Student, Intern, or Traveller? A Report on my Internship at the CIG

The past three months have been a whirlwind of new and exciting experiences. I have had the pleasure of acting as the Intern at the Canadian Institute in Greece for the Fall semester on behalf of Wilfrid Laurier University. Over the past three months, I worked to complete my tasks at the CIG, complete two online courses offered through WLU, and take advantage of my time in this country trying to see as many things as possible. Being granted this opportunity I have had the chance to immerse myself in Athenian culture and visit many of the archaeological sites that I have learned so much about in school. This internship has allowed me to gain a first-hand perspective into many aspects of archaeology that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to experience. Studying ancient Greek archaeology in a classroom is vastly different than getting out and actually seeing the temples and artifacts for myself. This internship has provided me with valuable connections, skills, and experiences that have greatly contributed to my passion for archaeology and left me with a desire to pursue the aspects I enjoy the most.

I had a variety of tasks that I completed throughout my internship at the CIG. Namely, I worked on the digitization of the Khostia Archive. In my first week, I was handed two large accordion style folders containing documents from the almost 40 year old archaeological project and it was my job to scan and electronically file each and every one. I was tasked with the responsibility of creating a unique system with which to name each individual file as it was scanned so it could be systematically stored. My problem solving skills and patience were put to the test as I developed a 20-digit coding system to name all 3074 documents. After countless hours of scanning spaced throughout my three months, I managed to complete the digitization of the Khostia archive and was also able to physically organize the records. One of my roles as the intern was to assist in the facilitation of the Fall lecture events hosted by the CIG. It was my responsibility to prepare the food, with the help of the fellows of course, and pour drinks at the reception. I met many great people at these events and heard many talks on a variety of interesting topics.

Throughout my time in Greece, I have been fortunate enough to travel to some of the important archaeological sites as well as visit six islands. In Athens, I visited all the major sites including the Acropolis, the Athenian Agora, the Roman Forum, and Hadrian’s Library, among many others. Of course, I couldn’t just leave it at that and made stops at many of the fantastic museums hosted by this city. My favourite museum to visit was the National Archaeological Museum where I pushed my way through the crowd to see the infamous mask of Agamemnon and the boxing boys fresco. Since I mentioned in my original blog post that I had aspirations of visiting some of the Greek islands, I just had to carry this out to the next level and ended going to a total of six islands. The first island I visited was Mykonos where I met up with a fellow Laurier Goldenhawk who took me scuba diving for the first time. While on Mykonos I took advantage of its proximity to the island of Delos and made the trip to visit the archaeological site. I was blown away by the sheer size and beautiful location of the site and found myself running around in awe.

The next island I visited was the picturesque Santorini where I went full out tourist and rented an ATV, went cliff jumping (even though it was almost November), and watched the sunrise over Oia. Of course, I couldn’t miss the opportunity and visited the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri. Somehow, I found the time to make day trips to the Islands of Aegina and Hydra. I rented another ATV on Aegina and raced around the island visiting the Byzantine ghost town of Paleochora, the Temple of Aphaia, and the beach to go swimming. In my last efforts to squeeze everything in before I have to unfortunately return to snowy Canada, I ventured to Crete. On my three day adventure, I tried to visit as many things as possible and was able to see the Minoan Palaces of Knossos and Malia, as well as the Venetian fortress in Heraklion and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Despite the fact that it was December, I managed to go for one last swim in the Mediterranean Sea at a deserted beach in Malia. I was also fortunate enough to make trips to visit the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio, Delphi, and Ancient Corinth, thanks to one of the Fellows, Mark.

Throughout my time in Greece I have had the opportunity to further explore my love for archaeology and delve into aspects that I had not yet pursued. My internship at the Canadian Institute taught me many valuable skills, especially how to carefully balance school, work, and leisure. I could not have asked for a better overall experience. I have learned so much throughout my time here and have been able to meet so many great people. I will always remember the memories I made here as well as the people I shared them with. I would like to express my thanks towards Jonathan Tomlinson and David Rupp for providing me with this internship, as well as Dr. Schaus for granting me this opportunity.

Ailidh Hathway
Wilfrid Laurier University, Fall Intern 2016

The Fred Winter Collection

Taranto Museum, panel from large mosaic with lion and horse (lion very poorly done) (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

A Short but Productive Semester Studying CIG (Ceramics-In-Graves) at the CIG

This proved to be an exciting and full semester for me as one of the two Elisabeth Alföldi-Rosenbaum Fellows at the CIG. Arriving on September 1^st, I immediately set to the task of researching my project for this semester – the ceramic burial vessels recovered from four trial trenches on Corinth’s so-called Hill of Zeus, excavated by the American School of Classical Studies in 1933. Learning how to deal with the material and records associated with an 83-year old excavation proved to be a challenging puzzle, but one that I took up with enthusiasm. The regional sources of most of my pottery, the implications for the topography of Late Roman Corinth, and the opportunity to apply some of my knowledge as a (novice) studio ceramicist were all features of my lecture on December 7. I was pleased to have so many attend and I enjoyed what was truly a rewarding Q&A session!

My work on the Hill of Zeus pottery was punctuated with various other projects and trips this semester. In late September I participated in the 30th Congress of the Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautores (RCRF) in Lisbon, Portugal, where I presented a poster (which I’m also transforming into an article). My focus was on the theme of ceramic regionalism within the context of a globalized Roman world, using material from my dissertation which was based on the Late Roman pottery from the Panayia Field, Corinth. Lisbon is a beautiful city, and the conference provided the opportunity to visit the Roman industrial site of Troia where staggering amounts of fish products were processed and shipped throughout the Empire in amphorae (which we were also given the opportunity to handle!). My conference in Lisbon was followed by a brief visit to Canada for a dear friend’s wedding – a whirlwind trip that was well worth the jet lag! A trip to Rome for five days in late November also allowed the opportunity to see some different sights, as well as familiar faces.

One of the best parts about this semester was the opportunity to spend time in Athens again, one of my favourite cities. It was nice to go back and revisit the amazing sights and museums, as well as some of the restaurants I fell in love with during my previous visits here. For me, Greek food is comfort food, but when I’m in the mood to cook, the fresh produce at the local laiki never disappoints. My attempts to minimize the massive amounts of spinach or potatoes that the vendors are inclined to pack into your bag (one man can only eat so much in a single week!) got increasingly better as I attempted to put to use the skills I’ve been acquiring this semester in my Greek lessons. Interesting lectures are also never difficult to find in Athens, and, of course, there was always the opportunity to make new friends from the various foreign schools while playing darts at the Red Lion every Tuesday!

Living at the CIG and assisting with the preparations for lectures gave me an inside look of the day-to-day operations of a foreign institute in Athens, while my library skills were tested through the accessioning of recent acquisitions in numerous different languages. I’m pleased to say that our catalogue of used books for this January’s book sale is ready to go, although I’m a little disappointed that I won’t be here to bid on some of the treasures that are awaiting new owners. Although I’ll be taking a position at Penn State this spring, you can be sure that I will be catching the live-streaming of the exciting spring lecture series that I know David and Jonathan have planned. Thank you all!

Mark Hammond
Elisabeth Alföldi-Rosenbaum Fellow, CIG

The Fred Winter Collection

Taranto Museum, moasic with Abduction scene (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

Kales Yiortes kai Kali Xronia!

The Holidays are upon us! As of 13:00 today the Institute is closed for two weeks. We will resume our work and activities on Monday, January 2nd at 09:00.

Aidlih is already back in Canada. Mark is leaving shortly for North America. Keven departs on Sunday for Canada. Jonathan and Amelie will be in England and Metaxia and I in Arkadia. It is a time to relax, recharge and spend time with family and friends. The challenges, surprises and achievements of 2017 await us and the Institute when we return.

Tou xronou me agape kai hygeia!!!
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Labraynda, large masonry tomb SE of temple (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

An Athenianographer's Delight

The modern city of Athens is probably best known to the readers of this blog as the geographical location of the urban core of the ancient city-state of Athens which encompassed all of the region of Attica. The Akropolis, the Agora, the Kerameikos, the Pynx, the Mouseion, the Roman Agora, the Library of Hadrian, as well as the other areas and monuments are what epitomize this city for the visitor at least. However, as one moves away from the ancient nucleus the “archaeologies” become fewer and less densely packed in the modern city that has sprawled around since Athens became the capital of the new state in 1834. At some point there are no discernable antiquities to be seen.

For many, this modern urbanscape is simply something to move through quickly and endure while wanting to do something else. The fact that modern Athens has not just expanded but has evolved and changed in major episodes through the past 180 years or so is mostly lost on the unreflective individual. One of the seminal periods for the creation of the present urbanscape was the famous Mesopolemos era or Interwar period from around 1920 to the start of WW II in 1940. The Balkan Wars, the Asia Minor catastrophe, the influx of large numbers of refugees, the political conflicts between the royalists and the Venezelists, the dictatorship of Metaxas among other phenomena set the stage for a meteoric transformation of the city.

On Monday, December 12th Prof. Dimitris N. Karidis, Professor Emeritus of the History of Architecture at the National Metsovian Technical University of Athens will give the third lecture in the 2016-2017 Lecture Program of the Σύλλογος Φίλων του Ιστορικού Αρχείου της Αρχαιολογικής Υπηρεσίας, entitled, «Τα χέρια πάνω από την πόλη. Μοντερνισμός και εκσυγχρονισμός στην Αθήνα του μεσοπολέμου».

Using various archival sources, architectural theses and manifestos, planning documents, archaeological discoveries, infrastructure projects, apartment building construction and contemporary socioeconomic developments Prof. Kardis, as an architect and urban historian, will examine the roles of “modernism” and “modernization” in the context of a resurgent traditionalism in the architectural transformation of the city during these two decades. So for all of you out there who consider themselves at least amateur “Athenianographers” and not simply topographers of ancient Athens this lecture will expand your knowledge of a significant part of the central core of the city that is still standing, after the relentless demolition and apartment building construction from the late 1950s to the earlier 2000s.

The Lecture will take place in the Library of the Canadian Institute in Greece starting at 19:00. The public is welcome.

NB A milestone reached

In the past five years since the advent of this blog I have written, if my count is correct, now 200 blogs! This milestone of communications is a remarkable accomplishment I may add (in all modesty, of course)!

Kales Yiortes
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Telmessos, group of tombs to the E of Amyntas Tomb (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

New Light on an Old Excavation

For a variety of reasons not every excavation that is conducted gets properly studied, let alone properly published. This is a world-wide phenomenon, alas. Most of these orphans disappear from the institutional memory of a site, a region or an organization after a few decades, even if they could be significant discoveries. These are the “cold cases” of archaeological research buried in the files.

Every now and then an archaeologist stumbles in on the storerooms of the artifact remains of these lost efforts. On occasion he or she takes an interest in reopening the investigation of such a long-forgotten dig to see what can be learned by studying the finds. On Wednesday, December 7^th Dr. Mark D. Hammond (the Elisabeth Alföldi-Rosenbaum Fellow at the Canadian Institute in Greece this fall) will present his research on one such cold case from the archives of the long-running excavation project of the ASCSA at ancient Corinth. The title of his lecture is, “From the Kiln to the Grave: The Early Excavations of a Late Roman Cemetery on the Hill of Zeus, Corinth”.

In 1933 the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, attempting to locate a temple dedicated to Zeus, dug four trial trenches on the so-called “Hill of Zeus”region in ancient Corinth. Instead, they uncovered part of a large Early Christian cemetery to the west of the Asklepieion. The results of these excavations were never published but a new study aims to contextualize this material both within the cemetery and for Late Roman Corinth generally. Although working with an 83-year old excavation poses various challenges, the first stage of the study, focused on the ceramics recovered from the graves, is revealing important results. Detailed examination of the vessels themselves is providing insight into the manufacturing practices that produced them as well as their intended (and unintended) use in the grave. Further, a careful consideration of the fabrics together with comparative analyses place the vessels within pre-established local, regional, and long-distance networks. This study offers as well some refinements to the chronology of the cemetery.

So please join us on the 7^th at 19:30 in the Library of the Institute to see how an archaeological cold case becomes hot! Afterwards we will do our part to welcome the start of the holiday season with appropriate tasty treats. At the same time you can join us in bidding a fond farewell to Ailidh Hathway, our Wilfrid Laurier University undergraduate intern for the past three months.

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Telmessos, Tomb of Amyntas (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

'Canadian Content' for the Deprived

In this wasteland filled with Hollywood productions one yearns for another perspective on what constitutes the core values of the established film genres, especially westerns and comedies. Well, Athenians of a Canadian persuasion, the Institute has its “Canadian Film Night” on Wednesday, November 30^th at 19:30 in the Library of the Institute. This annual event for our Athens Association of Friends offers one some much sought after “Canadian Content” and a different view of world.

This year’s film is the 2010 work by the director and writer William Phillips entitled Gunless. As described by Rotten Tomatoes, “When notorious American gunslinger, The Montana Kid (Paul Gross), staggers into the tiny Canadian hamlet of Barclay's Brush, life for the town's 17 inhabitants is about to get exciting. The Kid immediately gets into an unfortunate altercation with Jack (Tyler Mane), the town's surly blacksmith, which leads to The Kid 'calling him out' for some good old frontier justice - a showdown. But in a place totally ill prepared to deal with a classic gun fight and without a single working pistol to be found, adhering to the code of the American Wild West may prove difficult. Not able to let go of the 'code', The Kid remains stuck in Barclay's Brush, getting drawn into a strange world of eccentric rituals and characters; among them Jane (Sienna Guillory), a smart sassy woman who becomes his only hope of finding a way out...or perhaps his only reason for staying..”

Here are some of the audiences’ and reviewers’ comments to entice you in coming to join us:

“I liked ‘Gunless’ a lot more than I thought I would. As with other projects involving Paul Gross (“Men with Brooms”), this is a spoof that's not always laugh-out-loud funny, but one that's quirky and still strangely compelling.”

"Put me down for three more [bullets] and a carrot." This is a charming and funny Canadian western comedy that pokes fun of stereotypical Canadian culture. It was even better than I expected and Paul Gross was terrific. Loved it! "How far are we from a real country?"

“Like ‘Shane’ with whimsy, ‘Gunless’ takes the hoary old template of the gunfighter movie and gives it an utterly Canadian spin based on our comfort myth of niceness.”

So, do you dare to take a walk on the wild side for 90 minutes on the 30^th????

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Myra, view of W necropolis of rock-cut tombs (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

The Ottawa Association of Friends of the Canadian Institute in Greece

The Ottawa Association of Friends of the Canadian Institute in Greece (CIG) continues the hard work and the legacy left behind by the late Helen Webster because it strongly believes in the aims and objectives of the Institute. To this end, the Association organizes each year a number of lectures by renowned North American speakers, experts on topics related to Archaeological work carried out in Greece by Archaeologists and on Greek culture in general.

Such lectures are attended by a large number of guests with different educational backgrounds, who are eager to enrich their knowledge of the history of Greece, and students who have travelled to Greece with their professors to perform digs. These students I call Greece’s little ambassadors, as they speak with passion about what they are doing and of the thrill and excitement an archaeological finding presents to them. The presence of the Greek Embassy and that of other Embassies at the lectures is always welcomed as these people speak highly of CIG’s achievements.

In order to attract more people to the lectures, the Ottawa Association of Friends has established cultural partnerships with “sister Societies” in Ottawa, such as the Archaeological Institute of America (Laura Gagne, President), the Canadian Institute of Mediterranean Studies (Louise Terrilon MacKay, President), and the Parnassos Hellenic Cultural Society (Margaret Zafiriou, President).

While increasing awareness of Greek culture and CIG’s projects and activities in Greece is our primary goal, the Ottawa Association of Friends of CIG also strives to increase membership to the Institute knowing that membership support is an important element for the survival of the Association and CIG in general. In addition, the Ottawa Association enjoys the support of a number of donors including Peter Fustanellas, Efi Kyriakatos, Vera Mammari, Alecos Michaelidis, Robert Peck, Efi Pezoulas, Stelios Pneumatikos, , Bill Sioulas, and Leander Tryphonas, who with their generous contributions have made it possible for the Association to organize the many interesting events for the public to enjoy free of charge.

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of the CIG and for this the Ottawa Association of Friends of CIG would like to acknowledge the several significant contributions of CIG to promoting Greek culture. We, the Ottawa Friends, also wish to express our gratitude to David Rupp, Director, Jonathan Tomlinson, Assistant Director, Gerry Schaus, past President, Angus Smith, President, Ian Begg, editor of the CIG Bulletin, Jeff Banks, Treasurer, and all those energetic people whose enthusiasm and hard work ensure the survival of CIG through Greece’s hard times and who so generously have helped in the survival of the Ottawa Association through the years.

In closing I wish to bring to your attention the following two upcoming lectures:

1. 20 November, 2016, 2:00 p.m. R303 Patterson Building, Carleton University. Lecture entitled: Hoplites and Heroes: Homer on the Battlefields of Classical Greece, by John Serrati.
2. 22 January, 2017, 2:00 p.m. R303 Patterson Building, Carleton University.. Lecture entitled: The Antikythera Mechanism, by Daryn Lehoux.

Helen Tryphonas, Ph.D.
Chairperson, Ottawa Association of Friends of CIG

The Fred Winter Collection

Myra, block with relief masks by theatre (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

The Karystia as a Crossroads in Prehistory; Yiannis Miliades - a significant Greek archaeologist

The southern portion of the island of Euboea around ancient Karystos has a special place in the intellectual heart of the Institute. Here in the 1990s and early 2000s the Southern Euboea Exploration Project (aka SEEP), under the leadership of the late Mac Wallace (University of Toronto) and Don Keller, conducted pedestrian surveys and small-scale excavations of selected sites. One of SEEP's many co-researchers is Dr. Žarko Tankosić, Higher Executive Officer, The Norwegian Institute at Athens. On Wednesday, November 16^th at 19:30 in the Library of the Institute, Dr. Tankosić will give an illustrated lecture entitled “A Community at the Crossroads: Prehistoric Southern Euboea and the Aegean in Light of New Survey Data”.

In his lecture he will focus on southern Euboea (Karystia), which is a part of the Aegean that has been largely overlooked in models put in place to explain the prehistoric Aegean island colonization and maritime interactions. The extensive data show a lively area, whose inhabitants were fully immersed into the prehistoric maritime koine, at least during the Final Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age. They also paint a picture of the region at the crossroads, bridging the insular world of the Cyclades and the larger Greek mainland.

Dr. Tankosić will outline several issues plaguing our understanding of the Karystia’s place in the prehistoric Aegean. He will address these by using evidence from the area. In the process, he will also engage with broader topics, such as identity, community, insularity, and connectivity. In addition, Dr. Tankosić will present the new results from the recently completed Norwegian Institute survey project in the Karystia.

Yiannis Miliades – a significant Greek archaeologist

The second lecture in the 2016-2017 Lecture Program of the Σύλλογος Φίλων του Ιστορικού Αρχείου της Αρχαιολογικής Υπηρεσίας will take place on Monday, November 14^th at 19:00 at the Library of the Canadian Institute in Greece. The award-winning documentary filmmaker, audiovisual storyteller and researcher, Vassilis Kosmopoulos, will discuss the background archival research and interviews that were the basis for the making of his recently-released documentary on the noted Greek archaeologist Yiannis Miliades. The film, «Γιάννης Μηλιάδης» has been shown this fall on OTENET’s History Channel. It is well worth searching for.

Miliades was a contemporary and rival (along with Christos Karouzos) of Spyridon Marinatos in the Hellenic Archaeological Service during the dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas in the later 1930s. He was the prime mover in the removal and the burying of the sculpture and other objects in the National Archaeological Museum before the German invasion of Greece in 1941. Miliades was the guardian of the finds of the Akropolis Museum during the German occupation as the Ephor of the Akropolis. His name became synonymous with the Akropolis in his later life.

The illustrated lecture is entitled «Γιάννης Μηλιάδης, μια σημαντική μορφή της Ελληνικής αρχαιολογίας». In it Kosmopoulos will sketch the personality, the principles and the work of this significant Greek archaeologist of the mid-20^th century.

The public is most welcome to attend!

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Limyra, Tomb of Xatabura (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

The Fred Winter Collection

Perge, panorama of the city (from SE walls?), extending from view NW across city to SW looking toward the area of the later S Gate (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

The First Institute Lecture in the Fall 2016 Program

On Wednesday evening November 2^nd at the Library of the Institute is the first of the three lectures that constitute our Fall 2016 Lecture Program. In keeping with our mission of encouraging younger scholars in the development of their research, Jacob Heywood, a Ph.D. Candidate in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at The University of Melbourne, will give the lecture, “Cretan Larnakes: Towards an Understanding of Syntax in Late Minoan III Funerary Iconography”.

The Late Minoan III period on Crete (ca. 1430-1100 BCE) was characterised by substantial socio-political discontinuity and island-wide change following the decline of the Minoan palaces. Alongside an array of other developments in material culture, the period was marked by a clear shift in mortuary practices, which included the expansion and re-invention of the pre-existing tradition of burial in clay funerary containers known as ‘larnakes’. Unlike funerary receptacles from earlier periods, many LM III larnakes were adorned with rich painted compositions. These drew upon a wide range of floral, faunal, cultic, and geometric motifs, many of which were already well-established in the Minoan iconographic traditions. Despite having received a great deal of scholarly attention, the exact symbolic significance of larnax decoration remains difficult to interpret, particularly given its typically abstract nature.

Jacob’s lecture investigates the value of a systematic ‘syntactic’ approach to larnax decoration as a means of establishing a more solid foundation for its iconographic interpretation. The identification and quantification of the specific symbolic associations and patterns characterising the use of individual larnax motifs may permit a more thorough understanding of the fundamental visual structures through which meaning was generated. A greater knowledge of this syntax can aid ongoing attempts to assess the possible funerary meanings associated with LM III art, as well as highlight in more detail the relationship between the sudden development of larnax iconography and the processes of socio-cultural change occurring on Crete during this period. In particular, an analysis of syntactic patterns can assist in demonstrating how familiar Minoan symbols - for example the horns of consecration and double axe - were adapted to serve new mortuary functions as larnax adornments, and the extent to which this use is consistent with that of both earlier and other contemporary artistic contexts.

We invite you to attend Jacob’s lecture at 19:30 on the 2^nd to learn more about how a Minoan funerary container type was transformed in the 13^th and 12^th centuries BCE and decorated with large-scale external and internal painting.

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Uzuncaburc, N Gate of the city (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

Reminder: The CIG offers new online services!

Probably my scintillating Blog of July 29^th where I described (with illustrations!) the new services that we now have online, my days digging in Crete and the news that we were closing for our August recess found my avid readership already in complete vacation mode. Our new online services via the CIG website (www.cig-icg.gr), however, are most worthy of me reminding you again to check them out carefully. Online payment is available for each service.

Membership: The benefits of the different types of membership in the Institute are outlined. Existing members can renew their memberships and new members can join in a few easy steps. Annual renewal reminders will be sent out to all registered members.

Purchase of CIG publications: All of the Institute publications that are still in print can be purchased through the Online Store. The shipping and handling costs will be added.

Donations to CIG: The Institute is seeking actively donations – large and small. There are eight specific Funds to contribute to as well as to Target Giving for annual giving needs. Such financial generosity will help support the fulfilment of the Institute’s mission and to make it stronger for the future.

So after you read this motivational blog please go and peruse these menu items on the website.

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Aizanoi, view from wedge of village along length of stadium (Professor Fred Winter, 1978)

Ruth Kozak is Back for a Second Reading!

For our Athens Friends’ Association we have this coming Wednesday, October 19^th, another book presentation and reading by the Vancouver-based travel journalist and author W. Ruth Kozak. Last fall Ruth was in Athens and she gave us a dramatic reading from Blood on the Moon, part one of her historical novel, Shadow of the Lion. This epic story is about the aftermath of the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the bloody contests among his Successors to rule the vast empire he created.

The second volume, The Fields of Hades, which is due to be published this month, picks up where the story left off. This novel seethes with conflict and dramatic tension as the Successors begin to battle over Alexander's territories. The joint-kings arrive in Pella just as the Regent is dying and has named Polyperhcon his successor. This sets Kassandros into a rage and he departs to Athens where he stirs up animosity between the Athenians and Macedonians and tries to enlist support from some of the other Successors. Meanwhile, the royal women vie for control of the throne. Alexander's 18-year-old niece, Adeia-Eurydike, wife of Arridaios, leads her faction in a civil war against Olympias, Alexander's mother. Caught up in the strife and palace intrigues, Roxana tries to protect her son Alexander IV (known by his Persian name, Iskader. The boy tries to understand his role and struggles to survive. The story ends on a climax of a true Greek tragedy, the end of Alexander's dynasty, fulfilling the novel's theme of "How blind ambition and greed brought down a world power."

The presentation will take place in the library of the Canadian Institute at Dionysiou Aiginitou 7, Ilisia (ground floor) starting at 19:30.

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director