Eleni Glykatzis-Arveler, a respected figure in the field of Byzantine studies and the first female rector at the University of Paris-Sorbonne, has died at the age of 99. Born on August 29, 1926, in Vyronas, she grew up in a refugee home that had a view of the Acropolis. Glykatzis-Arveler's contributions to history were recognized not only in Greece but internationally; she was awarded the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Legion of Honour in France, attesting to her significant impact on academia and culture.

She graduated from the Philosophical School of the University of Athens, majoring in History and Archaeology. During World War II, she joined the National Student Youth Organization (E.P.O.N.), and at one point, she served as the secretary to Queen Frederica of Greece, leveraging her fluency in English and French. Her involvement in the political upheavals of Greece in the 1940s was marked by her association with ELAS, the Greek People's Liberation Army, during the Dekemvriana conflicts, which were pivotal events as Greece transitioned post-occupation.

Glykatzis-Arveler's legacy lies not only in her academic achievements but also in her role as a pioneer for women in academia and her efforts in promoting Greek history and culture on an international stage. Her passing marks a significant loss for the academic community, as she was respected for her scholarship and dedication to the field of history, especially Byzantine studies, which she not only researched but helped to popularize through her teaching and writings.