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The Ancient Greece ClipArt gallery offers 362 illustration of Greek history, events, and scenes of everyday life. For related images, please see Greek Mythology, Greek Architecture, Greek Ornament, Greek Coins, Greek Vases, and the Ancient Greek Musical Instruments ClipArt galleries.

"The Petasus differed from the pileus or simple skull-cap in having a wide brim: the etymology of the word, expressed the distinctive shape of these hats. It was preferred to the skull-cap as a protection from the sun." — Smith, 1873

Petasus

"The Petasus differed from the pileus or simple skull-cap in having a wide brim: the etymology of the…

"A quiver, was principally made of hide or leather, and was adorned with gold, painting, and braiding. it had a lid, and was suspended from the right shoulder by a belt passing over the breast and behind the back. Its most common position was on the left hip, and is so seen in the annexed figures, the right-hand one representing an Amazon, and the left-hand an Asiatic archer." — Smith, 1873

Phaetra

"A quiver, was principally made of hide or leather, and was adorned with gold, painting, and braiding.…

"Phidias was the chief glory of the administration of Pericles. To him was committed the work of making the Parthenon sublime. From his studio went forth trophy after trophy to adorn the crowning glory of the Acropolis."

Phidias in His Study

"Phidias was the chief glory of the administration of Pericles. To him was committed the work of making…

"Coin of Phidon" — Morey, 1903

Phidon Coin

"Coin of Phidon" — Morey, 1903

"Philip II. (Coin)" — Morey, 1903

Philip

"Philip II. (Coin)" — Morey, 1903

"Philip V." — Morey, 1903

Philip

"Philip V." — Morey, 1903

(382-336 BC) King of Macedon 359-336 BC and father of Alexander the Great.

King Philip II of Macedon

(382-336 BC) King of Macedon 359-336 BC and father of Alexander the Great.

"A more graceful mode of wearing the <em>palla</em> was to attach it by means of a brooch, and allow it to hang down from the shoulders, as in the following cut, representing the statue of Phocion in the Vatican." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Statue of Phocion

"A more graceful mode of wearing the palla was to attach it by means of a brooch, and allow…

"Any piece of felt; more especially, a skull-cap of felt, a hat. These seems no reason to doubt that felting is a more ancient invention than weaving, not that both of these arts came into Europe from Asia. From the Greeks, who were acquainted with this article as early as the age of Homer, the use of felt passed together with its name to the Romans. Its principal use was to make coverings of the head for the male sex, and the most common one was a simple skull-cap." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pileus

"Any piece of felt; more especially, a skull-cap of felt, a hat. These seems no reason to doubt that…

A woman plays a Greek funeral pipe in the funeral procession of Hector.

Greek Funeral Pipe

A woman plays a Greek funeral pipe in the funeral procession of Hector.

"A cart or wagon. It had commonly two wheels, but sometimes four, and it was then called the plaustrum majus. Besides the wheels and axle the plaustrum consisted of a strong pole (temo), to the hinder part of which was fastened a table of wooden planks. The blocks of stone, or other things to be carried, were either laid upon this table without any other support, or an additional security was obtained by the use either of boards at the sides, or of a large wicker basket tied upon the cart. The annexed cut exhibits a cart, the body of which is supplied by a basket. The commonest kind of cart-wheel was that called tympanum, the "drum," from its resemblance to the musical instrument of the same name. It was nearly a foot in thickness, and was made either by sawing the trunk of a tree across in a horizontal direction, or by nailing together boards of the requisite shape and size. These wheels advanced slowly, and made a loud creaking, which was heard to a great distance." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Plaustrum

"A cart or wagon. It had commonly two wheels, but sometimes four, and it was then called the plaustrum…

"Shows the bema, or platform, from which orators addressed the assembled citizens."&mdash;Webster, 1913

Pnyx

"Shows the bema, or platform, from which orators addressed the assembled citizens."—Webster, 1913

"Porch of the Maidens (Caryatides)" &mdash; Morey, 1903

Porch Maidens

"Porch of the Maidens (Caryatides)" — Morey, 1903

"Temple of Poseidon at Paestum." &mdash; The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Poseidon Temple

"Temple of Poseidon at Paestum." — The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

This illustration shows the Death of Priam, by Benvenuto.

Priam

This illustration shows the Death of Priam, by Benvenuto.

"From the Frieze of the Parthenon." &mdash; Smith, 1882

Panathenaic procession

"From the Frieze of the Parthenon." — Smith, 1882

"A dagger; a two-edged knife, commonly of bronze, with the handle in many cases variously ornamented or enriched." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pugio

"A dagger; a two-edged knife, commonly of bronze, with the handle in many cases variously ornamented…

"A casket, a jewel-box. Quintilian produces this term as an example of catachresis, because it properly denoted that which was made of box, but was applied to things of similar form and use made of any other material. In fact, the caskets in which the ladies of ancient times kept their jewels and other ornaments, were made of gold, silver, ivory, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, etc. They were also much enriched with sculpture. A silver coffer, two feet long, one and a half wide, and one deep, most elaborately adorned with figures in bar-relief, is described by Bottiger. The annexed woodcut, from the antique, represents a plain jewel-box, out of which a dove is extracting a riband or fillet." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pyxis

"A casket, a jewel-box. Quintilian produces this term as an example of catachresis, because it properly…

"The race course at Sparta."&mdash;Colby, 1899

Race Course

"The race course at Sparta."—Colby, 1899

"The battering ram was a large beam, made of the trunk of a tree, and having a mass of bronze or iron fastened to one end, and resembling a ram's head. This shape, as well as its name, was given to the engine in question, on account of the resemblence of its mode of action to that of a ram butting with its forehead. In an improved form, the ram was surrounded with iron bands, to which rings were attached for the purpose of suspending it by ropes or chains to a beam fixed transversely over it. See the lower figure." — Anthon, 1891

Battering Ram

"The battering ram was a large beam, made of the trunk of a tree, and having a mass of bronze or iron…

"A net. In hunting it was usual to extend nets in a curved line of considerable length, so as in part to suround a space into which the beasts of chase were driven through the opening left on one side. The range of nets was flanked by cords, to which feathers dyed scarlet, and of other bright colours, were tied, so as to flare and flutter in the wind. The hunters then sallied forth with their dogs, dislodged the animals from their coverts, and by shouts and barking drove them first within the formido, as the apparatus of string and feathers was called, and then, as they were scared with this appearance, within the circuit of the nets. The accompanying woodcuts are taken from two bas-reliefs in the collection of ancient marbles at Ince-Blundell in Lancashire." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Retis

"A net. In hunting it was usual to extend nets in a curved line of considerable length, so as in part…

"In this woodcut, two men are carrying the net home after the chase, and hold in their hands two of the forked stakes for supporting it." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Retis

"In this woodcut, two men are carrying the net home after the chase, and hold in their hands two of…

Colossus at Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World

Colossus at Rhodes

Colossus at Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World

Statue of the Greek god Helios. It is currently considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was one of the tallest statues during its time, standing at over 30 meters (107 feet).

Colossus at Rhodes

Statue of the Greek god Helios. It is currently considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient…

A buckler, or small round shield.

Rondache

A buckler, or small round shield.

Ancient Greek runners in the Olympic games.

Greek Runners

Ancient Greek runners in the Olympic games.

A bay that connects with the Saronic Gulf to the west.

The Bay of Salamis

A bay that connects with the Saronic Gulf to the west.

"Dancing. The dancing of the Greeks as well as of the Romans had very little in common with the exercise which goes by that name in modern times. It may be divided into two kinds, gymnastic and mimetic; that is, it was intended either to represent bodily activity, or to express by gestures, movements, and attitudes, certain ideas or feelings, and also single events or a series of events, as in the modern ballet. All these movements, however, were accompanied by music; but the term saltatio was used in a so much wider sense than our word dancing, that they applied to disignate gestures, even when the body did not move at all. We find dancing prevalent among the Greeks from the earliest times. It was originally closely connected with religion. In all the public festivals, which were so numerous among the Greeks, dancing formed a very prominent part. We find from the earliest times that the worship of Apollo was connected with a religious dance, called Hyporchema. All the religious dances, with the exception of the bacchic and the Corybantian, were very simple, and consisted of gentle movements of the body, with various turnings and windings around the altar; such a dance was the Geranus, which Theseus is said to have performed at Delos on his return from Crete." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Salatio

"Dancing. The dancing of the Greeks as well as of the Romans had very little in common with the exercise…

"Dancing. The dancing of the Greeks as well as of the Romans had very little in common with the exercise which goes by that name in modern times. It may be divided into two kinds, gymnastic and mimetic; that is, it was intended either to represent bodily activity, or to express by gestures, movements, and attitudes, certain ideas or feelings, and also single events or a series of events, as in the modern ballet. All these movements, however, were accompanied by music; but the term saltatio was used in a so much wider sense than our word dancing, that they applied to disignate gestures, even when the body did not move at all. We find dancing prevalent among the Greeks from the earliest times. It was originally closely connected with religion. In all the public festivals, which were so numerous among the Greeks, dancing formed a very prominent part. We find from the earliest times that the worship of Apollo was connected with a religious dance, called Hyporchema. All the religious dances, with the exception of the bacchic and the Corybantian, were very simple, and consisted of gentle movements of the body, with various turnings and windings around the altar; such a dance was the Geranus, which Theseus is said to have performed at Delos on his return from Crete." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Salatio

"Dancing. The dancing of the Greeks as well as of the Romans had very little in common with the exercise…

"Dancing. The dancing of the Greeks as well as of the Romans had very little in common with the exercise which goes by that name in modern times. It may be divided into two kinds, gymnastic and mimetic; that is, it was intended either to represent bodily activity, or to express by gestures, movements, and attitudes, certain ideas or feelings, and also single events or a series of events, as in the modern ballet. All these movements, however, were accompanied by music; but the term saltatio was used in a so much wider sense than our word dancing, that they applied to disignate gestures, even when the body did not move at all. We find dancing prevalent among the Greeks from the earliest times. It was originally closely connected with religion. In all the public festivals, which were so numerous among the Greeks, dancing formed a very prominent part. We find from the earliest times that the worship of Apollo was connected with a religious dance, called Hyporchema. All the religious dances, with the exception of the bacchic and the Corybantian, were very simple, and consisted of gentle movements of the body, with various turnings and windings around the altar; such a dance was the Geranus, which Theseus is said to have performed at Delos on his return from Crete." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Salatio

"Dancing. The dancing of the Greeks as well as of the Romans had very little in common with the exercise…

A Greek statue.

Victory of Samothreace

A Greek statue.

A group of women, with a lyre and wreath.

Sappho

A group of women, with a lyre and wreath.

"Sarcophagus from the Street of Tombs at Assos in the Troad, excavated by the Archaeological Institute of America." -Whitney, 1911

Sarcophagus

"Sarcophagus from the Street of Tombs at Assos in the Troad, excavated by the Archaeological Institute…

An ancient Greek sceptre from Tarentum.

Ancient Greek sceptre

An ancient Greek sceptre from Tarentum.

Gold and crystal sceptres from Mycan&aelig;.

Mycanæ:n sceptres

Gold and crystal sceptres from Mycanæ.

"Sceptrum, which originally denoted a simple staff or walking stick, was emblematic of station and authority. In ancient authors the sceptre is represented as belonging more especially to kings, princes, and leaders of tribes: but it is also borne by judges, by heralds, and by priests and seers. The sceptre descended from father to son, and might be committed to any one in order to express the transfer of authority. Those who bore the sceptre swore by it, solemnly taking it in the right hand and raising it towards heaven. The following cut, representing Aeneas followed by Ascanius and carrying off his father Anchises, who holds the sceptre in his right hand, shows its form as worn by kings. The ivory sceptre of the kings of Rome, which descended to the consuls, was surmounted by an eagle." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sceptrum

"Sceptrum, which originally denoted a simple staff or walking stick, was emblematic of station and authority.…

An Athenian youth, studying

School

An Athenian youth, studying

"Greek school - from a vase painting." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Greek school

"Greek school - from a vase painting." — The Delphian Society, 1913

One of the first Greek amphitheaters, located in the political center of the Elymian people.

Theater of Segesta

One of the first Greek amphitheaters, located in the political center of the Elymian people.

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

Greek ship

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

Greek ship

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

Greek ship with the sail reefed.

Greek ship

Greek ship with the sail reefed.

"In Greek mythology, a divinity of Asiatic origin, the foster-father of Bacchus, and leader of the satyrs, but very frequently merely one of a number of kindred attendants in the Dionysiac thiasus. He was represented as a robust, full-bearded old man, hairy and with pointed ears, frequently in a state of intoxication, often riding on an ass and carrying a cantharus or other wine-vessel." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Silenus - Marble Sculpture

"In Greek mythology, a divinity of Asiatic origin, the foster-father of Bacchus, and leader of the satyrs,…

In Greek legends, the sea nymphs that were seated on the island of the Sirens, off the southwest coast of Italy.

Siren

In Greek legends, the sea nymphs that were seated on the island of the Sirens, off the southwest coast…

"In Greek mythology, one of two, or three, or an indeterminate number of sea-nymphs who by their singing fascinated those who sailed by their island, and destroyed them. In works of art they are represented as having the head, arms, and generally the bust of a young woman, the wings and lower part of the body, or sometimes only the feet, of a bird." &mdash;Whitney, 1889. <p>This illustration is of two of the sirens depicted on a funeral marble in Chios. The top siren appears to be dancing. The one on the bottom is playing an instrument.

Sirens on a Greek Funeral Marble

"In Greek mythology, one of two, or three, or an indeterminate number of sea-nymphs who by their singing…

View of the Skala harbor on Patmos. It is on this island that John received his visions recorded in the Book of Revelation.

Port of Skala on the Island of Patmos

View of the Skala harbor on Patmos. It is on this island that John received his visions recorded in…

Greek soldier with sling.

Sling

Greek soldier with sling.

"Soccus was nearly if not altogether equivalent in meaning to Crepida, and denoted a slipper or low shoe, which did not fit closely, and was not fastened by any tie. The Soccus was worn by comic actors and was in this respect opposed to the Cothurnus. The preceding cut represents a buffoon, who is dancing in slippers." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Soccus

"Soccus was nearly if not altogether equivalent in meaning to Crepida, and denoted a slipper or low…

A classical Greek philosopher. He has become known for his contribution to the field of ethics, and is credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy.

Socrates

A classical Greek philosopher. He has become known for his contribution to the field of ethics, and…

"Figure of a fallen warrior, represented among the sculptures now at Munich, belonging to the temple in Aegina. In consequence of the bending of the knees, the greaves are seen to project a little above them. The statue also shows very distinctly the ankle-rings." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Fallen soldier

"Figure of a fallen warrior, represented among the sculptures now at Munich, belonging to the temple…

"Greek Soldier. (From an ancient Vase.)" &mdash; Smith, 1882

Greek soldier

"Greek Soldier. (From an ancient Vase.)" — Smith, 1882

"The early Greeks used a very short sword, as may be seen from the preceding cut. The ancient Homeric sword had generally a straight, two-edged blade, rather broad, and nearly of equal width from hilt to point." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Greek soldier

"The early Greeks used a very short sword, as may be seen from the preceding cut. The ancient Homeric…

An ancient Greek soldier.

Greek soldier

An ancient Greek soldier.

"A group of Greek soldiers, drawn from sculptured figures in the temple pediment."&mdash;Gordy, 1912

Greek Soldiers

"A group of Greek soldiers, drawn from sculptured figures in the temple pediment."—Gordy, 1912

"'Exulting in the tawny covering of a she-wolf, such as his foster-parent was.' Alluding to the custom on the part of the ancient heroes of arraying themselves in the skins of wild animals, in order to strike more terror into the foe and of either making a part of the hide answer the purposes of a helmet, or decking the helmet with it, <em>Genetricis</em>." — Anthon, 1891

Greek soldiers

"'Exulting in the tawny covering of a she-wolf, such as his foster-parent was.' Alluding to the custom…

"Solon's Tablets." &mdash; Quackenbos, 1882

Solons Tablets

"Solon's Tablets." — Quackenbos, 1882

"Sophocles" &mdash; Morey, 1903

Sophocles

"Sophocles" — Morey, 1903

"Speculum, a mirror, a looking-glass. The looking-glasses of the ancients were usually made of metal, at first of a composition of tin and copper, but afterwards more frequently of silver. The ancients seem to have had glass mirrors also like ours, consisting of a glass plate covered at the back with a thin leaf of metal. They were manufactured as early as the time of Pliny at the celebrated glass-houses at Sidon, but they must have been inferior to those of metal, since they never came into general use, and are never mentioned by ancient writers among costly pieces of furniture, whereas metal mirrors frequently are. Looking-glasses were generally small, and such as could by carried in the hand. Instead of their being fixed so as to be hung against the wall or to stand upon the table or floor, they were generally held by female slaves before their mistresses when dressing. The general form of looking-glasses is shown in the following wood-cut." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Speculum

"Speculum, a mirror, a looking-glass. The looking-glasses of the ancients were usually made of metal,…

A Graeco-Roman marble table support in the shape of a sphinx. It was found in the ruins of the Villa of Antoninus Pius at Lanuvium. The sculpture is half woman, half bird, with wings stretching out behind the body. <p>"In Greek mythology, a female monster, said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans who passed her as she sat on a rock by the roadside, and to have killed all who were not able to guess it." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Sphinx of Lanuvium

A Graeco-Roman marble table support in the shape of a sphinx. It was found in the ruins of the Villa…

"Stilus or Stylus conveys the general idea of an object tapering like an architectural column. It signifies: 1. An iron instrument, resembling a pencil in size and shape, used for writing upon waxed tablets. At one end it was sharpened to a point for scratching the characters upon the wax, while the other end, being flat and circular, served to render the surface of the tablets smooth again, and so to obliterate what had been written. Thus, vertere stilum means to erase, and hence to correct. The stylus was also termed graphium, and the case in which it was kept graphiarium. 2. A sharp stake or spike placed in pitfalls before an entrenchment, to embarrass the progress of an attacking enemy." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Stilus

"Stilus or Stylus conveys the general idea of an object tapering like an architectural column. It signifies:…