Introduction to ancient Greek art
by Dr. Renee M. Gondek. Google ClassroomFacebookTwitter Email
A shared language, religion, and culture
Ancient Greece can feel strangely familiar. From the great feat of Achilles who was
a hero in the ancient epic poem by
Homer, The Illiad to the works of Aristotle,
from the exacting measurements of
the Parthenon (帕台农神庙) to the
rhythmic chaos of the Laocoön (below),
ancient Greek culture has shaped our
world.(1) Thanks largely to notable archaeological sites, well-known literary works, and the influence of Hollywood, this civilization is embedded(嵌入) in our collective consciousness .
Scattered around the Mediterranean and divided into self-governing units called city-states, the ancient Greeks were
united by a shared language, religion,
and culture . Strengthening these bonds
further were the temples and festivals
that embraced “all Greeks” and
encouraged interaction, competition, and
exchange. Although popular modern
understanding of the ancient Greek world
is based on the classical art of fifth
Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, 447 – 432 B.C.E. Laocoön and his Sons , early first century C.E., marble, 7’10-1/2″ high
century B.C.E. Athens, it is important to recognize that Greek civilization was vast and did not develop overnight. (2)
The Dark Ages (c. 1100 – c. 800 B.C.E.) to the Orientalizing Period (c. 700 – 600 B.C.E.)
Following the collapse of the Mycenaean castles of the late Bronze Age, the Greek
mainland was traditionally
thought to enter a “Dark Age”.
Not only did its complex socio-
cultural system disappear, but
also its numerous achievements
(i.e., metalworking, large-scale
construction, writing). The
discovery and continuous ex cav ation of a site known as Lefkandi, however, completely changes this impression. Located just north of Athens, Lefkandi has yielded an immense structure, a massive network of graves, and two heroic tombs filled with gold objects and valuable horse offerings. One of the most interesting artifacts, buried in two separate graves, is a statue with a horse body and a human head. Relating to mythology and perhaps a particular story, this strange statue shows the cultural richness of this period.
Similar in its adoption of narrative elements is a vase-painting likely dating to c. 730 B.C.E. The images on the
vase reflects other eighth-century
artifacts. Though simplistic, the
overall scene on this vase seems
to record a story. A man and
woman stand beside a ship
equipped with tiers of rowers.
Grasping at the stern(船尾) and
lifting one leg onto the ship, the man turns back towards the female and takes her by the wrist. Is the couple Theseus and
Centaur (Horse body with human head), c. 900 B.C.E.
Vessel(器皿) for mixing water and wine, possibly from c. 730 B.C.E., 30.5 cm hig h
