Magna Graecia collection

collection

The Magna Graecia collection exhibits all those relics of various origin and provenience which were excavated in the southern regions of the Kingdom of Naples, since the mid-18th century. In this area, around the late 7th century BC, ancient Greeks produced different types of mixed communities with native populations, originating that complex cultural phenomenon, historically known as Magna Graecia.

In the early 19th century, some important discoveries were made across Southern Italy in towns such as Paestum, Locri, Metaponto, Taranto, Ruvo and Canosa. Thanks to the prompt intervention of the central government, the finds entered the Royal Museum’s collection, which, in the meantime, were also being enriched through the purchase of some private collections. In the end, they gave rise to a unique treasure, both for the number and quality of the objects: thousands vases and relief pottery, some outstanding masterpieces such as the large volute krater from the so called tomb of the Darius vase and the funerary murals from the tomb of the Dancers from Ruvo, together with a large quantity of precious and sophisticated golden jewels, produced at Cumae and Taranto.

The display project is inspired to an innovative narrative criterion, which takes into account all current museum communication trends, aimed at guaranteeing a more immediate understanding of scientific contents. The collection describes the main historical and cultural phenomena, which characterized Greek colonization in Southern Italy, from the end of the 8th century BC up to the Roman conquest in the 3rd century BC. The historical evolution of the most important towns of Magna Graecia (Paestum, Metaponto, Locri, Taranto) unfolds through the focus on some very significant objects, which contribute to highlight the cultural interactions and the system of relations, developed among the many populations of different origins settled in Southern Italy. Their diverse and multiple characteristics shaped the identity of the so called Magna Graecia.

second floor
Magna Grecia
Red figure volute krater made in Attica (so-called Pronomos Vase)
From Ruvo - around 400 BC inv. 81673
Black figure amphora with procession of Dionysos
From Cumae - last quarter of the 4th century BC inv. 128333 bis
Antefix moulded with a head of Silenus
From Medma - second half 5th century-early 4th century BC inv. 200560
Bronze cuirass
From Paestum - late 4th century BC inv. 5703
Late Geometric krater
From Ischia, findspot - Mazzola - second half of the 8th century BC inv. 245625
Architectural elements
From Metaponto, temple B - second quarter of the 5th century BC inv. 153746
Architectural elements
From Metaponto, temple B - second quarter of the 5th century BC inv. 153753
Bronze hydria (water-jar) decorated with a Gorgon’s head
From Locri - early 5th century BC inv. 73144
Red figure volute krater made in Attica (so-called Pronomos Vase)
From Ruvo - around 400 BC inv. 81673
So called “Lady of Sybaris”
From Sybaris, Findspot - Timpone della Motta, sanctuary of Athena - 650-625 BC inv. Stg. 106
Painted slab with a youth leading a horse by the reins
From Egnatia, burial - first half of the 3rd century BC inv. 9361
Painted slab showing the return of a warrior
From Nola, tomb Carafa di Noja - 330-320 BC inv. 9364
Painted slab showing a funeral dance
From Ruvo, so-called Tomb of the Dancers - late 5th century BC-early 4th century BC inv. 9357
Red figure lekythos (oil-flask) made in Paestum
From Paestum, attributed to Assteas - 356-355 BC inv. 81847
Bronze breast-plate decorated with the head of Medusa
DFrom Ruvo - late 6th century BC inv. 5715
Pinax with Hades and Persephone enthroned
From Locri - early 5th century BC inv. 21609/77
Reclining man with a libation cup
From Taranto, votive deposit - Fondo Giovinazzi - last quarter of the 6th century BC inv. 140941
Red figure situla decorated with the episode of the capture of Rhesus’ horses
From Ruvo, Apulian production attributed to the Lycurgus Painter - 360-345 BC inv. 81863
Pottery statue of a youth with a toga
From Cales, sanctuary in the location Ponte delle Monache - first half of the 3rd century BC inv. 22321
Head of male deity
From Reggio Calabria - 460 BC inv. Stg. 211
tag — Mann, Collection
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