Treasures of Ancient Greece

Treasures of Ancient Greece is a captivating journey through the rich history of Greek art, led by art critic and journalist Alastair Sooke. This three-part series takes viewers on a comprehensive tour of ancient Greek artistic achievements, from their surprising origins to their lasting influence on Western culture.

The documentary begins by tracing the earliest known Greek art, focusing on the heroic age and its cultural impact. Sooke visits the island of Crete, where he explores the ancient palace of Knossos, uncovered by archaeologist Arthur Evans in 1900. This discovery revealed the sophisticated Minoan civilization, whose art depicted a world in harmony with nature. It then moves to Santorini, where the preserved frescoes of Akrotiri offer a glimpse into life before a catastrophic volcanic eruption.

As the narrative progresses, Sooke introduces viewers to the Mycenaean civilization, whose art contrasted sharply with the idyllic Minoan representations. The fortress of Mycenae, with its imposing Lion Gate, exemplifies the warrior culture that dominated this era. The golden treasures discovered in Mycenaean shaft graves by Heinrich Schliemann provide further insight into this fierce society and its artistic legacy.

The series then navigates through the Greek Dark Ages, a period when the human figure vanished from Greek art for centuries. However, evidence from Euboea Island suggests that this era wasn’t as bleak as once thought. The reemergence of the human form in Greek art around 750 B.C. marked the beginning of Greece’s fascination with the human body, a theme that would dominate its artistic expression for centuries to come.

The second episode shifts the focus to the classical age of Greek art. Sooke takes viewers to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples and explores artifacts recovered from the Mediterranean seabed. This segment highlights the evolution of Greek artistic techniques, including the influential black-figure pottery style, which opened new possibilities for storytelling through art.

The documentary also emphasizes the multicultural nature of ancient Greek art, showcasing Eastern influences evident in treasures discovered at the Heraion of Samos. It explores how these foreign elements stimulated Greek identity and contributed to the development of a distinctly Greek artistic style.

The final episode examines the lasting legacy of Greek culture, tracing its influence on art and architecture in countries such as Italy, France, Germany, and Britain. This segment demonstrates how Greek artistic ideals and techniques continued to shape Western art long after the decline of ancient Greek civilization.

Throughout the series, Sooke presents Greek art as a diverse and surprising mix of styles, techniques, and materials that left no subject matter unexplored. From the earliest Minoan frescoes to the classical sculptures of Athens, it showcases the evolution of Greek art and its role in shaping Greek identity and culture.