Author Archives: proverbs6to10

About proverbs6to10

Interested in Byzantium and Patrick Leigh Fermor

Empire of God: How the Christian Byzantine Empire Saved Civilization

Posted on December 12, 2023 by proverbs6to10

Journalist and scholar Robert Spencer has just published Empire of God: How the Byzantines Saved Civilization. The Byzantine Empire, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, survived for a thousand years after the western half had crumbled into various feudal kingdoms. … Continue reading →

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Event – Artists on Artworks—Africa and Byzantium

Posted on November 26, 2023 by proverbs6to10

This sounds fascinating. A very unusual topic but lots to see and learn. A shame it’s all the way away in New York! When: Friday, December 1, 2023 6–7 pm Where: The Met Fifth Avenue The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium … Continue reading →

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Alexander Lingas to Lead Byzantine Chant Ensemble for the Coronation at Westminster Abbey

Posted on February 28, 2023 by proverbs6to10

Dr. Alexander Lingas, founder and music director of Cappella Romana, will lead the Byzantine Chant Ensemble in the Coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, 6 May 2023. Buckingham Palace recently announced that “at the request of His Majesty, in tribute … Continue reading →

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First Matti Egon Memorial Lecture – Lyktos, from foundation to destruction

Posted on February 2, 2023 by proverbs6to10

“Thus was Lyktos…. the most ancient city in Crete and…. the source of the bravest men, utterly and unexpectedly made away with.” With these words Polybius concludes his dramatic description of the destruction of Lyktos in a stealth raid by … Continue reading →

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A Christmas visitor: the Byzantine emperor’s trip to London in the winter of 1400–01

Posted on December 10, 2020 by proverbs6to10

This article first appeared on the website of Dr Caitlin Green. Dr Green writes. The aim of following post is to share an interesting fifteenth-century image of the meeting between King Henry IV and the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaiologos … Continue reading →

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Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe

Posted on November 16, 2020 by proverbs6to10

A further review of Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe byJudith Herrin. By Ian Thomson in The Spectator. When we refer to someone as ‘Byzantine’ we usually mean guileful or too complicated and labyrinthine in manner or speech. Perhaps … Continue reading →

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Requiem for a cosmopolitan dream

Posted on October 15, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Attila did not seem surprised when I told him I was Greek. We were at the entrance of the Hagia Sophia museum on a rainy, cold December morning, and for the next hour, he would guide me through the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Istanbul | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Dr Foster went to Gloucester

Posted on October 8, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Hello all – it’s that time of year when I have holiday remaining, the leaves are turning, and I need to get a few miles under my feet before winter arrives. So I’m off walking again and raising money for … Continue reading →

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Gertrude Bell, Byzantine Archaeology, And The Founding Of Iraq

Posted on October 5, 2020 by proverbs6to10

A fascinating woman who pushed the boundaries of her sex that early 20th century society imposed on her. Gertrude Bell, rich Englishwoman, alpine mountain climber and desert explorer, archaeologist and diplomat, author and linguist, who formed a nation and protected … Continue reading →

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Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe by Judith Herrin

Posted on September 26, 2020 by proverbs6to10

A new book by the always readable Judith Herrin, author of Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire. A riveting history of the city that led the West out of the ruins of the Roman Empire. At the end … Continue reading →

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Viking Neighbourhood Found Near Istanbul

Posted on September 12, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Archaeologists conducting a study for evidence of Vikings near the city of Istanbul (formerly the Byzantine capital of Constantinople) have suggested the discovery of a Viking neighbourhood, reports Heritage Daily. The study has focused on the ancient city of Bathonea … Continue reading →

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Why we should be concerned about President Erdogan turning museums into mosques

Posted on August 31, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Hagia Sophia and the Chora Church will remain “open to all”, Turkish government promises—but restricted access may not be the primary worry. An article from The Art Newspaper by Holger A Klein. Last Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey … Continue reading →

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Ravenna – the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Posted on August 23, 2020 by proverbs6to10

I follow Peter Webscott’s Wordscene blog with great interest. Peter and I have been in contact over the years and I bow to the superior, and original, quality of his work. Ravenna is one of my favourite places. A lovely … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine Travel, Mosaic Hunting Italy 2009, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What Will Happen Now to Hagia Sophia’s Byzantine Mosaics?

Posted on July 12, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Well. He’s done it. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pushed through his plans to annul the status of Hagia Sophia as a museum and turn it back into a mosque. We are all saddened. There is worldwide dismay and … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantium in the News, Commentary & Politics, Istanbul | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation’s Online Seminar on Byzantium

Posted on July 10, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Well. We missed this as there was no real marketing beforehand. However, the news report makes some interesting points. If the lecture recording is posted online I shall make you all aware. First published in The National Herald. The Hellenic-American … Continue reading →

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