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Flashcards in Greek Part 1 Deck (12)
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1
Q

What are some hallmarks of the Geometric period in ancient Greece?

A
  • 900-700 BC
  • construction of large temples and sanctuaries dedicated to gods→ state religion
  • Olympic gods
  • epic poetry→ Homer→ the Iliad (Greek vs Troy); the Odyssey (adventures of Odysseus)
  • bronze/terracotta/painted scenes on vessels= interest in figural imagery that focuses on funerary rituals and the heroic world of aristocratic warriors and their equipment
  • turning, decorating, and firing terracotta vases; casting and coldworking bronze, engraving gems, working gold
  • no stone sculptures yet (maybe wood or bronze or clay)
2
Q

What was the purpose of the Geometric Krater?

Describe the type of decoration that borders the narrative scenes. What do the scenes depict?

A
  • grave markers= large vases
  • main scene shown= prosthesis→ ritual in ancient Greek funerary practice in which the deceased is laid out out on a high bed
  • relatives/family come to mourn and pay respects
  • deceased on his side with a checkered shroud
  • triangular chest ppl shown frontally and breasts in profile
  • circular heads→ profile
  • geometric shapes; hence geometric period
  • chariots/horses/warriors carry spears and shields→ may refer to the military accomplishments of the dead
  • glorious ancestry?
3
Q

What are some hallmarks of the Archaic period?

A
  • naturalistic
  • eastern pictorial motifs (sirens, sphinxes, made up animals)
  • Corinthians→ invented style of silhouetted forms (small animals and plants)
  • Athens→ vase painters illustrate mythological scenes
  • 6th century BC→ 2 types of freestanding large scale sculptures (male kouros (standing nude youth) or female kore (standing draped maiden))
  • Egyptian influence in pose and proportions
  • dedications to gods or grave markers
4
Q

Describe the general changes in art from the Geometric to the Archaic period.

A

-more naturalistic
-eastern pictorial motifs (sirens, sphinxes, made up animals)
-assimilate foreign styles into new portrayals of their own myths and customs→ classical greek art
?????

5
Q

With respect to Greek culture, identify some of the innovations that took place during the Archaic period.

A
  • Thales of Miletos demonstrated cycles of nature, predicted solar eclipse and solstices
  • Pythagoras→ mathematician
  • Solon= made a written code of laws
  • Athenian vases dominated export; show aspects of Greek culture (daily life, athletics, warfare, religion, mythology
  • experiment with different painting techniques
6
Q

What kinds of scenes appear on pottery during the Archaic period?

A
  • mythological scences

- trophy amphorai (vases) for victorious athletes in Panathenaic games

7
Q

What was the original function of the Panathenaic amphora?

Is this a more or less realistic depiction of human figures than on the Geometric krater?

A
  • it was usually given as a prize to the winning athlete in one of the Panathenaic games every 4 year (in each event)
  • filled with olive oil from sacred place
  • much more realistic
8
Q

What is a kouros?
What was its original function?
In what ways is it similar to Egyptian figural sculptures?

A
  • male youth
  • nude
  • original function= grave markers or dedications in the sanctuary of a god
  • posture like egyptian statues (clenched fists, left leg forward, stiff)
  • no like egyptian art= nude, not skirted, no rectangular piece of stone on the back
  • lifelike vitality; concern with design
9
Q

Explain the importance of Athens during the Classical period (c. 479 BCE).

A

-dominated Grece politically, economically, and culturally
-organized confederacy of allies to ensure freedom of Greek cities
-wealthy imperial power
-developed into the first democracy
???
Parthenon on Acropolis

10
Q

In general, how did art change from the Archaic to the Classical period?

A
  • representation conveys vitality of life, sense of permanence, clarity, and harmony,
  • ideal
  • red figure technique (no more black figure)
  • HUMAN BODY clothed, nude, or in motion
  • Praxiteles Aphrodite of Knidos
  • nude (females usually shown draped)
  • slender proportions, distinctive contrapposto stance= hallmarks
11
Q

Who was Polykleitos and for what achievement was he known?

A

-of Argos
made a system of proportions that achieved the artistic effect (vitality of life, sense of permanence, clarity, and harmony, ) and allowed others to reproduce it
-inspired by Pythgoras

12
Q

How does this sculpture ( Doryphoros (Spear Bearer)) exemplify Polykleitos’ Canon?

A
  • it shows asymmetrical balance
  • motion while at rest (looks like he’s moving but he’s not)
  • harmony of opposites (head turns right, hips turn left; right arm and left leg are relaxed; right leg supports relaxed leg and opposes flexed arm with spear)
  • tensed relaxed limbs support each other diagonally
  • ideal beauty
  • harmonious numerical ratios (Pythagoras)