Exhibition “The Europe of Greece. Colonies and Coins from the Alpha Bank Collection”

Coins in Europe

Coins were used in the main Greek territory already as early as the 6th century BCE. The Greek colonies that were founded during the second colonisation in today’s Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria shaped the European civilisation and spread the use of coins.

Adventure and challenge, identity and homecoming

The introductory section briefly describes the role of the sea as a vital force of Greek civilisation, the key myths, the epics and the emblematic sea-faring heroes.

New homelands

This section presents how colonisation spread to Southern Italy and Sicily, southern France, Spain, the Illyrian coast and the Black Sea. The exhibition presents 39 colonies, the most representative in each area.

The Greeks and the others

The last section of the exhibition is dedicated to the relationships developed between the Greeks and the people living in the areas neighbouring the colonies. The coexistence resulted in influences, introduced new cultural elements and made cohabitation possible, despite any differences.

Special reference is made to the relationship with the Phoenicians, the competing seafarers, and the Celts of western and eastern Europe.

Multimedia and digital projections

The exhibition presented for the first time in Greece the interactive system Stater 360², which can digitally project 20 selected coins from both sides in an innovative way.

The exhibits

The exhibition showcases 121 coins of Greek colonies: 116 from the Alpha Bank Collection, 3 from the Numismatic Museum of Athens and 2 from a private collection.

The coins are complemented by 61 unique ancient objects that help understand the historic course and development of the colonies. These objects come from the National Archaeological Museum, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the Archaeological Museums of Delphi, Olympia, Eretria and Ioannina, as well as the 3rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities (Athens).

The exhibition also includes ancient objects from 3 museums in Italy (Museo Archeologico Nazionale della Sibaritide, Museo Αrcheologico Νazionale della Siritide, Museo Archeologico di Giardini Naxos) and 2 in Spain (Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya, Barcelona-Empúries), countries where Greek colonisation was extensive.

The scientific team

Exhibition curators:

• Dr Dimitra Tsangari, numismatist, Curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection.
• Polyxeni Adam-Veleni, director, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.

The contributors

Museographical design and applications: Loopo STUDiO.

Guided tours

Guided tours for the general public are also available. Visitors get the chance to learn about Greek colonies in Europe and the historical context surrounding the exhibits.

Educational programme and summer workshops

The following activities are offered during the exhibition:

• The educational programme “Daring Adventurers and Pioneering Settlers”. It is addressed to children aged 5-11. It focuses on the journeys and adventures of the Greeks.
• The summer workshops “Sea Voyages in Ancient Times” and “Intrepid Seafarers in Great Adventures!”. They are addressed to children aged 5-7 and 8-11 respectively.

Exhibition catalogue

The exhibition is accompanied by the scientific catalogue The Europe of Greece. Colonies and Coins from the Alpha Bank Collection, edited by Dr Dimitra Tsangari. The publication has a wealth of photographic material and is available in Greek and English.

Buy the publication The Europe of Greece. Colonies and Coins from the Alpha Bank Collection on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

Press Releases

For more information about the exhibition “The Europe of Greece. Colonies and Coins from the Alpha Bank Collection” you may read the relevant Press Releases issued by Alpha Bank:

• Press Release announcing the exhibition