Dear friends, Once again, allow me to apologise for my long absence.I will not bother you with what happened to me in the last few months; just allow me to say that life has a way of surprising us. I’d … Continue reading →

The glory of ancient Athens

Dear friends,For starters, allow me to wish you a happy new year and apologise for disappearing for so long.Too much claimed my time and attention, the last (but not least) of which is a series of lectures I’m currently preparing … Continue reading →

The tragedy of Themistocles the wise

The monument of the victor of Salamis threatened by construction. Continue reading →

Coat of arms victorious

From Thermopylae to WW II, by means of a song. Continue reading →

Athenian refugees in Troezen

Athenian refugees find a warm welcome in Troezen. Continue reading →

The sinews of victory

This very difficult year, we ought to be celebrating 2.5 millennia since the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis. Since celebrations are out of the question, due to the pandemic, allow me to honor the anniversary with a series of posts … Continue reading →

Corinthian style: the truth

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Today, our virtual journey will take us back to Athens to explore the true roots of the “Corinthian” order. I’m putting the term in brackets, because Vitruvius may have said that the Corinthian order was invented in Corinth, but as … Continue reading →

The Asklepeion of Athens

This gallery contains 7 photos.

I should have thought of it earlier. In fact it should have been one of the first stops of this “virtual journey in Greece,” if not the very first. Obviously, during a time of pandemic, it makes sense to visit … Continue reading →

An odd Crucifixion

Seeing that it’s Maudy Thursday in Greece, I thought of visiting the Byzantine Museum of Athens today, to see a very odd icon there. It is the oldest of the museum’s and one of the most interesting ones I’ve ever … Continue reading →

Alone in the museum

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Due to the virus, Greek museums have been closed for almost a month. In these empty museums, what do the statues do? Do they come off their pedestals and lead their own secret lives, away from prying eyes? Or do … Continue reading →