THE SITES OF ANCIENT GREECE

'The Sites of Ancient Greece' presents 150 of Georg Gerster's most spectacular and evocative photographs of the landscapes and architecture - both ancient and modern - of Greece, a country he has visited and photographed numerous times in his long career. The photographs in this book were taken between 1996 and 2006. A short preface by Gerster himself and an introductory essay convey a sense of why this country, its history, myths and landscapes, have captured the hearts and minds of so many for thousands of years, from ancient kings and poets to modern holiday-makers. In addition, a map of the featured locations and a timeline listing the key dates, events and eras of the ancient Greek world help set the scene for the picture section to follow. Arranged geographically by region, the images in this book take the viewer on a guided tour of Greece and her islands, from cloud-topped Mount Olympus, home of the Gods, in the northern mainland to the isle of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. The historical sites featured include the seventeen UNESCO world heritage sites of Greece, such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens; Delphi, the site of the most important oracle of the ancient Mediterranean world; the astounding mountain-top monasteries at Mount Athos and Meteora, precariously perched high above the ocean; Olympia, one of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity and the birthplace of the Olympic Games; the beautiful monuments of Thessaloniki and the medieval city of Rhodes, once the site of the Collosus, one of the lost seven wonders of the world; and the fortified town of Mystras. Gerster's picture also show the wide-ranging landscapes of Greece, from the bustling modern metropolises of Athens and Thessaloniki, studded as they are with ancient jewels, to the arid plains of Sparta, craggy coastlines and jewel-like islands surrounded by calm blue waters. Each photograph is accompanied by an extended caption describing when and where the picture was taken and offering contextual information about the landscapes or monuments pictured, for example noting the key historical (or mythical) events associated with the site.