Greek Culture and Art
Feb 24, 2016
Greek Culture and Art
Greek Culture
• Three Periods in Greek History:• Archaic 600 – 480 BC• Classical 480 – 323 BC• Hellenistic 323 – 31 BC
• Greeks Refered to themselves as “Hellas”
• Time periods well documented
• Influence from outside factors
Greek Theology• Mythology was infused in literature. • Hesiod 700 BC - poet
• ‘Genealogy’ of Zeus back to Chaos.• Also wrote “Works and Days”
• The Greek Gods/Goddesses were a way for the people to explain the unexplainable
• They Myths were apart of everyday life.
Greek Writings • Homer (not Simpson)
800 BC• Did not write his
works.• Was Blind
• Iliad:• Greek Hero Achilles and
the battle of Troy• Emphasis is honor,
vengeance and feud• The Odyssey
• After Troy, King Ithaca battles monsters.
• Offers insight into private and domestic life.
Greek Writings • Herodotus
• The First “Historian”• Wrote 50 years after the
Persian War• Historiae – Inquiries
• Sapphos – Female poet• School for females on the
isle of Lesbos
Greek Philosophy• Meaning the “love of wisdom”• Investigated nature in a new way• Did not deny the existence of the Gods –
but looked at in a more abstract way
Greek Philosophy • Socrates 470 – 399
BC• Left no writings. • “Know Thyself”• Nature and Origin
of the Universe
Greek Philosophy • Plato 428 – 348 BC
• Learned from Socrates • One of many philosophers
who discussed the nature of government.
• The Repubic and The Laws • Both examine his ideals of
laws required for its functioning
• Socratic Dialog
Greek Philosophy • Aristotle (384 – 322 BC)• Was a student of Plato• Taught Alexander the
Great• Was more than a
Philosopher• Found interest in Biology,
and the study of animals
Greek Science • Greeks were known for
developing mathematics• Archaic mathematician
Pythagoras. • There were many advances
at this point in time in Biology.
• Many Greek scientists were testing their theories
• Greeks were also inventors. Archimedes.
Greek Architecture • Developed the
post and Lintel style of building
• Incorporated sculpture and murals into their building
• Temples built for the Gods/Goddesses
• Parthenon 480 BC • Temple of Athena
Nike Entrance of the Parthenon
Greek Architecture • Late Classical/Hellenistic we see the
Greeks building large Theaters.
Greek Art• Murals
• Greeks did do large colourful frescos• Talked about in many different writings• Due to exposure to elements, very few
to none survived
Greek Sculpture • Archic Style
• Posture influence of the Egyptian sculpture• Human Figures – life size and minimal
details • Figures were grave markers• Male
• Called Kouros (Greek for boy)• No distinct features• Emphasis on Anatomy (nude)
• Female• Called Korai (Greek for Girl)• Clothed• Pose less rigid
Greek Sculpture • Classical Style
• Calm facial expressions• Nude Perfectionism/Idealism • Depictions of Greek
Gods/Goddesses or other famous Greeks
• Marble and Bronze • Attention to Details and
Anatomy
Greek Sculpture • Hellenistic Style
• More emotion• Detail in drapery • Most dramatic poses