Up close with antiquity

Classical Studies class visit the Hellenic Museum

The Unit 1/2 Classical Studies class recently visited the Hellenic Museum to develop their skills in historical analysis and interpretation.  Classical Studies is cross-disciplinary subject that explores the ideas, society, culture and practices of Ancient Greece through their works of art, literature and architecture.  

The class had a tour of the 'Gods, Myths and Mortals' exhibition, which featured Greek treasures from 700 BCE - 200 CE, then participated enthusiastically in the 'Vital Vases' workshop. This workshop involved hands-on analysis of actual ancient artefacts and archaeological fragments. Students learnt how to identify features that distinguished ancient from more modern artefacts, and how to make inferences based on their observations and contextual knowledge. We couldn't believe that we were actually able to handle (carefully) pieces of a 3000-year-old bowl!  It was a great way to bring some of the learning in class to life: for example, seeing the myth of Oedipus, that we'd been studying in class, represented on a vase.