A Thousand Years of Rome Unfold in Shanghai
On the heels of the extremely popular "ancient Egypt" and "ancient Greece" exhibitions, "Roma – From Olympus to Capitoline" opened on Tuesday at the Shanghai World Expo Museum featuring the millennium-old Roman civilization.
The large-scale show, presented jointly by the World Expo Museum and National Museums Liverpool in the United Kingdom, will run until May 5 next year. About 100,000 tickets have already sold out
The 131 priceless artifacts (sets) – from sculptures to pottery, glassware, gems and sarcophagus reliefs – come from the National Museums Liverpool, which has over 4 million collectibles. Its classical sculpture collection is second only to the British Museum, and the exhibits on display in Shanghai are the highlights of the collection.
The exhibition covers ancient Rome from mythology to empire to secular life in three thematic chapters.
The realistic techniques of ancient Roman sculptures, the intricate patterns of painted pottery jars, and the lavish craftsmanship of mosaic murals and gems all highlight the remarkable creativity of ancient artists.
Zeus (Jupiter in Roman mythology), King of the Greek Gods
Period: Roman, 1st-2nd centuries CE
Material: Marble
Collection: National Museums Liverpool
Zeus is the chief god. His raised left arm may have held a thunderbolt for attacking enemies, and his right arm a scepter. The eagle on his body is another defining symbol.
Hera (Juno in Roman mythology), Queen of the Greek Gods
Period: Roman, 3rd century CE
Material: Marble
Collection: National Museums Liverpool
Hera wears heavy garments (chiton and himation). Her attire and solemn expression denote her role as the protector of married women. The pomegranate she holds was likely added in the 16th century.
Athena (Minerva in Roman mythology), Goddess of Wisdom and War
Period: Roman, 1st-2nd centuries CE
Material: Marble
Collection: National Museums Liverpool
Athena, goddess of war and wisdom, wears a Corinthian helmet and a chest plate (made of animal skin). Her shield, possibly added by restorer Carlo Albacini in the 18th century, is inscribed with the head of Medusa, a mythical creature from Greek mythology with snake-like hair whose gaze turned onlookers to stone.
Legend has it that Athena and Hermes aided the hero Perseus in beheading Medusa; in gratitude, Perseus presented her head to Athena, who embedded it in her shield. Since then, the shield adorned with Medusa has become one of Athena's iconic identifiers.
Painted Krater with Gods in Assembly
Period: Greek (Attic), 350 BCE
Material: Pottery
Collection: National Museums Liverpool
A krater is a vessel used for mixing wine. The scene depicts Zeus on the left, Apollo in the center, and Dionysus on the right.
Black-Figure Hydria
Period: Greek (Attic), 520-510 BCE
Material: Pottery
Collection: National Museums Liverpool
The hydria (water jar) is painted with gods: Dionysus holding a wine cup (left), Athena wearing a helmet and holding a spear, Apollo with a lyre, and Artemis accompanied by a deer. Three nude horsemen holding spears adorn the shoulder of the jar.
Sarcophagus with the Punishment of Prometheus
Period: Roman, early 2nd century CE
Material: Marble
Collection: National Museums Liverpool
Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans. On the left side of the marble panel stands Prometheus, while Zeus sits on his throne.
Head of Poseidon (Neptune in Roman mythology), God of the Sea
Period: Roman, 1st century CE
Material: Marble
Collection: National Museums Liverpool
The Romans worshipped sea and river gods. This head is a fragment of a colossal statue of an unnamed deity emerging from water, with his disheveled hair and long beard seemingly dripping wet. Discovered at a villa in Tivoli, Italy, it served as an elaborate fountain ornament in the villa during the 16th century.
If you go:
Date: November 11-May 5 (closed on Mondays), 9am-5pm
Admission: 88 yuan (US$12.4)
Venue: Shanghai World Expo Museum 世博会博物馆
Address: 818 Mengzi Road, Huangpu District 黄浦区蒙自路818号
