Life and Death in Thebes after 335 BC; You're Invited to a General Assembly!

This coming Wednesday is our third lecture this month! We are very pleased to welcome to the Institute on the 18^th Dr. Alexandra Harami, the Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities at nearby Thebes in Boiotia. Dr. Harami is the Director of the ongoing excavations at ancient Eleon (modern Arma) in eastern Boiotia along with Co-Directors Professors Brendan Burke (University of Victoria) and Bryan Burns (Wellesley College). This is a synergasia of the Institute and the Ephorate.

The title of her illustrated lecture that will be given in Greek is, “Η Μετά-Αλεξάνδρεια περίοδος στην πόλη των Θηβών μέσα από την μαρτυρία των νεκροταφείων της”.  In her lecture she will relate what we know about this famous city after its total destruction in December, 335 BC by Alexander III of Macedon (destined to be “the Great”) as a reprisal for its revolt from his control. Only the relatives of Philip II’s Theban hosts when he was held there as a hostage as a boy and the descendants of the poet Pindar and his house in Thebes were saved from destruction, death or slavery. Now that’s being vindictive!

As often was the case a destroyed city located at an important historical, economic and geographical nexus is eventually rebuilt. This is what happened at Thebes. The city continued to be a regional center into the Byzantine period and beyond. This means that the remains from the Hellenistic and Roman Imperial periods are buried underneath later constructions, especially of the modern town. Nevertheless, excavations, mostly of cemeteries, by the members of the Ephorate since the beginning of the 20^th century have revealed evidence for the lives and deaths of the inhabitants from the third century BC through the fourth century AD. Dr. Harami will share with us the results of her study of the Hellenistic burial assemblages in the graves of the Northeast Cemetery of Thebes. Here’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about a little known period of ancient Thebes.

You’re invited to the General Assembly of the Syllogos Filon on the 15^th!

This coming Sunday, March 15^th starting at 10:30 is the annual General Assembly of the Syllogos Filon tou Istorikou Archeiou tis Archaiologikis Yperesias. The General Assembly will be held at the Historical Archive at Psaromylingou 22 on the cusp between the Kerameikos and Psyrri Districts. Attendance at the General Assembly is open to all members of good standing for 2015. You can pay your membership fee at the door. For details please call me, the President of the Syllogos Filon’s Board of Directors, at 694.72.72.153 or send me an email: drupp@brocku.ca. The Thesio Train Station is the closest train/Metro station.

In addition to reports of the Syllogos Filon’s activities since the last General Assembly a year ago there will be an election for members of the new five-person Board of Directors who serve a two year term. Come and re-elect me!!!

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director