A lecture, titled “The Great Ionia: The Chinese Connection,” will shed light on an often-overlooked chapter of ancient Greek history.
Melbourne lawyer, author, and Neos Kosmos contributor Dean Kalimniou will deliver the prestigious Con Castan Memorial Lecture in Brisbane on March 20, 2024.
At the Greek Centre in Brisbane at 7 p.m., the lecture will delve into the Greek kingdom that existed on the fringes of China. Kalimniou will revive interest in this aspect of Greek heritage.
Using Chinese historical sources, Kalimniou examine the connections between the ancient Greeks and China. The lecture will look at the complexities of cultural exchange, trade routes, and diplomatic relations that characterized the interaction between these two ancient civilisations.
According to The Guardian in 2016, archaeologists say design of clay warriors in China suggests close contact between east and west 1,500 years before Marco Polo.
“Greek craft workers may have helped inspire the most famous Chinese sculptures ever made – the 8,000 warriors of the Terracotta Army who have been watching over the tomb of the first emperor of China for more than 2,000 years.”
Archaeologists now believe that the figures’ lifelike appearance could “have been influenced by the arrival in China of ancient Greek sculptures, and even that Greek sculptors made their way there to teach their designs.”
“The Great Ionia: The Chinese Connection” will be a journey into history, with a unique perspective on the reach of Greek civilisation and its impact on distant lands.
When: March 20, 7pm
Where: Greek Centre in Brisbane
For more information and to reserve seats, please contact the Solomos Society or visit their Facebook page.