Mythological Deities and Heroes in Graeco-Roman Sculpture

Mythology is a genre of stories, usually of gods and heroes, created in order to explain natural or social phenomena, religious concepts, customs, ceremonies, and even the origins of the names of cities and countries. The Greek myths, from which most of the Roman myths were derived, were important educational tools, and were included in the curricula of Greek and Roman schoolchildren.
Sculptures and illustrations of the myths were frequently created by the sculptors and artists of Greece. Pottery vessels were embellished with scenes from the stories, and stone, pottery or metal figurines were made.

The statues in the exhibition were acquired by Dr. Alexander Roche, who established and was first director of the Haifa Museum of Ancient Art, during visits to the lands of the Mediterranean Basin. In 1995 his collection was integrated with that of the National Maritime Museum.