George Manginis

Art historian and archaeologist George Manginis gives an illustrated talk on the history of Mount Sinai – known as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments and also of importance in Muslim tradition.

Manginis traces the history of Mount Sinai from the third century AD, when it was established as the Mount Sinai of Biblical tradition, to the early 20th century. He looks at the mountain’s natural environment, the relationship to it of the Bedouin and early Christians, the cult of St Catherine, its importance in Muslim tradition, pilgrimage, and the tourist phenomenon of the 19th century.

“A veritable feast of interesting stories about Mt Sinai’s extraordinary past.” Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads.

Manginis is teaching fellow in the history of Islamic art the University of Edinburgh. He has taught around the world, including at Princeton, the University of London, the British Museum and the Benaki Museum in Athens.

Supported by George Warren.