Ancient Greece: Behind the Scenes June 17 - 27, 2015 (11 days) led by Associate Professor of Archaeology Christofilis Maggidis & Adjunct Professor Molly Anastassiathe with a special visit from Dickinson President Nancy A. Roseman Dickinson professor Christofilis Maggidis is field director of excavations at Mycenae. Above, Grave Circle A at Mycenae; below left, the Tholos at the Oracle of Delphi; below center, capstone of the famous Lion Gate at Mycenae; below right, the Parthenon atop Athens’ Acropolis. Office of the President Dear alumni, parents and friends of Dickinson College, I am delighted to invite you to join our alumni adventure to Greece led by Dickinson professors Christofilis Maggidis and Molly Anastassiathe. This is a unique and splendid opportunity to learn firsthand with our experts about ancient Greek archaeology, mythology, history, art and architecture. I plan to join you for three days in Mycenae and Nafplion for behind- the-scenes excursions and a special reception. Christofilis is field director of excavations at one of the greatest and most famous archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, Mycenae, known also as the legendary fortress palace of Agamemnon, leader of the Greek forces against the Trojans in Homer’s epic poem The Iliad. He is also head of the Dickinson Excavation Project and Archaeological Survey (D.E.P.A.S.) at Mycenae, where Dickinson students excavate under his supervision. His wife, Molly, teaches modern Greek language and literature, and is an expert on the epic poems and dramas of ancient Greece. On June 23rd I will co-host a special reception at Mycenae and inspect the new Mycenaean Foundation Center that Dickinson has supported. We will go behind the scenes at Mycenae and meet with Dickinson students who are excavating. Christofilis is also planning to announce during our visit a major discovery from last season’s fieldwork. Other highlights of this all-inclusive, 11-day alumni adventure include: • Seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and several outstanding museums. • Exquisite artwork, including marble and bronze sculptures, gold jewelry and icons. • The finest classical architecture — ancient temples, stadiums, theaters and more, including: º Athens’ iconic ancient sites and museums, such as the stunning new Acropolis Museum; The famous so-called “Mask º the spectacular ancient theater at Epidaurus; of Agamemnon,” discovered at Mycenae. º Olympia, the original site of the Olympics for 1,000 years, starting in 776 B.C.; and See this and other treasures º Delphi, the greatest ancient oracle, located in a spectacular mountain setting. with our tour leader, Professor Maggidis. • Beautiful seascapes and mountain vistas. • Comfortable, often luxurious, hotels. • Delicious Mediterranean cuisine: all meals, a wine tasting, and three cocktail receptions are included. I do hope that you will join us for this luxurious and fascinating alumni adventure. I look forward to seeing you at Mycenae! Sincerely, Nancy A. Roseman President Dickinson Faculty Leaders Associate Professor of Archaeology Christofilis Maggidis is an expert on ancient Greece. He is currently the field director of excavations at the famous Bronze Age site of Mycenae, the location of one of Dickinson’s global-studies programs. A native of Greece, Christofilis received his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania and conducted postdoctoral studies at Brown and Harvard Universities. Christofilis co-leads this exclusive Dickinson alumni adventure with his wife, Maria (Molly) Anastassiathe, a Dickinson adjunct professor who teaches modern Greek language and literature. Ancient Greece: Behind the Scenes June 17 - 27, 2015 (11 days) GREECE Osios Loukas led by Dickinson professors Christofilis Maggidis & Molly Anastassiathe Delphi with a special visit from Dickinson President Nancy A. Roseman Nafpaktos 1 Aegean Sea Corinth Mycenae ATHENS 4 • Explore wonderful museums and seven spectacular UNESCO World 1 Tiryns Epidaurus 3 Heritage sites: Athens’ Acropolis, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Tiryns, Olympia, Olympia Argos Delphi and Osios Loukas. Ionian Sea Nafplion • Travel and learn with two engaging Dickinson faculty who are experts on the archaeology, history and culture of Greece. # = number of nights Mediterranean Sea • Visit with Dickinson students excavating through the global-studies program at Mycenae and see areas that are closed to the public. Itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, R= Reception, D= Dinner) Wednesday, June 17, 2015: Depart Home Thursday, June 18: Arrive Athens, Greece Upon arrival in Athens you will be transferred to our luxurious hotel near the Acropolis. Meet for an early dinner. Three nights at the 5-starElectra Palace Plaka. (D) Friday, June 19: Athens | Acropolis © GNTO | Acropolis Museum Ascend the Acropolis and learn about its Parthenon and Erechtheion temples, see the Mycenaean foundation walls, and stroll by the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theater of Dionysus to the spectacular, new Acropolis Museum. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in the Plaka, Athens’ ancient center at the base of the Acropolis, with its narrow, labyrinthine streets. Choose between a guided walk circumambulating the Acropolis OR enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax at your hotel’s pool and spa, or stroll through the Plaka’s alleyways lined with shops. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner at our hotel’s lovely rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the Acropolis. (B,L,R,D) Above, admire the splendid Saturday, June 20: Athens | Kerameikos Cemetery | Agora | National Archaeological Museum art and architecture of Athens. Choose to relax this morning OR enjoy a guided walk through the ancient Kerameikos Cemetery and the Agora, with Below, the famous theater at its Temple of Hephaestus and museum within the Stoa of Attalos. Gather for lunch before a guided tour of the National Epidaurus, renowned for its Archaeological Museum’s stunning collections, with a special focus on the Mycenaean artifacts. (B,L,D) outstanding acoustics. © Dnalor 01 Sunday, June 21: Athens | Corinth | Epidaurus | Nafplion Depart Athens and drive to the Peloponnese peninsula, stopping at ancient Corinth to see the Temple of Apollo, Roman odeon, and archaeological museum. Continue to the famous Sanctuary at Epidaurus, dedicated to Asklepios, god of healing. Admire the ancient, 14,000-seat theater with extraordinary acoustics, and visit the small museum with ancient medical instruments. Continue on to the delightful port town of Nafplion, Greece’s first capital after independence. Three nights at the 4-star Nafplia Palace, or similar. (B,L,D) Monday, June 22: Nafplion | Mycenae | Nafplion Drive to Mycenae, where Professor Maggidis is field director of excavations; he will provide unrivaled access and fascinating insights. Enter the famous Treasury of Atreus, a magnificent, ancient tholos tomb; and walk through the celebrated Lion Gate to explore the Bronze Age fortress-palace often associated with legendary Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. After lunch near the site, return to Mycenae to visit the site museum (with behind-the-scenes viewing of recently discovered artifacts) as well as Prof. Maggidis’ current excavation areas, which are part of Dickinson’s global-studies program, where you will meet Dickinson students working on site. We enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at an award-winning winery. (B,L,D) Tuesday, June 23: Nafplion | Palamidi Fortress | Tiryns | Mycenae | Nafplion Take the morning at leisure in Nafplion OR drive up to the Palamidi Fortress for stunning views of the Argolic Gulf, and then visit the Folklore Museum and Archaeological Museum. After lunch in Nafplion, drive to Tiryns, the ruins of a 13th-century B.C. citadel with impressive fortification walls. Continue on to Mycenae, where our return visit takes us to rarely-visited areas, including tholos tombs, an ancient beacon tower, and the Mycenaean Foundation Center. Enjoy a special rooftop reception, musical performance, and dinner near Mycenae. (B,L,R,D) Wednesday, June 24: Nafplion | Argos | Olympia Depart Nafplion and visit the Roman baths and theater at Argos. Continue on to ancient Olympia, where the Pan-Hellenic Games (predecessors of the modern Olympics) began in the 8th century B.C. Explore this extensive site, including the original stadium and 7th- century B.C. Temple of Hera, plus the site museum with such treasures as the sculptures from the pediments of the Temple of Zeus and Praxiteles’ spectacular Hermes sculpture. Overnight at the 4-star Europa Hotel. (B,L,D) Thursday, June 25: Olympia | Nafpaktos | Delphi Depart the Peloponnese via the world’s longest multi-span, cable-stayed bridge. Have lunch in lovely Nafpaktos, overlooking the Gulf of Corinth. Continue on to Delphi, scenically perched on the side of Mt. Parnassus, which the ancient Greeks believed to be the center of the Earth. At this ancient oracle site, walk along the Sacred Way, past the impressive Temple of Apollo, to the theater and upward to the stadium, enjoying fantastic views along the way. Overnight at the 4-star Amalia Hotel Delphi. (B,L,D) © Eusebius Friday, June 26: Delphi | Osios Loukas | Athens Explore Delphi’s Archaeological Museum, including the famous bronze Charioteer and a colossal marble group of three dancing women. After lunch, visit the famous Byzantine monastery of Osios Loukas with its fine mosaics, and then return to Athens, where we gather for a festive farewell dinner. Overnight at the 5-star Electra Palace Plaka. (B,L,R,D) Saturday, June 27: Athens | Home Transfers are provided to Athens’ international