The University of Tübingen has an extraordinary treasure from ancient Greece: the so called “Tübingen Hoplite.” The high-quality bronze statuette was given to the University as a private donation at the end of the 18th century and founded the original collection of the Institute of Classical Archaeology, which today comprises around 11,000 objects. The athlete in starting position, orginally armed with helmet and shield, was manufactured in the Athens area around 490/480 BC. A hoplite once consecrated this statuette to the gods in a Greek sanctuary as thanks for his success.