A truly remarkable exhibition is now open at Melbourne Museum. See precious artefacts straight from the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, and explore over four millennia of Greek history. Discover 44 ancient works, ranging from the Early Bronze Age to the Roman period. The “Open Horizons: Ancient Greek Journeys and Connections” exhibition is now open, and stay at Melbourne Museum until August 14. Tickets are on sale now.
Open Horizons at Melbourne Museum
Explore Ancient Greece and discover cool artefacts in this exciting exhibition. Learn how the trade of ideas and goods influenced Greek culture, and subsequently, the ancient world.
“We are excited to be collaborating with the National Archaeological Museum to bring some of the most remarkable artefacts direct from Athens for audiences in Melbourne to enjoy,” said Museums Victoria CEO Lynley Crosswell. “This captivating exhibition will invite visitors to explore the cross-cultural connections that contributed to the formation of Ancient Greece.”
Highlights of the exhibition include a colossal head of Zeus, the famous god of sky and thunder. This head is 77cm high and weighs a whopping 400 kilograms. It was sculpted from Pentelic marble, and found in Aigeira, Achaia in 1916.
Another exhibit of note is a 2,500 year old Archaic marble sphinx. This is the first time that the sphinx on display outside of the National Archaeological Museum. Also made of Pentelic marble, it was found in Spata, Attica in 1879.
“Since antiquity, the Greeks have always followed the open horizons of the sea, constantly travelling to every corner of the world,” said Dr Anna Vasiliki Karapanagiotou, Director at the National Archaeological Museum. “Extroversion, broad-mindedness and cosmopolitanism, as well as the ability to embrace and utilise foreign influences in a creative and original way have been integral elements of Hellenic culture.”
“Today Australia is home to one of the largest Greek communities in the world,” she added. “The state of Victoria is the heartland of the Greek-Australian community. It is a great honour that Melbourne Museum is hosting antiquities from our Museum, some of which are “travelling” outside Greece for the first time.”