Revah promises her grandfather, the sole member of her family to avoid this fate, that her work “Tehom” (a biblical Hebrew word, meaning primordial depth) will eventually ‘bring’ him to the scene of the crime, which he himself had not found the courage to visit in person. Two consecutive trips to the Birkenau and Auschwitz concentration camps will follow. At every step of her journey, she mentally addresses her grandfather, sends him photographs, and shares her thoughts and feelings with him. As a ‘post-witness’ herself, Renée Revah processes the past and transforms the inherited trauma into a purifying path that leads to forgiveness; the abyss of the lake that was the cenotaph of people murdered in concentration camps.FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO A 2019 EXHIBITION: ‘TEHOM—ABYSS’ by RENEE REVAH“On the 15th of March 1943, 75 years ago, at the old Thessaloníki Railway Station, the first death train bound for the concentration camps of Birkenau and Auschwitz in Poland could be heard blowing its whistle. 2,800 Greek Jews were cramped in locked animal transport wagons. By August 2nd that year, 19 shipments, arriving at night and under fog (“Nacht und Nebel”), carried 46,061 Greek Jews to these camps, where most were killed. Amongst them, my great grandmother Sol Venezia, and her children Olga, Lina and Isaac, and other relatives and friends.“Between late 1943 and October 1944 my grandfather Albert Revah, who had escaped from Thessaloniki, lived in a state of fear and anxiety in a small apartment in Athens, surviving with the help of friends. In October 1944, once the Germans left Athens, my grandfather had one single purpose: to organize the homecoming of his family. With loans he bought beds, mattresses, blankets, food, clothes: every day he gathered things that he could find in the ruins of Athens.“[After months of waiting] my grandfather learned that few had returned from the camps; among those was a friend whose life had been spared because, before the war and the rise of the Nazis, he was an employee at the German Consulate in Thessaloniki and spoke fluent German. The Germans had placed him as a secretary at Birkenau and he wrote the lists with the names of all who went to the gas chambers and the crematoria. From this doleful man, my grandfather learned the loss of his entire family.”

Starting with the tram just outside Piraeus and traveling along the west coast of Attica to the Asklepion of Voula, the natural and man-made landscape of the coastal zone is described, from ancient times to the present day. The tram stops in Faliro, Alimos, Elliniko and Glyfada, facilitate the approach to every notable point of the area, ancient and modern, giving the passenger-visitor the opportunity to get to know the history of the place. The environment and land uses have changed and are constantly changing in the name of development in recent years! However, some elements remain in place, created by man and especially the sea! ?hey worth our visit!Greek language text

“Translator and editor Joanna Varvaloukas evolved a text of relatively limited interest into a fascinating read; she “opens” it to the broader world in such a way that the reader follows the course of the Second World War and the events taking place in Greece. She provides, where possible, thorough biographical information regarding almost every person mentioned in the Diary. One thing is certain: the text, in combination with her comments, revive that period, recapture its ambiance, and compose a completely original work.” (extract from the Prologue)Text in Greek

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the largest and most visited museums in Greece, houses and displays in its fully renovated exhibition the outstanding material remains of the ancient civilizations that developed in Crete over seven millennia, from the Neolithic era to the late Roman period.This detailed archaeological-historical guide with its wealth of illustrations is based on the findings of modern scholarly research. Like a second Ariadne’s thread, it escorts the Museum visitor and the reader among the exhibits, guiding them through the beguiling labyrinth of Cretan archaeology. It traces the evolution from the Neolithic communities to the Minoan civilization – Europe’s first advanced culture, whose most famous creations are on display in the Museum. The complex structures, cultural reach and mythic echoes of this civilization are brought to life. The important collections of historical times are also described in this guide, as they represent the creative side of Crete as part of the Greek and then the Roman worlds. Also included in this presentation are short illustrated overviews of the main archaeological sites which have yielded particularly valuable exhibits.

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the largest and most visited museums in Greece, houses and displays in its fully renovated exhibition the outstanding material remains of the ancient civilizations that developed in Crete over seven millennia, from the Neolithic era to the late Roman period.This detailed archaeological-historical guide with its wealth of illustrations is based on the findings of modern scholarly research. Like a second Ariadne’s thread, it escorts the Museum visitor and the reader among the exhibits, guiding them through the beguiling labyrinth of Cretan archaeology. It traces the evolution from the Neolithic communities to the Minoan civilization – Europe’s first advanced culture, whose most famous creations are on display in the Museum. The complex structures, cultural reach and mythic echoes of this civilization are brought to life. The important collections of historical times are also described in this guide, as they represent the creative side of Crete as part of the Greek and then the Roman worlds. Also included in this presentation are short illustrated overviews of the main archaeological sites which have yielded particularly valuable exhibits.

After Professor Panos Valavanis retired from the Department of History and Archeology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, many of his students wanted to express a token of their gratitude for Valavanis’s selfless and years-long contribution to academia. This book, “KALLINIKOS, honorary volume for Professor Panos Valavanis by his students”, a collective work edited by Irene M. Dimitriades and Nicholas Dimakis, consists of 53 articles written in Greek (38) and English (15). Its content covers the honoree’s research and teaching field. It has seven thematic subjects: 1. Vases and iconography, 2. Vases and pottery, 3. Topography of the city of Athens, 4. Topography and architecture outside the city of Athens, 5. Worship, Politics-Ideology, 6. Ancient athletics, 7. Various topics. “KALLINIKOS” derives from the academic discipline that is probably Valavanis’s biggest love: ancient athletics and the Olympic Games –where the audience was cheering the winning athletes Tinela Kallinikos (tinela is a word with no meaning, made up by Archilochos).

The Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus was founded in the western Peloponnese, in the verdant valley between the Alpheios River and its tributary the Kladeos. As one of the most important Panhellenic religious centres of antiquity, its radiance illuminated ancient Greece for more than a thousand years.This book is an introduction to this important site of the ancient world, a site where the greatest sporting event of antiquity, the Olympic Games, were born. Thanks to the high values and ideals of Olympism, these Games came to shape in large measure the history and the values of the ancient Greek world.The archaeological site and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia are presented here, and the exhibited works are considered in relation to the site, thus offering a complete picture of the Sanctuary. Also presented is the history of the Olympic Games and the Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity, providing valuable information about the exceptional works of art housed in its rooms. The visitor is made aware of the mythological and historical background that formed the ideological framework of the Olympic Games.Included in the book are brief illustrated accounts on the most recent discoveries resulting from excavations by the Archaeological Service in the last 15 years. These recent excavations have essentially changed the understanding of the topography of the Sanctuary, contributing to the revision of the boundaries of the archaeological site.

This book throws light on aspects of the history of the Eastern Mediterranean peoples, presenting Greek-Egyptian relations as a positive stabilizing factor in the region. It analyses economic transactions and cultural exchanges from the Bronze Age onwards.It describes the disastrous intervention of the Asian Great Powers and the successful way that the Egyptians tackled the “sea peoples” who were a fatal threat to the population of the Eastern Mediterranean. It describes the Egyptian uprisings against the Persians during the 6th and the 5th century BC, Egyptian independence during the 4th century BC, and Persia’s attempts to recapture Egypt. In particular, the book analyses the adverse political and economic impact on the peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean after Egypt’s surrender to Persia. It highlights facts and details regarding Egypt’s efforts to throw off the Persian yoke, to maintain its independence and to regain its strategic role in the Middle East—with the active support of Athens, Sparta and Cyprus. It also examines the arrival of Alexander the Great, the final ending of Persian sovereignty, and the foundation of Alexandria as factors for tranquillity and prosperity in Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

This luxuriously illustrated book surveys Greek archaeology from the collapse of the Mycenaean palaces to the subordination of the last Hellenistic kingdoms to Rome. Its aim is to study Greek art through the material record, and against its cultural and social backdrop. It takes the reader on a tour of ancient Greece along the most important period in its history, the 1st millennium BC.Architecture, city planning, sculpture, painting, pottery, metallurgy, jewellery, and numismatics are some of the areas covered. With concise, systematic coverage of the main categories of classical monuments, the book caters for the non-specialist looking for the essential in ancient Greece, students of Greek archaeology and art, as well as anyone interested in Greek art and culture. The text is divided into accessible, user-friendly sections including case studies, terminology, charts, maps, a timeline and full index.This is the first English language edition of the original Greek work. It was thoroughly revised and expanded by Dimitris Plantzos before translation by the British archaeologist Nicola Wardle.592 colour illustrations.

For perhaps the first time, a holistic account of the institution of the monarchy in modern Greece.Looks at the political behaviour of the Greek people and their relationship with authority in every form, to explore why this specific type of constitution was chosen in 1832 at the end of the Greek ‘Struggle for Independence’. The development of the monarchy is explored in parallel with the quest for popular legitimization and the constitutional dimension, including the contradictions in the constitutional legislation and the fragility of a democratic constitutional monarchy. In a second section, three individual members of the Dynasty are discussed in detail. In the cases of Constantine the First and Queen consort Frederika, an attempt is made to separate myth from historical reality. Finally, in a third section, the philanthropic attitude of members of the two dynasties is discussed together with the socio-political dimension of the monarchy. In an Epilogue, the author examines the causes of the unravelling of the strong, but uneasy bond between people and monarchy.107 black and white photographs. French language text. Also available in English and Greek language editions from Kapon

The first holistic account of the institution of the monarchy in modern Greece, this book looks at the political behaviour of the Greek people and their relationship with authority in every form, to explore why this specific type of constitution was chosen in 1832 at the end of the Greek ‘Struggle for Independence’.The development of the monarchy is explored in parallel with the quest for popular legitimization and the constitutional dimension, taking into account the state of affairs in Europe, the need to put an end to the vicious circle of civil conflicts, and the views on the nature of the state derived from the Greco-Roman tradition. It also considers the contradictions in the constitutional legislation and the fragility of a democratic constitutional monarchy.In a second section, three individual members of the Dynasty are discussed in detail. In the cases of Constantine I and Frederika, an attempt is made to separate myth from historical reality. Finally, in a third section, the philanthropic attitude of members of the two dynasties is discussed together with the socio-political dimension of the monarchy. In an Epilogue, the author examines the causes of the unravelling of the strong, but uneasy bond between people and monarchy. 107 black and white photographs, English language text.

The mosaics in the Rotunda in Thessaloniki are the most significant decorations that remain from the early Byzantine period. Th is richly illustrated book invites the reader to enter the building and experience the splendid golden and silver mosaics that cover the cupola and vaults.It includes a timeline and a list of recent publications. Colour photographs, many specially taken for this publication, document the spectacular qualities of these magnificent mosaics.After an introduction to the architecture of the Rotunda, the authors focus on the mosaics, discussing such issues as imperial patronage, the martyr portraits, the pictorial programme, as well as mosaic technique and the aesthetic qualities of the multi-coloured images. The succinct text provides an up-to-date introduction to the mosaics.

A touching photographic journey, captured in over 500 stereoscopic glass plates by the doctor and photographer Nissim Levis, a member of a prominent family in the Romaniote Jewish community of Ioannina, a city in north-western Greece. They were found by chance, in a historic corner of the city, in the possession of a street vendor who invited passers-by to examine them for a fee by looking into a wooden box.A voyage in time that starts during the last fifteen years of Ottoman rule in Ioannina, with stops along the way for the city’s major historical events and for visits to some of the world’s most cosmopolitan locales of that period. Most of all, however, it is a small tribute to the memory of a group of individuals, the Romaniote Jews of Ioannina, who would otherwise have been remembered only as simple rows on the Holocaust Museum’s list of victims.Not only do we see important historical events unfold over the years, but we also see the everyday life of residents from different ethnic and religious groups—Christians, Jews and Muslims. More than that, the rescued photographs contain valuable information on the diplomatic background and the battle leading to the liberation of Ioannina, and on the historical background and prevailing atmosphere in Europe and in Ioannina between the two World Wars.266 duotones.

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.

This innovative look at ancient Greek painting combines the most complete survey to date of the painted monuments of classical antiquity with an in-depth exploration of the ways in which the people of Ancient Greece appreciated this demanding art. Plantzos looks at techniques, styles, themes and masters as well as their admirers, clients, and critics. At the same time, he discusses recent breakthroughs in archaeology, cultural studies, and art history. The book is unique in its reflections of new, multidisciplinary approaches to the material record which it combines with a more traditional, art-historical exploration; it draws on a wide range of ancient authorities – from Plato and Xenophon to Cicero, Pliny, Lucian, and Philostratus. The book covers painting in Bronze-Age Greece (Cyclades, Crete, Santorini, Mycenaean Greece); painting of the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic periods, and ends with a study of Graeco-Roman painting in the 2nd-3rd c. AD. Dimitris Plantzos is the author of Greek Art and Archaeology, 1200-30 BC (Kapon Editions, 2016).