Messene Museum

Just as if we had not already seen enough musea, we also had to enter the Archeological Museum of Messene. Actually, every museum shows something new, so no time is wasted on repeating stuff!

First, there were some elaborate flint arrowheads on display ... we may label this technology "primitive"; but did you ever try to form such a precise tool out of stones that can break easily? I think it's still an art, respect to anyone still being abel to do this!

This painting shows what the archaic palace culture of Cretan and Mycenean influence would have looked like ... bright colours, vivid natural motives and proud people!

This is a mortar in the shape of a thumb ... creepy or must-have? You decide! No, Halloween was not invented back then!

These reliefs represent the "male fantasy" our visual culture appeals to according to some feminists: Men lying down being served food and wine by women on the left and strong war heroes on the right ... seems legit?

In this mosaic, we see a beastmaster taming two lions (?) to pull his chariot ... straight savage! His name, according to the scripture, is Egenion. The style of the mosaic tells us of Roman influence, however the letters are Greek. Cultural exchange for the win!

Lastly, here are some silver coins: The first one from Antoninus Pius, the other ones from later emperors ... you can see how the quality got worse due to economic difficulties and loss of technology and/or knowledge. However, Roman coins were the idol for many European currencies, not only in Italy, but also the British pence and pounds look much like their Roman ancestors.

Goodbye museum, time to go outside again ... next stop: Mystra!

Photo gallery