The Nicholson Museum, in Sydney University's quadrangle, is Australia's largest museum of antiquities and fast developing a reputation as one of the most innovative museums of its type for its integration of the ancient and contemporary world. Last year, more than 90,000 visitors viewed the Lego Colosseum, an increase of 25,000 people on the previous 12 months. Next year, the museum is planning a Lego Pompeii.

''Models have always been a part of classical collections, ever since the days of cork models in the 17th and 18th centuries, and later, the plaster of Paris models,'' Turner says. ''The fact that this model is made of Lego simply reflects the appeal and popularity of today's great modelling material.

''Such is the appeal of Lego that many people who would never normally visit a museum of antiquities are now being exposed to ancient culture. They come to see Lego, they walk out having seen Egyptian mummies, warriors' helmets, pictures of Hercules and other heroes on Greek pots as well.''

The Lego Acropolis includes ancient and modern details, some accurate and others hilarious. In the small Odeon, Theseus is winding his way through a labyrinth made of string to face the Minotaur. In the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Elton John, is giving a concert to modern-day tourists. Lord Elgin and his crew can be seen stealing the marbles, while Sigmund Freud, who visited the Acropolis in 1904, looks on. Somehow, Gandalf, from The Lord of the Rings, makes an appearance as does Tony Mokbel, the Australian fugitive arrested in Athens in 2008, complete with ill-fitting wig.

Turner insists the model is not dumbing down the ancient world. ''Far from it,'' he says. ''It's about enthusing a generation of kids and kids-at-heart to understand the ancient world. We're hoping to inspire the next generation of classicists.''