The Acropolis: Through its Museum

by Panos Valavanis

The Acropolis through its Museum is not simply a guidebook to the Acropolis Museum. By presenting the works of art exhibited in the museum, it endeavours to resynthesize the history of the Sacred Rock as part of the cultural and the wider historical process of Athens. The book follows the visitor's tour of the museum, so that the reader can study and learn more about the antiquities he sees before him. However, it is written is such a way that through independent inquiry the reader is able to approach the subjects more deeply and to understand the preconditions - political, social, economic, ideological, artistic and technological - that led to the creation of the unique monuments on the Acropolis. The book is lavishly illustrated with photographs, as well as numerous plans and reconstruction drawings, which enable the reader to understand each of the fragmentarily preserved works in its context. It also answers many of the questions raised in the discerning reader's mind, such as what was the size and the population of ancient Athens, what is the meaning of the beasts represented on the large Archaic pediments, what do the Korai statues represent, why did the Erechtheion become so complex and what was the role of the Karyatids, why was the temple of Athena Nike built in the Ionic order, what led Pericles and his advisers to opt for the specific building programme and how were the major public works financed, why was it decided to place an Ionic frieze on the Doric Parthenon, what political messages were transmitted to Sparta through the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon, and so on. Authored by a university professor who has been involved with studying and teaching the Acropolis for over thirty years, the publication is of the impeccable artistic quality distinctive of books produced by KAPON Editions.

Genres: History, Art, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2013

About the author

Panos Valavanis (Greek: Πάνος Βαλαβάνης) was a Greek classical archaeologist.

Reviews

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in the Agora Museum shop in the Stoa of Attalos and I started reading it at home once my holiday in Athens had finished. Such an amazing book! This book took me back to the Acropolis Museum, there are so many details and beautiful pictures in this book, when I closed my eyes between reading I was strolling through the museum again. My favourite part was about the Erechtheion building, the temple on the Acropolis and incredible Karyatids statues which will always stay in my memory as I saw that in real life during sunset on the Acropolis. Recommend both : visit the Acropolis in person for breathtaking experience and this book for amazing details and pictures to everyone who loves history and beautiful architecture.

[Salim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well-written book about the Acropolis and its museums. By reading the book while or before visiting the museum, you can see the whole museum clearly, more structured and can point the museum's highlights and stitch the entire experience as one story. I read the book while visiting the museum. It took 6 hours for both.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, in-depth book which gives fascinating information about the amazing Acropolis. Written in an accessible style it is also beautifully illustrated and features stunning photographs.