15 Greek Objects

This group of objects from classical Greece should be analyzed in much the same way one would approach a written document. Consider who created the object, why, with what materials, and for what purpose. More importantly, what does the object or physical structure reveal about the society that created it?

Oil Lamp

Ceramic lamp
Figure 1: Oil lamp (1st century BCE–4th century CE). Lamp-83.AQ.377.410 from the J. Paul Getty Museum is in the public domain.(https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103YD9)

Suit of Armor

Greek panoply or helmet and muscle cuirass
Figure 2: Suit of armor (340-330 BCE). Greek bronze panoply by AlexanderVanLoon is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panoply#/media/File:Greek_bronze_panoply_in_RMO_AvL.JPG)

Theater of Epidaurus

Outdoor open theater
Figure 3: Theater of Epidaurus (340-300 BCE). The great theater of Epidaurus by Carole Raddato is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_great_theater_of_Epidaurus,_designed_by_Polykleitos_the_Younger_in_the_4th_century_BC,_Sanctuary_of_Asklepeios_at_Epidaurus,_Greece_(14015010416).jpg)

Oil Flask

Terracotta vase with painted scene
Figure 4: Oil flask (550-530 BCE). Red-Figure Amphora with Musical Scene from The Walters Art Museum is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Niobid_Painter_-_Red-Figure_Amphora_with_Musical_Scene_-_Walters_482712_-_Side_A.jpg)

Questions for Discussion

How might these objects reveal something about the values and priorities of the Greeks? Did one draw your attention more than the others? If so, why?

License

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Ancient Civilizations Copyright © 2026 by John R. Bawden is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.