Chryssa Maltezou, Byzantinist and historian, passed away on Friday, January 10.

She was a member of the Academy of Athens and had served as Director of the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice. In 1982, she was honored with the Academy of Athens Award for her contribution to the preservation and scientific utilization of the Historical Archive of Kythera. In 2003, she was awarded the Golden Cross of the Order of Honor by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, in recognition of her scientific contributions. In 2012, she became a full member of the Academy of Athens, and in 2013, a tribute volume was published in her honor.

Her research interests focused on the Venetian period of Greek history, the relationships between Hellenism and the West (Frankish and Venetian Hellenism) from the 13th to the 18th century, as well as archival, paleographic, and diplomatic studies.

Statement by Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni on the Loss of Chryssa Maltezou
Upon learning of the passing of Chryssa Maltezou, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni made the following statement:

“With sorrow and respect, we bid farewell to Chryssa Maltezou, the distinguished historian who leaves an indelible mark on the study of our medieval history. Through her long-standing research activities at prestigious institutions, as well as her decades of teaching at the University of Crete and later at the University of Athens, Chryssa Maltezou made a significant contribution to the study of Venetian Hellenism, a field of research she helped shape.

Undoubtedly, a standout moment in her multifaceted career was her many years of leadership at the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice, where she brought new vitality to the institution. The culmination and recognition of her contributions were her election to and fruitful tenure at the Academy of Athens.

Chryssa Maltezou leaves behind a vast body of written work, comprising hundreds of contributions, which she harmoniously combined with her unwavering dedication to university teaching. She leaves a vivid example of a devoted scholar with multifaceted and enduring contributions.

To her family and friends, I extend my sincere condolences.”