The Acropolis Museum commences a series of exhibitions from regional Greece so that exceptional archaeological finds in remote museums can be brought to Athens and presented to a large Greek and foreign audience. The first exhibition titled ‘Samothrace. The mysteries of the Great Gods’ is organized in cooperation with the Ephorates of Rodopi and Evros and the expert on Samothracian antiquities, Mr. Dimitrios Matsas.
The relationship between the ancient Greeks and their gods was well known and existed publicly in daily life. However, from very early times, mystery cults began to emerge that were accessible only to those who had been accepted into the rites following certain trials. The most famous ‘Mysteries’ in antiquity were those of Eleusis and Samothrace. The strict prohibition against insiders ever divulging the contents of the sacraments has not allowed much information to be gleaned about the ancient mysteries. Archaeological excavations in the Sanctuary at Samothrace, however, have brought to light buildings and paraphernalia belonging to the cult that allow us to form an impression of events. Insiders believed that by invoking the Great Gods they would be saved from any serious dangers at sea and, as members of the Mysteries, they would become more just and pious people. The rituals were held at night, the Sanctuary illuminated with torches, during which initiates had to participate in a purification ceremony, to confess their greatest sins, to attend the sacred narrative speech that included mythological stories, to wear the wide, purple sash around their waists and to witness the unveiling of sacred symbols.
The exhibition is organized in cooperation with the Ephorates of Rodopi and Evros and will be open to the public until 30 September 2015.
Samothrace. The mysteries of the Great Gods
Duration: 20 June - 30 September 2015 (Temporary Exhibition Gallery, ground floor)
Opening hours: Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. / Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Ticket price: 3 euros
Photography: Photographs are permitted. No use of flash.
Every Tuesday and Saturday, the Acropolis Museum gives visitors the opportunity to participate in gallery talks of the temporary exhibition held by Archaeologist–Hosts.
www.theacropolismuseum.gr
Base bearing the bronze statue of Philip V of Macedon. The inscription states “The Macedonians dedicate the statue of King Philip, son of King Demetrius, to the Great Gods”. Around 200 BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
Coffer panel decorated in relief with female heads. From the ceiling of the porch of the Hall of Choral Dancers. 340 - 330 BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
Female head, which probably depicts the Great Mother. 3rd - 1st cent. BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
Gold sheet in the shape of a lion, initially sewn onto a textile, 4th cent. BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
Kantharos from the Troad. Drinking cup from a cult sacrificial area and ceremonial commensality discovered below floor level in the Hall of Choral Dancers. 1st half of the 7th cent. BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
Necking-drum of an Ionic column from the porch of the Hall of Choral Dancers. 340-330 BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
Nike statue, one of the four corner akroteria from the roof of the Hieron. 125 -100 BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
Panathenaic shape amphora, depicting armed Athena on one side and sprint race on the other, used as an urn. Around 525 BC. © Acropolis Museum. Photo Socrates Mavromatis
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