Room 13
Greece
1050–520 BC
Visiting the gallery
Opening times
Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays: 20.30)
See full opening hours
Advance booking advised
Gallery audio guides
Listen on the Audio app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
Following the collapse of Mycenaean palace society and a period of relative poverty and isolation, Greece experienced a cultural and political renaissance.
From the eighth century BC onwards, renewed contact with the Near East, Anatolia, Phoenicia, Egypt, and other people around the Mediterranean, had a profound impact on Greek culture.
The linear Geometric style of pottery gave way to near Eastern style motifs (sometimes referred to as orientalising) such as animals and florals. A Greek script based on the Phoenician alphabet was developed, Homer composed his epic poems and a new political unit, the city-state (polis) emerged.
Competition between these states often resulted in wars but also in athletic and musical contests such as the Olympic Games.
Objects on display in Room 13 reflect this cultural renaissance. They include sculpture, painted pottery, jewellery, coins and other objects from Athens, Sparta, Corinth, East Greece, and Egypt.
Virtual tour
Explore the Greece 1050–520 BC gallery and get up close to the ornate pottery designs that have survived the test of time.
Highlights
Accessibility
- Some objects in this collection feature on the British Sign Language multimedia guide. This resource is temporarily unavailable. You can access a selection of BSL films on your own device.
- Some objects in this collection feature on the audio description guide, available on Soundcloud.
- Seating is available.
- Step-free access.
- View sensory map.
Visit Accessibility at the Museum for more information.
