Ancient Greece: The Classical Spirit Part II Early Greece

Rise of Ancient Greece Part II Bronze Age and Mycenaean Civilization end 1100 BCE (Dorian Invasion) New civilization begins in 1000 BCE –Geometric period BCE –Orientalizing period BCE –Archaic period BCE

Rise of Ancient Greece GEOMETRIC PERIOD ( BCE) Also known as the Heoric Age No political center = independent city states –Polis ruled by council of aristocrats –Independent

Rise of Ancient Greece GEOMETRIC PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery –Geometric style decorative geometric bands cover the surface Shows concern for proportion and thoughtful composition and placement of elements Commonly narrate funeral procession Krater large vase with a wide mouth, used as a burial marker

Rise of Ancient Greece GEOMETRIC PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery What are the differences between the Geometric style and the Aegean style?

Rise of Ancient Greece GEOMETRIC PERIOD ( BCE) Sculpture –Not much exists because the material was perishable –Mostly animals Most likely used as sacrifices to the gods in place of real animals What exists was found in burial tombs Simple, abstract and sophisticated

Rise of Ancient Greece GEOMETRIC PERIOD ( BCE) Sculpture Abstract style Hat and belt Pinched waste Exaggeration of important features

Rise of Ancient Greece GEOMETRIC PERIOD ( BCE) Known as the Heroic Age because of Iliad and Odyssey Becomes the “basis for Greek education because of model of conduct—of heroism and pride, of cunning and loyalty” (Benton and Yanni 69). Iliad = great deeds on the battlefield, military glory, narrow view –Achilles’ tale of purely physical strength Odyssey = values of home and hearth, patience and wisdom –Odysseus’ tale of wisdom gained through suffering –Conflict to return home as prince or experience adventure and test himself as a hero

Rise of Ancient Greece ORIENTALIZING PERIOD ( BCE) Polis’ begin trading with the East (Egypt, Persia and Phoenicia) First see human form sculptures Unified language with introduction of an alphabet

Rise of Ancient Greece ORIENTALIZING PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery –Inspired by the oriental –Move away from geometric as form more important (animals, human, etc) –Color reveals origin of vases –Symmetry evident –Human form influenced by Egypt and animal form influenced by Mesopotamia

Rise of Ancient Greece ORIENTALIZING PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery

Sculpture

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE) Study of human form, naturalism –Pottery –Sculpture –Architecture –Literature

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery –Black Figure Vases Black glaze over a natural red clay vase Designs etched in and filled with color Imperfect silhouettes Symmetry Human form vs. animals Limited by tools

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery Narratives told stories of mythology, battles and winners of olympic games

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery –Red Figure Style –Background around subject is glazed in black and figures are painted on with a brush –Details are no longer etched in = more detail and sophistication

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE) Pottery Composition is detailed and in rectangle to follow the shape of the vase.

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE) Architecture Doric style = simple, severe, powerful and not decorative Appears disproportionate and awkward

Thick heavy columns. Shaft abruptly tapers at the capital = bulge look of the column

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE) Sculpture –Kouros: life-size representation of nude male youth, standing with one foot forward and arms at sides –Koré: softer or female version. Clothing softened statue Eastern influences –Stylized, painted and decorated Later became more naturalistic (true human form) Proportions become natural (waist)

Rise of Ancient Greece ARCHAIC PERIOD ( BCE)

Art in Early Greece The Archaic period: B.C. Progression from the Egyptian models Naturalism: attempt to represent objects as they appear in nature Vase painting: red-figure technique: figures left unpainted Greeks’ range of feelings and actions

Early Greek Poetry Homeric epics: long narrative poems; heroic deeds; hero who brings pride to country. Iliad and Odyssey: First masterpieces of Western literature. “distant and communal perspective…” Heroes: Achilles and Odysseus Despite man’s frailties, his life is noble

Sappho’s Lyric Poetry Lyric poems: brief, expressing feelings, often accompanied by a lyre. Sappho’s poems expressed her love for her women friends. Lived her life on the island of Lesbos