Ancient Greeks

Athletes, Warriors and Heroes

Events programme

Talks

The Trojan War: Myth and History
Lesley Fitton, Keeper of Greece and Rome, British Museum
Tuesday 15 July 7pm
Admission free, but please book in advance

What stories did the Ancient Greeks tell about the legendary Trojan War? Using vases in the exhibition as a starting point, Lesley discusses what they knew about their past and whether there was a historical reality behind the tales.

The Trojan War: Myth and History
Lesley Fitton, Keeper of Greece and Rome, British Museum
Tuesday 15 July 7pm
Admission free, but please book in advance

Ancient Greeks Highlight Talks
Dr Peter Higgs, Curator of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum
Tuesday 19 August 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm
Admission free, everyone welcome

Join Peter in the Ancient Greeks exhibition to see the highlights of this British Museum touring exhibition.

What do we owe to Antiquity? A look at its influence on Western art and design
Dr John Lord Tuesday 9 September 7pm
Admission free, but please book in advance
The arts of ancient Greece and Rome have seldom been forgotten and their influence has moulded the course of most European art. This illustrated talk explores some of the threads that have informed our taste and produced some of the greatest artists and designers.

'You're Looking Rather Mythical Today': The Reality of Greek Myth
Prof Ken Dowden, Director, Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, University of Birmingham
Tuesday 23 September 7pm
Admission free, but please book in advance

Greek myths were stories for adults and provided traditional, but flexible points for you to orientate yourself by. They captured thoughts and feelings and types of behaviour. But mythology perhaps stretches to real life too - if you look at the exhibit Group of ageing Satyr teaching a young boy, is the boy mythical? Maybe he is. On another pot he will be Achilles beside the Centaur Chiron. We need to see the myth in our lives.

Children and Families at The Collection

Meet the Greeks!
Saturday 2 August 10am - 4pm
Admission free

Come and meet the Ancient Greeks and find out all about life in Ancient Greece, on land, at sea and at home. There will be lots of historical replicas to look at and handle. Explore the weapons and equipment of the Ancient Greeks, and see demonstrations of their combat techniques. What would you rather be - a Spartan hoplite or a Persian Immortal? Hear the True Story of the 300 in an exciting presentation about the battle of Thermopylae. Watch as the doctor operates on his patient, and listen as the storyteller tells stories of gods and heroes.

Ancient Greek Musical Instruments
Monday 11 August 10am - 12noon: 5 to 7 year olds 2pm - 4pm: 7 to 11 year olds
Admission £3.25 per child Please book in advance

Make your own Greek musical instrument from 'found objects' and compose and perform a piece of music in the junk band. This workshop is led by a soundLINCS music facilitator.

Stone Carving
Tuesday 12 August 10am - 12noon: 7 to 11 year olds 2pm - 4pm: 12 to 18 year olds
Admission £3.25 per child/ young adult
Please book early, places are limited

Try your hand at stone carving to create your own sculpture with local sculptor James Sutton.

Family Crafts Day
Thursday 14 August 10am - 12noon and 2pm - 4pm
Admission £3.25 per person Family ticket (up to 2 children) £10

To celebrate the British Museum touring exhibition Athletes, Warriors and Heroes, we are hosting an Ancient Greek theatre event. Make the masks, wear the costumes and perform the play. Everyone gets involved! Full guidance provided. Weather permitting - some activities will take place outside.

Mini Ancient Greek Olympics Family Crafts Day
Saturday 16 August
Craft activities £1 to £2
'Olympic' events free No need to book

Find out more about the Ancient Greek Olympics. Visit the British Museum exhibition Athletes, Warriors and Heroes. Take part in mini javelin, long jump, and running events throughout the day. Make your own laurel crown. Make an Olympics clay tablet. Meet Amelia Dowler, British Museum curator of Ancient Greek Coins. There will be an opportunity for visitors to handle real objects.

Greek Clay Day
Tuesday 19 August 10am - 12noon
5 to 7 year olds 2pm - 4pm: 7 to 11 year olds
Admission £3.25 per child

Please book in advance Have fun with clay making your own pots and sculptures inspired by the Ancient Greeks. Led by museum staff.

Multimedia Myths
Wednesday 20 August 10am - 3pm with an hour for lunch
12 to 18 year olds
Admission £10 Please book in advance

Develop your multimedia skills and create your own version of a Greek myth with professional animator and multimedia artist Steve Hatton.

Greek Warriors Family Crafts Day
Thursday 21 August 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
£1 to £2 per activity No need to book, just turn up

Activities include - make a Hoplite soldier's sword and shield. Check out the replica armour of Ancient Greek warriors.

Greek Warriors Story Time
Thursday 21 August 10.15am, 11.15am, 2.15pm and 3.15pm
Admission £1 per child
No need to book

Exciting stories and activities for accompanied 3 to 7 year olds, to complement the Greek Warriors workshops.

Adults at The Collection

Terracotta Master Class
Tutor Pete Moss
Monday 4 August - Friday 8 August 10am - 4pm
Admission £160 (concessions £120) Includes all materials and lunch
Please book early as places are limited

Take inspiration from the legendary ceramics displayed in the exhibition Ancient Greeks and develop your own ideas in clay at this week-long workshop led by Pete Moss. You will be hand-building in terracotta with the opportunity to choose from a variety of techniques including coiling, figure modelling and slip trailing. Pete Moss is an experienced teacher and lecturer based in Lincoln, who exhibits his ceramics in galleries around Britain and works to commission. Please contact The Collection for more information.