Introduction to Greek Art

Bronze Age Crete and Mycenae

Agamemnon Mask

3,000 – 1150 BCE

Homer was writing about these times

Geometric & Orientalizing Periods

This age lasted around 400 years

Geometric & Orientalizing Periods

This age lasted around 400 years

• Iliad and the Odyssey

• Physical Prowess

• Athleticism

• Warrior strength

• Courage

• Protection of family and community

• Personal honour

• Worship of ‘Arete’ (individual manliness!)

750-500bce: The Rise of the Polis (City State)500 – 479bce: The Persian Wars (&the rise of Athens)

The Archaic Period

750-500bce: The Rise of the Polis (City State)500 – 479bce: The Persian Wars (& the rise of Athens)

The Archaic Period

• The Archaic period saw the expansion of Greece into Sicily (west) and Turkey (east)

• The rise of Athens as a commercial and political power

• Battle of Marathon – the Persians were defeated by Greece

• Athens Golden age or the Classical Age

479-435: The Age of Pericles, The Parthenon and the Delian LeagueEarly (severe) Classical Period

479-435: The Age of Pericles, The Parthenon and the Delian LeagueEarly (severe) Classical Period

• The Persian wars left Athens the dominant power in the Greek world and the leader of the Delian league

• Art has an official, triumphant style

• A little stiff in nature?

431-404bce The Peloponnesian WarThe High Classical Period

431-404bce The Peloponnesian WarThe High Classical Period

• The Athenian empire (Delian League) became increasingly unpopular

• The other City-States in league with Sparta challenged Athens in a series of wars called the Peloponnesian wars

• Eventually Athens is defeated