Lecture 6

1. Lecture 6 Greek Temples as Repositories of Tradition

2. Religious Beliefs • According toHesiod, (c. 700 BCE) there were over 50,000 gods on earth concerning themselves with human problems. Their influence was no doubt felt in every aspect of daily life on all levels. • The distinct hierarchy of the gods was reached only after violent struggles among the old divinitiesof Chaos,, Zeus coming out on top. With his wife, Hera, Zeus reigned over the Olympian deities including,Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Aphrodite, Dionysus and Pluto. This hierarchy mirrored the laws of man. Because of the Pan-Hellenic system of sanctuaries the gods guaranteed justice through the official status of religion. Festivals held in the appropriate seasons attracted crowds who attended and spent money locally just like the conventions and sports events that are held today. • Demigods and minor deities, under the watchful eyes of the major gods, were responsible for everyday life. All around the Greek countryside temples, chapels, oratories and altars differing in design and decoration, formed the natural expression of these popular beliefs. • A great website for learning more about the Greek gods is: http://www.theoi.com/Pantheon.html

3. Death and Funerary Art • It was thought that at the moment of death, the body was violently separated from the life-force, orpsyche, which escaped and took refuge in the dark domain of the dead, the underworld or kingdom of the shades beyond the river Styx. Only by following the prescribed rituals for the moment of death would secure the complete freedom necessary for the soul to travel to the domain of Pluto. Charon was the name of the ferryboatman who transported dead souls to Hades, the domain of Pluto. To ensure a comfortable last journey, the dead man’s tomb was filled with the practical and precious objects such as vases, jewelry and eating utensils and plates. Sometimes stele and chapels were subject to restrictive laws as the human preoccupation with display resulted in an upward spiral of opulence. • Amphora with Birth of Athena, 540BCE

4. Ritual and Sacrifice • Prayers/offerings/rituals to gods were highly diversified according to the deity, his personality, his functions and the desired benefits expected. • Major gods on Olympus were celebrated on raised altars of monumental character (i.e.,Priene and Pergamon) but those offerings for the lower gods or for the dead might be placed on low altars with hollows in the center to collect the blood of the victim and then let it flow directly onto the ground. Some were public and some rites were secret. Themystery cultsrequired halls for the initiation of their members or plays that evoked divine revelation. • Oracular gods by duty had to answer worshipers’ questions, justify their decisions and lead them to taking decisions most favorable to public or private activities. Consultations with anoracleinvolved complex rituals and a preliminary sacrifice. The gods then conveyed their answers in a variety of ways – shaking of leaves of oak trees or the deep echoes of a cauldron, or the answer might be given to a skilled interpreter or priest who then relayed it through verse or prose. • Shrines of themusesin valleys and gardens, or hidden in groves provided sanctuaries for philosophers, artists and men of letters. Athis greatly influenced later garden architecture.

5. Pergamon Altar, Altes Museum, Berlin

6. The Immortals (or Greek Gods) can be divided into 8 groups: 1. Protogenoi: First Born Gods – primeval beings who emerged at creation and form the fabric of the Universe; Earth, Sea, Sky, Night, Day, etc. Purely elemental in form. Gaia is literally earth, Pontos is sea water Sometimes they assumed anthropomorphic shapes as long as they stayed part of their element, so Thalassa (the sea) might express herself by lifting her sea-formed woman’s head above the waves 2. Daimones (spirits) – and Nymphai – who nurtured life in the four elements, (earth, air, fire, water) i.e., fresh-water Naiades, forest Dryades, beast-loving Satyroi, Marine Tritones, etc. 3. Daimones (spirits) that affect the body and mind – Sleep (Hypnos), Love (Eros), Fear (Phobos), Death (Thanatos), or Old Age (Geras), etc. 4. Theoi (gods) who controlled forces of nature and bestowed civilized arts on mankind. These are further divided into the gods of the Sky, Sea, Underworld, Agriculture, Pastoral Earth, Olympians, Titans, and Deified Monsters,

7. 5.Olympian gods who governed the universe and commanded the legions of lesser gods and spirits. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, Dionysus, and Hestia. 6. Constellation spirits – circled the night sky. Every constellation including the Zodiac was possessed of one or more spirits: Sagittarius was the centaur Kherion, Gemini the Dioskouri Twins, etc. 7. Mosters, Beasts, and Giants were semi-divine creatures, close relations of the gods. Gigantes (giants), Drakones (dragons), Kentauroi (Centaurs), Kerberos (Cyberus), Sphinx, Sirens, Muses, etc. 8. Heroi hemitithoi (semi-divine heroes) who were worshipped after death as minor divinities. Akhilleus, Theseus, Perseus, heroines Alkmene, Helene, and BAubo, founding kingsd like Erikhthonios, Kadmos, and Pelops. Many deities fell into more than one category: For instance, Tykhe (Lady Luck) could be classified as an Oikeanis Nymph, (in group two), as fortune personified, (in group three), and as a popularly worshipped goddess (in group four.)

8. Aesclepius • Aesclepius was the god of healing and is today medicine’s symbolic founder. Physicians traditionally take the oath of Aesclepius when they graduate from medical school. • The sick could, after a preliminary sacrifice, settle down to sleep the night under the colonnade behind the temple (the opisthodomus). During the night the god, or his servants, would visit and inform him of a way to get well or perform the cure on the spot. Most gods were available in this fashion. Berlin Museum

9. Muses Nine muses of the arts: Erato (love poetry), Clio (history), Calliope (epic poetry and song), Thalia (comedy), Urania (astronomy), Euterpe (lyric poetry and song), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (sacred poetry and song), Terpsichore (choral dancing). In Plato's Phaedrus (259BCE), Socrates says the locusts used to be men before the birth of the Muses. When song appeared when the Muses were born, some men were so overcome with delight that they sang constantly, forgetting to eat and drink until they eventually died. These dead men became locusts - with a gift from the Muses allowing them to sing continuously from their birth until death without the need of sustenance. When they die, the locusts go to the Muses and report which men on earth honors each, endearing a worshipper to the Muse he followed. It was common for ancient schools to have a shrine to the Muses called mouseion, the source of the modern word 'museum.' The famous Museum of Alexandria, founded by Ptolemy I, was a temple dedicated to the Muses. Before poets or storytellers recited their work, it was customary for them to invoke the inspiration and protection of the Muses.

10. Panorama of Paestum showing Temple of Poseidon and Basilica Temple of Poseidon (Hera II), Paestum, 460BCE: toward the norm for Doric. More massively monumental and sculpturally severe than others. Entablature still heavy. Columns placed more closely, more mature form than the Basilica. Hexastyle facades and 14 columns per side. This view shows the rear of the temples. Note the opisthedomos.

11. Treasury of the Athenians at Delphicolumns in antis

12. Temples and Altars • Interior of Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea

14. Temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus Dating to 8th c. BCE the original temple was built over again several times. We know the form from coins struck in the Roman period. Plan of the Hellenistic Period. Artemision (J. T. Wood 1877).

22. Some General Differences in Greek and Roman Temples • Roman temples were built on an elevated plateau, with a big staircase in front. This in contrast to Greek temples which were built on a stylobate, a base of three steps. • It is obvious which side of a Roman temple is the front side. This is not at all clear with Greek temples. • The Greeks placed the statue of a god in the cella (a room in the temple that nobody was allowed to enter). The Romans mostly placed the statue in the absis. • In contrast to the Greeks, the Romans used pilasters (half columns) • Roman temples are monopteral, meaning they have only one colonnade, whereas Greek temples can be both monopteral as well as dipteral (having a double colonnade). • Roman temples often had columns on the front side only.

23. Acropolis Model Showing Route of Entry

24. Procession of Panathenaeic Festival • Zigzag pathup the western slope swept back an forth across the Acropolisaxis • First clear form is Athena Nike, but it disappears and dramatically returns as the ramp is ascended. Becomes more enveloped by u-shaped Prophylaea, wherespace expands and contractswith ceiling heights. • Cofferedceilings • Statue of Athena Nike dominates the view temporarily; 30 foot high statue byPhidius. Promachos is seen at an angle. • Erectheum and Parthenonthree quarter perspective • Public may not be able to enter, but they can see in. • Attitudes towardsymmetry. Positioningof buildings off-center for better viewing. Zig-zag routes make for several views of the goal. • Balancebetween parts of the building, the various buildings in a group, the buildings and the landscape.

26. Propylaea ThePropylaea437-432BCE, never completed, byMnesicles. Marble gateway is externally Doric, internally Ionic Adjusts to steep slope of the site for two types of traffic – central ramp for processions, beasts and vehicles, side walkways for pedestrians, columns on stepped floors (two spaces) all are proportionate and same height. Pinacothecais first picture gallery

27. The Erectheon • built in 420 B.C.E. has two sections, one dedicated to the worship of Athena and the other to Poseidon. • Porch of the Maidens • Caryatidsexplicitly reveal the underlying anthropomorphic proportions of the Greek columns

29. While the Parthenon is the best known of all Greek temples, theErechtheon is perhaps the most unusual. It is built over the spot where mythology says Athena and Poseidon had a legendary contest to win the hearts of Athenians. Poseidon gave them a spring of fresh water on top of the Acropolis, and Athena gave them the olive tree, which became a staple food crop for the country. The temple is dedicated to these two, and to Erechtheus, a legendary king of Athens who started the Panathenaic festival.

30. Festivals and Processions • An effigy of the god might be included in a procession. Sacred banquets, songs and music, gymnastics, literary and musical competitions might combine with political and commercial elements at these ceremonies. Associated games held atDelphi and Olympiagrew into the Olympics. www.bibleplaces.com/delphi.htm

31. Temple of Apollo at Delphi

32. Theatre at Delphi The theater is quite well-preserved, dating to the 4th century B.C. Eumenes II of Pergamon restored it in the 2nd century, as did the Romans later. It was used for musical and theatrical portions of the Pythian Games and for meetings of Delphian citizens. Thirty-five rows provided seats for 5000 spectators as well as an excellent view overlooking the Temple of Apollo. www.bibleplaces.com/delphi.htm

33. The Orders: Doric • Shaft of tapered column set directly on thestylobate • Ratioof height to diameter is 4 ½: 1 or 5 ½: 1 • 20flutesseparated by sharparrises • Entasis - Response to weight of the entablature • Smooth transition from round column to rectangular superstructure • Capital carved from single block; has three parts: (necking, echinus, abacus) that disperse and carry theload evenly and gracefully • Architrave– stonelintelrunning from one column center to the next • Triglyphs and metopes • Cornicegives a strong edge to ends of roof and frames the pediment • Tympanumis an isosceles triangle • Acroteria • Painted in bright gaudy colors • Cellawith one entry door, columned aisles

34. Parts of the Doric Column

35. The Orders: Doric The Basilica(Temple of Hera) at Paestum, 530 BCE: Axial center columns are two tiered to reach the ceiling. May have housed two gods, Zeus and Hera. Nine end columns and 18 laterals per side. Basilios= King Archon = King’s House = Law Court = Church and judgment by Christ

36. The Orders: Ionic • Base cushions shaft fromstylobate • Parts of base:Torus, Spira and Scotias, Plinth • Flutes have filletsinstead ofarrises • Ratioof height to diameter is 9:1 or 10:1,wider spacing • Entasisis rare • Volutebetween echinus and abacus below entablature • Architrave • Dentils • Corona • Sima • Plan Temple of Artemis, Ephesus • Dipteraltemple, colonnade istripteral, paired columnsin antisfour deep onporch, opencourtyardat center

37. Parts of the Ionic Column • Engraving of six Ionic orders, by the French architect Julien-David Le Roy, published in Les ruines plus beaux des monuments de la Grace (1758)

38. Parts of the Corinthian Column The Corinthian Order is ornate and variable, but has volutes and foliage above an astragal and the column shaft is usually fluted.