Overview

Tour one of the world’s most exciting and interesting destinations in this course that goes on location in Greece and Turkey with a brilliant archaeologist as your guide.

The shimmering turquoise waters and lost worlds of the Aegean await you. Grab your travel hat and join us for a unique cultural journey to the dramatic landscapes of Greece and Turkey—dazzling ancient cities, majestic empires, and magical treasures of history. This is a land of gods and heroes. Here, great myths came to life and epic battles were fought, and the wondrous remains of ancient civilizations still call to you from across the centuries. In The Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul, award-winning Professor John R. Hale of the University of Louisville is your guide to the fabulous civilizations of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, and to the natural wonders and idyllic landscapes that surround them. These 24 richly enjoyable lectures give you the chance to experience these important sites and cultures through the eyes of an expert archaeologist and scholar, whose knowledge and depth of insight go far beyond any ordinary travel narrative. In each site, you explore the critical history and culture that defined it and the ways in which it influenced our modern world. These lectures offer both a rich resource for travelers preparing to visit these distant lands and a multilevel cultural journey that can be enjoyed just as well from the comfort of home.

Course Structure

01: Touring the Cradle of Western Civilization

In setting sail for the ancient world, contemplate the dynamic civilizations that emerged in the Aegean and the scope of the human drama that was played out there. Preview some of the towering figures and remarkable sites you’ll encounter, and hear Professor Hale’s recommendations for traveling this world as the ancients did.

Duration: 34 min

02: Athens – Around the Acropolis and Parthenon

Enter the Acropolis, symbol of Athens, following the path of the ancient annual procession honoring Athena. Investigate the history and meanings of the site’s iconic buildings, including the grand Propylaea (gatehouse) and the Erechtheum (Temple of Athena). Learn about the superlative architectural features of the Parthenon and its surprising original uses.

Duration: 33 min

03: In the Footsteps of Socrates – Historic Athens

Among treasures surrounding the Acropolis, discover the Theater of Dionysos, where you ponder the rituals of early dramatic festivals, and the grand Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a venue of music and recitations. Enjoy dramatic viewing places, including the Pnyx, an ancient hilltop assembly point, and finally the vibrant agora market, where Socrates walked.

Duration: 33 min

04: Around Attica – Temples and Mysteries

This lecture takes you to sacred monuments of Greece’s beautiful Attica region. At the picturesque Amphiareion, shrine of a prophet deity, learn about ancient oracle and healing practices. Visit imposing shrines to Artemis and Poseidon, finishing at Eleusis, sanctuary to the goddess Demeter and the site of mystical religious rituals.

Duration: 33 min

05: Seeking the Good Life – Corinth to Epidauros

Your journey continues to the Peloponnese, Greece’s southern half. From the impressive Corinth Canal, travel to Greece’s most important sanctuary to Poseidon, where ancient athletes competed to honor the god. Visit Corinth’s massive acropolis and agora (civic center) and the great healing center of Epidauros, highlighting the best-preserved theater of the ancient world.

Duration: 30 min

06: Mycenae – Where Kings Planned the Trojan War

Next, visit the great citadel of Mycenae, made famous in Homer’s Iliad. Entering through the imposing Lion Gate, learn about the rulers of Mycenae and ancient life in the citadel as you explore key monuments: the extraordinary “shaft” graves of an early dynasty, the Megaron palace, and the tomb of King Atreus.

Duration: 31 min

07: Around Nafplio – Greek History at a Glance

In Greece’s Argolid region, walk the mighty fortress of Tiryns, and learn about Mycenaean and classical-age warrior culture. Visit the Heraion, picturesque sanctuary to the goddess Hera, the imposing Roman villa of Herodes Atticus, and the port of Nafplio, with its remnants of Venetian, Byzantine, and Ottoman culture.

Duration: 32 min

08: Ancient Olympia – Gods, Games, and Temples

Investigate the practices and culture of the original Olympic games at sites including the palaestra, where important athletes trained; the stadium; and the unusual Temple of Hera. Sense the heat and drama of the contests, as you contemplate the mind-set of the competitors and the significance of athletic competition as worship.

Duration: 32 min

09: Quest for Wisdom at Apollo’s Oracle – Delphi

At this legendary site, reconstruct the sequence and rituals of a visit to the oracle in ancient times. Enter the lower sanctuary, making offerings en route to the temple, with its dual warnings to the pilgrim, where the Pythia (priestess) speaks for the god in answer to each seeker’s question.

Duration: 30 min

10: Byzantine Outposts – Monemvasia and Mistra

The port town of Monemvasia, once a coveted trading center, offers a rich slice of Byzantine history. Discover its mazelike streets, Byzantine buildings, and its mystical, cliffside Hagia Sophia church. Then explore Mistra’s majestic Frankish castle and Byzantine palace, and contemplate the soul of Byzantium in religious architecture here and at Meteora and Mount Athos.

Duration: 32 min

11: Cruising the Islands – Mykonos and Delos

This lecture introduces Greece’s glorious Aegean Islands in an overview of their scenic and cultural riches. Taste the pleasures of the popular Mykonos before crossing to Delos, birthplace of Apollo and a later trading mecca. Enjoy remnants of important sacred sites and spectacular island views from Mount Kynthos.

Duration: 32 min

12: Aegean Ring of Fire – Milos and Santorini

On the lesser-known Milos, learn about the striking volcanic and geological features of the island before visiting its richly endowed archaeological museum, ancient classical theater, and extraordinary early Christian catacombs. Contemplate the breathtaking scenery of Santorini, as well as the intriguing remains of its principal historical site, the buried Minoan town of Akrotiri.

Duration: 29 min

13: Exploring Crete – Realm of Ancient Minoans

On this greatest of Aegean islands, you encounter the very origins of European civilization. Here, take three memorable excursions: first, to the elaborate Minoan palace of Malia, then to Gortyn, Roman capital of Crete—which boasts Europe’s first written law code—and finally, to Crete’s Venetian capital and the massive Samaria Gorge.

Duration: 31 min

14: Lure of the Labyrinth – Palace at Knossos

The great palace at Knossos offers dramatic glimpses of the Minoan civilization. Investigate the palace’s structure of labyrinthine rooms and its grand courtyards, site of the death-defying bull dance. Ponder the flamboyant ceremonies, court rituals, and sumptuous luxury of the Minoan rulers, recorded in masterful frescoes and tablets memorializing the palace accounts.

Duration: 30 min

15: The Dodecanese – Kos, Patmos, and Rhodes

On the beautiful island of Kos, reflect on the life and contribution of the physician Hippocrates at the ancient medical sanctuary honoring him. Discover Patmos, where Saint John famously wrote the book of Revelation, and finally Rhodes, renowned for the legendary Colossus and the majestic fortifications of the Knights of Saint John.

Duration: 29 min

16: Welcome to Turkey – The Turquoise Coast

Turkey’s Turquoise Coast reveals a fabulous array of destinations, highlighting treasures of history, nature, and the pleasures of travel. Begin at Bodrum, site of the vibrant civilization of Helicarnassus. Learn about Lykian culture and representative government; visit submerged cities, cliff tombs, wildlife habitats, and the fire-spouting mountain at Olympos.

Duration: 31 min

17: Central Turkey – Ankara, Konya, Cappadocia

In Ankara, learn about ancient capitals of the great Anatolian civilizations, including the complex culture of Çatalhöyük. Continue to Konya, home of the Sufi poet Rumi and of the mystic whirling dervishes. Linger in the magical geologic landscapes of Cappadocia, with its “fairy chimneys,” ancient cave dwellings, and astounding underground cities.

Duration: 31 min

18: Up the Meander River – Priene to Pamukkale

Travel to three extraordinary ancient cities: In Priene, explore one of the ancient world’s most spectacular classical ruins, with its remarkable council hall, sacred sites, and superb theater. Then study the sumptuous sarcophagi, bathhouses, and amazingly preserved stadium at Aphrodisias. Finish at Pamukkale, site of imposing mausoleums, healing waters, and cliffside “hanging pools.”

Duration: 32 min

19: A Wonder of the World – Ephesus

The metropolis of Ephesus stands as one of the greatest cities of the classical world. Here, focus on highly unusual features that distinguish the site: the magnificent “terrace houses” of the wealthy, the Library of Celsus with its stunning facade, the enormous theater, and the Cemetery of the Gladiators.

Duration: 32 min

20: Royal Cities of Asia – Pergamon and Sardis

At the citadel of Sardis, learn about the luxurious culture of the Lydian people, credited with inventing monetary currency. Investigate the site’s standout monuments, including the extensive gymnasium and monumental synagogue. At Pergamon, bequeathed by its last ruler to Rome, contemplate its great healing sanctuary, astonishing hydraulic system, and legendary library.

Duration: 32 min

21: Troy – Beyond Homer and the Trojan Horse

The archaeological site of ancient Troy reveals numerous distinct historical phases. Explore the majestic remains of the different epochs of the citadel, from its beginnings in 2900 B.C. to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Trace interconnections between the site’s monuments and the lives of the historical King Priam and Alexander the Great.

Duration: 31 min

22: Istanbul – Capital of the Byzantine Emperors

In this first lecture on the wonders of Istanbul, study the history of the Byzantine Empire and the establishment of Byzantium as a new Rome. Encounter imposing elements of this culture in the cathedral-like Basilica Cistern, the Theodosian Walls, and the impassioned rituals of the Hippodrome, nerve center of Byzantine life.

Duration: 31 min

23: The Pearl of Constantinople – Hagia Sophia

Imagine the sights and sounds of a visit to this magical edifice in Byzantine times, and learn the history of the emperor Justinian’s plans for a church that would surpass all others. Contemplate the stunning columns, stonework, mosaics, and the architecture of the massive dome in this “place where God dwells.”

Duration: 28 min

24: Ottoman Istanbul – Mosques, Palaces, Bazaars

Finally, ponder the origins and planning of the Topkapi Palace, jeweled seat of the Ottoman sultans. Penetrate the layers of the palace, from the grand courts to the royal kitchens and harem. Conclude with visits to the Blue Mosque, hammams (baths), Grand Bazaar, and vistas of the mystic city from the Bosphorus.

Duration: 31 min