Between Artefact and Text

Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome are all great civilisations of the ancient world: each one imbued with particular linguistic, social, religious and political systems. On one level, these different societies are characterised by distinctive cultural developments and unique literary traditions. On another level, connections and influences are clearly discernible.

Between Artefact and Text featured selected objects from the University of Melbourne’s Classics and Archaeology collections situated against the backdrop of four great literary works from the ancient world: the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, the Egyptian Tale of Sinuhe, Homer’s Iliad from Ancient Greece and the Roman Virgil’s Aeneid. The objects inhabited a realm created and reinforced by the unfolding narratives represented in the literature. It is a space filled with spreading artistic styles and evolving cultural influences.

Curated by Andrew Jameison.

Bronze figurine of ‘Alexandrian’ Harpocrates, first century BCE to first century CE. The University of Melbourne Art Collection, Keith and Zara Joseph Collection. Gift of Peter Joseph, Marilyn Sharpe, and Susan Rubenstein, in honour of their parents Keith and Zara Joseph, 2009.

Four terracotta Astarte figures, Syro-Hittite, second millennium BCE (c. 2000–1000 BCE). The University of Melbourne Art Collection, Keith and Zara Joseph Collection. Gift of Peter Joseph, Marilyn Sharpe, and Susan Rubenstein, in honour of their parents Keith and Zara Joseph 2009.

Two terracotta figurines, Syro-Hittite, third century BCE. The University of Melbourne Art Collection, Keith and Zara Joseph Collection. Gift of Peter Joseph, Marilyn Sharpe, and Susan Rubenstein, in honour of their parents Keith and Zara Joseph, 2009.