Zeus (Jupiter), Poseidon (Neptune), Athena (Minerva), Apollo, the sleeping Venus... Stepping into the exhibition hall of the Shanghai World Expo Museum is like stepping into the "Pantheon" where the gods gather. These sculptures of ancient Greek and Roman gods, familiar to the world, stand majestically and gradually emerge.
Following the major exhibitions on "Ancient Egypt" and "Ancient Greece," the exhibition "Rome, Rome: From Olympia to the Capitoline," jointly created by the Expo Museum and the National Museum of Liverpool, officially opened on November 10 and will be open to the public on November 11. The Paper observed that 131 sets of precious artifacts from the National Museum of Liverpool are making their Shanghai debut, encompassing diverse categories such as sculptures, ceramics, glassware, gemstones, and sarcophagus reliefs, with sculptures comprising two-thirds of the collection. The tallest sculpture, Zeus, stands at 2.27 meters; due to its immense height, it was difficult to transport, and this is its first time leaving China.
Sleeping Venus, a 2nd-century AD statue.
This exhibition centers on the evolution of ancient Roman civilization, presenting a panoramic view of the epic history of ancient Rome from its mythological origins to the rise and fall of the empire through three thematic sections: "Legends of the Gods," "The Glory of the Empire," and "A Feast of Life." The vast majority of the 131 precious artifacts are being exhibited in Shanghai for the first time. The realistic techniques of the ancient Roman sculptures, the exquisite patterns on the painted pottery, the mosaic murals, and the luxurious craftsmanship of the gemstones all showcase the extraordinary creativity of ancient artists.
"‘Rome, Rome’ is another special exhibition we have carefully crafted following the ‘Greeks’ exhibition, focusing on Western classical civilization. By showcasing the shared mythological beliefs of Rome and Greece, the forging of the empire, and the secular life of the Romans, it allows visitors to gain a general understanding of Roman history and culture and directly confront the physical evidence of the fusion of civilizations," said Liu Wentao, curator of the World Expo Museum.
The National Museum of Liverpool is renowned as one of the largest museums in the UK, housing over 4 million items, and is particularly famous for its rich and exquisite collection of European classical sculpture. Its collection of classical sculptures is considered the second largest group of ancient Roman sculptures in Britain, after the British Museum. The core of this exhibition's collection comes from the collections established by Henry Blundell (1724–1810), a prominent 18th-century British collector of classical art, and Joseph Meyer (1803–1886), a 19th-century British antiquities dealer and collector. These collections formed the foundation of the National Museum of Liverpool's World Civilisations collection.
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Eros (Cupid) head
Stepping into the exhibition hall is like entering a pantheon where gods gather. Sculptures of gods from ancient Greek and Roman mythology, such as Zeus (Jupiter), Poseidon (Neptune), Athena (Minerva), and Apollo, stand majestically in a circular space, gradually emerging and exuding solemnity. Sculptures occupy two-thirds of the exhibit, with 1.5- to 2-meter-high sculptures forming the main body of the display, creating a powerful visual impact.
Exhibition site
According to Sun Yi, the Chinese curator of this exhibition and a researcher at the Shanghai World Expo Museum, "Ovid's Metamorphosis and Homer's Iliad depict the gathering or deliberation of the gods. For example, they would gather in a marble space, standing in a row, with the higher-ranking gods in front and the lesser gods behind, and Zeus, the king of the gods, at the highest position. They would gather together to discuss matters of the mortal world." Inspired by this, the curatorial team referenced the scenes of the gods' gatherings in the books and the architecture of the ancient Roman Pantheon to create a "Pantheon" scene within the exhibition to house and display the sculptures of the gods.
"Legends of the Gods" focuses on sculptures of ancient Greek and Roman gods, including nearly 20 large statues such as a 2-meter-tall statue of Zeus (Jupiter) and a bust of Poseidon (Neptune). Visitors can find the respective locations of the twelve Olympian gods in the exhibition hall based on their different shapes and characteristics.
Roman mythology was one way the Romans understood the world. Their piety and reverence for the gods were even considered a key factor in Rome's rise. Early Roman gods only had names and functions, lacking anthropomorphic figures and stories. Later, the Romans came into contact with Etruscan, Greek, and Eastern cultures, and were particularly attracted by the complete system and vivid narratives of Greek mythology. They began to integrate the names, personalities, and legends of the Greek gods with their native deities.
Zeus, the Greek god-king (Jupiter, the Roman god), Roman period, 1st-2nd century AD, marble.
For example, Zeus, the Greek god-king. After the Romans came into contact with Greek culture, they noticed a striking resemblance between Zeus and their chief god, Jupiter. Jupiter was initially the "father of the gods" in Roman mythology, controlling wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. Later, he was imbued with connotations of honor, justice, and order, becoming the guardian of victory in war, national stability, and the authority of law. The Romans gradually equated Jupiter with Zeus. Jupiter absorbed the image and stories of Zeus, yet retained the solemnity of a Roman god. By the 1st century BC, in the writings of many Roman poets, Jupiter had become a god-king embodying both Roman majesty and Greek humanity. The tallest exhibit in this exhibition is a 2.27-meter-high statue of Zeus. His raised left arm may have held lightning, used to attack enemies. His right arm may have held a scepter. The eagle on his body is another characteristic, representing Zeus's supreme power as king of the gods. According to the British side, due to its height and the difficulty of transportation, this is the sculpture's first time leaving the country.
Hera, the Greek goddess (Juno, the Roman goddess), marble sculpture from the 3rd century AD, Roman period.
Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom (Minerva, the Roman goddess), marble painting from the Roman period, 1st-2nd century AD.
The exhibited marble statue of Athena (Minerva) wears a Corinthian helmet and a breastplate made of animal hide, with the head of Medusa depicted on her shield. It is said that the shield was likely added in the 18th century by the restorer Carlo Albacini. Athena (Minerva) is the goddess of war and wisdom. Her birth was militarily significant; she is depicted in full armor, holding a spear, singing war songs, and is said to have been born from the head of Zeus.
Apollo, the Greek god of light (Apollo, the Roman god), Roman period, 1st century AD, marble.
Apollo statue
The exhibited Apollo is depicted as a young man leaning against a tree trunk, his gaze fixed intently on the lizard he is about to kill. The statue may depict the story of Apollo slaying the serpent so that he could establish his sanctuary at Delphi. As Zeus's most outstanding son and Artemis's twin brother, Apollo embodied multiple divine roles, including light, music, prophecy, and medicine, and was the embodiment of reason and art. In ancient Roman culture, Apollo's name and image remained unchanged, but the Romans emphasized his connection to medicine.
Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty (Venus, the Roman goddess), Roman period, 1st century BC to 1st century AD. Note: Marble copy of the original ancient Greek work.
Aphrodite (Venus) is the goddess of love and beauty, and a paragon of beauty in Western art. Born from sea foam, she was revered as the patron goddess of navigation. Because her descendants founded the city of Rome, she is considered the ancestral goddess of the Roman people. The exhibited statue of Aphrodite (Venus) features a serpentine armlet on her left upper arm, her left leg bent, and a dolphin leaning beside her.
Head of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea (Neptune, the Roman god of the sea).
Ares (Mars) statue
According to Sun Yi, the ancient Romans did not simply replicate the romantic narratives of ancient Greek mythology, but rather deeply bound the functions of the gods to the needs of the city-state's development, constructing a pragmatic "covenant between humans and gods." This segment aims to help viewers understand the unique core of the ancient Roman belief system.
Laocoön head statue, Roman period marble
"The Glory of the Empire" centers on 26 busts of Roman emperors and nobles. Among them, the bust of Emperor Augustus and other exhibits serve as "witnesses" to history, vividly presenting the magnificent process of ancient Rome's rise from a city-state to a world empire, allowing visitors to feel the political foresight and cultural inclusiveness of the empire's rulers.
Bust of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD), Roman period (27-20 BC), marble.
Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD), originally named Gaius Octavian, was the adopted son and successor of Julius Caesar. He ended the Roman civil war, established the Principate, and became the de facto first emperor of the Roman Empire. The exhibition displays a bust depicting Augustus as a military commander, representing his most typical and widely circulated portrait style. Typical features of this style include a slightly turned head, forked strands of hair on the forehead, hair combed back to the ears, and a large Medusa head adorning the center of the breastplate.
According to Guo Changgang, the academic advisor for this exhibition, the most glorious era of the Roman Empire was the era of the Five Good Emperors. From Nerva, the first emperor of the Five Good Emperors, to Trajan, Hadrian, Antony, and Marcus Aurelius, the portraits of the Five Good Emperors gathered in the exhibition are also very exquisite.
Bust of Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD), Roman period, 2nd century AD, marble.
Trajan was the first emperor of non-Italian descent (his family came from southern Spain). He was an outstanding military commander. He expanded the Roman Empire eastward, conquering Armenia and Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). He was popular in the army, but also humble as an emperor. Notable buildings from his reign include Trajan's Forum and the marketplace.
Bust of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), Roman period, 2nd century AD, marble.
Hadrian was the first Roman emperor to grow a beard. In Britain, Hadrian is best known for building Hadrian's Wall. Other notable works include the Pantheon in Rome and his villa in Tivoli. Many of the sculptures exhibited here are from this villa.
Bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD), Roman period, marble, 160-161 AD.
Emperor Marcus Aurelius reigned jointly with his brother Lucius Verus until Verus's death in 169 AD. His reign was marked by frequent wars. The devastating plague that struck Rome was another crisis he had to confront. Marcus Aurelius was a lover of philosophy. He wrote *Meditations*, a collection of twelve books reflecting on the importance of being a good person, our responsibilities to others, and the brevity of life.
"The history of the Five Good Emperors of Rome is very interesting. In their time, everything was based on the interests of the empire, placing national interests above personal interests, and their governance of the empire was full of wisdom. It is very meaningful for the audience to further understand and explore the wisdom and experience of governing the empire behind them by viewing the statues of the Five Good Emperors of ancient Rome," said Guo Changgang.
"A Feast for the Senses" recreates the secular splendor of the Romans through exhibits such as sarcophagus reliefs, exquisite glassware, mosaic murals, and gemstones.
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perfume bottle
According to Sun Yi, the Chinese curator of the exhibition and director of the Shanghai World Expo Museum, the exhibition features a high proportion of sculptures, accounting for two-thirds of the total exhibits. The 131 sets of exhibits span ancient Greece and Rome, showcasing typical artistic styles of their respective eras. Through these sculptures, the exhibition also reveals the transformation of sculptural art in ancient Rome, from the idealized Greek style to the more realistic and detailed Roman style.
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This exhibition will continue the narrative logic of the recently concluded "Greeks" special exhibition at the World Expo Museum. It doesn't simply present a narrative of artifacts, but rather carefully constructs a divine thread. Visitors will follow the evolutionary stories of major deities such as Jupiter (Zeus), Juno (Hera), and Minerva (Athena), from food utensils to decorative arts. It not only showcases the ancient Romans' love of everyday life but also clearly outlines the historical trajectory of how ancient Roman culture shaped the foundation of modern Western society, grounding the grand narrative of civilization in concrete details of daily life.
In terms of exhibition design, the exhibition adopts an innovative curatorial approach. On the one hand, it constructs a philosophical and aesthetic dialogue using the "Twin Mountain Imagery"—Mount Olympus symbolizes the imagination and spiritual order of ancient Greek mythology, while Mount Capitoline represents the political and religious center of the ancient Roman Empire. On the other hand, the exhibition features several highly interactive and immersive visual scenes, including a scene where gods gather, a "Four Seasons Oracle" presented with light and shadow technology, the interactive exhibit "The Twelve Trials of Heracles," and themed rooms for five major gods, including Artemis, Aphrodite, and Dionysus. These elements are not only part of the exhibition's narrative but also attract visitors to experience and take photos within the immersive environment.
This is a paid exhibition, which will open to the public on November 11 and run until May 5, 2026.
