Wanderlust – Ancient Adventurers, Explorers, and Conquerors
Travel plays a central role in many ancient myths. Daring journeys and perilous quests lead heroes to distant lands. Among the most famous are the wanderings of Odysseus and his thrilling tales of adventure. The demigod Heracles had to venture to the very edges of the world—and even into the Underworld—to complete his twelve labors. Ancient geography blended reality with legend: wild centaurs in Thessaly, fierce Amazons by the Black Sea, and gold-guarding griffins at the northernmost edge of the known world, in the fabled land of the Hyperboreans. But travel was not just the subject of myths—it was a fundamental part of ancient life. Whether journeying to grand festivals in distant cities and sacred sites, exploring new territories, expanding trade networks, founding cities, or embarking on military campaigns, travel shaped the ancient world. For the people of antiquity, it was far more than an adventure—travel created myths, gave rise to cities, connected cultures, and opened new trade routes. This special exhibition explores the fascinating stories of ancient heroes, explorers, and conquerors and how their journeys transformed the ancient world.
