Search results for ""kapon editions""

Essays on the chronology and interpretation of the Byzantine mosaics of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki contains the finest collection of surviving Byzantine mosaics in any one city. Made over the course of a millennium between the fourth and the fourteenth century, they show the dynamism and longevity of the medium throughout the life of the Byzantine Empire. Yet despite the quantity and quality of the mosaics in Thessaloniki, they have remained relatively unknown compared with the mosaics elsewhere in Greece and in Constantinople. Controversy and debate have surrounded the dating, function and meaning of many of the monuments and their mosaics. These issues, of the chronology of the monuments and the meanings of their mosaics, form the focus of The Mosaics of Thessaloniki Revisited. Also published by Kapon Editions: Mosaics of Thessaloniki, 4th–14th century (2012) documents and illustrates the huge range of Thessaloniki’s mosaics that are now accessible and visible to all, however distant or hidden their locations in each church.

Read more less

Ιoannis Makriyannis (1797-1864) was a Greek politician and author, best known today for his Memoirs. Starting from humble origins, he joined the Greek struggle for independence, achieving the rank of general and leading his men to notable victories. Following Greek independence, he had a tumultuous public career, playing a prominent part in the granting of the first Constitution of the Kingdom of Greece and later being sentenced to death and pardoned. Despite his important contributions to the political life of the early Greek state, general Makriyannis is mostly remembered for his Memoirs. Aside from being a source of historical and cultural information about the period, it led Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis to call Makriyannis ‘one of the greatest masters of Modern Greek prose’. Τhese aquarelles, a series of 24 paintings, vividly depict episodes from the Greek War of Independence of 1821 and from the Memoirs. Painted by Panayiotis and Dimitrios Zografou from Sparta, the series belonged to King Otto of Greece, the first monarch of ‘modern’ Greece. They were bought by Joannes Gennadius (1844–1932) in Rome in 1909. This volume from Kapon Editions, in association with the Gennadius Library, includes historical documents along with texts that look at Makriyannis - the ‘hero of the Greek War of Independence’ – as well as Joannes Gennadius (1844-1932) the Greek diplomat, book collector, writer and benefactor, founder of the Gennadius Library now housed in The American School of Classical Studies at Athens.

Read more less

Ιoannis Makriyannis (1797-1864) was a Greek politician and author, best known today for his Memoirs. Starting from humble origins, he joined the Greek struggle for independence, achieving the rank of general and leading his men to notable victories. Following Greek independence, he had a tumultuous public career, playing a prominent part in the granting of the first Constitution of the Kingdom of Greece and later being sentenced to death and pardoned. Despite his important contributions to the political life of the early Greek state, general Makriyannis is mostly remembered for his Memoirs. Aside from being a source of historical and cultural information about the period, it led Nobel laureate Giorgos Seferis to call Makriyannis ‘one of the greatest masters of Modern Greek prose’. Τhese aquarelles, a series of 24 paintings, vividly depict episodes from the Greek War of Independence of 1821 and from the Memoirs. Painted by Panayiotis and Dimitrios Zografou from Sparta, the series belonged to King Otto of Greece, the first monarch of ‘modern’ Greece. They were bought by Joannes Gennadius (1844–1932) in Rome in 1909. This volume from Kapon Editions, in association with the Gennadius Library, includes historical documents along with texts that look at Makriyannis - the ‘hero of the Greek War of Independence’ – as well as Joannes Gennadius (1844-1932) the Greek diplomat, book collector, writer and benefactor, founder of the Gennadius Library now housed in The American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The chapter on the the War of Independence includes pictures from the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. Greek language text

Read more less

The relation between tragedy and opera is as old as opera itself. Opera was born out of experiments by Italian scholars of the Renaissance relating to the nature of ancient tragedy and ways in which it could be performed. And many works in the operatic repertoire derive their subject matter from ancient legends. This relationship is described briefly, though with full documentation, in this little volume. English and Italian bilingual text. 109 colour illustrations.

Read more less

Besides the practical and functional needs of the body which must be addressed in buildings and in the wider built environment, human communities have always wished to shelter, not only themselves but also the incomprehensible, the superior and the mysterious. In this way they can, by specifying them, exorcise the danger posed by the invisible forces which define both the world outside and their inner psyche. Whether conceived as magic or as a religious system, the consciousness of a spiritual realm is not just a primitive stage of the intellectual development of humanity which then was replaced by a scientific approach which aims to create order from chaos, but is an ever-present internal need which is not satisfied by rational experience and knowledge. Since therefore, recourse to the metaphysical is a given, the door opens for the transcendental to enter, which itself is the foundation of metaphysics. In consequence the transcendental and the feeling of respect and sacredness which it causes are an integral part of human nature and, so too, architecture finds ways not only to accommodate it, but as far as possible, to invite it in. Modern architecture, while avowedly rejecting its relationship with the past, continues to be an art and with steady pace undertakes to accommodate the experience of the transcendental. The two authors, both architects, find that in the modern day the concepts of the sacred and the transcendental are included in the aesthetic category of 'the Sublime', which is not associated now so much with God, as with the concept of Being. The concepts thus slip into many areas of public as much as of private life. Here they dare to borrow the five principles of Longinus for successful composition and the requirement for a 'megalophrosnes apechema' (the echo of a great soul). They then parallel these principles with the creative inspiration of the architects of the 20th and 21st centuries, in their attempt to organize a vocabulary and syntax for the achievement of the sought-after 'sanctity', and as a path towards an imposing and exalted composition of space and materials. Text in Greek

Read more less

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).

Read more less

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?

Read more less

The Agora Modiano was reborn turning into 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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

This book was published to coincide with an exhibition mounted in both France and Greece, dedicated to marine representations on vases, and particularly those inspired by mythology. Thanks to the variety of shapes and decorated surfaces found in vases, the art of pottery developed a more extensive repertoire of subjects related to the sea than any other art form. The first part of this book examines forty-two characteristic examples of marine iconography, which come mainly from the collections of the Louvre, though also from those of other museums. These are divided into four groups: marine fauna and seafaring, the deities of the deep, the voyages of gods and heroes who crisscrossed the ocean, and, finally, the miraculous birth of the goddess who emerged from the waves, Aphrodite, born from the foam. The variety and aesthetic quality of marine scenes in vase-painting reveal once more the importance of the sea to Greek civilization. The second part of the book contains more specialist articles on the iconography of the sea, and on various aspects of marine archaeology, contributed by both French and Greek experts in the field. Parallel text Greek and English

Read more less

This beautifully illustrated book offers an overview of the greatest archaeological sites and discoveries from ancient Greece. The contributors include those who have excavated at the sites in question and scholars who have spent a lifetime studying the monuments. Presented here are the legendary sites of ancient Greece, including the Athenian Acropolis, Olympia, Delphi, Schliemann’s Mycenae, and the Athenian Agora; the most iconic sculptures in the Greek world, such as the Aphrodite of Melos and the Nike of Samothrace; and several fascinating chapters on underwater archaeology that discuss the Kyrenia and Uluburun shipwrecks and the astonishing bronze masterpieces raised from the sea. This is the first book to bring together the archaeological legacy of ancient Greece in a concise and accessible way while still preserving the excitement of discovery. An introductory text by Vasileios Petrakos, member of the Academy of Athens, sets the historical context and describes the course of Greek archaeology from the foundation of the modern Greek state to the present day. 650 colour illustrations.

Read more less

The towering Pindus Mountains, jagged rocks and a huge mixed forest of conifers and deciduous trees make up the beautiful Macedonian landscape in Grevena. Alpine valleys, rushing rivers and gentle streams, and villages crafted by generations of Vlach stonemasons. This lavishly illustrated book, with an informative text introduces readers to the landscapes, villages and settlements in the prefecture of Grevena. The towering Pindus Mountains, jagged rocks and a huge mixed forest of conifers and deciduous trees make up this Macedonian landscape in Grevena. Alpine valleys, rushing rivers and gentle streams, and villages crafted by generations of Vlach stonemasons. This lavishly illustrated book, with an informative text introduces readers to the landscapes, villages and settlements in the prefecture of Grevena. Grevena was a key stop for caravan trains and the hub for traders and the semi-nomadic Vlach herdsmen who travelled through Macedonia. This book pauses at all signs of human activity in this outstanding environment - buildings, villages, old roadways and bridges- and singles out the evidence for the life of each place: the professions, movement, customs and place names. The book aims to cater both for the demand by locals for a deeper acquaintance with their home, and the desire by the many visitors to the area to make genuine contact with the places and villages of Grevena, brought here by the pine forests, spring flowers, autumn leaves, snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes and brown bears. Greek language. 170 full colour photographs.

Read more less

This book presents the results of the excavations conducted by the Archaeological Service of the Ministry of Culture and carried out by archaeologists working just ahead of the construction teams building the new Metro. They uncovered a wealth of artefacts, and the foundations of homes and temples from ancient Athens, which had been hidden under the modern city. The excavations followed Vouliagmenis Avenue and the underground Line 2 of the Metro whose seven stations serve the southern areas of Athens. Both the Metro line and Vouliagmenis Avenue follow the course of the ancient city road which connected the city of Athens with the demes (suburbs) west of Hymettus and continued to the Sanctuary at Sounion and the mines at Laurion. Full of interesting detail and extensively illustrated, the book explores the history of one of the main arterial routes of Attica— the historical region that encompasses the city of Athens—which was used from antiquity until the present day. The archaeological artefacts illustrated, both in drawings and with photographs, were recovered from excavations in both public and private sites. Translated by British archaeologist Nicola Wardle. Foreword by Michalis A. Tiverios, Emeritus Professor of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki.

Read more less

The thirteen-centuries-old church of Hagia Sophia, dedicated to the Holy Wisdom of God, has been the focus of scholarly interest and debate since the nineteenth century, generating a remarkably rich bibliography both Greek and foreign. However, until now there was no publication aimed at the visitors to this monument. This book fills the need for an informative guidebook, examining all aspects of the subject of the history of the church, its decoration, and its reception throughout history. Greek language edition

Read more less

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

Read more less

Memories of the journalistic friendship between Maria Karavia and Yannis Tsarouchis. A commemoration of the unforgettable artist, Yannis Tsarouchis, whose keen intelligence and caustic wit left their mark both on modern Greek painting and Athenian society. The fruit of the author's long and productive acquaintance with Tsarouchis, the book centres on his way of thinking and his work. Interviews, brief images and reminiscences are used to build up a personal testament of the painter's life, from his conscription in the war of 1940 to the dictatorship of 1967 and self-exile in Paris; from his legendary disguises, his love of Anatolian folk dance and the Karaghiozis shadow theatre, to his years of work with the painter Photis Kontoglou; from his interest in Byzantine music, his ventures into theatrical direction in Seven against Thebes and Trojan Women to his deep concern about environmental degradation. This testimony to the man and the artist is complemented by a selection of rarely published photographs. Greek language text. 50 b&w photographs.

Read more less

This brief guide to the collections of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens provides general information about all the collections, with an emphasis on the way they are presented in the Museum galleries. It illustrates representative works from each collection, demonstrating the artistic quality and value of the exhibits. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world devoted to ancient Greek art. Large format paperback, lavishly illustrated in colour throughout French language edition. Also available in English, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Greek editions.

Read more less

The Sistine Chapel enchants the visitor by the splendid harmony it radiates as a concept fully realised, by the unmatched artistic qualities of the individual works, the profound ideas that govern the planning of the paintings and the splendid, robust and lively figures created by Michelangelo and other artists. In this book, jointly produced by the Musei Vaticani and Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the chapel' s paintings are examined in relation to the theological interpretations prevailing in that period. Many of these works have already been presented in isolation by leading experts on the chapel, with detailed descriptions and comments. However, its recent restoration makes possible a new approach to interpreting the pictures, based among other factors on the symbolism of the colours. Greek language text. 186 illus., most colour.

Read more less

This book looks at the treatment of Byzantine monuments in the first hundred years of the Greek State. It examines representative restoration interventions on Byzantine monuments in Greece and critically analyses the theoretical principles and the practices adopted.The author records the developmental course of actions taken to salvage the Byzantine heritage, both by the Greek State and by non-governmental agents. It also investigates their ideological and cultural framework, correlating this with European thought. It enhances the impact of the upgrading of Byzantium in Greece on activities for the protection, rescue and restoration of Byzantine ecclesiastical monuments.The study is based on ample archival material, which is published for the first time. This volume is an essential contribution to research into the history of Greek cultural heritage and of European restorations.English language edition

Read more less

The C4th Roman Rotunda church in Thessaloniki is the most important monument of the early Christian era. In this comprehensive monograph, Hjalmar Torp presents the findings of his life-long archaeological and iconographic research on the Rotunda. He explores the archaeological data, the various phases of the architecture, and the chronological issues of the monument. The nuanced descriptions of the mosaics, their colours and their techniques are based on a detailed scaffold review and survey. The iconography of the mosaics is then analyzed and interpreted in conjunction with historical and theological sources; the building of the palatine church and its sumptuous decoration is attributed to an initiative by Theodosius the Great. This slip-cased set of two books, abundantly documented and richly illustrated, is a unique testimony on the Rotunda. Volume One: text. Volume Two: Illustrations. 500 illustrations, many in colour. This book is only available in French.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

This is the first companion guide ever to be written on the Ashmolean's outstanding Aegean collections, the best and most comprehensive outside Greece. Comprising 12,000 objects, the Ashmolean holds a remarkable collection of Neolithic and Cycladic antiquities, the best Minoan collection outside Crete, and a comprehensive corpus of Mycenaean antiquities. It is thanks to the indefatigable work of Sir Arthur Evans, and other great Aegean pioneers, such as Sir John Linton Myres and David Hogarth, that the Ashmolean, with its rich archival resources, stands out today as one of the most important museums for the study of Aegean archaeology. The companion guide, written by top scholars in the field, takes a chronological as well as thematic approach to the study of the Aegean collections. The texts, written with the wider audience in mind, introduce readers to the history of the collection and its current display strategy, Sir Arthur Evans and his work in Crete, the world of the early Cyclades, Knossos and Minoan Crete, Mycenaean Greece, and the Aegean seals and scripts that were central in Evans's archaeological research on the island. The companion guide is beautifully designed and richly illustrated throughout. Images of the gallery, of individual objects and group shots, maps, plans, and timelines, provide the reader with the feel of the Aegean World gallery, which since its opening in 2009 has been enthusiastically received. The book follows the strategy developed specifically for the Aegean World gallery at the Ashmolean Museum: 'how we know what we know?' about Aegean prehistory, and the role of archaeologists as filters through whom our knowledge of the past is diluted and shaped. The guide also includes about 80 highlighted objects, which are accompanied with new photographs - specifically taken for this publication, a brief description and bibliography. The companion guide is published in collaboration with the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford.

Read more less

This book, illustrated in colour throughout, offers a concise presentation of the archaeological site of Ancient Messene, in the Greek Peloponnese, written by its excavator and head of the restoration program, and incorporating the latest results of archaeological research. Guided by the book's informative texts, pictures and drawings, the visitor to the site can take in the history of the city, walk around its monumental fortifications and explore the Theatre, the Agora and its sanctuaries, the impressive Stadium with its Palaestra, as well as investigate the area of the funerary monuments. Ancient Messene, in its capacity as a functioning archaeological and ecological park, has acquired its own unique dynamic and independent character. This is because the potential offered by the majestic remains of an entire ancient city, in combination with the controlled building activity in the surrounding modern settlements, has been substantially realized. In addition, the long-term investments in time and effort by all those who worked at the site since 1986 have paid dividends. English language edition

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Mycenae, in the north-eastern corner of the plain of Argos in Greece, built atop a natural stronghold, became the preeminent centre of the advanced culture that dominated mainland Greece from the C16th BC to the C12th BC, the Mycenaean civilization. This new book, lavishly illustrated in full colour throughout, offers a full picture of the archaeological site of Mycenae and its local museum, and describes the basic cultural expressions of the Mycenaean world. Concise texts, colour pictures and original photographic compositions highlight the imposing walls and buildings of the acropolis, the tombs of the Mycenaean rulers, and the museum exhibits, all of which represent various aspects of life and death in the Mycenaean world. Items described and illustrated range from wall-paintings, vases and idols to weapons and precious works of art in gold and ivory. In addition, the book offers an overview of Mycenae through the centuries, beyond Prehistory, until modern times and the excavations at the site. The presentation of the exhibits in the book follows the arrangement of the museum at Mycenae. At the same time, the reader will have the opportunity of an overall view of the achievements of the Mycenaean era, not only of those housed in the Mycenae Museum, but also of all those that vividly reflect the wealth and splendour of this culture. Colour illustrations throughout Greek language edition (an English language edition, ISBN 9786185209636, is also available from the same publisher)

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Spaziergänge durch Byzantinische Thessaloniki Thessaloniki, the most important city in the Byzantine empire after Constaninople, experienced periods of great economic prosperity and cultural and artistic flowering that created monuments of great importance in the development of Byzantine civilisation. Throughout its existence a bustling metropolis and Mediterranean port, the city is unusual in having a continuous history and cultural evolution that were not interrupted even in the most turbulent times. The monuments surviving from over two thousand years of history of the Byzantine city are representative of Byzantine culture and art over the centuries. Thessaloniki is now regarded as an open-air museum of Byzantine art. Spaziergänge durch Byzantinische Thessaloniki reveals the Byzantine face of the city to the modern visitor, through the marks stamped on it by 2,300 years of history. The text describes and evaluates all the most recent evidence for the Byzantine monuments of the city. Lavishly illustrated, it offers an elegant account of the history of Byzantine civilization, enticing visitors along the major streets and narrow alleyways of the Upper town and introducing them, through the expertise of the specialist and the love of the admirer, to the enchantment of its unique monuments. German language text. 259 illustrations including 220 full colour.

Read more less

George Kordis has painted a frieze along the walls of the third floor of the School of Philosophy of the University of Athens. The mural constitutes a modern artistic creation, bold and brave: by deploying the simple colour system of Polygnotus, the artist has exploited the style of religious icon-making, keeping close to the norms that govern it, both internal and external. All the scenes of Homer's Odyssey that are presented on the mural are annotated using original Homeric text in the ancient script. The resulting artistic creation is in accordance with its grey surroundings, and it converses with the uninterrupted architecture of the building which was designed back in the 1960s. Furthermore, it lights up the building and foregrounds it through a harmonious composition resonant with rhythm through its shaped forms, its lively gestures, its elongated figures, its minute details.

Read more less

This presentation of the life and work of the architect Stephen Paraskevopoulos, professor at the School of Architecture at the University of Michigan from 1954 to 1976, documents his multifaceted work as a teacher, researcher, inventor and visionary. His interest in international development, in the optimal use of modern technology and the need for research for the industrial production of new building materials and methods, especially plastics, led him to pioneering applications in architecture and urban planning. Stephen Paraskevopoulos was born in Athens in 1926. He graduated from the School of Architectural Engineering of the NTUA in 1951 and from the University of Michigan in 1955. From 1954 to 1976 he pursued an academic career at the University of Michigan, in addition to many administrative positions, including chair of the Doctoral Program in Architecture and director of the University Architectural Research. Paraskevopoulos is considered a pioneer in the field of architecture and urban planning, not only regarding concept design and the research and final design phase, but also in the implementation of the projects. His work and research had international presence and impact and was awarded many distinctions. The text in this book is presented in both Greek and English.

Read more less

Photographs frame the narrative of a painful journey from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz: the loss of Renée Revah's family in the concentration camp. She promises her grandfather, the sole family member to avoid this fate, that Tehom' (biblical Hebrew for abyss') will bring him to the scene of the crime, which he had not found the strength to visit.

Read more less

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 ?ff-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 t?picality.

Read more less

The history of ancient Greece, beyond the sites with great names and famous histories, has been the focus of the work of the Athens Branch of the Austrian Archaeological Institute at the Austrian Academy of Sciences for many decades. For the first time in the history of the OeAI Athens, this volume presents a comprehensive overview of the research achievements of Austrian archaeology in Greece. In 51 contributions, renowned experts convey first-hand the results of Austrian research, carried out in close cooperation with the institutions of the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Read more less

The Agora Modiano was reborn turning into 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.

Read more less

The economic life of Thessaloniki and Macedonia in general is unfolded through stocks issued by limited companies during an important period of its history (1870-1940), which covered the final years of the Turkish occupation and saw the incorporation of the city and region into the modern Greek state. A total of 84 stock certificates are represented, most of them shares or company bonds, accompanied by details of the foundation and history of the issuing companies, the majority of which were based in Thessaloniki. The illustrations on the certificates are highly interesting. Their variety of subjects and colour harmony is particularly striking at the present day, when stock certificates have become immaterial and no longer have their traditional printed form. Slipcased; 212 illustrations, most in colour. Parallel text Greek and English. Prologue by Professor Evangelos Venizelos

Read more less

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, one of the most important in Greece, houses masterpieces of Greek art associated with the history of Ancient Macedonia, from the 2nd millennium BC to the 4th century BC and the reigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great. The Guide to the Museum presents the rich, varied finds from Vergina, Sindos and Derveni and many other important Macedonian sites. Detailed illustrations accompany the descriptions of the objects on display. The introduction to Ancient Macedonia and the informative texts prefacing the descriptions of individual sections are designed to set the objects on display in their historical context, to help visitors to the Museum to enjoy the beauty of ancient art and follow the history of Macedonia. 240 colour illustrations. German language text.

Read more less

The small Byzantine church of the Soter (Christ the Saviour) stands on modern Egnatia Street in Thessaloniki, to the west of the arch of Galerius. Its name is preserved from the Ottoman period in the oral tradition alone. Tradition also provides the information that the people of Thessaloniki, particularly families who had lost children, used to baptise their infants in the small church and give the child the name of the Soter invoking his protection for their children. This short monograph on the little church of Christ the Saviour in Thessaloniki, is a brief account of the findings of the archaeological excavation that was carried out as part of the work of restoration of the damage caused during the 1978 earthquake. Special emphasis is placed on the iconographic and stylistic analysis of the wall paintings of the monument. The objective is to give prominence to the theological and artistic value of this significant, though little known, Byzantine monument in the second most important city of the Byzantine empire. Parallel text Greek and English

Read more less

57 colour illustrations. The Museum of Byzantine Culture is one of the most important museums of Thessaloniki, a city with a powerful Byzantine character and beauty. All aspects of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art and history are represented through the display of original artefacts, mainly from Thessaloniki, the most important city of the Empire after Constantinople, but also from the wider area of Macedonia. The collection numbers more than 46,000 artefacts, heirlooms and artworks dated between the 2nd and the 20th centuries, with over 3000 on permanent display. Wall-paintings, mosaics, icons, marble architectural elements, detached Early Christian tombs with their wall-paintings, liturgical vessels, implements for personal adornment, but also humble everyday artefacts and tools for professionals are represented not only as artworks, but also as testimonies of the culture that created them and of the human society that used them. This short guide is a concise authoritative picture of the permanent exhibition in the Museum, useful for visitors during their visit to the Museum galleries, and as a memento of their visit long afterwards.

Read more less

The village of Metsovo, called Amintziou in the Vlach language, is one of the most famous traditional settlements in Greece. Nestled in the heart of the Pindos mountain range, Metsovo owes its fame to the beauty of the landscape and the uniqueness of its hand-woven textiles. This book deals with the secrets of the weaving of Metsovo, which are presented in a simple, yet elegant manner. The subject is not only treated from a strictly technical and aesthetic point of view, but consideration is also given to the various interpretations of it, its symbols, and role of weaving as a factor in the everyday life of Metsovo. Representative examples of domestic textiles and traditional costumes from the Collection of the Laographic Museum of the Baron M. Tositsa Foundation are described in succinct, authoritative texts, accompanied by impressive, lavish illustrations, which introduce us to the beauty of the art and tradition of the weaving of Metsovo. A final section includes detailed drawings and descriptions of the decorative motifs and designs used in the woven textiles.

Read more less

The first systematic excavations in the sanctuary of Olympia lasted for six years, from 1975 to 1881. Dimitris Papageorgiou's book was published in 1890 and is the first guidebook in Greek for the antiquities of Olympia. It is remarkable that it was written before the completion of the German publication of the excavation (1897). This is a pioneering work in which the author did not confine himself to describing the monuments, but dealt with the history and the description of the contests, as well as with the organization in antiquity of the Olympic Games, which were to be revived six years later, in 1896. Greek language. 45 b&w illustrations, including fold-out map of Olympia.

Read more less

This brief guide to the collections of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens provides general information about all the collections, with an emphasis on the way they are presented in the Museum galleries. It illustrates representative works from each collection, demonstrating the artistic quality and value of the exhibits. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world devoted to ancient Greek art. Large format paperback, lavishly illustrated in colour throughout

Read more less

The book deals with the issue of the approach to and treatment of Byzantine monuments during the first one hundred years of the Greek State (1833-1939). It examines representative restoration interventions in Byzantine monuments in Greece and critically analyses the theoretical principles and the practices adopted. It records the developmental course of actions taken to salvage the Byzantine heritage, both by the Greek State and by non-governmental agents. It also investigates their ideological and cultural framework, correlating this with European thought. It enhances the impact of the upgrading of Byzantium in Greece on activities for the protection, rescue and restoration of Byzantine ecclesiastical monuments. The study is based on ample archival material, which is published for the first time. This volume is an essential contribution to research into the history of Greek cultural heritage and of European restorations. Greek language text. 232 illustrations, some in colour

Read more less

This brief guide to the collections of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens provides general information about all the collections, with an emphasis on the way they are presented in the Museum galleries. It illustrates representative works from each collection, demonstrating the artistic quality and value of the exhibits. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world devoted to ancient Greek art. Large format paperback, lavishly illustrated in colour throughout

Read more less

This new biography of Harilaos Trikoupis, seven times Prime Minister of Greece in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, is illustrated with photographs, paintings and prints, newspaper cuttings, maps and cartoons, and also includes numerous documents from his archives, mostly unpublished until now. It aims to throw light on many previously unknown elements in the life of this great political figure and to make him accessible to a wider public by providing the opportunity not only to follow his career but to gain an insight into his family and political environment. The book's wide variety of attractive illustrations, with their extensive and well-documented captions, bring events and people vividly to life and make it a publication of value not only to researchers but the ordinary reader. 600 col. Illus. Greek language text.

Read more less

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.

Read more less