The following are eight pieces of art from the Commons Museum depicting the highlights of Greek history.
Storage Jar with Achilles and Ajax Gaming, about 510 B.C., From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
ID 001
A jar depicting Ajax and Achilles playing a game with Athena watching over them in the background. Many jars during the time had scenes from myths and daily life.
Dagger, Unknown, "2800-2300 BC" - "", From the collection of: Museum of Cycladic Art
ID 002
A bronze dagger from the Cyclades. Bronze is made from an alloy of copper and tin. However, the ores are widespread and must be imported in.
Zeus battling the Giants, Attributed to the Underworld Painter, -350, From the collection of: Altes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
ID 003
A vase with a scene of the gigantomachy. In the gigantomachy, Zeus defeats the Giants, finally granting peace and stability to the ruling kingdom of the gods.
Attic red-figure hydria-kalpis, Attic workshop, -0455/-0445, From the collection of: Benaki Museum of Greek Civilization
ID 004
A young man is preparing to leave for war. On the left, Nike, the goddess of victory is procuring a sword for the young soldier. On the right, a female member is about to pour a libation.
Relief of a Persian guard, Unknown, 486 B.C. - 464 B.C., From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
ID 005
A picture of a Persian guard. The Persians played a prominent role in the history of Greece ever since their involvement in the Ionian revolt. The foiling of Persia's conquest of Greece brought Greece into world recognition.
Decrees for Samos., Unknown, 405/4 and 403/2 BC, From the collection of: Acropolis Museum
ID 006
A slab containing a decree to Samos as a thank you for not seceding from the Delian League during the Peloponnesian War. This highlights the just how frequent members were to secede.
Coin: Tetradrachm of Philip II with Head of Zeus laureate on the obverse; victorious horse and rider on the reverse, Greek (Macedonian), 323 - 315 BC, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
ID 007
A coin of Philip II of Macedon with Zeus on obverse and a horse and rider on the opposite side. The horse signifies just the importance of the calvary to the Macedonian military. The deification of Philip II is implied on the coin, which indicates the justification of his rule.
The winged Goddess Nike adjusting her sandal., Unknown, Around 410 BC, From the collection of: Acropolis Museum
ID 008
A slab depicting the goddess of victory Nike adjusting her sandal. An important goddess, which Athens used to signal their victory over the Persians.
Credits: All media
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