MUSEUM CAMPUS — Fresh off opening exhibits about ancient Vikings and Chinese, the Field Museum is now going Greek.
"The Greeks," a traveling exhibition featuring more than 500 artifacts spanning 5,000 years, opened last week at the Downtown museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. Co-presented with the National Hellenic Museum in Greektown, the new exhibit focuses on the people whose philosophy, architecture and other innovations laid the foundation for modern Western culture.
"Every exhibition at The Field Museum offers new opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in another world, with rarely-before-seen objects and stories leading them to fresh insights and a new appreciation of the world’s diversity and majesty," Richard Lariviere, the Field's president, said at the exhibit's opening last week. "'The Greeks' is no exception."
The exhibit — which is making its first North American stop here — opened in the former "Vikings" space on the museum's first floor. It will stay through April 10, and admission is covered by buying an All-Access ($31 for adults) or Discovery ($25) pass at the museum.
Check out more photos below of the new exhibit:
Bronze sword
Mask of Agamemnon replica
What's believed to be the death mask of the mythical king was unearthed in the late-19th Century. Many artifacts were found in burial sites.
Totems
Homer
A wing of the exhibit is dedicated to Homer and his tales.
Soldiers' helmets
Leonidas
The Spartan king was glorified in the 2006 film "300."
Aristotle
Words of wisdom from ancient Greeks including Aristotle abound throughout the exhibit.
Gold Myrtle Crown
This gold wreath, worn by Queen Meda, was left intact. Many exhibit artifacts are making their debut outside of Greece.
Touch screen
This interactive touch screen is also part of the exhibit.
Early ballots
Credited with founding democracy, these coins show how ancient Greek jurors cast their votes.
Goddess statues
Statues of Athena and other Greek goddesses.