Greece has one of the largest concentrations of traditional farm animal breeds and populations in Europe. The peculiar geographical landscape, the diversity of climatic conditions, the different social and economic conditions, the particular customs and traditions of each region, have resulted in the creation, through natural and zootechnical selection, a significant number of local breeds.

Amalthia, in an effort to record this genetic wealth, published a book. The book is titled “GREEK DOMESTIC BREEDS – A Hidden Treasure”, it is bilingual and presents for the first time all the breeds and populations of our agricultural animals in one volume. The publication brings together all the available bibliography and knowledge about Greek breeds, consists of 248 pages and contains historical, phenotypic and productivity data as well as the current situation of each breed or population.

The book has been illustrated by the famous philhellene painter Jason Roberts, who, in a series of trips to Greece, captured the indigenous breeds of our farm animals in paintings and sketches. The collection consists of 23 large paintings and 60 smaller ones, depicting rare Greek breeds unique in the world, many of which are directly threatened with extinction.

The book also contains many photographs of breeds and populations, and is an excellent source of information. It is addressed to all those interested in farm animal breeds. It has been funded by a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and has received the approval of the Ministry of Education for teaching its content to secondary school students.