Dr Rita Roussos leads Travel Editions Greek archaeology tours, sharing her expertise in ancient history, classical art and Minoan civilisation.
Dr Rita Roussos
Dr Rita Roussos is a native Athenian, archaeologist and art historian who brings a lifetime’s connection with Greece to Travel Editions’ cultural and archaeological tours. She studied ancient Greek and Latin at the University of California, Berkeley, before completing her PhD in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London.
For many years, Rita taught archaeology and art history at the American University of Athens. She has also worked on archaeological projects across Greece, including at Isthmia, Kato Lousoi and Mantinea, giving her first-hand experience of the landscapes, remains and material culture through which the ancient world can be understood. Her research interests range from the lives and representation of women in ancient Greece and Rome to fourth-century Greek sculpture.
Rita’s interest in archaeology began at an early age. Visits to museums first introduced her to the ancient world, while the historical novels of Mary Renault encouraged a lasting fascination with Greek history, mythology and society. That early enthusiasm developed into an academic career and many years spent sharing Greece’s archaeology with students and travellers.
On Travel Editions tours, Rita draws together her academic knowledge, excavation experience and personal understanding of Greece. Whether exploring the lesser-known archaeological sites of Athens and Attica or the palaces and settlements of Minoan Crete, she helps guests place individual monuments and objects within their wider historical context.
Her lectures and commentary look beyond dates and famous names to consider how people lived, worshipped, worked and understood their world. Guests regularly praise Rita’s exceptional knowledge and her ability to respond clearly and thoughtfully to questions, whatever their previous level of expertise.
Warm, approachable and deeply knowledgeable, Rita helps reveal both the celebrated highlights and the less familiar stories of ancient Greece, adding insight and depth to every site visited.