Here Are The Top 10 Ancient Greek Artifacts Every History Enthusiast Ought To Know About

Artworks normally reflect the society that produces them. The case of the ancient Greeks is one where this is most evident.

The Greeks infused the central idea of their culture into their buildings, sculptures, and ceramics. Human accomplishments and importance were thoroughly emphasized in ancient Greek art.

Even though the gods were frequently honored in Greek art, they were actually depicted in the likeness of mankind. One could argue that ancient Greece was one of the civilizations that had the greatest cultural influence on history.

Thankfully, the tangible proof of their brilliance has withstood the test of time. Numerous amazing ancient Greek artifacts are currently displayed in significant museums across the world.

As evidenced by the numerous works of ancient Greek art found in museums worldwide, Greece is the birthplace of Western Civilization. There is no doubt about the Greeks’ brilliance, whether we are discussing their rich mythology, artistic creations, or political advancements.

They produced works of unmatched beauty and priceless monuments to the rich legacy of the world. What’s more, these works still enthrall visitors and will continue to do so for centuries to come.

So sit back, relax, and scroll through the list we’ve assembled for you below.

1) Parthenon Horse

Ancient Greece truly valued its horses, as shown by the many works of art depicting them. One particularly well-executed display of this appreciation is the Parthenon friezes. This is one of the most renowned ancient Greek artifacts, showcasing a beautifully sculpted horse head.Wikimedia

2) Greek Sphinx

The statuettes reflected the opulence of the wealthy, featuring the head of a woman, the body of a lion, the tail of a snake, and the wings of an eagle. The Greek sphinx originates from the civilization’s mythology, having been a fantastic creature sent by Hera to punish Thebes. It is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.GreekSphinx

3) Antikythera Mechanism

This mechanism is essentially an ancient analog computer, constructed by Greek scientists for calendrical and astronomical purposes. It was discovered around 1901. Recent studies have revealed that it was built in the 2nd century BC. The analog computer is located at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.Antikythera

4) Aphrodite of Melos (Venus of Milo)

One of the most famous ancient Greek artifacts, the famed Venus of Milo sculpture received its name from the French, who retrieved the broken statue from a cavern on the island of Melos. Aphrodite was the Goddess of Love, whose Roman equivalent was Venus. The statue can be admired at the Louvre Museum in Paris.Wikimedia

5) Head of Hygeia

The mastery of ancient Greek sculptors is beautifully displayed through this fantastic and skillfully crafted marble sculpture. It depicts Hygeia, the daughter of the God of Medicine Asclepius and the soon-to-be Goddess of Health. This ancient Greek artifact is believed to have been crafted sometime in the 4th century, when the worship of Hygeia really started to take off. You can find the Head of Hygeia at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.Wikimedia

6) Head of Hermes

After the sculpture was discovered in 1926, it was taken to the National Museum of Athens. Archaeologists have agreed that the harmonic lines in the statue stand as testimony that it may have been the work of Praxiteles, one of the greatest sculptors of the 4th century BC.Hermes

7) Head of Zeus

The identity of the figure sculpted was debated for a while, with its original name suggesting the possibility of it being Poseidon. However, further archaeological investigations concluded that it was the figure of the almighty Greek deity.Wikimedia

8) Hecate

The name refers to the Greek goddess trinity said to rule over Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. She is heavily based on another deity, this time an Egyptian one, known as Hekat. Most often, the trinity is said to have consisted of Hecate Selene, the Moon in Heaven; Persephone, the Destroyer of the Underworld; and Artemis, the Goddess of Hunting. The statuette can be admired at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.MetMusuem

9) Bust of Apollo

Apollo was another important deity in Greek mythology. The son of Zeus and Leto, as well as the brother of the previously mentioned Artemis, Apollo’s most significant contribution was his role as an oracle.At times, he would grant the gift of foresight to others as well, a notable example being Cassandra from Troy.Wikimedia

10) Pan Statue (Pan {left} and Daphnis)

Pan was essentially the underdog among the Greek deities, primarily due to his distorted appearance and his half-man, half-goat physical traits. Much like Dionysus, Pan was associated with hedonism of all kinds. Because of this, he was named Pan, a Greek word that means “all.”Pan

These beautifully created ancient Greek artifacts offer us insight into the history and culture of Greece, from the analog computers of antiquity to mythological beings. We trust that studying these intriguing pieces of art has been enjoyable.

Feel free to comment below if you have any particular favorites of your own. And please share this post with a history lover today.