Flashcards in Greek Part 1 Deck (12)
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1
What are some hallmarks of the Geometric period in ancient Greece?
-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
What was the purpose of the Geometric Krater?
Describe the type of decoration that borders the narrative scenes. What do the scenes depict?
-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
What are some hallmarks of the Archaic period?
-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
Describe the general changes in art from the Geometric to the Archaic period.
-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
With respect to Greek culture, identify some of the innovations that took place during the Archaic period.
-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
What kinds of scenes appear on pottery during the Archaic period?
-mythological scences
-trophy amphorai (vases) for victorious athletes in Panathenaic games
7
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?
-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
What is a kouros?
What was its original function?
In what ways is it similar to Egyptian figural sculptures?
-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
Explain the importance of Athens during the Classical period (c. 479 BCE).
-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
In general, how did art change from the Archaic to the Classical period?
-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
Who was Polykleitos and for what achievement was he known?
-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
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