Your Excellencies,

Dear President of the Canadian Museum of History,

Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Greek culture is a crossroads of ideas, customs, knowledge and beliefs converging in the
broader east Mediterranean region since prehistory. Homer, Agamemnon, Achilles,
Herodotus, Leonidas, Pericles, Sophocles, Plato, Demosthenes, Philip II and Alexander the
Great are among the most prominent of the worlds bestknown kings and heroes, poets and
philosophers, statesmen and orators, artists and playwrights who collectively provided the
cultural foundation embraced by Western society. Of the great legacy passed down to us by
the ancient Greeks, none is more important than the fundamental transition from myth to
reason that introduced the first attempts at rationalism, the first laws of thought in Western
civilization.
The central theme of the exhibition Agamemnon to Alexander the Great is to represent the
Greeks as figures seen through archaeological evidence starting with the illustrious
anonymous deceased, moving on to the mythological wanax Agamemnon, to the
eponymous aristocrat and ending with eminent spiritual leaders such as Plato and Aristotle
and historical figures like Philip and Alexander the Great, the great historical personage, who
as a mortal became a myth.
The exhibition illustrates and tells the stories of the Greeks through an impressive
assortment of more than 500 objects that represent the Greek past from the times of
Agamemnon to Alexander the Great. Selected from a wide chronological and thematic
spectrum the exhibits stand as telling evidences for the unfolding of the Greek narrative.
Objects were selected and grouped around a central core of emblematic exhibits, with
respect to their symbolic, archaeological, historical or aesthetic value in order to illustrate
multiple aspects of the intellectual rationale of the exhibition. The exhibition also presents
excavations groups some of which are unknown to the general public through which the
bygone individuals image is recreated.
Central to the exhibition is the ambitious quest to represent Greek civilization through the
stories of the Greek people as they emerge through the interpretation of a rich material
culture ranging from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic periods. The exhibition narrative
presents the Greeks in terms of their own selfimage as indicated by the archaeological
record in prehistory and the historical, artistic, rhetorical and literary sources from the
Homeric era to Alexander the Greats empire. The idea of the Greeks as members of an

ethnic group that identified with each other based on common ancestors, myths of
origins, cultural heritage, and common language is a key aspect of this venture.
Herodotus (History 8.144.2) has the Athenians eloquently define what being Greek meant
in their day, that is, having the same blood () and shared language (),
common sanctuaries of the gods and sacrifices ( ) and
similar customs ( ). It is the question of what it meant to be 'Greek' that is
traced throughout the exhibition, as an identity that could alternatively become ethnic,
religious, philosophical, or cultural according to the development of shared customs in life
and death, religious and cult practices, foundation myths, common gods and heroes, and
significant historical events.
The exhibition is organized chronologically and thematically in ten sections, which illustrate
portrayals of the Greek people in different time periods.
The inspiration for the exhibition came from my fruitful cooperation with Mr Fredrick
Hiebert and Mrs Kathryn Keane of the National Geographic Society, from which it was
formulated and developed by the Greek Organizing and Scientific Committee.
I would like to thank the Minister of Culture Mr. Nicos Xydakis for his support. I am also
grateful to the Consortium of North American Museums and the Canadian Museum of
History, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mark ONeill, the PointeCallire,
Montral Archaeology and History Complex, the Executive Director, Mrs Francine Lelivre,
the Field Museum, Chicago, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Richard W.
Lariviere and the National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, the President and Chief
Executive Officer, Mr Gary Knell, for their initiative in presenting the exhibition in Canada
and the United States and their continuous support and collaboration. Also special thanks to
the SNF New Media Lab(Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies, SFU) for the
development of The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great App. Special thanks are due to

the General Director Mr. Jean Marc Blais and his team at the Canadian Museum of History
the lead organizers of the Consortium of North American Museums for their fruitful
collaboration and great enthusiasm for this undertaking. The successful completion of this
venture owes much to the continued interest by Canadian Ambassador to Greece Mr Robert
Peck, the Greek Ambassador to Canada Mr Georgios Marcantonatos, as well as the former
Greek Ambassador, Mr Eleftherios Angelopoulos for their invaluable contribution. Finally, I
would like to thank the large scientific team by highly trained specialists from Greece,
Canada and the United States of America that contributed in the planning with remarkable
faith and consistency.
Dr. Maria AndreadakiVlazaki

Exhibition General Coordinator in Greece

Alternate General Secretary , Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs

EMBASSY OF GREECE
AWA

:
, .
(, , 4/6/2015)
It is truly a pleasure to be here today, at the opening of this
exhibition, which presents some of the most important artifacts
from Greek State 21 museums.
These important pieces provide the opportunity to familiarize
visitors with the Greek antiquity, to imagine the artistic brilliance
of a civilization, whose legacy the modern western world claims as
an integral part of its common heritage.
Hellenism has been the source of most we value in Western
civilization. Its cultural heritage has shaped the world we live in
our buildings, our science, our art, our language, indeed our
thought and lives.
Because in Greece, for the first time in the history of humanity,
humans celebrated the art of living together. They forged the
meaning of the word politics, there, twenty-six centuries ago.
There, for the first time in the history of humanity, democracy, as
we know it, made its appearance.
It was there, in Greece, and in particular in the city of Athens, that
in the fifth century b.c. philosophy, architecture and sculprture
were invented and brought to unparalleled levels of perfection, and
that drama and oratory reached their first high points.

En Grce pour la premire fois danslhistoire de lhumanit, des

homes ont clbr lart de vivre ensemble. Des homes ont forg le
sens du mot politique, en Grce il y a vingt-six sicles. La, pour
la premire fois dans lhistoire de lhumanit est apparue la
democratie que nous commaissons
Cest la, en Grce, et en particulier la cit dAthenes, quen ce
cinguime sicle avant Jesus Christ, la philosophie, larchitecture,
la sculpture-qui furent portes des degres de perfection
incomparable-et que le thatre et lloquence connurent leurs
premiers sommets
Dear guests
This exceptional collection underlines the importance of GreekCanadian cultural relations. Moreover it highlights the incredibly
rich cultural wealth of Greece and of its Northern part, Macedonia.
The artifacts comprising the last part of this exhibition speak
forcefully for the proposition that the history of Ancient
Macedonia, belongs to the cultural heritage of Hellenism.
In this regard we have to underline that our common international
society cannot progress, when history is ignored, much less when
history is fabricated.
Dear guests
You will be rendered impressive by the significance of the
exhibits, which even today nurtures our cultural identity.
The exhibition will enhance our collective understanding and
appreciation of Greek history and culture, and the Greek peoples
prodigious contribution to humanity.

But there are certainly much more exquisite artifacts all around
Greece, which are a testament to its monumental wealth, to its
uninterrupted continuity from 6000 BC up till today. The
uninterrupted survival of the Greek language, both oral and
written, is a proof not only of the linguistic, but also of the cultural
and intellectual continuity of the Greek people. In this regard, I am
pleased to notice that many of the Greek Canadians living in
Canada, will have the opportunity to admire some of the artifacts
of their far remote ancestors.
Finally, I have to congratulate all those who have worked for this
important exhibition and to thank those for having built another
bridge of friendship between Greece and Canada, devoting so
much of their skills, time and talents.
The close and cordial ties between our nations are built upon a
solid foundation of common love of democratic values, as well as
upon strong cultural ties between our peoples.
I do hope that you will enjoy this very beautiful and important part
of Greece.
I would like also to notice that in the spirit of the cultural exchange
between Canada and Greece the Canadian Museum of History will
offer to the Greek citizens an exhibition on the culture and art of
the Haida aboriginal people.
George L. Marcantonatos
Ambassador of Greece

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release

Treasures of Ancient Greece

at the Canadian Museum of History
Gatineau, Quebec, June 4, 2015 Priceless treasures from the dawn of Western
civilization will be showcased this summer and autumn at the Canadian Museum of History
as it presents The Greeks Agamemnon to Alexander the Great, the most remarkable
exhibition about Ancient Greece ever to tour North America. The exhibition will run from
June 5 to October 12, 2015.
Unprecedented in size and scope, the exhibition explores 5,000 years of history and
features over 500 outstanding artifacts from 21 Greek museums, including many pieces
never before displayed outside their homeland. The artifacts illuminate Greeces role as a
cradle of Western culture and democracy.
The exhibition was organized by a consortium of four museums in North America. The
consortium, led by the Canadian Museum of History, also includes Pointe--Callire in
Montral, The Field Museum in Chicago and the National Geographic Museum in
Washington, D.C. in association with the Directorate General of Antiquities and Cultural
Heritage of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs.
The Canadian Museum of History is proud of its leadership role in developing this
extraordinary exhibition, and we are thrilled to share The Greeks with our visitors, said
Mark ONeill, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History. The exhibition
underlines our continuing commitment to bring important stories of world history and culture
to Canadian audiences.
The exhibitions timeline begins around 6000 BC, revealing the deep roots of Greek culture.
It ends in the days of Alexander the Great (356 to 323 BC), whose military conquests
created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Agamemnon, of the exhibitions title,
was the mythical King of Mycenae, said to be the first ruler to unite the Greeks in a common
cause: war against the Trojans.
Among the many notable artifacts are solid gold funerary masks and adornments, bronze
and iron weapons and helmets, marble statues and bas reliefs, and a wondrous array of
clay figurines, amphorae and other objects. Especially breathtaking is a large and intricate
wreath of foliage and flowers crafted from gold and possibly enamel.
The exhibition offers a revealing and dazzling look at a civilization that changed the world in
profound and enduring ways. Visitors will encounter ideas, innovations and achievements
from ancient Greece that are echoed today in our politics, philosophy, arts and literature,

mathematics, architecture, medicine and sports. Visitors will also encounter human stories
of triumph and defeat, and meet the famous gods and mortals of Greek antiquity, from
Aristotle to Zeus.
The exhibition premiered from December 2014 to April 2015 at Pointe--Callire, the
Montral Archaeology and History Complex, where it set a new winter attendance record.
After its presentation at the Canadian Museum of History, the exhibition will travel to The
Field Museum in Chicago and then to the National Geographic Museum in Washington,
DC.
The Greeks Agamemnon to Alexander the Great is presented from June 5 to October
12, 2015, and is complemented by a souvenir catalogue published by the Canadian
Museum of History. In addition, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious
Affairs has published a deluxe illustrated catalogue that reveals the most recent
archaeological discoveries of Ancient Greece.
The exhibition is developed by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious
Affairs (Athens, Greece), the Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau, Canada), The Field
Museum (Chicago, USA), the National Geographic Museum (Washington, DC, USA) and
Pointe--Callire, Montral Archaeology and History Complex (Montral, Canada), with the
support of the Government of Canada.
Safe transportation of the artifacts during the North American tour is provided by PACART.
Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of
History is Canadas largest and most popular cultural institution, attracting over 1.2 million
visitors each year. The Museums principal role is to enhance Canadians knowledge,
understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have
shaped Canadas history and identity, as well as to enhance Canadians awareness of world
history and culture.

Media contacts:
Stphanie Verner
Media Relations Officer
Telephone: 819-776-7169
stephanie.verner@historymuseum.ca

liane Laberge
Social Media and Media Relations
Officer
Telephone: 819-776-7097
eliane.labrge@historymuseum.ca

For more information, visit historymuseum.ca and follow us on Twitter: @CanMusHistory.

If you would like to have your name removed from our distribution list or if this information should be directed to someone else,
please send an email to maud.laverdiere@historymuseum.ca.

COMMUNIQU
Pour diffusion immdiate

Des trsors de la Grce antique

au Muse canadien de lhistoire
Gatineau (Qubec), le 4 juin 2015 Le Muse canadien de lhistoire exposera cet t et
cet automne des trsors dune valeur inestimable datant du dbut de la civilisation
occidentale. Ainsi, du 5 juin au 12 octobre 2015, le Muse accueillera lexposition sur la
Grce antique la plus remarquable jamais prsente en Amrique du Nord, Les Grecs
dAgamemnon Alexandre le Grand.
Cette exposition dune envergure sans prcdent explore 5000 ans dhistoire et met en
vedette plus de 500 magnifiques artefacts de 21 muses grecs, dont bon nombre nont
jamais t exposs lextrieur de leur pays dorigine. Ces artefacts tmoignent du rle de
la Grce comme berceau de la culture occidentale et de la dmocratie.
Lexposition est prsente par un consortium de quatre muses nord-amricains. Le
consortium, sous la direction du Muse canadien de lhistoire, comprend aussi Pointe-Callire Montral, le Field Museum Chicago et le National Geographic Museum
Washington. Il a t tabli en collaboration avec la Direction gnrale des Antiquits et du
Patrimoine culturel du ministre de la Culture, de l'ducation et des Affaires religieuses de
la Grce.
Le Muse canadien de lhistoire est fier de son rle de premier plan dans la ralisation de
cette exposition extraordinaire, et enthousiaste lide de faire dcouvrir Les Grecs ses
visiteurs, a dclar Mark ONeill, prsident-directeur gnral du Muse canadien de
lhistoire. Lexposition tmoigne de notre volont constante de faire connatre au public
canadien dimportants rcits qui clairent lhistoire et la culture.
La priode couverte par lexposition commence vers lan 6000 avant notre re, rvlant le
profond enracinement de la culture grecque. Elle se termine lpoque dAlexandre le
Grand (de 356 323 avant notre re), qui, par ses conqutes militaires, a bti lun des plus
vastes empires de lAntiquit. Agamemnon, dont le nom fait partie du titre de lexposition,
tait le roi mythique de Mycnes. Il aurait t le premier rassembler les Grecs autour
dune cause commune : vaincre les Troyens.
Parmi les nombreux artefacts remarquables exposs, figurent des masques funraires et
des parures en or massif, des armes et des casques en bronze et en fer, des statues et des
bas-reliefs en marbre et un merveilleux ventail de figurines, damphores et dautres objets
en argile. noter tout particulirement une grande et complexe couronne de feuilles et de
fleurs en or et possiblement en mail, dune beaut couper le souffle.

Lexposition offre un aperu la fois instructif et saisissant dune civilisation qui a marqu
durablement le monde. Les visiteurs entreront en contact avec des ides, des inventions et
des ralisations de la Grce antique qui trouvent encore un cho de nos jours dans les
domaines de la politique, de la philosophie, des arts, de la littrature, des mathmatiques,
de larchitecture, de la mdecine et des sports. Ils dcouvriront aussi des popes
humaines et des rcits de victoires et de dfaites, en plus de rencontrer les dieux et les
mortels de lAntiquit grecque, dAristote Zeus.
Pointe--Callire, cit darchologie et dhistoire de Montral, qui a accueilli la premire de
dcembre 2014 avril 2015, a enregistr un taux de frquentation record lhiver dernier.
Aprs sa prsentation au Muse canadien de lhistoire, lexposition se transportera au Field
Museum, Chicago, puis au National Geographic Museum, Washington, DC.
Les Grecs DAgamemnon Alexandre le Grand est prsente au Muse canadien de
lhistoire du 5 juin au 12 octobre 2015. Un catalogue-souvenir publi par le Muse canadien
de lhistoire accompagne l'exposition. De plus, le ministre de la Culture, de lducation et
des Affaires religieuses de la Grce a produit un grand catalogue illustr qui dvoile les plus
rcentes dcouvertes archologiques de la Grce antique.
Lexposition est ralise par le Ministre de la Culture, de lducation et des Affaires
religieuses de la Grce (Athnes, Grce), le Muse canadien de lhistoire (Gatineau,
Canada), The Field Museum (Chicago, .-U.), le National Geographic Museum
(Washington, D.C., .-U.) et Pointe--Callire, cit darchologie et dhistoire de Montral
(Montral, Canada), avec lappui du gouvernement du Canada.
Pacart assure le transport scuritaire des artefacts durant la tourne nord-amricaine.
Situ sur les rives de la rivire des Outaouais Gatineau, au Qubec, le Muse canadien de
lhistoire est linstitution culturelle la plus vaste et la plus populaire du Canada, attirant plus de
1,2 million de visiteurs chaque anne. Le rle principal du Muse est daccrotre la
connaissance, la comprhension et le degr dapprciation des Canadiens lgard
dvnements, dexpriences, de personnes et dobjets qui incarnent lhistoire et lidentit
canadiennes, ainsi que de les sensibiliser lhistoire du monde et aux autres cultures.
30
Renseignements Mdias :
Stphanie Verner
Relationniste auprs des mdias
Tlphone : 819-776-7169
stephanie.verner@museedelhistoire.ca

liane Laberge
Agente des mdias sociaux et
des relations avec les mdias
Tlphone : 819-776-7097
eliane.laberge@museedelhistoire.ca

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, consultez le museedelhistoire.ca et suivez-nous sur Twitter : @MusCanHistoire.
Si vous dsirez que votre nom soit retir de notre liste denvoi ou si nous devions transmettre cette information une autre
personne, veuillez nous en aviser par courriel ladresse maud.laverdiere@museedelhistoire.ca.