Oxford: Treasures from Royal Capital of Macedon

[Caballo]

http://www.oxfordtoday.ox.ac.uk/Events/M...es.html#s4

At the Ashmolean Museum. Oxford- slideshow of some of the exhibits above

"Heracles to Alexander the Great: Treasures from the Royal Capital of Macedon
7 April – 29 August

This major exhibition will showcase the treasures of Aegae the royal capital of the kingdom of Macedon. More than 500 extraordinary new discoveries from the royal tombs of Aegae will go on display for the very first time at the Ashmolean. These magnificent objects trace the rise of power of the governing Temenids, descendants of Heracles and the ruling dynasty of Alexander the Great, and focus on the roles of the kings and queens, and their immediate court. Aegae was unknown before its discovery at the modern village of Vergina, in northern Greece, 30 years ago. Since then, excavations have revealed a startling wealth of objects, from intricately crafted gold jewellery to glass perfume bottles and clay busts. This exhibition will feature the reconstruction of four burial tombs, displaying the recent finds of gold and silver treasure for the first time anywhere in the world."

Tickets: £8, £6 concession

www.ashmolean.org

[John Conyard]

Every so often an exhibition comes along which is truly inspirational. This is one of them.

I had not visited the Ashmolean since the Late Antique Archaeology Conference in 2007. Since then the museum has undergone a redevelopment which is still effecting the Egyptian collection. The galleries were open and full of light and fascinating in their own right. The Ashmolean holds many treats including the boeotian helmet I modelled mine on several years ago. It was great to see the helmet up close once again.

I had taken a few days off to visit the exhibition and do the Oxford bookshops and pubs, and I suspect many visitors to the Ashmolean had done the same. The exhibitian is spread overthree galleries and I have never seen so much “Greek” military equipment in one place, although “Phillip’s” armour, helmet and shield are not part of the display.

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Photos were not allowed but I saw many people surreptitiously taking photos and I am sure photos will soon appear on various sites across the net.

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The exhibits are displayed in the catalogue which costs £25, but if bought with a ticket at the Ashmolean it costs £20 which is great value. But I would take the opportunity to walk down the road to Oxbow and pick up the 2004 catalogue, “Alexander the Great, Treasures from an Epic Era of Hellenism” for a mere £3.95.

I may well return to visit the exhibition before it closes in August. There is no where quite like Oxford, and I recommend a visit to the exhibition.

[John Conyard]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/a...exhibition