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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.
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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.
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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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Gladiator

Historical Theme:

Ancient Rome

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. It is the first Minifigure to use the accessories Roman Gladius/Sword and the Murmillo style Gladiator Helmet.

Notes:

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

It is the first Minifigure to use the accessories Roman Gladius/Sword and the Murmillo style Gladiator Helmet.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Pharaoh

Historical Theme:

Ancient Egypt

LEGO Theme:

Collectable Minifigures, Series 2

LEGO Type:

Minifigure

Year of Release:

2010

Designer:

Unknown

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 2, in 2010.

Notes:

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 2, in 2010.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Trident

Historical Theme:

Ancient Greece & Rome

LEGO Theme:

Multiple Themes

LEGO Type:

Minifigure Accessory

Year of Release:

2010

Designer:

Unknown

This Minifigure Accessory first appeared in the Atlantis themed sets between 2010-2011. It has also been used in DC Aquaman sets. LEGO ID No. 92289, 92290. Currently available in three colours Black, Pearl Dark Grey and Pearl Gold.

Notes:

This Minifigure Accessory first appeared in the Atlantis themed sets between 2010-2011.

It has also been used in DC Aquaman sets.

LEGO ID No. 92289, 92290. Currently available in three colours Black, Pearl Dark Grey and Pearl Gold.

Image sourced from BrickLink

Spartan Warrior (King Leonidas)

Historical Theme:

Ancient Greece

LEGO Theme:

Collectable Minifigures, Series 2

LEGO Type:

Minifigure

Year of Release:

2010

Designer:

Unknown

This Minifigure was released as part of the Collectable Minifigures, Series 2, in 2010. It is officially named "Spartan Warrior" but is often called LEGO King Leonidas in the LEGO community (this is due to the popularity of the recent film at the time "300" in 2007). 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 2, in 2010.

It is officially named "Spartan Warrior" but is often called LEGO King Leonidas in the LEGO community (this is due to the popularity of the recent film at the time "300" in 2007).

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

Minotaurus

Historical Theme:

Ancient Greece

LEGO Theme:

Games

LEGO Type:

Set

Year of Release:

2009

Designer:

Unknown

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

Three-Headed Dog 1 (Cerberus)

Historical Theme:

Ancient Greece

LEGO Theme:

Harry Potter

LEGO Type:

Animal-figure

Year of Release:

2001

Designer:

Unknown

Although this is not a true LEGO depiction of the legendary Cerberus but the three headed dog called Fluffy from the film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" based on the book by the same name, it is obvious that the author J.K. Rowling was inspired by the Ancient Greek legend of Hades's three headed dog. This figure is only available in the 2001 LEGO set "4706: Forbidden Corridor" but it is sold separately on the online market place BrickLink.com. 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:

Although this is not a true LEGO depiction of the legendary Cerberus but the three headed dog called Fluffy from the film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" based on the book by the same name, it is obvious that the author J.K. Rowling was inspired by the Ancient Greek legend of Hades's three headed dog.

This figure is only available in the 2001 LEGO set "4706: Forbidden Corridor" but it is sold separately on the online market place BrickLink.com.

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

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 "á¼±στορεá¿–ν 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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