London gallery previews major Byzantine exhibition

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — A major exhibition on the Byzantine Empire featuring icons, wall paintings and mosaics dating back to the fourth century AD was unveiled by a London gallery Friday.

"Byzantium 330-1453" is going on show at the Royal Academy of Arts from October 25 to March 22 next year but curators gave a sneak preview of the 300 works on show, some of which have never been seen in public before.

The largely Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire included many countries surrounding the Mediterranean sea in Europe and reached its height under Emperor Justinian in the sixth century.

Curator Robin Cormack described the show as "a groundbreaking event" and said it had been difficult to organise because many of the items on show had been looted.

"The objects are...