Author Description

Ever since the discovery, in 1977, of the royal tombs of Vergina and the treasures they contained, an increasingly rich and nuanced portrait of ancient Macedonia has emerged from the ongoing archaeological excavation and historical research. The evidence testifies to the enormous cultural wealth of this ancient kingdom, which, despite its many internal and external conflicts, brought the fruits of Greek civilization to the very ends of the known world, while preserving its own distinctive cultural features. This book, intended for general readers and specialists alike, conveys the excitement of the recent discoveries by combining splendid illustrations with a synthesis of up-to-date archaeological and art historical information provided by leading French and Greek experts in both fields. Together the authors cover Macedonia from the ascendancy of Philip II to its defeat by the Romans. A kingdom located at the outskirts of the Greek city-states, Macedonia in many respects may appear to have been backward in its lifestyle. But the evidence of an original currency and the exploitation of forests and precious metals reveals that its cities had developed sophisticated economies. A flourishing of artistic activity has also been detected in the unearthing of astounding examples of funerary architecture, frescos and paintings that tell us much about Greek painting, and an extraordinary body of mosaics and metal work. Incorporating these and many more discoveries, this book is both a technical reference and a lavish work of art history. The contributors, in addition to René Ginouvès, are Iannis Akamatis, Manolis Andronicos, Aikatérini Despinis, Stella Drougou, Anne-Marie Guimier-Sorbets, Miltiade Hatzopoulos, Lilly Kahil, Georgia Karamitrou-Mendessidi, Kalliopi D. Lazaridou, Dimitris Pandermalis, Olivier Picard, and Michel Sakellariou. -- "Bryn Mawr Classical Review"