The historian Chrysa Maltese died: Lena Mendoni’s farewell message

He died on Thursday (11.01.2025), at the age of 84, Chrysa Maltezou, a member of the Academy of Athens, who had been the director of the Greek Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice. “The historian Chrysa Maltezou left her own imprint in the study of our medieval history, while with her long-term research activity she contributed substantially to the study of Venetian Hellenism,” Lina Mendoni told her condolences. CORVERSE The Minister of Culture, informed of the loss of history, said: “With sadness and respect we say goodbye to Chrysa Maltese, the prominent historical that leaves a distinct imprint in the study of our medieval history. With her long-term research activity in top institutions and her decades teaching at the University of Crete and then at the University of Crete Athens, Chrysa Maltese contributed substantially to the study of the Venetian Hellenism, a scientific object that essentially co-formed. Undoubtedly, a special moment of her multi-shaft career stood the multi-annual address of the Greek Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies Venice, in which she gave fresh breath. The crowning and recognition of her offer was her election and fruitful service at the Academy of Athens. CORVERSE Chrysa Maltese lacks a massive writing work, composed of hundreds of contributions, which combined harmoniously with the uninterrupted university teaching. It leaves a striking example of a dedicated scientist, with a multifaceted and lasting offer. To her relatives and friends I extend my sincere condolences.” Who is Chrysa Maltezou Chrysa Maltezou was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1941, where she conducted her circular studies at Averofio High School. He received a scholarship from the Foundation for State Scholarships and studied at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Athens. He received a scholarship from the French government and studied at Aix-en-Provence University of Mediterranean Studies. As a scholar of the Academy of Athens he was educated at the Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice. He received a diploma from the Corso di Perfezionemento of the University of Padova and a degree from the School of Paleography, Archaeology and Diplomatics of the State Archives of Venice. From 1969 to 1979 he was a researcher of the Centre for Byzantine Research of the National Research Foundation and from 1980 to 1994 director of the Centre for Byzantine Research of the National Research Foundation. During 1977-1982 he worked as a specialist scientist at the University of Crete on the subject of Byzantine History and History of Latin rule in the Greek area. From 1982 to 1994 he served as Professor of Medieval History at the University of Crete. He also served as director of the Department of Ancient and Medieval History, as well as president of the Department of History and Archaeology, at the same University. In 1987 he served as Fellow of Dumbarton Oaks Centre for Byzantine Studies, Washington. In 1995 he was appointed Professor of History of the Venetian period at the Department of Theatre Studies, University of Athens. In 1998 he was elected by the Academy of Athens director of the Greek Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice. In October 2005, as part of the programme of the Alexander S. Onassis Foundation, he gave lectures and seminars at American Universities. He was a member of Greek and foreign scientific associations and companies, took part in numerous Greek and international scientific conferences and organized international scientific meetings, workshops and symposia. Following relevant invitations, he gave lectures and seminars at universities and research centres abroad (Collège de France, universities of Sorbonne, Geneva, Association Jean Gabriel Eynard, Bologna, Barcelona, Madrid, Warsaw, Moscow, Perth Australia, Ravenna, Fontazione Flaminia Ravenna, Turin, Berna etc.). In the capacity of the researcher and director of the Centre for Byzantine Research of the National Research Foundation, she conducted research missions on archives in Italy, in the archives of the Monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos of Patmos, the Monastery of Agia Lavra Kalavryta, in the archives of Corfu, Kythera and the Patriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem. In 1982 she was awarded the Athens Academy award for her contribution to the rescue and scientific exploitation of the Historical Archive of Kythera, while in 2003 she was awarded for her scientific contribution by the President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Stefanopoulos with the Golden Cross of the Order of Honor. In 2006, under her address, the Greek Institute of Venice was awarded the Onassis International Award. In 2007 she was awarded by the University of Bologna (Pavenna’s drama) with the Dante Aligheri Award for her contribution to the preservation and promotion of the cultural goods of Hellenism in Venice. In 2012 he became a regular member of the Athens Academy. In 2013 a dedicated volume was published in her honour.