A scarce early twentieth-century Greek edition of Αθανάσιος Διάκος (Athanasios Diakos), the celebrated historical tragedy by Leon Melas (1812–1879), published by M. I. Saliveros, Athens, circa 1920.
Issued in the publisher’s attractive illustrated colour lithographic wrappers, this compact edition forms part of the popular “Λαϊκή Βιβλιοθήκη” (People’s Library) series and preserves one of the best-known patriotic dramas of nineteenth-century Greek literature.
Bibliographical Details
Author: Leon Melas (Λέων Μελάς)
Title: Αθανάσιος Διάκος
Publisher: M. I. Saliveros, Athens
Date: circa 1920
Edition: Early Saliveros edition
Language: Greek
Format: Softcover
Pages: 64
Dimensions: 18 cm × 12.5 cm
About the Work
Leon Melas’s Athanasios Diakos is a tragedy in three acts inspired by the life and heroic death of Athanasios Diakos, one of the foremost heroes of the Greek War of Independence. First written during the nineteenth century, the play became one of the classic patriotic dramas of modern Greek theatre and remained popular well into the twentieth century through numerous theatrical performances and inexpensive popular editions.
Faithful to the classical unities of Greek drama, Melas depicts the final days of the revolutionary hero, whose sacrifice at the Battle of Alamana in 1821 secured his place among the most revered figures of modern Greek history. The famous lament beginning “Για δες καιρό που διάλεξεν ο Χάρος να με πάρει…” has become one of the enduring expressions of Greek patriotic literature.
About the Author
Leon Melas (1812–1879) was an influential Greek educator, writer and playwright. Best known for his historical novel Gerostathis and for this patriotic tragedy, he played an important role in nineteenth-century Greek intellectual life and educational reform. His literary works helped shape the national historical consciousness of the newly established Greek state.
Condition
Original illustrated lithographic softcover.
Complete with 64 pages.
Good vintage condition.
Light wear, creasing and small edge losses to the wrappers consistent with age and use.
Interior generally well preserved.
Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.
Collecting Interest
Early Saliveros editions with their colourful illustrated wrappers are increasingly sought after by collectors of Greek popular publishing. This copy is of interest to collectors of:
Greek literature
Greek theatre
Greek War of Independence
Leon Melas
Greek chapbooks and popular editions
Illustrated books
Early twentieth-century Greek publishing
A charming and increasingly uncommon example of early Greek popular printing, celebrating one of the nation’s most enduring revolutionary heroes.
