Paragraph about the Grand Column

The entrance to the exhibit stands a grand column. It caught my eye because it

was thick and short unlike most columns that are tall and thin. I soon realized that this

would probably be in front of a building. I also imagined it had been through chaotic

times. It could have been through the Dark Age, wind storms, destructive water, and

raging fires. It survived many years, but with battle scars. The surface is chipping, and

the colors are merged between light and dark beige. Red is on the lines standing out. The

designs are still beautifully intact which makes the artist live on forever.

Standing Tall

Me, just marble.

Carved with care,

Beautiful designs

Wonderful technique.

But a story lies here.

Thousands of years ago,

In the height of my time,

I lived.

Striking Athens, my home.

Culture thriving in the arts.

Leaving a mark on the world,

Including me.

But first my story.

Raging fires.

Rushing towards me

Engulfing me,

The heat suffocating me.

I resist. I stand tall,

Waiting for the fire to die.

Destructive waters.

Sky high waves crash on me,

Foam roams around me,

Salt scraping my sides.

I resist. I standing tall,

Waiting for the water to flow away.

Chaotic winds.

Swiping the world around me,

Leaving without a trace.

Then a war.

Destroying everything in its path.

Including my partner,

Aiding me with the weight of the building.

Shattered to pieces,

Terminated by the enemy.

I survive to see the future.

Joyful celebrations,

Engaging meetings,

Art blooming.

Until we fall,

Only remembered by our culture.

Unlike others I was recused,

The past to all, and

A reminder to all.

By Alonnie Johnson

The Terracotta Panathenaic Prize Amphora

The Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora is a very large piece of art in a round

shape. The colors on this piece of art are orange/red and black. I think it is those colors

so it makes it easy to focus on the actual art of the vase, and not really the colors. Also,

since it is so old, the colors may have faded, and the original could have been different

than what we see now. I think it is both a work of art and has a practical function

because it is given as an award so there is a lot of thought and detail, but it also contains

olive oil, which was very valuable to the Ancient Greeks. This piece of art depicts men

running, which I infer is a marathon race because of the actions. I think that if you put all

of the pieces of this artwork together, it could tell a story, but not an actual or specific

real story. I think it conveys emotions, because you can see their muscles and them

running, so they are probably feeling determined and working hard.

Running For the Prize

I could feel the cold air hitting the bare naked upper half of my body as I whizzed right

passed them.

It felt as though I was getting whipped.

I could feel my face tensing up and my muscles bulging as I struggled to pass the other

racers.

I could taste the olive oil and knew it would be mine.

All I had to do was keep looking forward and sprinting ahead.

My mind could only focus on winning this valuable prize.

My short and heavy breathing started to become deeper and deeper.

My legs became numb and my knees felt weak.

My mind was racing and I could feel the beat of the feet of the runners behind me.

As my whole body starts to ache, my motivation keeps me moving.

With my hair messy and sweat dripping down my face, I could see the finish line.

I ran right through the finish line and collapsed on to the floor.

By Georgia Gordon

Terracotta Panathenaic Prize Amphora

I chose the Terracotta Panatheniac prize amphora. It is 24 and 5/16 of an inch.

The vase is black with an orange band. On the orange band, there are five runners painted

in black, which makes the runners really stand out. I think they are painted in black to

grab the viewers’ attention and to show that the runners are powerful. I think the prize is

depicting a story of marathon runners that are racing to the finish. I also think this

represents a marathon because you can tell the struggle the runners are going through as

they stride for the finish. This vase held olive oil and was given to the winner. This

might have been a trophy to represent how respectable and honorable the winner is, just

as olive oil is considered honorable. The runners’ thighs are muscular, probably

representing how strong they are. It looks as if they are leaping to the finish and are

fighting for the winning spot. This vase grabbed my attention because it was a large,

colorful vase (contrary to the statues) in the forefront of the exhibit.

n Urn of Honor

As the sun rose, I felt the warmth electrify my body.

My legs ached like a warrior during the final hours of the

battle.

Days passed.

I persevered through the lonely hours.

This was the moment.

As I threw my leg forward,

I was startled by the speed of my fellow runners.

The race wore on, the miles grew distant.

My legs turned into clay,

Melting to the ground.

My pace disintegrated, other runners fly by;

I was lagging behind, I reflected;

Long months,

Days,

Hours of sweat and pain.

Suddenly the aches in my legs were replaced with power.

It was as if I was wearing Hermes’ wings.

No longer behind, but now in sync.

The finish line soon appeared like a lightening bolt shot from above.

I was a warrior fighting for the title.

I broke past the finish.

My pride strengthened.

An urn of honor.

By Lucy Seavey

The Column-krater

The column krater was a medium size vase. It was made of terra-cotta and used

the colors red, yellow, and black. I think it was good that they used the colors red and

yellow because they added a sort of pop due to the fact that the other color was black.

Back then, it was used for a bowl where water and wine were mixed. Now a day, it could

be used as a statue in the middle of a living room or a place to put flowers in. Other

places I would see this vase would in a building were ancient artifacts are put such as a

museum. It represented wine, women and songs all together. The story behind the vase

was the return of Hephaistus. He was son of Zeus and Hera and was known as a divine

smith. He was born lame which resulted to Hera not wanting him. Later on, in revenge he

puts a throne on Hera that no one could release but her.

My Journey Home

For as long as I can remember

I have been roaming the roads trying to find my way back home.

After my own mother has casted me out of Olympus

my mind has been in turmoil.

But finally I have devised a plan

I will put a throne on my mother that only I can release.

She must pay, as I have done nothing to deserve

what she did

I have thought about my passage towards the

great house of the gods

having to bear all my belongings.

I am still unsure of how I will survive

as I cannot carry to much food.

My legs might feel like hay

and at times I might want to give up,

but as long as my heart is still beating

I will keep walking to finally gain revenge on my

mother.

By Camilla Mayol

Marble Relief of a Dancing Maenad

On a wall in the hallway of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Greek and

Roman section lies a beautiful sculpture of a dancing woman. It is a large piece that has a

variation of creams whites, browns and bronze. The cracks on this piece give it character

and complete it. The piece depicts a mythical woman (maenad) in a long stolla (dress)

who is doing some sort of movement. She is sculpted gracefully and is wearing an ivy

wreath and carrying a thros (fennel stalk) of ivy leaves and berries. Unlike many pieces in

this exhibit this artwork gives room for imagination. There are many stories and

situations that could be represented here. Emotion is conveyed through the woman’s

posture and the way she hangs her head. It seems that she is sad because she is not

smiling.

By: Amanata Adams

The Escape

Soft grass tickles my feet

Swaying back and forth

The circle closes

Into a huddle

Tip toeing I rush

With each step I am closer

Carefully looking around

For a secluded path

Quickly and hesitantly I run

Obscured from view

The trees engulf me

I know I can do this

But all too soon

I hear footsteps

Too close for me to run

I stop and turn around

Drooping my head

All the way back

By: Amanata Adams

Marble Statue of a Wounded Warrior

I chose to study the marble statue of a wounded warrior. He was tall compared to

the other smaller sculptures, and he was sized in human proportion. In addition, the

solider was made of beautiful beige marble that also had hints of grey and light brown, as

well. There were many dents and imperfection throughout his body, but the damage that

stood out to me was his arms, as each one had a large section broken off. This shows that

even though the soldier had major wounds, he was still pushing and fighting through

the pain and hardship. Also, I believe that he represented strength, perseverance,

courage, and confidence since he was holding up his arm, as though he was

making a fist. The warrior also conveys emotion, such as being proud, determined,

and unafraid of any dangerous challenges. He wanted to be the bravest of them all,

but unfortunately his life had been cut short.

By: Chloe Limpan

Wounded Warrior

My whole body aching, I grasp every ounce of strength in me

my heart beating fast and muscles slowing down

I still hold my head high

and my fist is raised in glory.

fighting in this battle for an entire decade,

this last year I am feeling like shattered glass,

all broken and about to fall apart.

Pushing through this hardship,

my thighs trembling every step of the way,

I do not think I will last any longer.

I wanted to be the mightiest of them all

but I am lost inside and almost without hope.

then I realized that I gave everything I had.

By: Chloe Lipman

Marble Capital and Finial in the Form of a Sphinx

The sphinx was a symbol of youth. It was a made up creature with wings, a

lion’s body and a woman’s head. It was painted with different colors like red and

was used to guard the dead. It was in shaped in an attack position with its wings up

and back flattened. It has a little smirk on its face and detailed muscles within its

two front legs. The sphinx scared people and has a special riddle. He was used to

guard Thebes and protect people from coming in and out.

By: Nikki Wellner

Sphinx’s Riddle

I will tell you a riddle

Not very long

No one has yet solved

I am very clever

It is hard for one to see

That the answer I must say

Is quite clear

I am scary to many

With my human head

And winged body

Although I am fierce

I am in danger

I am anxious

I am trembling

But my emotions

Must never show

For one may solve my riddle

Oedipus

I love doing what I do

Frightening people

If they do not get the answer right

But if he does

Answer my riddle correctly

I will plunge to my death

Gone from my home

And from everybody’s sight

By: Nikki Wellner

Marble Capital & Finial in the form of a Sphinx

In the Marble Capital & Finial in the form of a Sphinx, a sitting sphinx is

shown a top a grave. Like in the story of Oedipus, it is probably guarding its home

(ex. Thebes). This shows courage and bravery. The statue depicts a sphinx, or a lion

with a woman’s head. The full statue is about the size of a person, but the sphinx

itself is about the size of a feral cat like a lynx. It is beige and smooth, with some

roughness and dirt splotches from being so old. Her stance is not like a normal

animal sitting. She sits staring out into the distance, but is not fully against the

ground, making it easier to quickly stand and attack. This conveys suspense. The

overall capital is beautifully crafted, and would look great on top of a grave. Like it

did Thebes, the sphinx is protecting the dead.

By: Chloe Barbera

A Heart That Lies in Thebes

Determination filled my heart

My heart that lies in Thebes

It is my home

My people are happy

And no child, man, or elder

Can come in and take that away

Unless they solved the riddle…

Which no one ever has

Then they could enter

But I have no worries

Nobody will pass through-

Not while I’m still standing.

But the great Oedipus

He is the only one

He solved my riddle

He entered my home

He won’t be the last…

For my powers have all gone

And now I lie

My heart still in Thebes

A sphinx…

Who now lays alone and forlorn.

By: Chloe Barbera

The Terracotta Krater

The Terracotta Krater is quite large; it is as very simplistic object with only two main

colors: dark and light brown. It mainly has a practical function; it became a work of art

centuries later after it wasn’t being used for that purpose anymore. It depicts a sad, tragic

story of losing someone close to you. The action represented on the krater are giving and

grieving. Particular emotions that it conveys are sadness, depression, and distress.

An Archer’s Fight

War

Raging on

Hour after hour

Day after day

As I stand here, bow in hand,

Ready to fight,

To murder,

To defend,

To protect my fellow shipmates,

But still I watch each of them fall to the ground,

One by one,

And I cannot help but think that in a matter of hours,

That could be me

Unmoving, stoic, eyes open, dead on the battle-grounds

If I do not fight, and keep my stance, this is exactly what will happen

My future as an archer

By Cassie DeVera

The Terracotta Krater

The Terracotta Krater was an important monument that showed respect for those

who died. I think specifically for those who died in battle because there are many images

of chariots and women mourning on it. There is a dead body at the top of it and many

people surrounding it like a funeral. The paragraph under the sculpture told us that those

people were "mourners". All of the drawings on the object were tan, black, brown or grey

which showed that the setting if the scene was sad and that it was a moment of praise, but

not happiness. The monument stood around four to five feet tall. It had various lines and

patterns wrapping around it. The Terracotta Krater was placed on top of where people

were buried. It stood on a smaller and thinner object to "prevent the piece from exploding

in the kiln". Just from looking at it, I got to see how the women might have felt after

losing their loved ones in war.

Hopeless

I fought my hardest

Did my best

But it was my time to die

My mom, wife and daughter

All giving me their final farewells

Surrounded me

I was once a brave soldier

Who was defeated in war

And now I am a hopeless dead soul

It was hard to see my loved ones mourn for me

Many chariots lined up

People showing their respect

All for a brave soldier

A son, a husband, and a father

Me

By Camille Curtis

Final Farewell I miss them, my birds. They don’t know it yet, but the end comes too soon. They nuzzle up to me, burying feathers against my side, but the fever burns against them- slick, sweltering. this will be the last time. I danced with them in the summer heat, twirling, spinning, swaying— mid-afternoon. My hair was still dry, My body still agile. And the crickets? The insects? Green, vibrant. Not like now, when they hardly hum at all. These dried brown husks play my funeral march. The doves pull back- they understand why I no longer linger. I want to grasp on- no, hug them tighter!- but this is the end The beak

the nearest I pull it close hard beak smooth flesh a kiss goodbye They see My eyes Lower now Darker now I want- I need- I love- But They are shadows And they are gone. I dry my eyes, and head for the place- the place where no mortal can ever return from.