Zigmund Mineyko

Education

• After finishing Vilna gymnasium in 1858, Z.Mineyko entered the Nickolay School of Military Engineers in St. Petersburg. In 1861, he abandoned his studies at the school. He worked at Zabelski’s Military School (Paris-Toulouse) first and then, in January 1867, was enrolled to study at the General Staff School, which he graduated from in 1868.

Career

• Z.Mineyko participated actively in the French-Prussian War of 1870–1871; andwhen it was over he was appointed chiefengineer in Epirus and Thessaly, Greece.In 1876, Mineyko started thearchaeological research at Dodona (Epirus).His excavations were successful. Hediscovered Zeus’s sanctuary, an acropolis, an ancient theatre, numerousporticos, sculptures, and lead tables with inscriptions. In 1880, he published on the basis of excavationsresults an ethnographic map of Epirus.In 1891, Mineyko with his family settledin Athens,where he headed the Department of Public Works, and engaged in regulatingrivers and building bridges and roads. During the war on Crete, in 1896,Z.Mineyko was a member of the commissiondealing with Crete issues; and in 1897, he was the head of the topography section ofthe Greek General Staff. In 1910, theGreek parliament awarded Z.Mineyko the title of honorary citizen of Greece. In spite of his advanced age, Z.Mineyko took part in the Balkan War of 1912–1913.He developed a plan of seizing the Ioannina Fortress and was decorated with theOrder of Golden Cross. Z.Mineyko visited his homeland thrice; and donated hisnumismatic collection to Vilna University. Throughout his life hekept dreaming of arranging an expedition of his compatriots to Greece.In 1971, his memoirs were published in Warsaw.He left 49 volumes of manuscripts on various aspects of history and archeology of Europe.
  
  He discovered Zeus’s sanctuary, an acropolis, an ancient theatre, numerous porticos, sculptures, and lead tables with inscriptions.
  
  He was engaged in the restoration of the Marble Stadium in which the Olympic Games of 1896 were held.
  
  49 volumes of his manuscripts are stored in Krakow

Achievements

• One of his main achivments are reports from the first Olympic Games (in 1896 in Athens)

Politics

Religion

Personality

Connections

• Father: Stanislaw Mineyko
  Zigmund's father was Stanislaw Mineyko, a participant of 1831 uprising. His mother was Cecilia Schanovich.
• Mother: Cecilia Schanovich