Mediterranean Identities: Across the wine-dark sea

Abstract

Mediterranean Identities: Across the Wine-Dark Sea thematically explores the material culture of the Mediterranean basin of the first millennium BC. The themes were chosen to highlight the regional variations between Hellenic city-states, colonies, and their neighbours. Each section draws out the differing ways in which identity was expressed in the art and design of artefacts made for practical purposes, including coinage, feasting sets, clothing, toys, entertainment, votive offerings and funerary items. The objects chosen for display represent the strengths of the Nicholson Collection and reflect the collecting priorities of former curators. Many of the Etruscan artefacts were collected by Sir Charles Nicholson (1808–1903) in the mid-1850s and formed part of the foundation of the University’s Museum of Antiquities. Arthur Dale Trendall (1909–1995), followed by Alexander Cambitoglou (1922–2019), actively pursued new acquisitions that demonstrated the development of Greek and south Italian ceramics, becoming leaders of the field. Further acquisitions to the collection were assisted by Richard Green (1936–), particularly in regard to ancient theatre studies.