The 2025 Greek History and Culture Seminars, by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), commenced attracting a large audience.
The opening event featured presentations by Miltiadis Paikopoulos and Olympia Nelson, both of whom offered unique insights into their fields of expertise. Miltiadis Paikopoulos discussed the Rule of Law in Classical Sparta, providing a fascinating historical perspective on governance and legal structures in antiquity.
Olympia Nelson, a PhD candidate, captivated the audience with her research on Byzantine art—a field she found to be underrepresented in academia during her undergraduate studies. Determined to shed light on this “overlooked” area, Nelson focused on the murals of remote churches in the Kandanos-Selino region of Crete. Her analysis of these intricate and historically significant artworks offered fresh perspectives on the legacy of Byzantine art.

The event was held in the mezzanine of the Greek Centre, with GCM Board Member Dr Spyridoula Dimitriou welcoming attendees and introducing Olympia Nelson. The strong turnout and enthusiasm from the audience reaffirmed the success of the GCM’s Seminars, which continue to promote culture and intellectual enrichment within the community.
The GCM remains is a platform for academics to share their research and inspire discussions on historical and contemporary topics. The Seminar Series will continue throughout the year, featuring a diverse range of speakers and themes.
For more information on upcoming seminars, visit this link.