Greek Art

1. Greek Art Birthplace of Western Civilization 8.1

2. History of Greek City-States • The history of ancient Greece begins around 2000B.C. • Towns eventually grew into small, independent city-states that were divided by geographical and political lines. • Unlike the United States of today, Greek city states were very independent and often fought with one another. • Fear united them and they worked together to overcome the Persian army.

3. Greek Religion • The Greeks considered their temples dwelling places for the gods., who looked and often acted human. • Greeks believed that the gods controlled the universe and the destiny of every person on Earth. • The highest goal for the Greeks was doing what the gods wanted them to do. • As a result, fortune tellers and omens were an important part of religious practices.

4. Early Greek Architecture • The earliest Greek architecture was made of brick and wood but has since deteriorated and disappeared. • Limestone and marble eventually because the favorite building materials. • The basic design of Greek temples did not change over time.

5. The Parthenon c447BC • Built as a temple for Athena, the goddess of wisdom and guardian of the named in her honor. • Took 10 years to build • Like all Greek buildings it was carefully planned to be balanced, harmonious, and beautiful. • Balance was very important in planning and symbolized power and longevity. • Made use of the most familiar features of Greek architecture: • Post and Lintel • Sloping Roof • Colonnade = a row of columns

6. Greek Temple Construction • A simple rectangular building set on a three-step platform • Consisted of two main rooms. A treasury and the main room which housed a giant statue of Athena. • Few citizens ever got to see the statue. Only priests and other high ranking people were allowed inside. • Religious ceremonies were held outside. • Preferred color over the whiteness of the marble so large areas were painted with bright colors like blue, green, red, and yellow. Paint has since washed away.

7. The Acropolis • The Parthenon was one of several building built on top of the sacred hill located in Athens, Greece. • Rises 500ft above the city and covers less than 8 acres. • Filled with statues and temples to signify the glory of Greece. • A large bronze statue of Athena stood at one end and severed as a bacon for ships. • It was said the statue was made from the bronze shield of the defeated Persians.

8. 3 Orders of Decorative Style • Doric – the principle feature is a simple, heavy column without a base, topped by a broad, plain capital. • Ionic – elaborate base and a capital carved into double scrolls that look like horns of a ram • Corinthian –the capital is elongated and decorated with leaves.

9. Doric Order

10. Ionic Order Temple of Athena Nike

11. Corinthian Order

12. Greek Vase Decoration • Early vase decoration started with just geometric patterns covering the vassal. • Artist began to figures to the geometric design. • Some of the best figures were painted on funerary vases which served the same purpose as a tombstone. • The figures are made of triangles and lines.. • Eventually vase figures became more lifelike and were placed in storytelling scenes.

13. Vase with Ajax and Achilles Playing Dice • Created by the artist Exekias more than 2,500 years ago. • Shows two Greek generals playing a board game. • Two great heroes from Greek literature. • The words being spoken are coming from their mouths just like in a modern cartoon strip. Tria = Three & Tessera = four • The legend goes that these great heroes were so involved in their game that their enemy was able to mount an attack.

14. Detail

15. Vocabulary & Quiz Review • The Parthenon • The Acropolis • Post & Lintel Construction • The 3 Orders of Decorative Style • Doric • Ionic • Corinthian • Vase with Ajax and Achilles Playing Dice