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performed at the sanctuaries whose fame was spread through the Greek world. At these sacred places, the prestige of the ci-ties was promoted through votive offerings and the eminence of the delegations that visited the sites. The immortal, anthropomorphic gods of the Greeks were partof the universe and intervened in human affairs. The shapingof the pantheon, mythology and worship practices followed the development of the city-state.With Alexander the Great and his Successors, the institutions and practices of Greek civilisation, inclu- ding administration, economy, architecture and fine arts, spread over the coast of the Mediterranean and as far as 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 Empireto Constantinople, at the point where Europe meets Asia. Taking with itthe legacy of Roman institutions, the Greek language and the adoptionof 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, oras 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 Greeceto Bulgaria and the Greek Consulate at Plovdiv. The energetic involvement of our delegation in ensuring the success of the enterprise was crucial. The Bulgarian cultural and political authorities have wholeheartedly embraced the enterprise and have not spared efforts towardsthe best result.

Dr George KakavasDirector of the Numismatic Museum, Athens

Deputy Director of the National Archaeological Museum, Athens

Philosophical contemplation, institutions, art and literature of the western world have been influenced by the indestructible power of Greek civilisation, which emerged and evolved in the east recessesof the Mediterranean basin, subsequently to expand throughout Europe and Asia.From the first organised societies of the Neolithic period tothe 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.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 Agein 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 determi-ning factorsin 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 jud-ging and making decisions regarding its fate. Education, based on literary studies, music and physical exercise, and focused on the Gymnasion, prepared the citizen for the performance of his duties and defenseof his homeland, in accord with the archetype of the καλός κἀγαθός (kalos k’agathos, “beautiful and virtuous”). The success of this training was judged at the competitions, where wreaths were offered as prizes,

OPENING HOURS: TUESDAY-SUNDAY: 10:00-18:00 MONDAY: CLOSED

4000 PLOVDIV, “SAEDINENIE”SQUARE No 1

Leaving a Mark on History Treasures from Greek Museum

www.archaeologicalmuseumplovdiv.org

1. Attic red-figure pelike with an award scene of a music contest winner. ca. 440–430 B.C. Athens, National Archaeological Museum, inv. no. A 11832. Marble head of young king, Alexander III the Great (?). Middle Hellenistic period3. 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.

1. Attic red-figure pelike with an award scene of a music contest winner. 440–430 B.C. Plovdiv, Regional Archaeological Museum, inv. no. 18122. 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. Gold hyperpyron of Andronicus II Palaeologus with Theotokos Vlachernitissa. A.D. 1303–1320 or later

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HONORARY COMMITEEKostas Tzavaras, Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Sport and CultureΗ.Ε. Thrasyvoulos Stamatopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to BulgariaDr Kostadin Kisyov, Director of the Regional Archaeological Museum, PlovdivDr Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, Director of General Directorate of Antiquities, Education and Religious Affairs, Sport and CultureNikolaos Piperigos, ex Consul General of Greece, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

ORGANISING – SCIENTIFIC COMMITEEDr George Kakavas, Director of the Numismatic Museum – Deputy Director of the National Archaeological Museum, AthensDr Kostadin Kisyov, Director of the Regional Archaeological Museum, PlovdivDr Alexandra Christopoulou, Archaeologist, National Archaeological Museum, AthensDr Polyxeni Bouyia, Archaeologist, National Archaeological Museum, AthensYorka Nikolaou, Historian-Numismatist, Numismatic Museum, AthensDesislava Davidova, Curator-Research Assistant, Regional Archaeological Museum, PlovdivStella Dreni, Archaeologist-NumismatistBessy Drougka, Architect, National Archaeological Museum, AthensGeorgios Zafeiris, Member of the diplomatic staff of the Embassy of Greece to Bulgaria

GENERAL SUPERVISION – COORDINATIONGeorge Kakavas

WORK GROUPChristina Avronidaki / Polyxeni Bouyia Maria Chidiroglou / Alexandra Christopoulou Desislava Davidova / Sofia Dimaki / Stella Dreni Anastasia Gadolou / George Kakavas / George Kavvadias Kostadin Kisyov / Eleni Konstantidi-SybridiKaterina Kostanti / Demeter-Eleni LadogianniEvridiki Leka / Stamatoula MakrypodiKatya Manteli / Antonia NikolakopoulouYorka Nikolaou / Nomiki PalaiokrassaConstantinos Paschalidis / Efterpi Ralli / Maria Salta Stefan Stefanov / Eleni Tourna / Chrysanthi Tsouli Evangelos Vivliodetis / Eleni Zosi

MUSEOGRAPHIC STUDY AND DESIGNBessy Drougka, ArchitectMaria Lambrinou, ArchitectStamatis Zannos, Designer

CONSERVATIONDafni Bika / Eleni Deligianni / David Delios Katerina Ioannidou / Irini Kapiri / Ourania Kapsokoli Georgia Karamargiou / Niki Katsikosta / Elena Kontou Tina Koutouvali / Maria Lefaki / Yerasimos Makris Ioannis Panagakos / Pantelis Pheleris / Margarita Sorotou Sofia Spyridaki / Katerina Xylina

TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISHPolyxeni Bouyia / Maria Chidiroglou / Stella Dreni Anastasia Gadolou / George Kavvadias / Evridiki LekaKatya Manteli

TRANSLATION INTO BULGARIANVeronika Kelbecheva / Achilleas Lilov Argyris Makris / Milena Raicheva / Janet Zhelyazkov

PHOTOGRAPHSIoannis Asvestas / George AthanassopoulosLefteris Galanopoulos / Nikolai Genov Orestis Kourakis / George Mestousis Maria Polychronaki / Kostas XenikakisMakis Skiadaresis / Dimitris Sphaelos

ADMINISTRATIVE – SECRETARIAL SUPPORTMatina Andromida / Vesselina ChomovaPanagiotis Koutsogiannis / Periklis Malamitsis Nikolaos Sougles / Kalliopi Spyrou

LAYOUT AND DESIGNCostas Catsoulas

ARTISTIC CONSULTANT George Kakavas

DIGITAL PRINTING KOALA PRESS

LENDERS TO THE EXHIBITIONAmphissa Archaeological MuseumAncient Agora Museum, AthensArgos Archaeological MuseumDelphi Archaeological MuseumDistomo Archaeological CollectionElateia Archaeological CollectionKerameikos Museum, AthensLamia Archaeological MuseumMuseum of Byzantine Culture, ThessalonikiThebes Archaeological Museum

TRANSPORTATION OF ANTIQUITIESOrphee Beinoglou International Forwarders S.A.

INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ARTWORKSGras Savoye Willis S.A.

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.)

1. Ostracon for the ostracism of Themistocles son of Neocles. 480–470 B.C.2. Attic red-figure hydria showing Sappho reading 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, 18965. 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. 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. 307–3376. Fragment of marble inscription in honour of Livia. Tiberius’ reign, A.D. 14–37

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. 610–6134. Lead bull of general Katakalon Kekaumenos with archangel Michael. A.D. 1056–10575. 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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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.

B. “Great is the state that controls the sea”. The sea has always been for the Greeks a gate of communication, a source of wealth and power. The Aegean islands, as stepping stones, eased the movement

in Asia. Alexander III the Great, an outstanding king and general, transformed the history of the southeastern Mediterranean reachingas far as India. In the same region, in the early 3rd century B.C.,were created the kingdoms of the Antigonids in the Balkans,the Seleucids in Syria and Asia Minor, the Ptolemies in Egypt andthe Attalids at Pergamum, each with important rulers. Julius Caesar, Octavian Augustus and Septimius Severus were Roman rulersthat marked the fortunes of the Roman state, along withConstantine I the Great, founder of the Byzantine state.

ΣΤ. From Olympus to Heaven. Most of the Olympian gods 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 organisationof city-state. The power of natural elements gave rise to a multitudeof mythological figures and heroes who were later replacedby the martyrs for Christ’s faith. A mass shift to Christianity andthe imperial support led to its ecumenical predominance. The new religion marked both the public and private behaviour of the Byzantines and their art.

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 upto Samothrace in the north Aegean. The mighty Mycenaean kingdoms conducted the Trojan War to enhance their position in sea trade. In the 8th to 6thcentury 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 Leagueof the 5th century B.C. In Hellenistic, roman and byzantine times,the Greeks never ceased to predominate in seafaring.

Γ. Democracy and Education. Demos, the first component of the Greek word Democracy, is as old as the Greek language. It is first attestedin 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 inthe 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

literacy, which, in combination with physical, musical and intellectual education, harmoniously combined, formed the Paideia, the ideal educationof a citizen, as explored by philosophers as Plato and Aristotle.

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.

Ε1. The Persian Wars. The term Persian Wars applies tothe 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 onthe Greek territory was a major milestone, not only in Greek history but alsoin European, since it hindered the march of the Persians further to the West.

Ε2. Rulers that left their mark in History. Philipp II,a charismatic king of Macedonia, strengthened his rule and paved the wayto his son and heir, Alexander III the Great, for his large military campaign

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