The Identity of the Man Wearing a Toga... 126 Greek and Roman Artifacts Unveiled

National Museum of Korea Exhibition 'Geuriseuga Romaege, Romaega Geuriseue'
Until May 30, 2027

'Portrait of a Man Wearing a Toga' Marble Full-Length Statue
Photo by Seomideum

A male figure wearing a toga overlooks a symposium. It is the largest sculpture among the exhibits in the National Museum of Korea's exhibition "From Greece to Rome, From Rome to Greece." During the late Republic period, the toga symbolized Roman citizenship. Judging by the absence of military gear or a short cloak, the figure is believed to represent a Roman emperor or a person of high social status who wished to emphasize being the "first citizen," rather than a bureaucrat or soldier. Such statues were often erected to commemorate individuals who contributed to the construction of public buildings like theaters or fountains.

The space was designed with the theme of a Roman-era 'villa.' In the center, a table with the atmosphere of a banquet called 'symposion' and exhibition items used for banquets were arranged.
[Photo by Seo Mideum]

The symposium, which the toga-clad man overlooks, means "banquet" in Greek. It was a venue where Greek men engaged in discussions on various topics. Participants gathered in a room called the "andron" and shared wine according to proportions set by the chairman. The ratios were typically 3:1, 5:3, or 3:2. In Roman times, it continued under the name "symposium," and today the term is used to refer to academic meetings or large-scale public discussions for business purposes.

The exhibition, open to visitors at the National Museum of Korea from the 15th, consists of a total of 126 exhibits. It is co-organized with the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria, and will be open until May 30, 2027. This is the fourth world civilization and culture-themed exhibition following the Egyptian Gallery (2019?2022), the World Ceramics Gallery (2021?2023), and the Mesopotamian Gallery (2022?present), which were established since 2019.

The exhibition encompasses both Greece and Rome. Previous exhibitions focused on either Greece or Rome, but this one centers on the relationship between the two cultures. The themes are broadly divided into ▲The World of Myth ▲The World of Humans ▲The Empire of Shadows. In "The World of Myth," the focus is on myths transmitted from Greece to Rome through 55 exhibits including Greek pottery depicting gods, terracotta lamps, large marble sculptures from the Roman era, and small bronze statues. At that time, Romans accepted Greek gods by pairing them with their own gods of similar characteristics, and actively embraced gods like Apollo and Hercules, for whom Rome had no similar types.

"The World of Humans" focuses on portrait art that clearly reveals the independent development of Greece and Rome, emphasizing the mutually positive influence between the two cultures. It examines Greek mythology, philosophy, literature, and visual arts that influenced Rome after Rome conquered Greece in the 2nd century BCE.

A tombstone engraved with the gate to Hades
[Photo by National Museum of Korea]

"The Empire of Shadows" highlights ancient Greek and Roman views on the afterlife. It showcases tombs and funeral rites that expressed the belief that death was not the end of life but a transition to another form of existence, which held great significance. The exhibition displays how tombs were built along roads or elaborately constructed based on the belief that the memory of the living leads to the immortality of the dead.

A video titled "My One Pick," featuring interviews with eight notable figures from various fields such as music critics, physicists, fashion designers, priests, and actors, explores the influence of Greek and Roman culture on the modern world.

The exhibition is free of charge, and guided tours will be offered three times daily (11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.) starting July 1.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.