The National Arts Club in New York City hosted a lecture by John Papadopoulos, Professor of Archaeology and Classics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), on Monday, January 27, 2020. The event was held in the Club’s Sculpture Court and drew a near-capacity crowd of 75 attendees.

Professor John Papadopoulos Lecture at the National Arts Club

Michele Kidwell-Gilbert, Chair of the Archaeology Committee of the National Arts Club, organized the lecture and spoke about her committee's work in promoting a better understanding of past cultures and in highlighting exciting and ongoing discoveries being made in the field of archaeology. Before welcoming her guest speaker to the lectern, Kidwell-Gilbert introduced several esteemed guests who were in attendance: Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in New York; Giovanni Battista Buttigieg, Deputy Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations; and Alex Zagoreos, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.

In his presentation, “New Evidence from Ancient Methone,” Professor Papadopoulos discussed the famed city’s thriving settlement, industrial center, and harbor that served as a cultural conduit. Also explored was Methone’s significant role in the development of the Greek language, which has led to a better understanding of its origin and rewriting of intellectual history.

Destined to pass into oblivion, the ancient city of Methone was fortunately rediscovered through archaeology. Destroyed in 354 BCE by Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, its treasured finds have been excavated by the Greek Archaeological Service, collaborating since 2014 with the American School.

Professor John Papadopoulos Lecture at the National Arts Club

Professor Papadopoulos remarked, “It was a privilege and great pleasure to lecture at the National Arts Club, in the former house of Governor Samuel J. Tilden and one of the finest examples of the Victorian Gothic revival. It was a wonderful opportunity to make many new friends—all passionate for Greek archaeology—and to see so many old friends from the American School.”

In addition to his academic work at UCLA, Professor Papadopoulos is also a member of the Managing Committee of the American School. He specializes in the archaeology of Greece (especially Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Archaic, and Classical periods), the archaeology of colonization, and the integration of archaeological and literary evidence in the study of the past. He has excavated widely in Australia at Aboriginal and historic sites, as well as in Greece, Albania, and Italy. He currently serves as a co-director of the Ancient Methone Archaeological Project. Professor Papadopoulos has authored, co-authored, or edited 12 books and written over 100 articles. For more information about his books, please click here.

Founded in 1898, the mission of the National Arts Club is to stimulate, foster, and promote public interest in the arts and to educate the American people in the fine arts. The Club hosts both members-only and public events such as exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances, lectures, and readings. Feature programs focus on visual arts, literature, film, archaeology, architecture, fashion, photography, and music. All of these programs, as well as other activities, are coordinated by volunteers from the membership who serve to enrich the Club’s artistic heritage.

Zagoreos, Kidwell-Gilbert, and Papadopoulos at the National Arts Club

Left to right: Alex Zagoreos, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American School; Michele Kidwell-Gilbert, Chair of the Archaeology Committee of the National Arts Club; and John Papadopoulos, Professor of Archaeology and Classics at UCLA and a member of the Managing Committee of the American School.