Department of Greece and Rome

Department of Greece and Rome. The Department of Greece and Rome is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts in the world, housed in the British Museum. It features a vast array of objects from the Minoan civilization to the Byzantine Empire, including works by famous artists such as Phidias and Praxiteles. The department's collection includes artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other significant archaeological sites like Delphi, Olympia, and Ephesus.

● Introduction

The Department of Greece and Rome is responsible for the acquisition, conservation, and display of artifacts from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, spanning a period of over 4,000 years, from the Neolithic period to the Fall of Constantinople. The department's collection includes iconic works such as the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, the Portland Vase, and the Lion Hunt of Ashurbanipal. The department collaborates with other institutions, including the National Archaeological Museum, Athens, the Roman-Germanic Museum, and the Vatican Museums, to advance the understanding of Classical antiquity. Scholars like Johann Joachim Winckelmann and John Boardman have made significant contributions to the field, and their work continues to influence the department's research and exhibitions.

● History

The Department of Greece and Rome was established in 1802, with the appointment of Charles Townley as the first keeper of the department. The department's early collection included artifacts from Napoleon's conquests, such as the Rosetta Stone, and later acquisitions from excavations at Nimrud, Nineveh, and Persepolis. The department has undergone several reorganizations, including the establishment of the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities in 1991, which included the transfer of some artifacts to the Victoria and Albert Museum. The department has also been influenced by the work of notable archaeologists, including Heinrich Schliemann, Arthur Evans, and Kathleen Kenyon, who have excavated sites like Troy, Knossos, and Jericho.

● Collections

The Department of Greece and Rome's collection includes over 100,000 objects, ranging from Greek pottery and Roman sculpture to Byzantine mosaics and Ancient Greek coins. The collection features artifacts from significant archaeological sites, such as Vergina, Pergamon, and Paestum, as well as works by famous artists, including Myron, Polykleitos, and Lysippos. The department also has an extensive collection of Greek vases, including works by Euphronios and Euthymides, and a significant collection of Roman jewelry, including pieces from the Hoxne hoard and the Thetford treasure. The collection is complemented by loans from other institutions, such as the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Rome.

● Exhibitions

The Department of Greece and Rome has organized numerous exhibitions, including shows on Ancient Greek art, Roman architecture, and Byzantine art. Recent exhibitions have included "Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum" and "Defining Beauty: The Body in Ancient Greek Art", which featured loans from institutions like the National Archaeological Museum, Naples and the Museo Gregoriano Etrusco. The department has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the Ashmolean Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum, to organize exhibitions on topics like Ancient Greek pottery and Roman sculpture. The department's exhibitions often feature interactive displays and immersive experiences, such as the "Pompeii Live" exhibition, which was held in conjunction with the British Museum's Pompeii and Herculaneum exhibition.

● Research and Publications

The Department of Greece and Rome is actively involved in research and publication, with a focus on the study of Classical antiquity and the history of archaeology. The department's staff includes renowned scholars, such as Robin Lane Fox and Mary Beard, who have published extensively on topics like Ancient Greek history and Roman archaeology. The department publishes the Journal of Hellenic Studies and the Journal of Roman Studies, and has also produced numerous catalogues and monographs on the collection, including the British Museum Catalogue of Greek Sculpture and the Roman Inscriptions of Britain. The department's research has been influenced by the work of scholars like Theodor Mommsen and Ronald Syme, who have made significant contributions to the field of Classical studies.

● Conservation and Education

The Department of Greece and Rome is committed to the conservation and education of the public about Classical antiquity. The department's conservation team works to preserve the collection, using techniques like radiocarbon dating and X-ray computed tomography to analyze and conserve artifacts. The department also offers a range of educational programs, including lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities, in collaboration with institutions like the University of London and the Open University. The department's education team works with schools and communities to promote the study of Classical civilization, and has developed resources like the British Museum's Ancient Greece website and the Roman Britain website. The department's conservation and education efforts are supported by organizations like the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Category:British Museum departments