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This small Archaic oil-flask sculpted in the form of a kneeling boy represents an athlete binding a ribbon, a symbol of victory, around his head. It dates to around 530 BC.

Dating to the 5th century BC, this is a unique example of the terracotta water clocks used for timing speeches in the public law courts. When a speaker began, the stopper was pulled out of the jug. It would take exactly six minutes for the water to run out, at which point the speaker had to stop, even if he was in mid-sentence.

These inscribed pottery fragments played a crucial role in the incipient democracy. Called ostraka , they were used as ballots in the process of ostracism. When there was fear of a tyranny, citizens voted to exile politicians considered dangerous to democracy. Those displayed show the names of several prominent politicians exiled in this way, including Themistokles, one of Athens’ most important leaders.

This huge Spartan shield was a trophy taken by the Athenians after their victory over the Spartans in the battle of Sphacteria, in 425 BC. It is a vast object, and it’s incredible to imagine a soldier carrying something so heavy and cumbersome into the melee of battle. On the front of the shield, one of the Athenian victors has inscribed, “Athens defeated Sparta at Pylos”.

This small, delicate head of Athena Nike, dated to around 425 BC, was once covered with sheets of silver and gold; eyes would have been inset.

This sensuous, swirling, rippling statue of Athena once adorned the Agora’s Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios. Her active stance and clinging, flowing chiton (a loose, full-length tunic) are typical of the way in which the goddess was depicted at that time. It dates to around 415 BC.

In 336 or 337 BC, the citizens of Athena passed a historic vote for a new system of democracy, giving every (male) citizen an equal vote. The law is inscribed here, and topped by an image of a personification of the Demos (people) of Athens being crowned by Democracy herself.

This colossal but finely sculpted cult statue of Apollo graced a temple to the god in the Agora. A later copy shows that in this sculpture the god of music was playing the kithara, an early stringed instrument. Dating to around 330 BC, it is the work of the famous sculptor and painter Euphranor.

This allotment machine was used by the Parliament of Athens between the 3rd and 2nd century BC, in the period of the ten tribes of Attica, to select officials. The seemingly simple box performed complex operations with slots, weights, cranks and coloured balls. A sign below the display case explains the complexities of its operation.

Dating to 530 BC, this is the earliest known calyx krater – an elegant vessel used to mix water and wine at banquets – and the only vase of this shape attributed to Exekias, the greatest Attic vase painter. It shows several beautifully detailed scenes, including Herakles being introduced to the gods of Olympus and the Greek and Trojan heroes’ fight over the body of Patroclus.