3 The Great Awakening: Greece, seventh to fifth century Flashcards
Dates, location and ethnic identity of the Minoans?
Non-indo-European civilization flourishing on Crete in Bronze age –from approximately 2000 BC to 1400 BC.
What happened to the Minoans in 1450BC
After c. 1450 BC, dominated by Mycenaean Greeks, forming a hybrid culture which lasted until around 1100 BC.
What is characteristic of Minoan art in
- shape,
- colour,
- design and
- subject?
Shape: The Minoans had a distinct painting style with shapes formed by curvilinear lines that add a feeling of liveliness to the paintings.
Colour: The Minoan color palette is based in earth tones of white, brown, red, and yellow. Black and vivid blue are also used.
Design: Pottery tends to be completely covered in pattern, in style later known as horror vacui.
Subject: Strong use of marine and floral motifs.
What was the written language of the Minoans?
Still unknown, as their written language, “Linear A,” remains undeciphered. Might be Greek or Semitic –or something else entirely.
What are the dates of the 5 prehistorical periods?
Stone Age:
Paleolithic (c. 2.6 million–10,000 BC)
Mesolithic (c. 10,000–5,000 BC)
Neolithic (c. 5,000–3,000 BC)
Bronze Age (c. 3,300–1200 BC)
Iron Age (c. 1200 BC–1 AD, varies by region)
Dates and characteristics of the Paleolithic?
Paleolithic (c. 2.6 million–10,000 BC): Old Stone Age, characterized by the development of primitive stone tools.
Dates and characteristics of the Mesolithic?
Mesolithic (c. 10,000–5,000 BC): Middle Stone Age, transitional period with refined stone tools and beginnings of sedentary life.
Dates and characteristics of the Neolithic?
Neolithic (c. 5,000–3,000 BC): New Stone Age, marked by the advent of farming, animal domestication, and more advanced tools.
Dates and characteristics of Mycenean civilisation?
Dates: 1600–1100 BC.
Characteristics: Palatial states, linear B script, advanced art and architecture.
Notable Sites: Mycenae, Pylos, Tiryns.
Copied art of Minoans.
Homeric poems largely describe Mycenaean Greece.
What was Mycenean civilisation?
Time Frame: c. 1600–1100 BC.
Characteristics: Palatial states, linear B script, advanced art and architecture.
Notable Sites: Mycenae, Pylos, Tiryns.
Copied art of Minoans.
Homeric poems largely describe Mycenaean Greece.
Dates and characteristics of the Bronze Age?
Bronze Age (c. 3,300–1200 BC): Characterized by the use of bronze, early writing systems, extended use of the wheel, and the formation of states and empires.
Dates and characteristics of the Iron Age?
Iron Age (c. 1200 BC–1 AD, varies by region): This age is defined by the prevalent use of iron and steel. The Iron Age witnesses more widespread use of writing, the development of organized states, and the enhancement of technological capabilities.
Dates and characteristics of Mycenean civilisation?
Time Frame: c. 1600–1100 BC.
Characteristics: Palatial states, linear B script, advanced art and architecture.
Notable Sites: Mycenae, Pylos, Tiryns.
Copied art of Minoans.
Homeric poems largely describe Mycenaean Greece.
The Myceneans were influenced by the art of the _______?
Minoans.
Homeric poems largely describe _________ Greece.
Homeric poems largely describe Mycenaean Greece.
Dates and causes of Greek Dark Ages?
Caused by collapse of Mycenaean Civilization, possibly because of invasions by the Dorians (founders of Sparta) or Sea Peoples, and natural disasters.
What were the results of the late Bronze Age Collapse (1200BC) for Mycenean Greece?
Collapse of centralized palatial systems, trade routes, and writing systems (Linear B disappears).
Simplification in art and architecture, move towards Geometric style.
Dates of Mycenaean civilisation?
1600-1100BC
Dates of Greek Dark Ages?
1100-800BC
Dates of the Greek Archaic Period?
Archaic Period (c. 800-500 BC)
After the Dark Ages
The beginning of the Greek Dark Ages is referred to as?
The Late Bronze Age Collapse.
Identify, date, describe
Mourning of the dead, Greek vase in geometric style, c 700BC
Represents mourning of a dead man, lying on bier.
From Greek Archaic Period 800-500BC, which saw rebirth of cities and culture after Dark Ages.
What were the main events of the Greek Archaic Period (800-500BC)?
Transformation of Greek society: writing reappeared, cities re-established, new political system (polis or city-state) developed.
Expansion and colonization of territories in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions were widespread.
Substantial advancement in the arts, poetry, and sculpture.
Identify, date, describe
The Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, 447-432BC
Doric temple –based on wooden temples of the Dorians.
Triglyphs imitate wooden structure.
Large but not colossal like Egyptian buildings.
Greeks began imitating temples of the _______ of the Peloponnese and developing the ______ style from around ______.
Greeks began imitating temples of the Dorians of the Peloponnese and developing the Doric style from around 600BC.
Dates of main periods of Ancient Greek culture?
Mycaenean Greece –1600-1100BC
Dark Ages –1100-800BC
Archaic Period –800-500BC
Classical Period (Golden Age) –500-323BC (death Alexander)
Hellenistic Period –323BC-30BC (death Cleopatra VII –last Alexandrian Mediterranean territory to be taken over by Rome)
Roman Greece –146BC-324AD
Identify, date, describe
The brothers Cleobis and Biton, c 600BC, Polymedes of Argos
Kuroi statues typical of Archaic period.
Based on Egyptian models –but knees show attempt at realism.
Crucial moment when Greek art began to imitate nature, rather than follow prescription.
What period do these vases come from? How can you tell?
Orientalising period of Ancient Greece –700-600BC
Animals and floral motifs.
Prefigures black-figure technique.
Draws on styles and motifs of more advanced Eastern cultures, particularly Assyria, Phoenicia, and Egypt.
Identify, date, describe
Achilles and Ajax playing draughts, 540BC, signed by Exekias.
Figures in Egyptian style, shown in profile, eyes depicted as though from front, but bodies more fluid.
Left arm missing from Achilles –but no big deal, not designed as map for afterlife.
Typical of black-figured pottery style 600-480BC –within Archaic period 800-500BC.
Identify, date, describe
Warrior’s leave-taking, signed Euthymedes, c500BC
Young warrior leaving parents for battle –emotive scene.
Foot shows first use of foreshortening –landmark moment in move towards realism. Shield seen from side, rather than from most characteristic angle (front).
Retains features of Egyptian art –firm outlines, eyes.
Beginning of red-figure style typical of Classical Period (480-323BC).
Identify, date, describe
Athena Parthenos, 438 BC
Roman marble copy after the wood gold and ivory original by Pheidias.
Original was 11 metres high.
Embodies Greek idea that power lies in beauty.
Identify, date, describe
Charioteer, Pythagoras of Samos, 475 BC
Statue of victor made as offering of thanks to gods.
Eyes marked with coloured stones, hair and eyes are slightly gilt –give effect of warmth and richness.
Sacred need for such statues consolidated interest in representing human form.
Identify, date, describe
Hercules carrying the heavens, c460 BC, Pheidias
Marble fragment from frieze of Temple of Zeus at Olympia.
Shows episode where Heracles asks Atlas to fetch apples of Hesperides, in exchange for carrying his burden. Athena helps with cushion. Atlas returns bearing golden apples.
Still bears hallmarks of Egyptian models –prefer to show faces in profile.
Charioteer, Pythagoras of Samos, 475 BC. What style is this in?
Classed as “Early Classical” or “Severe”. More naturalistic than kouroi of Archaic period, but still very rigid when compared with later works of the Classical period.
Charioteer, Pythagoras of Samos, 475 BC.
What minor detail separates this early classical statue from the Archaic period
Departure from Archaic – head is inclined slightly to one side.
Identify, date, describe
Discobolos, Myron of Athens, c450 BC
Same generation as Pheidias.
Seen from correct angle, still influence of Egyptian art –face and legs in profile.
Debate over whether pose is anatomically correct for discus throw.
Roman copy after bronze original.
Discobolos, Myron of Athens, c450 BC
What was 20th century history of this work?
Hitler bought first found copy (Discobolus Palombara) from Italy in 1938 for 5 million lire, despite protests from scholarly community. Now returned to Rome.
Who is this?
A hoplite –citizen-soldiers of Ancient Greek city-states who were primarily armed with spears and shields.
Identify, date, describe
Charioteer, detail from marble frieze of Parthenon, Pheidias, c 440 BC
Were originally highly coloured.
Foreshortening and anatomy mastered. Composition harmonious.
Identify, date, describe
Ulysses recognised by old nurse, 5th century BC
Vase in red-figured style, typical of Classical Period (500-323 BC)
Ulysses disguised as beggar, nurse recognises scar on leg.
Sense of drama –look shared between Ulysses and nurse. Conveys unspoken feelings –Socrates’ “workings of the soul”.
Identify, date, describe
Tombstone of Hegeso, c 400 BC
Shows Hegeso as she was in life.
Servant offers a pyxis, from which selects jewellery.
Style free and relaxed. Composition harmonious –curve of arm answered by that of chair.
Simple harmony that came into the world in 5th century Greece.
What is this area?
The Peloponnese
