Greece: The Living Legacy
June 2 - 23, 2008
CLAS 308G
Experience the vital energy that produced the classical masterpieces of ancient Greece in the beauty of their native setting: cloud-capped mountains where gods supped on nectar and ambrosia, sparkling blue seas dotted with thousands of islands, landscapes full of mythical echoes. Travel and study in Greece in June 2008 and you will relive the glories of the Classical and Byzantine past while savoring the vibrant life of a modern European nation.Athens We will be based in a centrally located hotel with easy access to many classical and modern attractions. During our stay in Athens we will explore the main sites and museums in the city, including the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, the Theatre of Dionysus (where the masterpieces of Greek drama were performed during the 5th century B.C.), the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the National Archaeological Museum. Lectures and discussions will consider key aspects of life and thought in Classical Antiquity as reflected in the drama, art, architecture, and philosophy of fifth century Athens.
Corinth, Nauplion and the Argolid Peninsula We will spend two nights in the delightful coastal town of Nauplion, first capital of modern Greece and our base for excursions to a number of interesting sites, including Eleusis, Ancient Corinth and Nemea, Mycenae and Epidaurus. Our lecture topics in Nauplion will review the rich mythology of the region and the history of the city.
Mycenae In Mycenae we will enter the site through the Lions’ Gate and will ascend to the top of the citadel. We will also visit the Museum of Mycenae with its touching testimonials of everyday life in the age of heroes, as well as the beehive tombs of “Agamemnon”, “Aegisthus” and “Clytemnestra”. Our lecture topic will examine the spectacular rise of the Mycenaeans and the lingering echoes of the Atreidae dynasty on the works of the classical dramatists.
Epidaurus The healing center of Epidaurus, located in one of the most serenely beautiful areas in Greece, includes the temple of Asklepios, a gymnasium, baths, a stadium, and the fourth-century theatre of Polykleitos, probably the best-constructed theatre of antiquity. We will visit the Museum, the archaeological site and the theatre, and discuss the role of drama in the cultural, political, and religious life of ancient Greece.
Olympia We will stay overnight in Olympia, where the Olympic Games originated in 776 B.C. We will have a lecture-tour of the site, visiting the Gymnasium, Palaestra, Temples, Treasuries and, of course, the Stadium and the recently renovated Archaeological Museum. Our special lecture topic will be the history of the Olympic Games in Antiquity and their modern revival in 1896. Upon our departure from Olympia, we will leave the Peloponnesus and cross over to mainland Greece on the spectacular new bridge of Rio-Antirrio, the world’s longest suspension bridge.
Delphi We will devote a day to the majestic surroundings of Delphi, the “navel of the earth”, with the awe-inspiring Mt. Parnassus as a backdrop. We will explore and discuss the history and significance of the archaeological site which includes the Temple of Apollo, home of the Oracle of Delphi, the Theatre and Stadium, and the Museum of Delphi (with the famous statue of the Charioteer in prominent display). Lecture topics will focus on myth and ancient religion and the renewal of interest in Delphi since the late 1890s. En route back to Athens, we will visit the 11th century Byzantine monastery of Osios Loukas, nestled in the foothills of Mount Helicon, home of the Muses, and we will conclude our visit with a lecture on Byzantine history and civilization.
Mykonos and Delos From Piraeus, we will sail to the Cycladic island of Mykonos with its picturesque windmills and beaches and cosmopolitan town centre. We will spend two nights in Mykonos, and several hours in Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, touring the archaeological site, the museum, and the ruins of the “theatre district”. Lecture topics: the history of Delos from sacred island to commercial centre and slave market; vernacular architecture in Mykonos.
DAY TRIPS FROM ATHENS: Athens will be our starting point for a number of day trips, notably to the Temple of Poseidon on the majestic promontory of Cape Sounion; the sanctuary of Artemis (Diana) in Brauron; and the temple of Aphaia, on the island of Aegina. Our lectures in Brauron, Sounion and Aegina will focus on women in antiquity and the rise of Athenian naval hegemony in the Mediterranean.
EXCURSIONS ON YOUR OWN: There will be three free days during the tour, one of which follows the Mykonos-Delos trip, for those who wish to stay longer. You will therefore have an opportunity to explore some of the literally thousands of Greek islands in the Aegean or the Ionian Seas, to visit some of the other archaeological sites and scenic regions of Greece, or to learn more about modern Greek life and culture.