Midterm Review

Ancient Greece

1. Individual image identifications - 15 points (3 images, 5 points for each one; 4 minutes per image)Give the following information for each image:Identification - be as precise as you canProvenience - This is the location. You should name the city or site where the piece comes from. Don't just say Greece -- all the objects, buildings, etc., covered in this section of the course come from the Greek world. If the original location of a work is unknown, then say so.Date - You may give an approximate date or a range of dates, but give a numerical date, not merely the name of a time period. You should try to be accurate to within a quarter of a century, whenever possible.Interpretation - Write two or three sentences (complete sentences, not just phrases!) describing the meaning of the object/structure, etc. Consider such factors as function, state of preservation, where the piece/object was found or displayed, artist (if known), historical or social significance (if known), who the potential audience of the piece/object might have been.

2. Comparison and contrast - 30 points (2 pairs of images, 15 points per pair; 11 minutes per pair)Give the same four pieces of information (ID, provenience, date, interpretation) for each image in the pair. Discuss Image A (left) first, then Image B (right).Then compare and contrast the pair. Each pair has been chosen to illustrate a particular theme we have talked about in class. You should start with a basic organizational statement defining the theme. Consider the following: what does the theme mean? why is the representation of this theme important in Greek art? how do the two works illustrated here serve as examples of the theme? how are they similar and how are they different?

3. Definitions - 15 pointsYou will be given several proper names or terms connected with the art of the Aegean world and ancient Greece and you will be asked to give brief definitions for them. Write two or three sentences for each term/name, and give a specific example of a work of art connected with the term, or one which illustrates the meaning of the term.

4. Essay - 40 points There will be an essay question on an interpretive problem of ancient Greek art. The question will be very general and will not have a single right or wrong answer. You should try to develop a thesis with supporting arguments, but also be prepared to back up your general points with references to specific works of art that support your arguments.

ThemesWars/Conflicts, e.g., Persian sack of Athens and its influence esp. on “art”

Mythology-Religious beliefs•reflection of values of Greek Society•the narrative in art and architecture

Temple/Sanctuary Significance and Architecture Greek life was dominated by religion and so it is not surprising that the temples of ancient Greece were extremely important and exquisitely designed. They also had a political purpose as they were often built to celebrate civic power and pride, or offer thanksgiving to the patron deity of a city for success in war.

Art and Architecture•advancements in technical skill and methods and its influence on “art” and architecture, development of an independent artistic identity

Social Structure and Government Social Structure•Greek society was mainly broken up between free people and slaves , women did not figure prominently in social life•Greece in the Archaic Period was made up of independent city-states, or poleis (singular polis) until Alexander the Great created a Monarchy in 336 BCE

Krater -a large vase used to mix wine and water-bell krater (looks like an inverted bell)

Kylix-a type of wine drinking cup with a broad relatively shallow body raised on a stem from a foot and usually with two horizontal handle

Amphora-used for the transport and storage of various products, both liquid and dry, but mostly for wine

Types of Greek Vases

Tripod vase by the C Painter; Birth of Athena; 590 BCE

• Black figure• Depicts Athena being born from the head of Zeus

• She is miniature, but fully grown and armed with weapons• Zeus sits enthroned with his characteristic lightning bolt• On either side of Zeus a pair of birth goddess raise their arms to release

the child• Two gods, Hephaistos (with an axe) and Poseidon (with trident)

Amphora by the Amasis Painter; 560 BCE; Dionysos and menads

• black figure amphora• Dionysus, the god of wine,

holding drinking cup• 2 menads dancing and partying

while presenting a hare to Dionysus

• Highly detailed garments• Amasis painter is known to only

have worked in black figure

Amphora by Exekias; 540 BCE; Suicide of Ajax

• Black figure amphora• Depicts events leading up to Ajax’s suicide• He is laying down his shield and helmet• Set his sword against a tree• Rare depiction of landscape elements• Balance of light and dark areas with large amount of negative space

Interior of kylix; Dionysos on a boat with a grapevine for a mast

• Black figure• Would use thumbs to grasp handles for drinking and decoration would be

revealed as the drink was being consumed• Dionysos is on a boat with a grapevine for a mast, white sail, and dolphins

around the boat• Curves in the composition echo shape of the cup

Krater by Euphronios; 515 BCE; Sarpedon carried off the battlefield by Sleep and Death

• Red figure• Would be used at a symposium, drinking party• Depicts Sarpedon’s death, winged personifications of sleep ad death carry him

away

Amphora by the Kleophrades Painter; 500-490 BCE; Dionysos and menads

• Red figure• Dionysus depicted holding a vine in one had and a wine glass in the other• Tw menads on either side of him • Nude athletes practicing discus and spear throwing on neck of vase

Bell krater by the Pan Painter, 480 BCE; Pan pursues Hermes

• Red figure• Early classical• Depicts the goat god, Pan pursuing Hermes• Possibly an outdoor scene

Kylix by the Brygos Painter, 480 BCE; revelers

• Red-figure• Depicts people after a party/

symposium• Animated figures, dancing, singing,

playing instruments

Kylix by the Brygos Painter, interior, showing the morning after a party

• Woman holding head of a young man after over indulgence• Would have been revealed while drink perhaps t serve as a warning

DORIC• Oldest, simplest order• Often don’t have bases• Shafts called flutes• Plain capitals• Entablature has distinct frieze with

vertical channels called triglyphs and metopes in between

IONIC• More delicate• Volutes at the capitals• Usually stand on a base• Columns are more slender• Often relief sculptures in the frieze

Temple of Hera, 550 BCE, ARCHAIC• Doric • Peripteral colonnade• Called Basilica after Roman

columnar hall bldg type• Central row of columns divides cella

into two aisles • -heavy widely spaced columns

Erechtheion, Athens, 420 BCE, Classical• Ionic• Fine decorative details• Asymmetrical plan• Caryatid figures

Temple of Aphaia, 500,Btw archaic and classical

Parthenon, Temple of Athena Parthenons, 447, Classical• Combination of Doric and Ionic • Mathematical precision, harmonious

design• Peristyle columns lean in slightly• Contained a cult statue of Athena

Temple of Aphaia, Aegina, Greece, 500 BCE

Temple of Athena Nike, built 424-421 BCE

• Temple of Aphaia• Aegina• 500 BCE• The temple od Aphaia was built at the

end of the Archaic period during a time of transition in architecture. The temple is in the Doric order and dedicated to Aphaia, a local nymph. Its columns are more slender and spaced out than columns of previous temples. This is characteristic of the Doric Order. Painted life sized statuary filled both pediments depicting the battle of the Greeks and the Trojans.

• Temple of Athena Nike• Athens• 420 BCE• The temple of Athena/Nike, built in

the Classical period, sits atop of the Athenian Acropolis as part of a sanctuary complex. It is dedicated to Nike, the goddess of victory. This temple was constructed in the Ionic order which has volute (curly) capitols on columns.

The Temple of Aphaia and the Temple of Athena/Nike are both situated in prominent, elevated locations and are part of sanctuary complexes. They both have statuary on their facades depicting battle scenes, however, the statuary on the Temple of Aphaia is on the pediment while the statuary on the Temple of Nike is on the frieze below the pediment. Although they were built within the same century, they were constructed in different architectural styles. The temple of Aphaia is in the Doric order and has columns around the entire temple, called a peristyle. The Temple of Athena/ Nike was built in the Ionic order and only has columns in the front and back, called an amphiprostyle.

Alexander mosaic, mosaic depicting Alexander and Darius, the Persian king at the battle of the Issos, Roman copy of a painting, ca. 310 BCE (mosaic is in Pompeii, original provenience of painting unknown)