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