Don't miss The Ancient Olympics: The REAL Story & The Ancient Greek World Website

A complete renovation and reinstallation of the University of Pennsylvania Museum's ancient Greek gallery, the Greek World features more than 400 artifacts, dating from the 11th to the 1st century BC, drawn from the Museum's internationally renowned Mediterranean collection. Spectacular examples of ancient Greek vases, sculpture, coins, bronzes and much more are featured in the exhibition, which provides a wide-ranging exploration of the ancient Greek World--its history and religion, the daily lives of men and women, trade, manufacturing, art, athletics, politics, warfare and burial practices. The exhibition offers the visitor an opportunity to delve into ancient Greek history and civilization, richly detailed through text, maps, drawings, photographs and artifacts.

The Greek World A life-size marble herm head, 1st century A.D., portraying the god Hermes, protector of roads and entrances, [Quiz Clue!] greets you at the entrance of the exhibition. Herms like this, which originally consisted of a stone shaft carrying the god's head and the male genitalia, were set up at crossroads and at the points of entry to important public areas like the Agora at Athens. The extraordinary civilization developed by the Greeks is approached through four major thematic sections of the exhibition: Religious Life Daily Life Manufacturing and Trade Death and Burial Religious Life The myths and tales of the Greek gods and heroes, and the ways in which the Greeks worshipped their gods in sanctuaries, shrines and temples, are presented in this section. Athletics as an expression of religious devotion, and the athletic competitions held in sanctuaries like Olympia, are also featured in this section. Daily Life Equal consideration is given here to the very different lives led by men and women in Greek culture. Generally, women exercised a degree of control over the home and family, while men's lives were dominated by activities outside the home, including hunting, riding, outside work, politics and warfare. Architecture and furnishings of the Greek house are also displayed. Manufacturing and Trade This section considers how and when coinage was invented, the techniques of minting coins, the political and social uses of images on coins, and the artistic achievement of the Greek die engraver. The production, decoration, and distribution of Greek pottery, as well as trade in such items as perfumed oils, wine and olive oil, are also featured. Death and Burial The mural of the Kerameikos (the major cemetery of ancient Athens) at the east end of the gallery, serves as a backdrop to the theme of this section,where sculpted Athenian grave stelae from the Classical period are featured. Three major grave monuments from the Classical period (5th-4th century B.C.) stand in front of a large painted wall mural depicting the Kerameikos. Funerary customs, and examples of artifacts buried with the deceased, are also featured.
	Purchase The Ancient Greek World from University Museum Publications
The Ancient Greek World was jointly curated by Dr. Donald White, Dr. Keith DeVries, Dr. David G. Romano, and Dr. Irene B. Romano.

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