Greek Art Birthplace of Western Civilization

8.1

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Doric Order

Ionic Order

Temple of Athena Nike

Corinthian Order

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.

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.

Detail

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