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Department of Greek and Roman Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ancient Greek Art: A Golden Age

The Department of Greek and Roman Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses one of the most significant collections of ancient art in the world. This collection spans over 5,000 years of Greek and Roman art history, from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire. Highlights of the collection include the Parthenon Marbles, the Alexander Mosaic, and the Lysippus Apoxyomenos.

The Parthenon Marbles

The Parthenon Marbles are a collection of sculptures that were originally part of the decoration of the Parthenon temple in Athens. These sculptures were created by Pheidias and his workshop in the 5th century BC and are considered to be some of the finest examples of ancient Greek art. The Parthenon Marbles have been the subject of much controversy since their removal from Greece in the early 19th century, and their return to Greece remains a contentious issue.

The Alexander Mosaic

The Alexander Mosaic is a large floor mosaic from the 2nd century BC that depicts a battle between Alexander the Great and the Persian king Darius III. The mosaic was discovered in Pompeii in 1831 and is now one of the most popular exhibits in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Alexander Mosaic is a remarkable example of ancient Greek art and one of the most important pieces in the museum's collection.

The Lysippus Apoxyomenos

The Lysippus Apoxyomenos is a bronze statue from the 4th century BC that depicts a young athlete scraping himself with a strigil. The statue is thought to be the work of Lysippus, who was the court sculptor to Alexander the Great. The Apoxyomenos is a prime example of the classical Greek style and is one of the most famous pieces of ancient sculpture in the world.