Ancient Greeks
Athletes, Warriors and Heroes
The Ancient Greeks at Wardown Park Museum
Wardown Park Museum
Old Bedford Road, Luton, LU2 7HA tel
01582 546722
15 March - 8 June 2008
Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm,
Sunday 1pm - 5pm
Admission free
Visit the exhibition for your
chance to win a Greek meal! Terms and conditions apply.
The Ancient Greeks have shaped and influenced the history of mankind from the 8th century BC to the present day. They invented democracy and the Olympic Games, made major discoveries in the fields of astronomy, science and medicine and laid the foundations of western literature, philosophy and civic life. Their architecture, sculpture and painted pottery have influenced artists the world over while Greek myths, telling extraordinary tales of the relationships between gods, heroes and mortals, have captivated audiences for over two thousand years.
Competition lay at the heart of Ancient Greek culture. It generated creative and flourishing societies conducive to the fruitful exchange of ideas. The Olympic Games focused the attention of warring states because they stopped fighting to hold the games. These games and others established who were the strongest and most skilled athletes of the day, a talent the Greeks believed was a gift from the gods.
Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes is a major new exhibition from the British Museum focussing on the theme of competition in the Ancient Greek world: in sporting events such as the Olympics, as well as in politics, drama, music and warfare. The exhibition forms one of the largest selections of Greek artefacts ever loaned by the British Museum and includes wonderful examples of marble sculptures, black and red-figured vases.
It has been inspired by the web site launched by the British Museum in 2006, an acclaimed online resource for teachers, pupils, their families and all who are interested in this subject.
