Pausanias is considered the most important ancient traveler of the 2nd century A.D. He traveled throughout Greece and meticulously and accurately recorded everything he encountered: myths, history, buildings, and the natural environment.

The enormous wealth of information he collected was published in ten books under the general title "Description of Greece." This work remains the primary and most reliable source of information for researchers and archaeologists today.

In 2001, the photography historian and photographer Alkis K. Xanthakis, in collaboration with philologist Metaxia Papapostolou, decided to follow the footsteps of the traveler in the Laconian land. From this collective effort emerged the volume Laconia Description. Pausanias “Laconics”.

Continuing his journey, in 2003 Alkis K. Xanthakis, in collaboration with archaeologists Dimitra Spyropoulou and Maria Moustakaki—who provided commentary and translated the ancient text into modern Greek—followed step by step the route of Pausanias in Attica. Thus, he recorded with his camera whatever remains today of the places described by the ancient traveler in his book "Attica."

The results of this systematic research and recording were astonishing. After approximately 1,850 years, there were testimonies of the cities, monuments, sanctuaries, and sites from ancient times that are preserved to this day. And this happens not only in Athens but throughout Attica.

This volume serves as a time machine, transporting the reader to the early period of Roman rule, when the ancient Greek spirit was still in great bloom.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]