Ancient Greek and Roman art shared in Shanxi

When the ancient residents of North China's Shanxi province started to explore the heavens and Earth through their observatories, in the distant Mediterranean, Western civilization was also beginning to stir.

Ancient China and ancient Greece are not merely historical eras but shining beacons of human civilization.

Now, the two great civilizations separated by thousands of miles have met once again.

Jointly organized by Shanxi Museum and National Museums Liverpool, an exhibition highlighting the two civilizations concluded in Shanxi in May.

A total of 134 artifacts traversed the Eurasian continent and arrived at Shanxi Museum in December, offering Chinese audiences a spectacular visual feast.

"To the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome", statues and artifacts embodying the mythical beauty of Edgar Allan Poe's famous words began their tour in Shanxi, the birthplace of Chinese civilization.

As the cradle of Western culture, ancient Greece experienced a flourishing period that lasted approximately 650 years. The exhibition featured full-body statues, busts, marble relief sculptures, and artworks representing well-known mythical figures including Zeus, Athena, and Apollo.

Visitors also got to explore sarcophagus panels and Greek pottery, providing an immersive opportunity to glimpse the ancient Greek and Roman worlds.

At the center of the exhibition hall, a statue of Zeus, carved between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, stood prominently.

With his left arm raised high and an eagle gazing up at Zeus the piece is spectacular. Another notable piece on display was the head of Athena, which bears an engraving of the Egyptian Sphinx, illustrating the cultural interactions between Ancient Greece and Egypt.

Enhancing understanding

Zhang Huiguo, deputy director of Shanxi Museum, said ancient Greek art is an important part of Western history, and that the exhibition provided a valuable opportunity for mutual learning between the two civilizations.

"The cultural heritage of ancient Greece and Rome radiated throughout the Mediterranean, intertwining and merging across centuries. Together, they shaped the developmental trajectory of Western sculpture art, laying a solid classical foundation for Western culture," Zhang said. "This exhibition is not just a visual feast but also an opportunity to deeply understand the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome. Introducing foreign cultures to domestic audiences while sharing Chinese civilization with the world helps promote exchanges and interactions among global civilizations."

Wang Yongqiang, a 25-year-old local who visited the exhibition three times, said: "I applied to see the preview. What we are witnessing here is not just a symbol of ancient Greek civilization but a crystallization of human art and wisdom.

"Shanxi is known for its ancient wooden architecture, while Greek civilization is characterized by stone carvings. This exhibition is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the distinct artistic charms of Eastern and Western civilizations."

Martin Levine, former president of the Society of American Graphic Artists, said: "Cultural exchange is meaningful because it helps us understand different cultures, broaden our horizons, foster friendships, promote mutual respect, and, to some extent, eliminate misunderstandings."

Greece is an important node in the Belt and Road Initiative and in 2018 became the first European Union member state to take part in the initiative. Since then, economic and cultural cooperation between China and Greece has grown significantly.

Tan Xiaoling, deputy director of the Capital Museum, said hosting an exhibition about ancient Greek civilization in China helped further develop Sino-Greek relations, promote cultural exchange between the two nations, and served as an important embodiment of the BRI.

The exhibition, which was titled Classical and Glory: Ancient Greek and Roman Sculpture Arts, will also visit Sichuan province and Shanghai.

Wang Ziqian contributed to this story.