A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME: Ancient Greece Edition

These eight items , arrange in mostly chronological order, give good insight into the development and ultimate trajectory of Greek culture from the Bronze Age into the Classical Period. Items have been selected to cover a wide breadth of different cultural aspects from socioeconomic, military, and political. These items originate from varying locations including Athens, Sicily, Crete, and the Cyclades.

Period: Late Bronze Age Material: Clay Location Found: Knossos, Crete This clay tablet was baked in a palace fire which helped preserve it's inscriptions.Represents a transitional element in history

Upon closer examination, elements of the Linear B language can be seen. In particular, the clay tablets from Knossos are mainly inventory elements that were never meant to be preserved.

Period: Dark Age Location: Skyros, Greece Material: Gold This was found in a pot-geometric grave and has the workings of Mycenaean and near eastern craftsmanship hybrid together. Renaissance Piece.

Period: Archaic Location: Olympia, Greece Material: Bronze This helmet is a typical hoplite warrior headpiece. The polis of Corinth put great effort into redesigning the helmet for functionality

Period: Classical Location: Athens Material: Silver Coins such as these frequented the ancient Greek Classical era and made trade between colonies and other city states much more efficient.

Period: Classical Material: Ceramic, Red-Figure Technique These vessels were manly used to mix wine and water together. The depiction on it is believed to be from the Trojan War.

The events depicted are believed to be Achilles and Prince Hector confronting one another as Athena looks on. Athenians at the time of this Krater's creation enjoyed the confrontation between the two.

Period: Classical Material: inscribed stele This was bestowed to the two of Samos from the Athenians in good will after the Peloponnesian War when Samos remains allied with Athens.

Closer rendering shows Athena (right), and Hera (left) shaking hands in goodwill to portray the honor upon Samos. This was a common technique seen in offering between political allies.

Period: Classical Location: Athens, Greece Material:Terracotta This Amphora represents victors of an event in the Panhellenic games. The winner of any competition, music, poetry, sports, might get it

Unable to be seen are two translations in Attic Greek. Inscription: Two kionedon inscriptions on the front: NIKODEMOS EPOIESEN (Nikodemos made it); TON ATHENETHEN ATHLON (Prize of the Athenian Games).

Period: Classical Location of Excavation: Lesbos Material: Marble This bust of Pericles is the centerpiece of the collection and represents years of war, peace, and prosperity for Athens.

The sculptor made his face look calm and relaxed to capture his incorruptible political manner. The bust sat on the Acropolis as people walked in to signify the man who shaped Athens history.

Credits: All media

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Altes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Museum of Cycladic Art

Cincinnati Art Museum

Acropolis Museum

British Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum

Numismatic Museum