Greeks In The Far Orient

Cultural History Biography Asian History Travel Writing Maritime History Greek History Diaspora Studies

Greeks in the Far Orient by Anastasios Myrodis Tamis is the first—and still the only—comprehensive English-language study that traces the 2,500-year footprint of Greek merchants, mariners, missionaries, artists and entrepreneurs across China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, India and Southeast Asia. Packed with 696 pages of archival maps, rare photographs and first-hand traveller accounts, this 2011 Vanias Publishing paperback shows how Hellenic seafarers beat Marco Polo to the Silk Road, founded Orthodox communities in Kolkata and Canton, and left unmistakable Greek motifs on Buddhist temples and Ming porcelain. For collectors of Greek history, Asian studies or diaspora culture, the book is a treasure-trove that turns obscure footnotes into a sweeping, readable narrative.

What makes this copy especially appealing is its like-new reading condition: pages are crisp, unmarked and tightly bound, while only a neat gift inscription on the front blank page and light shelf scuffing remind you that it is a gently used volume. The generous trim size and high-contrast illustrations make it as comfortable on the coffee table as in the classroom, and the extensive 30-page index turns it into an instant reference work for students, genealogists or travel writers planning their own Hellenic odyssey through Asia.

Unlike dry academic tomes, Tamis balances meticulous scholarship with vivid storytelling, profiling larger-than-life characters such as the 18th-century Greek pirate turned admiral of the Chinese imperial fleet, and the 19th-century entrepreneur who introduced champagne to Japan. The result is a book that satisfies both the casual reader looking for adventure and the scholar hunting for footnotes. With its durable sewn binding and acid-free paper, this edition is built to last—an ideal gift for anyone fascinated by Greece, Asia, or the endless ways cultures collide and co-create along the trade routes of history.

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