Ideas + Specific evidence (Parthenon) Flashcards
What ‘aspects of design’ should you use for the Perfection idea
- *Optical refinements:**
- Entasis (swelling of column base)
- Angle of columns inwards
- Upward curvature of stylobate
What ‘LINK’ could you use for PERFECTION paragraph?
- Symmetria is defined as the harmonious relationship of part to part and of the part to the whole.
- The Parthenon is a masterpiece of symmetry and proportion.
- The Athenians were obsessed with Perfection as this temple had a dual function; to thank Athena for her help in the Greco-Persian war and as a symbol of Athenian victory.
What ‘aspects of design’ should you use for the Democracy idea
Ionic frieze
Characterised by a sculpted band of decoration
Great Panathenaic Procession
Specific evidence for the DEMOCRACY paragraph
WEST SIDE
MEN IN CONTROL (Control and skill comes from political and social stability)
- Control over nature/control over non-Athenians
- The Athenian men are in control and will maintain stability within their democratic state
- *Describe what is happening:**
- There are horses each striking a different pose.
- Horses overlap
- The horsemen have been moving at some speed
- Calm and collected men with mouths closed compared to animated horses.
- Strong bodies.
- Traditional roles: Preparing for the procession.
- The arrangement of the horsemen in the procession was according to tribe, following the political organisation of the Athenian state
Specific evidence for the DEMOCRACY paragraph
NORTH SIDE
UNITY: Unity that only comes from democracy
Describe what is happening:
- The sacrificial procession, with animals and groups of men and women carrying ceremonial vessels and offerings for Athena.
- There are water carries each with different facial expression showing their amazingly real nature
- Drapery falls naturally
- Women in designated traditional roles
- Very Phidian style
Specific evidence for the DEMOCRACY paragraph
EAST SIDE
APPROVAL OF THE GODS
Describe what is happening:
- The procession concludes with the giving of the peplos, the gift of the Athenian people to the cult statue of the Goddess
- Left and right of the peplos scene sit the twelve gods of Mount Olympos.
- Gods appear larger to show status
- First time mortals and gods are together in the same scene
What ‘LINK’ could you use for DEMOCRACY paragraph?
IDENTITY: The Athenian citizens were proud of their cultural identity, and aware of their progress as civilized people.
UNITY: For the first time in history every citizen of a city was recognised as a significant entity and a considerable moving force in the polis.
CHANGE: Pericles worked on reforming the Athenian democracy
–> More average Athenians
–> Reformed laws
–> Paid the jury
What ‘aspects of design’ should you use for the Superiority idea
Doric frieze
Characterised by triglyphs and metopes
Battles (Lapiths vs Centaurs)
Specific evidence for the SUPERIORITY paragraph
Doric freize
Lapiths vs centaurs
Specific evidence for the SUPERIORITY paragraph
What is the myth of the Lapiths vs Centaurs?
- Centaurs are invited to a Lapiths wedding
- Centaurs get far too drunk and become violent; raping the women and causing absolute chaos
- A battle ensues
- The Lapiths win over their enemies
- Athenian king Theseus fought on the Lapiths’ side
What is happening in this metopes?
What is the focus?
How does it link to context?
What is happening? This sculpture shows a Centaur rearing triumphantly over a dying human Lapith. The piece is moving (we can’t see the expressions of the two due to it being fragmented by they are moving to show naturalism of movement
What does it focus on? This focus on human suffering epitomises the intense humanism of Greek art.
How does it link to context? The sculpture also represents Greece’s struggle to resist being absorbed into the Persian Empire.
SO… these sculptures are using myths to present a heroic version of recent events.
What does the Metopes tell us about how Athenians viewed themselves?
What LINK could you use for SUPERIORITY?
IDENTITY: The Athenian citizens were proud of their cultural identity, and aware of their progress as civilized people.
CHAOS VS CIVILISED: A theme dear to the hearts of the Athenians who were not shy to believe themselves and their achievements as superior to other cultures of their time.
What ‘aspects of design’ should you use for the Wealth idea
Size and scale: Most opulent temple of its time (14m high, 30.9m wide, 69.5m long)
Materials: marble
Statue: Athena Parthenos (ivory and gold 1000kgs)
Specific evidence for the WEALTH paragraph
Scale and size
Aspect of design: Scale and size
It was larger and more opulent than any temple that had been constructed on the Greek mainland before → 14m high / 30.9m wide / 69.5m long
