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CLOSEThe Institute of Historical Research (IHR) is dedicated to the study of the political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental history of the Greek world and the wider regions where Hellenism has flourished, from prehistoric antiquity to the present day.
The Institute was established in 2012 through the merger of the three humanities research institutes of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (CGRA, CBR, andCINR), the oldest research centers in Greece devoted exclusively to historical and philological studies.
The IHR carries out research and educational activities that focus on historical documentation and interpretation, the production and dissemination of new knowledge, and the training of emerging scholars. In doing so, it contributes both to national self-understanding and to the international scholarly presence of Greece.
Newsroom
Call for Papers – 13th International Round Table on Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture
The 13th International Round Table on Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture: “Polychromy and the Senses: Integrating Scientific, Cognitive, and Aesthetic Perspectives on Ancient Colour”, seeks submissions for papers related to innovative projects and methods in interdisciplinary polychromy research under two rubrics, the principal theme “Polychromy and the Senses” and, as customary, “News from Current Research”.
Abstract submissions will be accepted until March 31, 2026.
An international training school is planned to introduce students and scholars of Byzantium to the discipline of Byzantine sigillography. The Training School is open to Master students and doctoral candidates, as well as postdoctoral researchers in Byzantine Studies and related fields (such as Classics or Medieval Studies).
Launched within the framework of ERC funded project Byz-GOVAG: Agents of Cohesion in the Governance of an Empire: The Anthropo-Geography of Byzantium, 7th to 12th Centuries, the school is organised by Olga Karagiorgou (Academy of Athens, KEMBT, Director of Research / Principal Investigator of the Byz-GOVAG project) and Christos Malatras (National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Historical Research, Associate Researcher) in collaboration with the Numismatic Museum.
In this podcast, Dimitris Dimitropoulos, Director of Research in the Institute of Historical Research, talks about writing the history of 1821, on the occasion of the anniversary of 200 years from the Greek war of Independence. How do we write the history of the Revolution of 1821? What was the impact the Greek War of Independence on the lives of the inhabitants of the southern Greek peninsula? Who contributed to the formation of the newly formed Greek state in terms of government personnel? What can we say about the role of women?
Aneurin Ellis-Evans, University of Oxford
Co-organized by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA), the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) and the École française d’Athènes (EFA).
March 30, 2026
19:00
French School in Athens & Online
In this podcast, Xanthi Argyri, underwater archaeologist and research associate of the Institute of Historical Research, talks about underwater archaeology in the region of Kasos and Karpathos in south-eastern Aegean. What is underwater archaeology? What are the finds in the region? What can shipwrecks and other finds tell us about the maritime traffic in the region?
In this podcast, Kostas Tampakis, Senior Researcher in the Institute of Historical Research, talks about the relationship between the development of Natural Sciences and the historical context of the Cold War. How and why did the science of seismology and oceanography develop? Why did the Americans send men to the Moon? Why did Gagarin say “I went to space but I did not see God”? How is the teaching of Physics at schools in Greece related to NATO choices? Why was the Research Institute Demokritos founded in Greece? Is GPS part of a Cold War policy?
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces the receipt of three grants for three significant research projects of the Institute of Historical Research, funded by the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy. These projects are part of the broader effort to promote scientific research and cultural heritage in the island regions of Tenos, Kasos, Karpathos, and Kimolos.
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces the receipt of a grant for the research project Byzantine and Latin-dominated Tenos: Old and new archaeological data of the Institute of Historical Research, funded by the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy for 2026.
Events
The cult of Dionysos Phallen on Lesbos
Aneurin Ellis-Evans, University of Oxford
Co-organized by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA), the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) and the École française d’Athènes (EFA).
19:00
French School in Athens & Online
The cult of Dionysos Phallen on Lesbos
Aneurin Ellis-Evans, University of Oxford
Co-organized by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA), the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) and the École française d’Athènes (EFA).
19:00
French School in Athens & Online
The event “Reconstructing Premodern Recipes” is dedicated to the study and reconstruction of premodern recipes, primarily from the Greek alchemical and medical traditions.
Events Hall, Section of Pharmacognosy & Chemistry of Natural Products (Museum), Department of Pharmacy
The event “Reconstructing Premodern Recipes” is dedicated to the study and reconstruction of premodern recipes, primarily from the Greek alchemical and medical traditions.
Events Hall, Section of Pharmacognosy & Chemistry of Natural Products (Museum), Department of Pharmacy
This year’s numismatic seminar will be held in hybrid mode. The aim of the seminar is to demonstrate the strength of the numismatic research in Greece by pointing out the links and interactions of the discipline with history and archaeology.
Organised by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA), the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) and the École française d’Athènes (EFA).
19:00
French School in Athens, (6 Didotou str.) & Online
This year’s numismatic seminar will be held in hybrid mode. The aim of the seminar is to demonstrate the strength of the numismatic research in Greece by pointing out the links and interactions of the discipline with history and archaeology.
Organised by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA), the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) and the École française d’Athènes (EFA).
19:00
French School in Athens, (6 Didotou str.) & Online
Muhabbet is an initiative aiming at bringing together scholars, students, and people interested in the shared social history and cultural heritage of the East Mediterranean. We wish to hold discussions about our common legacies in an informal and friendly environment, like that of the coffeehouses, which originated in the Ottoman East Mediterranean, where people used to come together to develop amicable conversations called muhabbet.
The initiative is endorsed by the Demos Center, the Institute of Hellenic Culture and Liberal Arts, ACG; the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the Institute of Historical Research of the National Hellenic Research Foundation.
Muhabbet is an initiative aiming at bringing together scholars, students, and people interested in the shared social history and cultural heritage of the East Mediterranean. We wish to hold discussions about our common legacies in an informal and friendly environment, like that of the coffeehouses, which originated in the Ottoman East Mediterranean, where people used to come together to develop amicable conversations called muhabbet.
The initiative is endorsed by the Demos Center, the Institute of Hellenic Culture and Liberal Arts, ACG; the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the Institute of Historical Research of the National Hellenic Research Foundation.
Διοργάνωση: Τομέας Βυζαντινών Ερευνών (ΤΒΕ/ΙΙΕ)
Online
Διοργάνωση: Τομέας Βυζαντινών Ερευνών (ΤΒΕ/ΙΙΕ)
Online
The Seminars on Greek and Roman Antiquity aim at presenting the most recent findings of research on the ancient Greek and Roman World, as well as on the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean. They aspire to engage all disciplines relating to the study of the ancient world, focusing both on the written sources and on the material evidence, through the participation of experienced as well as younger scholars.
Co-organised by the Institute of Historical Research of the NHRF, the Department of History and Archaeology of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the École Française d’Athènes.
October 2025 – June 2026
French School in Athens (6 Didotou str., Athens) & Online
The Seminars on Greek and Roman Antiquity aim at presenting the most recent findings of research on the ancient Greek and Roman World, as well as on the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean. They aspire to engage all disciplines relating to the study of the ancient world, focusing both on the written sources and on the material evidence, through the participation of experienced as well as younger scholars.
Co-organised by the Institute of Historical Research of the NHRF, the Department of History and Archaeology of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the École Française d’Athènes.
October 2025 – June 2026
French School in Athens (6 Didotou str., Athens) & Online
Νοοτροπίες, συναισθήματα και δίκτυα επικοινωνίας ουμανιστών και καλλιτεχνών στο Βυζάντιο και στην Ιταλία την περίοδο της «Αναγέννησης» (13ος-16ος αι.)
February 18 – June 03, 2026
On Wednesdays, 16.00-18.00
University of Athens Historical Archive
Νοοτροπίες, συναισθήματα και δίκτυα επικοινωνίας ουμανιστών και καλλιτεχνών στο Βυζάντιο και στην Ιταλία την περίοδο της «Αναγέννησης» (13ος-16ος αι.)
February 18 – June 03, 2026
On Wednesdays, 16.00-18.00
University of Athens Historical Archive
Lecture Series in Byzantine History, literature, art and archaeology
Organised by: Kostis Smyrlis, Marina Koumanoudi and Stratis Papaioannou
Institute of Historical Research, NHRF
18:00
Princeton Athens Center
Lecture Series in Byzantine History, literature, art and archaeology
Organised by: Kostis Smyrlis, Marina Koumanoudi and Stratis Papaioannou
Institute of Historical Research, NHRF
18:00
Princeton Athens Center
Recent publications
Strapped for Cash: Needy Soldiers, Reluctant Authorities
Studies on Military Payments in Greek and Roman Antiquity
Edited by: Panagiotis P. Iossif, Evangeline Markou
Peloponnesian Senate: A political institution of the Greek Revolution
Conference Proceedings, Tripoli and Stadio Tegeas, 6-8 November 2020
Edited by: Dimitris Dimitropoulos, Vassilis Panayotopoulos, Maria Christina Chatziioannou
Nationalist Movements and Philhellenism
Proceedings of the International Conference, 4-6 February 2021
Edited by: Sophia Matthaiou, Alexandra Sfoini, Maria Christina Chatziioannou
Archaeology of Colour
Technical Art History Studies in Greek and Roman Painting and Polychromy
Edited by: Hariclia Brecoulaki
The economy in the years of the Revolution
Proceedings of International Conference, 1-2 October 2021
Edited by: Dimitris Dimitropoulos, Maria Christina Chatziioannou
At the Sources of European Poetry in Roman and in Frankish Lands
Epic and Lyric Poetry, Romances (IX-XIV Centuries)
Miltiades B. Hatzopoulos
Press Releases
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces that two major research projects of the Institute of Historical Research, have received grants by the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy for the year 2026. These projects are “Underwater Archaeological Research in Kasos and Karpathos” and “Defining Ancient Coastlines in Kimolos and Melos”.
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces that two major research projects of the Institute of Historical Research, have received grants by the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy for the year 2026. These projects are “Underwater Archaeological Research in Kasos and Karpathos” and “Defining Ancient Coastlines in Kimolos and Melos”.
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces the receipt of a grant for the research project Byzantine and Latin-dominated Tenos: Old and new archaeological data of the Institute of Historical Research, funded by the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy for 2026.
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces the receipt of a grant for the research project Byzantine and Latin-dominated Tenos: Old and new archaeological data of the Institute of Historical Research, funded by the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy for 2026.
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces the receipt of three grants for three significant research projects of the Institute of Historical Research, funded by the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy. These projects are part of the broader effort to promote scientific research and cultural heritage in the island regions of Tenos, Kasos, Karpathos, and Kimolos.
The National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) announces the receipt of three grants for three significant research projects of the Institute of Historical Research, funded by the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy. These projects are part of the broader effort to promote scientific research and cultural heritage in the island regions of Tenos, Kasos, Karpathos, and Kimolos.
The AmphiPoly research project aims to scientifically document the reconstruction of the monument’s original appearance, including its polychromy and iconography, in all its chronological phases. Digital, three-dimensional representation and aesthetic restoration is implemented, based on archaeometric measurements, digital tools, and historical-archaeological research.
The AmphiPoly research project aims to scientifically document the reconstruction of the monument’s original appearance, including its polychromy and iconography, in all its chronological phases. Digital, three-dimensional representation and aesthetic restoration is implemented, based on archaeometric measurements, digital tools, and historical-archaeological research.
Main page image: Photo: Giannis Voulgarakis