National Archaeological Museum Athens Collection | From Cycladic art to Roman sculptures

Collection of Egyptian antiquities

This collection reflects Egypt’s trade exchanges with the Aegean lands. You will find vases, statues, and funerary objects on display. As you explore their sarcophagi and amulets, you will understand how even though death is a somber event for us, the ancient Egyptians almost welcomed death and decorated vases and objects to place within their tombs for their afterlife. 

Collection of Mycenean artifacts

The Mycenean collection features artifacts from the civilization that had flourished near the Aegean Sea from around 1600 to 1100 BC. Its most notable object is the Gold Mask of Agamemnon (not the Homeric one!), which was used to cover the face of a deceased noble. Look out for their Linear B tablets, one of the earliest forms of Greek writing, and Vapheio cups, depicting bull-taming scenes, an iconic practice in those times.

Collection of Cycladic works

This collection features a number of nude female statues, with their arms folded on top of each other. Such minimalist idealization of the human form belonged to the Cycladic civilization, which flourished around 3000 BC to 2000 BC in ancient Greece. The Cycladic craftsmen also took special care in inscribing patterns on their marble creations. Look out for ridges and curves over the marble form.

Collection of ancient Greek sculptures

The ancient Greeks were known for their idealized representations of the human form. This collection includes statues from the late Bronze period to the end of the Roman times. You will notice marked changes in their sculpting techniques, going from balanced proportions in the Zeus, and Poseidon statues of the Classical period to dynamic poses in the Hellenistic years. The Nike of Pionios is one such example, where the sculptor brought out the fluidity of the human body.

Collection of metalworks

From swords, daggers, spears, armor, axes, chisels, and other farming tools, to kitchen utensils, cauldrons, and necessities molded from bronze, silver, and gold, this collection traces the technological advancement of the Greek civilization. As the centuries passed, the Greeks honed their welding skills and brought out finer bronze specimens. The colossal size of the bronze statue of Zeus or Poseidon depicts the high level of ingenuity among the ancient Greek craftsmen.

The jewelry collection

This collection includes a variety of necklaces, brooches, bracelets, and earrings, worn by royalty and higher-ranked nobility in ancient Greece. From Mycenean gold diadems and Hellenistic earrings with filigree designs, to Roman gemstone rings, this section highlights the uniqueness and popularity of certain gems in each period. 

Antiquities of Thera

These artifacts, recovered from the ancient settlement of Akrotiri on the Santorini islands, mostly included pottery, everyday tools, and frescoes. One of its most notable highlights is the ‘Spring Fresco’, a painting of a landscape full of lilies and swallows. A majority of these objects were preserved in volcanic ash, which ensured their vibrancy and quality. 

Epinetra of Aphrodite

Collection: Collection of Vases and Small Crafts
Period: 5th century BC

• The Epinetra of Aphrodite is a ceramic thigh guard, that was worn by women while spinning wool. The object features detailed imageries of Aphrodite on its surface. 
• The decorations reflect the importance of Greek aesthetics and high-level artistry in creating simple but functional utilitarian objects.

Gold Death Mask of Agamemnon

Collection: Collection of Mycenean artifacts
Period: 16th century BC

• The Golden Mask of Agamemnon is one of the most notable funerary masks discovered in the royal tombs of Mycenae, indicating the high status of the nobility buried there. 
• These masks were used to cover the faces of the mummies and were made from beaten gold. 

The Varvakeois Athena

Collection: Collection of Ancient Greek sculptures
Period: 2nd century BC

• The Varvakeois Athena is a Roman copy of the Athena Parthenos by Phidias. The original statue was most likely housed at the Temple of Parthenon on the Acropolis Hill. 
• The Roman copy is a smaller version of the original, depicting the Goddess Athena with her spear, helmet, aegis, and a small Nike figure in her hand. 

The Nester’s Cup

Collection: Collection of Vases and Small Crafts
Period: around 750 BC to 700 BC

• The Nester’s Cup is a drinking vessel inscribed with a verse from Homer’s Illiad, referencing the famed cup of Nester. This is one of the first instances of Greek inscriptions on objects, reflecting their early poetic traditions. 
• This drinking vessel dates back to the Geometric period and was found in Pitthekousai, modern-day Ischia.

Artemision Bronze

Collection: Collection of ancient Greek sculptures
Period: Around 750 BC

• There is much confusion over whether the outstretched arm of this statue is seen holding a thunderbolt or a trident. However, the Artemision Bronze, no matter whether it is of the Olympian King Zeus or the Sea God Poseidon, is known for its hyper-realistic anatomy and dynamic pose. 
• The statue was recovered from a shipwreck, highlighting the importance of maritime trade in those times. 

Marble statues of Kouros and Kroisos

Collection: Collection of ancient Greek sculptures
Period: 6th century BC

• The kouros statue shows a young man, standing in a rigid posture. The slightly advanced Kroisos statue’s form is comparatively more relaxed. 
• These statues belonging to the Archaic period were used as grave markers or as offerings to the Olympian Gods.

The Jockey of Artemision

Collection: Collection of ancient Greek sculptures
Period: Around 140 BC

• This bronze figure dates back to the Hellenistic period, depicting a young boy riding a racehorse at full gallop. 
• It was found off a shipwreck, signaling that it may have been a part of a bigger cargo of precious artifacts.

Portrait Head of Emperor Hadrian

Collection: Collection of ancient Greek sculptures
Period: Around 117 BC to 138 BC

• This marble sculpture dates back to the Roman period and shows the emperor with his trademark features like his characteristic beard. 
• Publius Aelius Hadrian was one of the 5 Good Roman Emperors, known for their just rule. This portrait may have been Hadrian’s efforts to associate himself with Greek culture and philosophy. 

Mycenean Warrior vase

Collection: Collection of Mycenean artifacts
Period: 12th century BC

• The Mycenean Warrior Vase is a large krater vase, featuring detailed portraits of soldiers in a military procession, marching off to war. 
• Although the vase depicts imagery of war, it wasn’t used to fight battles. The vase was most likely used for decorative purposes or to dilute wine during prolonged celebrations.

Tombs of the Karameikos

Collection: Collection of ancient Greek sculptures
Period: 5th century BC onwards

• The Tombs of the Karameikos is a series of sculptures and figureheads, which were used as grave markers in funerary sites. These statues were found in the Kerameikos cemetery in Athens. 
• These grave markers reflected the status of the nobility buried inside the tombs and also provided insights into ancient Athenian death rituals.

Marble statue of a Sphinx

Collection: Collection of ancient Egyptian sculptures
Period: Around 560 BC

• The Sphinx statue depicts a mythical creature with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the head of a woman, sitting upright with a dignified posture.
• The Sphinx was revered as a symbol of protection and was often placed on grave monuments.

Getting to the Archaeological Museum in Athens