Ancient Piraeus: The fortified harbour and cornerstone of Athenian democracy, Dr Kyriaki Psaraki (Director of Excavations at Piraeus)
Please note the later time this week.
Piraeus has always been the maritime gate of Greece, the financial centre and a multicultural city of workers, sailors and proletarians where democratic concerts prevailed. The history of the port mirrors the history of Athens and to a certain extent that of Greece. The most emblematic events of Greek history, involving conquerors, wars, civil wars, immigrations, periods of financial growth or decline, are witnessed in the city's monuments constituting its cultural heritage.
The lecture focuses on the Classical and Hellenistic period. Piraeus was not just the port of Athens but a basic prerequisite for the Athenian Empire at the time of its great prosperity and the cornerstone and heart of Athenian democracy. The historical and archaeological outline of the city will be presented with references to its urban planning, fortification, dockyard, commercial port and sanctuaries, as well as cemeteries on its outskirts. The panorama of Piraeus archaeology is enriched with the recent archaeological discoveries (2012-2019) on the Piraeus Tram line excavations. The excavations revealed quarries, dwellings and workshops, open-air public places of sacred function, quays of the commercial port and graves. The various archaeological finds are testimonies of the whole spectrum of city’s life and update our knowledge especially on topics that concern the urban planning and the historical topography of Piraeus.
Kyriaki Psaraki holds a doctorate from the University of Thessalonike in prehistoric archaeology. Her research focuses on the pottery of the 2nd millennium BC in central Macedonia and the 3rd millennium BC in Boeotia. She is currently serving in the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands overseeing the archaeology on the islands of Kythera and Antikythera. She has been instrumental in coordinating the work for the re-opening of the archaeological Museum of Kythera between 2013-2015.
About Classics and Ancient History Seminars
All research seminars begin at 4 pm on Friday (with the exception of special Friends of Antiquity events). The 16 September HPI seminar will take place on a Monday).
They will take place simultaneously in person and online.
The in-person venue is room E302 of the Forgan-Smith Building (building no. 1) on the St-Lucia campus of the University of Queensland.
Note: If there is a room change it will be listed on the event session.
For further information please contact the Seminar Convenor Associate Professor David M. Pritchard (d.pritchard@uq.edu.au or +61 401 955 160).