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Architecture
The Doric style is rather The Ionic style is thinner The Corinthian style is
sturdy and its top (the and more elegant. Its capital seldom used in the Greek
capital), is plain. This style is decorated with a scroll- world, but often seen on
was used in mainland Greece like design (a volute). This Roman temples. Its capital is
and the colonies in southern style was found in eastern very elaborate and decorated
Italy and Sicily. Greece and the islands. with acanthus leaves.
Greek Orders
The Acropolis
How do we tell our stories about myths, legends, and historical events?
Sculpture of Ancient Greece
Greeks portrayed the gods in very similar
fashion as they did the regular humans. There
were no distinctions of size or body make up in
their sculpture which would suggest that the
gods were greater or more powerful then the
humans. This is also similar in Greek stories,
where the gods are shown to have very human
characteristics, both good and bad.
The second period, the Classical period, was between the Archaic and Hellenistic times.
The Classical period shows a very large shift from the stiff Archaic to a more realistic and
sometimes idealistic portrayal of the human figure. Females, after the 5th century B.C.,
were depicted nude, often with flowing robes. The robes gave the sculpture the idea of
movement and realism in an effort by the artist to show humans more naturally and
realistically.
The third period, the Hellenistic period, started a little before 300 B.C. To the average
person, it is more difficult to see the distinctions between the Classical and Hellenistic
period. Both periods did the majority of their sculpture as nudes. The Greeks portrayed a
young, vigorous, and athletic person in their works. These works idealized the individual
and in a way, attempted to capture the idea of youth and strength in their design. The
works reflect the commonly held views of youth, strength, courage, and beauty which were
encouraged in the Greek City states.
Art of Ancient Greece
Discobolos
c. 450 BC
Roman marble copy after the bronze
original by Myron
height 155 cm (61 in)
Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome
Compare the statue of Discobolos with the statue of Michael Jordan. How does
each civilization portray its athletes? Why?
Art of Ancient Greece
Venus de Milo
Parian marble, h 2.02 m (6 1/2 ft)
Found at Milo
130-120 BC
Musee du Louvre, Paris
Compare the statue of Venus de Milo with the magazine covers. How has the
Greek portrayal of women influenced our culture’s view of women?