Divine Dialogues | Cults & Mysteries: The Myths, Rites & Rituals of Ancient Greece
Guest speaker Dr John Voukelatos uncovers the sacred secrets of ancient Greece in this special talk centred around 'Rituals: Gifts for the Gods'.
Time & Location
20 Sept 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Event Details
In celebration of Rituals: Gifts for the Gods, join special guest speaker Dr John Voukelatos as he explores the shadowy and mysterious world of ancient Greek religion, where gods walked among mortals and sacred rites offered visions of rebirth and renewal.
This visually rich and thought-provoking lecture will unravel the myths and rituals surrounding some of the major cults of ancient Greece. Discover how ancient festivals, secret ceremonies and evocative artworks shaped the spiritual lives of the Greeks, from the Eleusinian Mysteries to Dionysian revels and the rites of Artemis Brauronia. Journey from underworld myths to harvest rituals in a lecture that reveals how these enduring traditions continue to fascinate scholars and captivate imaginations today.
Event Details
60-minute lecture including opportunity for Q&A
No prior knowledge is needed, only curiosity and an interest in the ancient world
Tickets include museum general entry, with access to Rituals: Gifts for the Gods
Hellenic Museum Members, login to access discounted tickets
About Dr John Voukelatos
John Voukelatos is a Melbourne-based cardiologist, whose Greek heritage and lifelong fascination with the ancient world has led him deep into the study of ancient Greek pottery and numismatics—in particular, the history of Greek vase and numismatic collections, and their collectors.
A passionate researcher of provenance and collecting history, his publications have appeared in Nomismatika Chronika (the Greek Numismatic journal), Koinon, and Revue Numismatique (French Numismatic Society Journal). In 2019 his research on the Greek vase collection of Alfred Bourguignon was presented at an international conference held in the Louvre and Galerie Colbert, then later published in La Belle Époque des collectionneurs d'antiques en Europe 1850–1914, Louvre Editions.
His research in the area of pedigree and provenance has assisted renowned institutions including Swiss Numismatic firm Nomos Ag, and the Harvard University and Boston MFA coin cabinets. He has also lectured school students for many years, detailing the wonderful world of Greek mythology as seen through the eyes of vase painters.
John's unique blend of scientific precision and storytelling makes him a compelling voice in the enduring power of objects and the cultures that created them.
Explore other sessions
This event is part of Divine Dialogues, a series of talks and tours in celebration of Rituals: Gifts for the Gods. Other sessions include:
Rituals: Gifts for the Gods is proudly presented by the Hellenic Museum in partnership with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, and is now showing until late 2025. Generously supported by the Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance Program and the Victorian State Government.