MainExhibitions

From Antiquity to the Middle Ages

The era of Antiquity could be called the cradle of European civilization — and rightfully so. Many testimonies and physical remnants of its former greatness, however, are reduced to dust by the mercilessness of time. Antique coins are very often the only remaining monument to the life of the cities of the Ancient World. In some cases, the names of the disappeared cities and states, and the names of their rulers, have been preserved only on coins.

The era of Antiquity could be called the cradle of European civilization — and rightfully so. Many testimonies and physical remnants of its former greatness, however, are reduced to dust by the mercilessness of time. Antique coins are very often the only remaining monument to the life of the cities of the Ancient World. In some cases, the names of the disappeared cities and states, and the names of their rulers, have been preserved only on coins.

               The exhibition presents a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the coins of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, which will tell you about gods, emperors and life, about cultures of the past, and even about nature.

               Roman coins initially continued to follow the Greek tradition, depicting gods and mythological images but, with the development of statehood, they became a means of official policy propaganda. Portraits begin to appear on them and, beginning from Julius Caesar, the coin began to be minted with a portrait of the ruler. Thanks to the skill of the ancient medalists, we are able to know what Roman emperors actually looked like.

               This exhibition is complemented by animated portraits of Roman emperors and interactive maps of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, as well as maps of the empire of Alexander the Great.

Excursions

Legends and Myths of Ancient Greece and Rome

This tour introduces visitors to the myths and legends of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Athena and Mars, Jupiter and Juno, Janus and Hercules - these are just a few of the gods and characters who will be part of the story. Not only will you see how they were depicted on coins, remember the myths, answer the question of why Mars was a much more significant god for the Romans than Ares for the Greeks, but you will also find out why coins actually began to be called coins.

Monies of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome

When did the first coins appear? What metal were they made of? What did they portray? You will learn this and much more on an excursion that will tell many fascinating stories about the life, culture and history of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. And, with the help of virtual reality videos, you will find yourself at the temple with the gods of Olympus, you will ‘visit’ the Roman amphitheater, the center of the golden sphere that personifies the globe, and also feel like an emperor who holds the whole world in his hands - Orbis terrarum.