Symposium on Ancient Greece

Exhibit Descriptions

Exhibit descriptions are also available in the program booklet.

Arts and Humanities of Ancient Greece
(North Lobby)
As one of the founding pillars of western civilization, ancient Greece created cultural traditions that continue to influence many aspects of the modern world that we now take for granted. Focusing on the arts and humanities, this exhibit explores ancient Greek architecture, sculpture, poetry, theater, music, and handcrafts like pottery, clothing and jewelry.  Included is biographical information on some of the major historical figures important to these fields of endeavor. Todd Bruns, Marlene Slough and Robert Hillman, curators

Sciences of Ancient Greece
(North Lobby)
The ancient Greeks revolutionized the field of science for Western civilization. What was it that made these ancient scientists so pioneering? Greeks of ancient times were curious and engaged in an interactive sense of wonderment with the world in which they lived. No longer was science merely practical; to the Greeks, science was also a study of the theoretical, and it was done for the sheer joy of discovery. Kirstin Duffin and Pamela Ortega, curators

Alexander the Great/Military History of Ancient Greece
(Marvin Foyer)
The greatest military commander of the Ancient World, Alexander created a sprawling empire that stretched from Greece in the west to the Indus River in the east, near present-day India. Warfare in Ancient Greece played an important role in Greek society and profoundly impacted the history of the civilization. This poster exhibit presents an illustrated timeline of Ancient Greece’s major wars and battles, and examines Alexander’s dynamic but short life. Bradley P. Tolppanen, curator

Ancient Greece through Fiction
(Marvin Foyer)
Explore the world of ancient Greece through historical fiction. Timeless stories evoke the vibrant cultures of Athens, Sparta, Thebes and more, and old myths are reinterpreted in new ways. Novels featured range from the classic offerings of Mary Renault and Naomi Mitchison to modern prize-winners by Madeline Miller and Annabel Lyon. Sarah Johnson, curator

Fables, Festivals, Gods & Heroes: Religion in Ancient Greece
(Marvin Foyer)
Many of the gods and mythological tales of the ancient Greeks are still well known today. This exhibit explores the religion of ancient Greece, from the squabbling extended family of the all-too-human major Greek gods, to fables such as Deucalion and Pyrrha (a story very similar to Noah’s Flood of the Bible), to heroic adventures such as Heracles and his Twelve Labors, and finally, to the festivals of the ancient Greeks that celebrated these beliefs. Todd Bruns, curator

Greek Mythology for Children
(Marvin Foyer)
Children have always had access to Greek mythology and stories of Greek heroes. From Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths and The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by Alfred John Church to the current Lightning Thief series by Rick Riordan, children and young adults have experienced Greek history and culture through a variety of tales. This display highlights some items found in the Ballenger Teachers Center collection. Ann Brownson, curator

Greek Philosophers
(Marvin Foyer)
Ancient Greek civilization produced some of the most important philosophers in Western and world thought. Aristotle, Plato, Socrates and other major Greek philosophers are featured in this exhibit.
Bradley P. Tolppanen, curator

Nutrition Exhibit
(Marvin Foyer)
Senior dietetic students through the School of Family and Consumer Sciences will demonstrate the importance of nutrition and explore the tastes of Greek cuisine. Material will focus on “Ancient Greek and Current Day Diets for Physical Performance”; “Olive Oil- A Mediterranean Staple”; “Healthy Greek Foods in the U.S.”; “Protein and the Mediterranean Diet”; “Eat Like a Spartan -- Should You?”; and “Mediterranean Cuisine.” Students from Dr. Carla Honselman’s nutrition therapy class, curators