GCM Seminar: The Tomb of the Diver

·

Dr Gillian Shepherd from La Trobe University will present a lecture entitled The Tomb of the Diver: Life, Death, and Drinking and in the Ancient Greek World, on Thursday 27 May, at 7.00pm, at the Greek Centre, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars, offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

The “Tomb of Diver” is a fifth century BC grave found outside the Greek city of Poseidonia in South Italy. Despite the fifty years that have elapsed since its discovery, the tomb remains unique: its painted internal walls depict a convivial scene of a symposion, or ritualised Greek drinking party. The symposium was a common subject on painted ancient Greek vases, but highly unusual as funerary decoration. What does this extraordinary scene of drinking and festivity tell us about attitudes to life, death and the afterlife in ancient South Italy, and the occupant of this elaborate grave? And how do we interpret the enigmatic image of the lone diver on the lid of the tomb?

Dr Gillian Shepherd is a lecturer in Ancient Mediterranean Studies and director of the A.D. Trendall Research Centre for Ancient Mediterranean Studies at La Trobe University. Gillian studied Classics and Fine Arts at the University of Melbourne before going on to complete a PhD in Classical Archaeology at Trinity College, Cambridge, followed by a research fellowship at St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Until her return to Australia in 2012 to take up her position at La Trobe University, Gillian was Lecturer in Classical Archaeology at the University of Birmingham, UK. Her research interests include the ancient Greek colonisation of Sicily and Italy, burial customs, the archaeology and art of Greece and Magna Graecia, and childhood in antiquity. She is a co-editor of the recently published Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of Childhood.

Date: Thu 27th May 2021, 7pm
Location: Greek Centre, (Mezzanine Level, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne).
This is a hybrid seminar, can also be followed on Facebook and Youtube.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

UNESCO adds six Minoan palaces in Crete to World Heritage list

UNESCO has inscribed Minoan palace centres in Crete - Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros, Zominthos, and Kydonia - on its World Heritage list.

Libya lodges UN complaint over Greece’s maritime zone

Libya has formally submitted a diplomatic complaint to the United Nations, objecting to Greece’s delineation of its Exclusive Economic Zone.

From Metallica to Maritime: The many lives of Greek shipping tycoon Harry Vafias

Though Greek shipping tycoon, Harry Vafias, spends much time working, it certainly isn't a case of 'all work and no play.’

‘I want them to know their word matters’: Peter Georgiou stands against gender violence

Peter Georgiou, a real estate agent from Rushcutters Bay and father of four-year-old twins Leila and Lola, believes change begins at home.

Thessaloniki’s Byzantine walls to shine with new light project

Thessaloniki’s iconic Byzantine Walls are set to be illuminated under a major cultural initiative announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

You May Also Like

George Kyriakidis spared jail after dangerous driving incident causes death of 16-year-old boy

Kyriakidis acknowledged his life had been permanently altered by his decision to take a shortcut home that day, and was already serving “a greater personal punishment” than any other he could be brought to bear.

Record surge in thefts at religious sites in Greece

A study by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports has revealed a sharp increase in thefts at religious sites in 2023.

Flinders Street driver who killed grandfather Antonios Crocaris loses appeal for an early release

A man who drove into pedestrians in Melbourne, killing an elderly grandfather, has lost an appeal for an early release from jail.