The Fred Winter Collection

Alinda, large acropolis tower, inner face, with upper (from alure) and lower doors, sockets (for floor-beams of wooden alure?), and windows (Professor Fred Winter, 1968)

It's all about the pots!

Our Winter / Spring Institute Lecture Program continues on Wednesday, February 24^th. We are very pleased to have Florence Liard (Postdoctoral Researcher, Université Libre de Bruxelles) give the presentation at 7:30 PM in the Library of the Institute. The title of her lecture is, “The knowledge, skills and traditions of ancient potters: Exploring the principles and potential of ceramic petrology in Greek archaeology”.

The detection of markers of “crisis”, which can be broadly defined as a deep social disruption followed by restructuring, is a research theme that has become popular in Greek archaeology. It has often been researched through a typo-stylistic study of decorated pottery, with the aim of reconstructing historical landmarks of past civilizations.

This lecture investigates the use of ceramic petrology over the past 35 years, through a comparative account of studies carried out in protohistoric (Late Bronze Age Crete) as well as historical contexts (Late Byzantine and Frankish Greece). Advances in sampling strategies and instrumentation are discussed in relation to the evolution of wider theoretical frameworks and research inquiries in the discipline of archaeology.

Dr. Liard will discuss how and to what extent ceramic petrology, albeit at the dawn of its development in this context, can provide further understanding of the phenomena of crisis and their local outcome on past populations’ lifestyles, through a detailed study of technological traditions associated with pottery production and use.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Institute on Wednesday to learn more about ceramic petrology and its applications.

Best wishes,
Jonathan Tomlinson
Assistant Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Alinda, agora, general views of corner and downhill wall of the market-building (Professor Fred Winter, 1968)

Andreas Papandreou as populist

Many of the root causes of the current, prolonged economic crisis that Greece is embroiled in are related directly or indirectly to the populistic policies of a succession of governments since the 1980s. Not that such a phenomenon arose suddenly for the first time after the fall of the Junta as there were many earlier examples since the later 19^th century. What stands out is the populist par excellence, Andreas Papandreou. On Monday February 15^th at 18:30 Professor Emeritus Thanos Veremis (Political History, University of Athens) will give a lecture entitled, “Andreas Papandreou: A Maverick in Greek Parliamentary Politics”.

Andreas Papandreou, better known to his adoring public as Andreas, has proved to be the most unfathomable political figure in the history of Greek parliamentary politics. Despite a combination of good breeding and excellent education he became the leading exponent of populism in Greece. Prof. Veremis will try to explain in the lecture this apparent paradox.

The lecture is sponsored by the Syllogos Filon tou Istorikou Archeiou tis Archaiologisikis Yperesias. It will be held at the Historical Archive building at Psaromylingou 22 on the cusp between the Kerameikos and the Psyrri Districts. The Theseio Train Station is the nearest Metro access point.

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Herakleia-ad-Latmum, multi-storeyed tower with window (Professor Fred Winter, 1968)

Everything you wanted to know about fabulous wealth in the ancient world, but...

People watching television and going to the movies can’t seem to get enough of stories – true and otherwise – that focus on the lives of the superrich and the celebrities of the hour. Be these regional oligarchs, virtual reality “stars” or characters in contemporary literature, ostentatious wealth gained in questionable ways and then displayed lavishly in poor taste always seems to attract envious attention. Such patterns of conspicuous consumption are, of course, not new in human societies. Elites and their imitators have been doing this since societies have become more complex in their social and economic structures.

On Wednesday, February 10^th at 19:30 in the Library of the Institute Professor Brendan Burke (Department of Greek and Roman Studies, University of Victoria, BC) will give a lecture, “Myths of Wealth in the Ancient World: Ex Oriente Lux”, that will explore the nature of wealth in the ancient world.

Many foreigners, according to Greek sources, had a reputation for astronomical wealth: Priam, Midas, Croesus, Maussolos are just a few. Legends surrounding these individuals were a great source of fascination. What is often surprising to modern audiences, however, is that most of these figures from Greek and Roman legend were powerful, historical rulers. It is also often assumed that incredible wealth was in some ways corrupting or debilitating to those who held it. Prof. Burke’s lecture will examine these stories and look at the archaeological evidence for such fabulous wealth in order to distinguish myth from history.

Is truth stranger than fiction? Is it a curse to be wealthy beyond your wildest dreams? Come to the lecture find out the answers to these perennial questions and more!

Cordially,
David Rupp
Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Didyma, temple of Apollo, exterior face of W wall of adyton (Professor Fred Winter, 1968)