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whose fame was spread through the Greek world, where wreaths were
offered as prizes. At these sacred places, the prestige of the cities was
promoted through votive offerings and the eminence of the delegations
that visited the sites. The immortal, anthropomorphic gods of the Greeks
were part of the universe and intervened in human affairs. The shaping
of the pantheon, mythology and worship practices followed the development
of the city-state.
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With Alexander the Great and his Successors, the institutions and
practices of Greek civilisation, including administration, economy,
architecture and fine arts, spread over the coast of the Mediterranean and
as far as into the heart of Asia. They infiltrated regional civilisations and
were at the same time subject to local cultures.
The History of the West took a new turn, when Constantine the Great,
in A.D. 324, decided to transfer the capital of the Roman Empire
to Constantinople, at the point where Europe meets Asia. Taking with it
the legacy of Roman institutions, the Greek language and the adoption
of Christianity as a new spiritual choice and cohesive element in society,
the eastern Roman Empire was transformed into a formidable political
entity with a distinct cultural identity and universal brilliance, the
Byzantine Empire.
The exhibition Leaving a Mark on History: Treasures from Greek
Museums seeks to illuminate vital stages along this three-millennium path
of the Greeks, who left their indelible mark on history. It presents rare or
unique objects, either in the form of portraits of its protagonists, or
as a direct source for major historical and political events or in the form
of humanistic, social, religious and cultural concepts and values.
The exhibition is under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece to
Bulgaria. The energetic involvement of our delegation in ensuring the
success of the enterprise was crucial. The Bulgarian cultural and political
authorities have wholeheartedly embraced this enterprise and have not
spared efforts towards the best result.
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1. Attic red-figure pelike with an award scene of a music contest winner. 440–430 B.C.
Plovdiv, Regional Archaeological Museum
2. Silver tetradrachm of Athens with the head of Athena. ca. 450–440 B.C.
3. Bronze statuette of a barefooted general. ca. 300 B.C.
4. Ostracon for the ostracism of Aristides son of Lysimachus. 482–471 B.C.
5. Hyperpyron of Andronicus II Palaeologus with Theotokos Vlachernitissa. A.D. 1303–1320 or later
ORGANISING – SCIENTIFIC COMMITEE
Dr George Kakavas, Director of the Numismatic
Museum – Acting Director of the National
Archaeological Museum, Athens
Dr Lyudmil Vagalinski, Director of National Institute
of Archaeology with Museum – Bulgarian Academy of
Sciences
Dr Maria Reho, Deputy Director of National Institute
of Archaeology with Museum – Bulgarian Academy of
Sciences
Dr Alexandra Christopoulou, Archaeologist,
National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Yorka Nikolaou, Historian-Numismatist,
Numismatic Museum, Athens
Stella Dreni, Archaeologist-Numismatist
†Dr Polyxeni Bouyia, Archaeologist,
National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Dr George Kavvadias, Archaeologist,
National Archaeological Museum
Bessy Drougka, Architect,
National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Georgios Zafeiris, Member of the diplomatic staff of
the Embassy of Greece to Bulgaria
GENERAL SUPERVISION – CO-ORDINATION
George Kakavas
Collaborator: Yorka Nikolaou
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Dr George Kakavas
Director of the Numismatic Museum, Athens
Acting Director of the National Archaeological Museum, Athens
HONORARY COMMITEE
Panos Panagiotopoulos, Minister of Culture and Sports
H.E. Mr. Dimosthenis Stoidis, Ambassador of Greece
to Bulgaria
Dr Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, Director of General
Directorate of Antiquities, Ministry of Culture and Sports
Dr Kostadin Kisyov, Director of the Regional
Archaeological Museum, Plovdiv
Nikolaos Piperigos, ex Consul General of Greece,
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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WORKING GROUP
Sirma Alexandrova / Petya Andreeva
Christina Avronidaki / †Polyxeni Bouyia
Kamen Boyadzhiev / Zoi Chasioti / Maria Chidiroglou
Ivo Cholakov /Alexandra Christophidou
Alexandra Christopoulou / Krastyu Chukalev
Sofia Dimaki / Yana Dimitrova-Taseva
Miroslava Dotkova / Stella Dreni / Anastasia Gadolou
Krassimir Georgiev / Pavlina Ilieva / Georgi Ivanov
George Kakavas / Antonis Kampas
Krassimira Karadimitrova / George Kavvadias
Eleni Konstantinidi-Sybridi / Katerina Kostanti
Demeter-Eleni Ladogianni / Evridiki Leka
Stamatoula Makrypodi / Katya Manteli
Anna Michopoulou / Antonia Nikolakopoulou
Yorka Nikolaou / Valentin Novakov
Nomiki Palaiokrassa / Constantinos Paschalidis
Petya Penkova / Efterpi Ralli / Maria Reho
Maria Salta / Yannis Stoyas / Stanimira Taneva
Eleni Tourna / Evi Tsota / Chrysanthi Tsouli
Evangelos Vivliodetis / Eleni Zosi
Treasures from Greek Museum
CONSERVATION
National Archaeological Museum: Dafni Bika
David Delios / Katerina Ioannidou / Irini Kapiri
Ourania Kapsokoli / Georgia Karamargiou
Tina Koutouvali / Panagiotis Lazaris
Maria Lefaki / Yerasimos Makris
Ioannis Panagakos / Pantelis Pheleris
Sofia Spyridaki / Katerina Xylina
Numismatic Museum: Eleni Deligianni
Niki Katsikosta / Elena Kontou / Margarita Sorotou
Philosophical contemplation, institutions, the art and literature of the
western world, have been influenced by the indestructible power of
Greek civilisation, which emerged and evolved in the eastern recesses
of the Mediterranean basin, subsequently to expand throughout Europe
and Asia.
TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH
†Polyxeni Bouyia / Maria Chidiroglou
Stella Dreni / Anastasia Gadolou
George Kavvadias / Evridiki Leka / Katya Manteli
From the first organised societies of the Neolithic period to
the transformation of social structures during the course of the early Bronze
Age, the magnificent era of the palaces of Crete and mainland Greece,
the creation of the city-state, perfecting the alphabet and then
establishing democracy and a human scale in society and art,
Greek civilisation offered mankind unique institutions and ideas.
TRANSLATION INTO BULGARIAN
Argyris Makris / Milena Raicheva
PHOTOGRAPHS
Ioannis Asvestas / George Athanassopoulos
Lefteris Galanopoulos / Nikolai Genov
Orestis Kourakis / George Mestousis
Maria Polychronaki / Makis Skiadaresis
Dimitris Sphaelos / Kostas Xenikakis
The geographical fragmentation of the country into small regions created
a firm orientation towards the sea and the development of city-states.
The expansion of a network of sea-trade routes during the Bronze Age
in the Aegean and subsequently in the Mediterranean basin, the victorious
outcome of the Persian Wars and then the appearance of the Athenian
empire drew upon the nautical ingenuity of the Greeks. Seafaring and
trade, colonisation and the spread of coinage were determining factors
in the development of that original form of socio-political organisation,
the city-state. In this concise political society the rulers and ruled were
one and the same, politics was associated with the military and judiciary,
and religion was interwoven with public and private life. A highly
progressive version of this state structure appeared in the direct, radical
democracy, which rested on participation, of Athens in the 5th and 4th
centuries B.C. The conduct of the free citizen had a potentially decisive
effect on the autonomy, unity, self-sufficiency and prosperity of his city,
since he held the privilege of governing and being governed, of judging
and making decisions regarding its own fate. Education was based on
literary studies, music and physical exercise, and focused on the
Gymnasion, preparing the citizen for the performance of his duties and
defense of his homeland, in accordance with the archetype of the καλός
κἀγαθός (kalos k’agathos, “beautiful and virtuous”). The success of this
training was judged at the competitions, performed at the sanctuaries
ADMINISTRATIVE – SECRETARIAL SUPPORT
Matina Andromida / Panagiotis Koutsogiannis
Periklis Malamitsis / Leonidas Perellis
Nikolaos Sougles / Kalliopi Spyrou
ARTISTIC CONSULTANT: George Kakavas
LAYOUT AND DESIGN: Costas Catsoulas
PRINTING:
Graphic Arts Nikephorakis
DIGITAL PRINTING: J-point (Sofia)
LENDERS TO THE EXHIBITION
Amphissa Archaeological Museum
Ancient Agora Museum, Athens
Argos Archaeological Museum
Delphi Archaeological Museum
Distomo Archaeological Collection
Elateia Archaeological Collection
Kerameikos Museum, Athens
Lamia Archaeological Museum
Museum of Byzantine Culture, Thessaloniki
Plovdiv Regional Archaeological Museum
Thebes Archaeological Museum
TRANSPORTATION OF ANTIQUITIES
Orphee Beinoglou International Forwarders S.A.
INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ARTWORKS
Gras Savoye Willis S.A.
SPONSORS
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MEDIA SPONSOR
PUBLIC TELEVISION
Leaving a Mark on History
MUSEOGRAPHIC STUDY AND DESIGN
Bessy Drougka, Architect / Stamatis Zannos, Designer
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7/11/2013-9/2/2014
1. Attic red-figure pelike with an award scene of a music contest winner. ca. 440–430 B.C.
Athens, National Archaeological Museum
2. Marble head of young king, Alexander III the Great (?). Middle Hellenistic period
3. Gold pentadrachm of Ptolemy I Soter. ca. 300–283/2 B.C.
4. Fragment of an honorary decree for Aristotle and Callisthenes. 337–327 B.C.
5. Silver tridrachm of Kos with a discobolus (discus thrower). 480–450 B.C.
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The exhibition Leaving a Mark on History: Treasures from Greek
Museums, centred on antiquities from Greek museums (apart from one
symbolic work from Bulgaria), is divided into six thematic sections:
A. History of Sealing. Seal impression and its techniques have
been universal and evident throughout the ages and in all cultures.
Traces of human marks, as statements of identity and uniqueness,
gave gradually way to objects that served the same purpose. Each owner
had his own personal seal as proof of his status, office or profession.
The seal marked their property, protected their goods during storage and
transportation. As amulets or jewellery they satisfied human vanity,
eased fears and confirmed interpersonal relationships. Seals are
miniature intaglio sculptures that were either carved on semiprecious
stones, in gold, ivory or clay, or cast in glass and faience. They had
already been introduced in the early Neolithic period indicating social
interrelations between communities. In the Bronze Age, seals denote
social hierarchy and individual ownership. Minoan and Mycenaean
seal-stones and golden signet rings are masterpieces of artistic creation
and symbols of palatial authority and royal identity.
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B. “Great is the state that controls the sea”. The sea has
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always been for the Greeks a gate of communication, a source of wealth
and power. The Aegean islands, as stepping stones, eased the movement
of people from the East to the West. In the Upper Palaeolithic period (11000 B.C.),
the inhabitants of the Peloponnese travelled to Melos to get obsidian.
Mesolithic (8000 B.C.) and Neolithic (7000-3200 B.C.) communities settle in
the Aegean islands, the Cyclades and Crete. The early Cycladic civilisation
(3200-2000 B.C.) has a “cosmopolitan” character and prevails in the sea-trade
of metals. The Minoan thalassocracy (2000-1600 B.C.) of Crete extends up
to Samothrace in the north Aegean. The mighty Mycenaean kingdoms conducted
the Trojan War to enhance their position in sea-trade. In the 8th to 6th
century B.C. the Greek colonisation expands in the Mediterranean. But above
all this, the climax of the Greek predominance at sea is the “great state that
controlled the sea” the city of Athens with the Athenian League
of the 5th century B.C. In Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times
the Greeks never ceased to predominate in seafaring.
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literacy, which, in combination with physical, musical and intellectual
education, harmoniously combined, formed the Paideia, the ideal education
of a citizen, as explored by philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle.
in Asia. Alexander the Great, an outstanding king and general,
transformed the history of the southeastern Mediterranean reaching
as far as India. In the same region, in the early 3rd c. B.C.,
were created the kingdoms of the Antigonids in the Balkans,
the Seleucids in Syria and Asia Minor, the Ptolemies in Egypt and
the Attalids at Pergamum, each with important rulers. Julius Caesar,
Octavian Augustus and Septimius Severus were Roman rulers
that marked the fortunes of the Roman state, along with
Constantine I the Great, founder of the Byzantine state.
Δ. Olympic Ideal. Αthletics were associated from the outset with the cult
of gods and heroes. The contests at the Pan-Hellenic sanctuaries at Olympia,
Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea contributed in forging the identity of the Greeks
and maintaining their cohesion. Although the winners enjoyed many honours,
the prize at these games was a wreath of a sacred plant. The spirit of friendship
and fraternity that arises from fair competition, as a prerequisite for a peaceful
and better world, led to the revival of the Olympic Games in modern times.
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Γ. Democracy and Education. Demos, the first component of the
Greek word Democracy, is as old as the Greek language. It is first attested
in the 13th c. B.C. on Mycenaean clay tablets (da-mo, i.e. a region with its
population). Τhe term Democracy was on the other hand introduced in
the 5th c. B.C. (Herodotus, Thucydides), to express the essence of the main
principal of the newly established Athenian system of the autonomous
(shelf-governed) city-state; the will and the power (Kratos) to decide belongs to
the polis (the corpus of the citizens). The proper function of the political,
military and law institutions of the Athenian state presupposed a widespread
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Ε1. The Persian Wars. The term Persian Wars applies to
the continuous struggles of the Greeks against the Persian invaders of Greece,
which took place in the first quarter of the 5th century B.C. Besides their final
victorious outcome for the Greek side, these wars constitute the first joint
military campaign of the Greeks against a common adversary. Their cause
was the expanding Persian policy. The restraining of the Persians on
the Greek territory was a major milestone, not only in Greek history but also
in European, since it hindered their march further to the West.
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Ε2. Rulers that left their mark in History. Philipp II,
the charismatic king of Macedonia, strengthened his rule and paved the way
to his son and heir, Alexander III the Great, for his large military campaign
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are mentioned in the Linear B tablets. The poems of Homer and Hesiod
laid down the genealogy of gods (Theogony) for the Greeks, in which
the Twelve Gods safeguard moral order, protect, help or punish mortals.
Cults and contests formed the preconditions for the organisation
of city-state. The power of natural elements gave rise to a multitude
of mythological figures and heroes who were later replaced
by the martyrs for Christ’s faith. A mass shift to Christianity and
the imperial support led to its ecumenical predominance. The new
religion marked both the public and private behaviour of the Byzantines
and their art.
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1. Ostracon for the ostracism of Themistocles son of Neocles. 480–470 B.C.
2. Attic red-figure hydria showing Sappho reciting a poem. 440–430 B.C.
3. Bronze group of wrestlers. 2nd–1st c. B.C.
4. 1st winner silver medal of the 1st International Olympic Games. Athens, 1896
5. Cup-sherd with a discobolus (discus thrower). End of 5th c. B.C.
6. Marble grave stele with an athlete (detail). 410–400 B.C.
1. Mycenaean gold signet ring. Late Helladic ΙΙ Β – ΙΙΙ Α1 period (2nd half 15th–early 14th c. B.C.)
2. Clay sealing. Early Helladic period (2300/2200 B.C.)
3. Almond-shaped jasper seal-stone with three dolphins. Late Minoan I period (1600–1450 B.C.)
4. Pictorial crater sherd with a ship. Mycenaean period (12th c. B.C.)
5. Silver didrachm with an octopus, Eretria. ca. 500–480 B.C.
6. Clay frying pan vessel with a ship (detail). Early Cycladic II period (2700–2300 B.C.)
ΣΤ. From Olympus to Heaven. Most of the Olympian gods
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1. Pottery sherd with a kitharist (guitar-player). ca. 500–490 B.C.
2. Attic white-ground lekythos with an archer. 480–475 B.C.
3. Silver denarius of Marcus Junius Brutus. 43–42 B.C.
4. Marble head of Alexander III the Great – Heracles. ca. 300 B.C.
5. Gold solidus of Constantine I the Great. A.D. 307–337
6. Fragment of marble inscription in honour of Livia (detail). Tiberius’ reign, A.D. 14–37
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1. Amethyst seal-stone with Zeus/Eagle and Ganymedes. Roman imperial period (1st–3rd c. A.D.)
2. Attic red-figure pelike with Zeus. ca. 470 B.C.
3. Gold solidus of Heraclius with a cross. A.D. 610–613
4. Lead seal (bulla) of general Katakalon Kekaumenos with archangel Michael. A.D. 1056–1057
5. Fragment of black-figure white-ground lekythos with the bust of Athena. 470–460 B.C.
6. Amber seal-stone with the “Judgement of Paris” (detail). Roman imperial period (1st–3rd c. A.D.)
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