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CLASSICS IN THE LEGO SYSTEM

This page is dedicated to creating a full cataloguing of all LEGO System Sets, Minifigures, Accessories and Bricks that have an ancient history inspired theme, so watch this space as more are added as my research continues. As part of the Brick Classicists’ Classics In Pop Research Project, covering major Pop Culture mediums Motion Pictures, American Comic Books and Cinema Posters, this page is dedicated to the use of Classics in LEGO toys.

Over the long history of the LEGO Group and all the many imaginative themed Sets, Minifigures and games that have been officially produced through the LEGO System, many have often drawn from human history and legends. 

Starting with the medieval history themed sets, that first appeared in the 1970s with knights, castles and the legends of Robin Hood, to the golden age of Pirates and the imperial navies of British and French marines as their adversaries, and Cowboys in the Wild West of the late 1800s America, it should come as no surprise that LEGO has also drawn inspiration from ancient history too, with Greece, Rome and, most frequently, Egypt, though archaeology adventurer themes.

You will note that I never use the term "Mythology" in this catalogue. This is because of my own personal dislike of the term being used to describe an ancient and presumed extinct religion (therefore suggesting it is less valid than contemporary religion) and therefore it is my aim to present all religions as equally valid. In order then to respect all people’s beliefs, whether past or present, here I use the terms "legend" and/or "theology".
 
All research has been gathered from online resources including LEGO Group's Pick A Brick, BrickLink.com and Brickset.com. If you know of any LEGO pieces I have missed that should be in the catalogue please email: contact@brickclassicists.com

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Ocean King (Poseidon)

Historical Theme:

Ancient Greece

LEGO Theme:

Collectable Minifigures, Series 7

LEGO Type:

Minifigure

Year of Release:

2012

Designer:

Unknown

LEGO officially named this Minifigure Ocean King, in the LEGO community it is often called LEGO Poseidon or LEGO Neptune one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek/Roman theology. This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 7, in 2012. This Minifigure is featured in the Epic Rap Battles of History episode "Zeus vs Thor" in 2014, this episode broke their usual format of using live action actors and had the whole video animated using LEGO.

Notes:

LEGO officially named this Minifigure Ocean King, in the LEGO community it is often called LEGO Poseidon or LEGO Neptune one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek/Roman theology.

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 7, in 2012.

This Minifigure is featured in the Epic Rap Battles of History episode "Zeus vs Thor" in 2014, this episode broke their usual format of using live action actors and had the whole video animated using LEGO.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Mini Shield "NO. 1" (Roman Scutum)

Historical Theme:

Ancient Rome

LEGO Theme:

Collectable Minifigures, Series 6

LEGO Type:

Minifigure Accessory

Year of Release:

2012

Designer:

Unknown

Roman Scutum Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 6, in 2012.

Notes:

Roman Scutum Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 6, in 2012.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Minotaur

Historical Theme:

Ancient Greece

LEGO Theme:

Collectable Minifigures, Series 6

LEGO Type:

Minifigure

Year of Release:

2012

Designer:

Unknown

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 6, in 2012. This Minifigure is featured in the Epic Rap Battles of History episode "Zeus vs Thor" in 2014, this episode broke their usual format of using live action actors and had the whole video animated using LEGO.

Notes:

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 6, in 2012.

This Minifigure is featured in the Epic Rap Battles of History episode "Zeus vs Thor" in 2014, this episode broke their usual format of using live action actors and had the whole video animated using LEGO.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Mini-Taurus

Historical Theme:

Ancient Rome

LEGO Theme:

Games

LEGO Type:

Set

Year of Release:

2012

Designer:

Bas Brederode

A four player strategy game inspired by the legend of the Minotaur "Asterius" and the Labyrinth built by the architect Daedalus.

Notes:

A four player strategy game inspired by the legend of the Minotaur "Asterius" and the Labyrinth built by the architect Daedalus.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Roman Soldier (Legionary)

Historical Theme:

Ancient Rome

LEGO Theme:

Collectable Minifigures, Series 6

LEGO Type:

Minifigure

Year of Release:

2012

Designer:

Unknown

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 6, in 2012.

Notes:

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 6, in 2012.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Egyptian Queen (Cleopatra)

Historical Theme:

Ancient Egypt

LEGO Theme:

Collectable Minifigures, Series 5

LEGO Type:

Minifigure

Year of Release:

2011

Designer:

Unknown

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 5, in 2011.

Notes:

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 5, in 2011.

Image sourced from BrickLink

City of Atlantis

Historical Theme:

Ancient Greece

LEGO Theme:

Atlantis

LEGO Type:

Set

Year of Release:

2011

Designer:

Mark Stafford

Part of the Atlantis themed sets, these were more of a science fiction theme than an ancient history theme. With futuristic submersible vehicles and divers and humanoid sea-creatures as Atlanteans. This set of the Lost City of Atlantis featured the most Classical inspiration with this undersea ancient ruin and a statue of Poseidon. These sets were the first to use the Trident Minifigures Accessory LEGO ID No. 92289, 92290.

Notes:

Part of the Atlantis themed sets, these were more of a science fiction theme than an ancient history theme. With futuristic submersible vehicles and divers and humanoid sea-creatures as Atlanteans.

This set of the Lost City of Atlantis featured the most Classical inspiration with this undersea ancient ruin and a statue of Poseidon.

These sets were the first to use the Trident Minifigures Accessory LEGO ID No. 92289, 92290.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Anubis Guard

Historical Theme:

Ancient Egypt

LEGO Theme:

Pharaoh’s Quest

LEGO Type:

Minifigure

Year of Release:

2011

Designer:

Unknown

From the "7327: Scorpion Pyramid” set

Notes:

From the "7327: Scorpion Pyramid” set

Image sourced from BrickLink

Scorpion Pyramid

Historical Theme:

Ancient Egypt

LEGO Theme:

Pharaoh’s Quest

LEGO Type:

Play Set

Year of Release:

2011

Designer:

Bjarke Lykke Madsen

From the Pharaoh’s Quest theme sets

Notes:

From the Pharaoh’s Quest theme sets

Image sourced from BrickLink

Mini Short Sword (Roman Gladius)

Historical Theme:

Ancient Rome

LEGO Theme:

Multiple Themes

LEGO Type:

Minifigure Accessory

Year of Release:

2011

Designer:

Unknown

This sword first appeared with the Gladiator Minifigure as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 5, in 2011. LEGO Group official name for this Minifigure Accessory is "Mini Short Sword". BrickLink has catalogued it as "Roman Gladius" This Minifigure Accessory has been used in many DC Wonder Woman sets and both Lord Of the Rings and Hobbit sets. A second style of the Short Sword exists with a slightly thicker hilt that was introduced in 2012. BrickLink ID No. 18034 (thin hilt) & 95673 (thick hilt) and available colours are: Flat Silver, Pearl Dark Grey, Pearl Gold, Black & White.

Notes:

This sword first appeared with the Gladiator Minifigure as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 5, in 2011.

LEGO Group official name for this Minifigure Accessory is "Mini Short Sword". BrickLink has catalogued it as "Roman Gladius"

This Minifigure Accessory has been used in many DC Wonder Woman sets and both Lord Of the Rings and Hobbit sets.

A second style of the Short Sword exists with a slightly thicker hilt that was introduced in 2012.

BrickLink ID No. 18034 (thin hilt) & 95673 (thick hilt) and available colours are: Flat Silver, Pearl Dark Grey, Pearl Gold, Black & White.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Minotaur, Series 6 - 8827-8.jpg
Cyclops, Series 9 - Profile.jpg
Medusa, Series 10 - Profile.jpg

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) portraits are designed and constructed on Gadigal Land, on which the city of Sydney now stands. We respect and honour the traditional owners and their Elders past, present and future.

 

Copyright

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) is a non-profit, artistic and educational project of pop-art portraits of classicists made with LEGO® parts by Liam D. Jensen. LEGO® is the property of the LEGO® Group, Denmark which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.

 

The term “LEGO” is used herein as a description only, for example “International LEGO Classicism Day”, “LEGO Classics Pantheon” and “LEGO Classics” should not to be mistaken for official company names. All photos are the copyright of Liam D. Jensen unless otherwise stated and may not be used without the artist’s written permission and full accreditation.

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) motto “To Do History is to Play” and its classical Greek translation "ἱστορεῖν παίζειν” is the copyright of Liam D. Jensen and Prof. John Bennet. All rights reserved.

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) website is copyright of Liam. D. Jensen, 2021-2026.

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