Last Sunday of 2007

(From the Louvre)

The last Sunday of 2007 was well spent. I was excited because I get to set my eyes on Greek masterpieces from the Louvre for the first time in Singapore. Reading up on the Illiad, by Homer (think: the Trojan horse story; movie Troy), The Odyssey, famous stories on Hercules only brought on more excitement.

(On the way to The National Museum)

I proceeded to purchase the admission ticket. I was given a receipt and the friendly sales representative directed me to Gallery 1 and Gallery 2. Took the brochure and found it useful.

With this ticket, I was allowed unlimited entry into the gallery. (Oh well, I had exited to visit the ladies halfway.)

I walked past the Museum souvenir shop and took the escalator down to the basement. Nice scenery along the way and since it was sunny, decided to snap the sky as well.

(Inside the National Museum)

As I took the escalator down to the basement, there were Huge banners lining the corridor. Oh my, Huge is spelt with a capital 'H'.

(Huge banners lining the corridor)

The National Museum has a fine selection of 130 sculptures and figurines on loan from the Louvre.

It was an insight of the Greek civilization at its political and artistic height from 5th BCE to 4th BCE.

(Gallery 1 and Gallery 2)

Photography inside the galleries is strictly prohibited.

Greek Theatres
Greek theatres are means of reflections. Going to the theatres is not a mere pastime, but a component of the religions and civic life of ancient Athens.

Infant Mortality Rate
High infant mortality rate. Low status of children. It is a common practice to abandon children in the open. Hence, there is an indifference in Greek Art towards children, and they are usually represented as miniature adults.

(Head of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty)

Aphrodite
Aphrodite (Venus of Arles), Goddess of love and beauty
She is portrayed holding an apple on her right hand, and holding a mirror handle in her left hand.

Women in Greek
Women in Greek merely carry the role of weaving of textiles, as well as for fertility. They are considered minors and were placed under 'lord' (father, husband or even sons). Women could not inherit land. Neither could they instigate legal actions.

(Athena, armed warrior Goddess)

Living in Ancient Greece
Society was classified into three main categories.
agricultural

patriarchal

hierarchical (citizens vs non citizens; men vs women; slaves vs free men)

(Agon, the spirit of Competition)

Education
At the age of seven, boys were educated in intellectual matters, music and sports. They were placed in the charge of a slave known as pedagogue. In the education process, 3 groups of people were responsible.
Grammarian: taught boys how to read and write
Kitharist: taught boys music and poetry
Palaestrum: taught boys sports and games

I left the National Museum three hours later, enriched and satisfied.
"In the philosophical debate, he gains most who is defeated since he learns the most."
Epicurus (c.341 – 270 BCE)