Moulding the Dramatic Traditions of Euboea

The Institute’s third event of 2020 will take place on Wednesday 4 March, starting at 7.30 pm in the in the library of the Institute (Dionysiou Aiginitou 7, ground floor, Ilisia. Metro: Megaro Moussikis). Justin S. Dwyer (Neda and Franz Leipen Fellow, the Canadian Institute in Greece; Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies, University of British Columbia) will give a lecture entitled, “Moulding the Dramatic Traditions of Euboea: A Study of Theatrical Figurines and Local Performance Culture”.

 “Euboea produced some of Greek drama’s most renowned figures (e.g. Apollodorus of Carystus, Lycophron of Chalcis, Achaeus of Eretria); however, we know very little about the local dramatic traditions that shaped their poetry. To better understand this important alternative to Athenian drama, this talk seeks to build a diachronic model of the Euboean dramatic tradition. Since no Euboean dramatic texts survive, an interdisciplinary study of the relevant material record provides a basis for this study. Enhanced by consideration of the epigraphic record and the Hellenistic phases of the theatre at Eretria, the analysis focuses primarily on small-scale terracotta sculpture and considers both figurines and masks from collections in Karystos, Eretria, Chalkis, and Athens. From this integrated survey, a distinct regional identity of Euboean theatre begins to emerge.”

You are all most welcome to join us next Wednesday for what promises to be a fascinating presentation.

Jonathan Tomlinson
Assistant Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Tekke Kale, wall descending from great tower along outer face of barracks-chambers (Professor Fred Winter, 1986)

The Fred Winter Collection

Tekka Kale, angle and face-on views of the great tower of the fort (Professor Fred Winter, 1986)

The Fred Winter Collection

Labraynda, Roman-period inscription re the building, or rebuilding of the W stoa by Titos Flavios Neon, a priest of Zeuz Labrayndios (Professor Fred Winter, 1986)

A Late Archaic Destruction of Ancient Eleon

The Institute’s second event of 2020 will take place on Wednesday 12 February, starting at 7.30 pm in the in the library of the Institute (Dionysiou Aiginitou 7, ground floor, Ilisia. Metro: Megaro Moussikis). Dr Trevor Van Damme (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Greek and Roman Studies, University of Victoria) will give a lecture entitled, “A Late Archaic Destruction of Ancient Eleon and its Historical Implications”.

“Excavations since 2011 at ancient Eleon in Boeotia, a synergasia between the CIG and the Ephorate of Boeotia, have greatly informed our understanding of this site during the Late Bronze Age as well as the Archaic through Classical periods. This talk focuses on the significant quantities of discarded votive material on the acropolis and places them within their regional context. In particular, I focus on one large assemblage of material that can be dated 500-480 BCE. My talk will discuss the characterization of the finds as votive, the possible deity or deities worshipped at the site of Eleon, and the historical circumstances that led to the burning of a proposed sanctuary on the acropolis. The date assigned to the deposit raises two intriguing possibilities: a destruction associated with the Athenian campaign in east Boeotia in 506 BCE or a destruction associated with the Persian army lead by Mardonius in 479 BCE.”

You are all most welcome to join us next Wednesday for what promises to be a most interesting presentation.

Jonathan Tomlinson
Assistant Director

The Fred Winter Collection

Labraunda, Andron(s?) at W end of terrace below Andron A (Professor Fred Winter, 1986)