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PREFACE he Muses, according to Greek mythology, are daughters of Zeus and Mne- T mosyne (goddess of memory), hence consciously connected to the eforts of preserving human memory and its contents. The proper place for venerating the Muses was, in the perception of the ancient world, a Museum. The famous institu- tion with this name in Ptolemaic Alexandria enriched the idea with the notions of collaborating scholars and of collecting cultural objects. In the modern age this was practically expressed through the establishment of various university collections, by the universities themselves or with the Universi- ties’ support. University museums express in a very natural way their bearers’ care for cultivating sciences and for consistently promoting and sharing valuable data via exhibitions. Museums and universities are scientiic entities that possess in common a lot more than what they may express at irst sight, due to the structure of organization and coordination (or the lack of them) in modern states. In the light of these thoughts it is a great pleasure and challenge for us to or- ganize this year’s UNIVERSEUM in the city of Athens and in the venues of the Uni- versity of Athens. In this context, we feel that hosting UNIVERSEUM is a great trig- ger and a unique opportunity to realize the university’s strengths and lessen its weaknesses, and therefore attain a more substantial dialogue between the past and the present of the university in an international environment. It could even be an awakening experience. We would like to deeply thank everybody involved in welcoming UNIVERSEUM in Athens in 2015, especially the members and the administrators of all planning and organizing committees, the enthusiastic staf of the University of Athens Histo- ry Museum and of the other University of Athens museums for undertaking eagerly and carrying out conscientiously the preparation of this meeting. They all shared a common purpose and collaborated closely to achieve it despite adversity and very limited resources. In these times when lack of harmony is often painfully present, may this museological assembly and the integrated work that comes with it be a chance for orchestrating our own ‘counter-music’ with a lasting impact. The edition of the proceedings of this meeting somehow embodies the same spirit and encourages the continuation of our eforts. The Muses ofer abiding in- spiration to their true adherents. Professor KONSTANTINOS BURASELIS Vice Rector for Academic Afairs and International Relations, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 15