Category Archives: Uncategorized

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a 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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

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

A request – download the Kings’ College Covid-19 tracker app

Posted on April 28, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Hello All, Today I’d like to share a direct appeal with you. Many of you may be aware of and are using the Covid-19 tracker app from the team at ZOE and Kings’ College London. Over 2.6m people report their … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Chora church frescoes ‘at risk’ after Turkish court ruling

Posted on February 1, 2020 by proverbs6to10

The world’s finest example of Byzantine art— the 14th century frescoes and mosaics of the Chora Church in Istanbul, Turkey— are at risk. First published in Pappas Post. The mosaics— significant not only as art but as liturgical elements to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Lost Byzantine castle found under water

Posted on January 21, 2020 by proverbs6to10

Within the scope of the Yalova Coasts Ancient Harbor and Underwater Survey, which was carried out in Altınova district of the northwestern province of Yalova for two years, the Byzantine caste of Kibatos (Civetot) was discovered. First published in Hurriyet … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The medieval ‘New England’: a forgotten Anglo-Saxon colony on the north-eastern Black Sea coast

Posted on January 11, 2020 by proverbs6to10

A New England on the Black Sea was created more than 500 years before its American successor, naming towns after their homeland like the Pilgrim Fathers. Fugitives of the Norman Conquest are said to have been rewarded for their gallantry … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Oxford Announces SNF Director of Centre for Byzantine Research as Part of Broader Expansion

Posted on October 22, 2019 by proverbs6to10

Peter Frankopan, the historian known for making the discipline accessible and relevant to a general public, has been named the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research. Frankopan’s new appointment is one element of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thessaloniki metro construction reveals Byzantine treasures

Posted on May 3, 2019 by proverbs6to10

The construction of a metro network beneath the Greek city of Thessaloniki has unearthed an extraordinary treasure trove of ancient artefacts, from gold wreaths and rings to statues of the goddess Aphrodite. The progress of the metro system has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Seljuks: Nomads Who Built an Empire and Took On Byzantine Power

Posted on April 27, 2019 by proverbs6to10

I thought this an interesting little piece about the Seljuks who I could do with knowing more about. It was they who defeated the Romans at the Battle of Manzikert, capturing Byzantine emperor, Romanos IV. It was a defeat that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Museum Of Russian Icons Announces Partnership With The British Museum

Posted on March 23, 2019 by proverbs6to10

It is a great shame that the British Museum has so few icons in its collection, but those that it does have are of major significance, and can now be viewed in the online catalogue of the Museum of Russian … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Albania’s Voskopoja churches make it to Europe’s 7 most endangered heritage sites

Posted on April 8, 2018 by proverbs6to10

Continuing the focus on endangered churches in Albania, there is good and bad news. The post-Byzantine churches in Voskopoja and Vithkuq, southeastern Albania, have made it to Europe’s seven most endangered heritage sites for 2018, in a ranking that helps mobilise … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ruined Albanian churches could be tourist magnet if repaired

Posted on March 6, 2018 by proverbs6to10

As someone who has made four visits to Albania (more than I have made to Spain!) this article was of great interest to me. Saving the many Byzantine churches of Albania would certainly be worthwhile, but as this article shows, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Leading Oxford professor of Byzantine Studies, Dr Mark Whittow, killed in car crash

Posted on January 3, 2018 by proverbs6to10

Leading academics and the president of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, have paid tribute to Oxford University lecturer Dr Mark Whittow after he died before Christmas. Dr Whittow is believed to have died in a collision on the M40 motorway on … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment