Dr Alfred Vincent will make his way to Melbourne next week to present a lecture at the Greek Centre as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars, on the arts in Greek lands under Venetian rule, during the period of the 15th to 17th centuries.
Following the seizure of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, parts of the Greek world came under Venetian rule, including Crete (1211-1669), Cyprus (1489-1571) and the Ionian Islands from various dates until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797.
While there is no denying that Venetian rule could be extremely harsh, it provided opportunities for trade, education and artistic creativity, which is demonstrated through the distinctive cultural contribution made by Greeks from Venetian-ruled territories to both Greece and Western Europe.
Boasting a degree in Classics, a PhD on a Modern Greek topic, and an honorary doctorate (2002) from the University of Crete, Dr Vincent will give a brief historical introduction, after which attendees will have the chance to sample work in scholarship, art, music, and literature from the various periods, while discussing its significance in the context of early modern Greek and western culture.
Part of his impressive academic history was Dr Vincent’s appointment to introduce Modern Greek studies at the University of Sydney in 1973, where he taught until 1998 and is now an honorary affiliate.
Much of his research has been on the society and culture of Venetian Crete, having worked extensively on primary sources as a guest of the Hellenic Institute in Venice.
His recent publications include an edition, with introduction, of the Cretan narrative poem The Shepherdess (Η Βοσκοπούλα, c. 1600 AD), published in Greek at the University of Thessaloniki (2016).
The lecture will take place on Thursday 30 June at the Greek Centre (Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC) at 7.00 pm.