ART 1A Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Exekias, Mycenaean Greece, Lamassu
Discussion Forums Chapter 5 – Greece: Greek Vase Painting
Greece and Western Civilization
What did the Greeks consider to be the measure of All Things?”
-the exaltation (joy?) of humanity
What does “demos” mean and how does it relate to American government?
-Demos means “the people” : American= democracy, for the people, by the people
What do “poleis” and “polis” mean?
-poleis is their word for independent city states (polis=singular form)
When were the first Olympic Games held?
-776 BCE
What do the terms “Hellas” and “Hellenistic” mean?
-Hellas is the name for anyone who spoke Greek no matter the state? (pg106)
In which ways did the Greek gods differ from ordinary humans?
-gods differed from humans only in that they were immortal
Who are the following Greek Gods, what are their Latin names, and what were they associated with?
Zeus: (Jupiter) King of the gods and ruler of the sky
Hera: (Juno) Goddess of marriage. Wife and sister of Zeus.
Poseidon: (Neptune) Lord of the sea. Controlled waves, storms, and earthquakes.
Hestia: (Vesta) Goddess of the hearth.
Demeter: (Ceres) Goddess of grain and agriculture
Ares: (Mars) God of war. Son of Zeus and Hera.
Athena: (Minerva) Goddess of wisdom and warfare. Born from the head of Zeus.
Hephaistos: (Vulcan) God of fire and metalworking. Son of Zeus and Hera.
Apollo: (Apollo) God of light and music. Sometimes identified with the sun.
Artemis: (Diana) Goddess of the hunt and wild animals. Sister of Apollo. Sometimes identified
with the moon.
Aphrodite: (Venus) Goddess of love and beauty
Hermes: (Mercury) Fleet-footed messenger of the gods with winged sandals. Also the guide of
travelers, including the dead traveling to the Underworld.
Briefly explain the Athenian ideal the balance among activities in the life of the perfect citizen.
-Their aim was to achieve a balance of intellectual and physical discipline. “a sound mind in a sound body.”
What was the position of women in Greek society?
-Not at all equal to men. Women were secluded in their homes and only came out for special occasions.
Does the term “symposium” mean the same in modern English usage as it did in classical Greece?
-Ha! No! In English it is a “conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject”, in Greece it is “a dinner
party only men and prostitutes attended)
Geometric Period Vases
When did the Mycenaean Civilization collapse, what was lost, and when did Greek civilization once more
emerge??
-During the Bronze Age?? Loss of: knowledge of masonry, building (citadels and tombs), frescoes, and stone
sculpture. Economic conditions improved and the population grew again in 8th century BCE.
When did the economic and cultural situation improve and the “Dark Ages” end?
-8th century BCE
Dipylon Krater
What was the purpose of the Dipylon Krater? (as a ceramic form and as found)
-it was found marking the grave of a man buried around 740BCE. Kraters were used to mix wine and
water.
How large was it?
-3ft & 4.5in high
When was it made?
-740 BCE?
What does the term Dipylon refer to?
-a cemetery/gateway???
What is a “meander?”
-a key
Why is this period of Greek vase production called Geometric?
-Because they images were made using geometric shapes in geometric styles.
Describe very briefly the basic decorative composition of this krater.
-registers, some telling story, some just decoration patterns. Simple geometric composite figures.
What do the scenes on this vase represent?
-war and a funeral?
How are the figures conceived? Are they composed of geometric shapes? How do they compare with
the Sumerian and Egyptian depiction of human beings?
-They are made of simple geometric shapes and distinctively show gender. They seem composite and
are very representational. They are much more simple than the other civilizations we have seen, but
still use perfect idea proportions like the other civilizations do as well.
Orientalizing Period
What are the dates for the Orientalizing Period of Greek Art?
-seventh century BCE? 700-600BCE?
Why is this period referred to as Orientalizing? Explain briefly.
-we start to see them using motifs, creatures, patterns, ect, from other regions, such as sphinx and lamasu
inspired creatures.
Were Greek ceramics widely exported? Where have most important Greek vases been found?
-yes. The Etruscans of central Italy.
Orientalizing Black Figure Amphora with Animal Friezes
What was an amphora used for?
-It is a two handled storage jar.
What is a frieze?
-A horizontal stripe of painted or sculpted decoration
How is the decoration on this amphora composed?
-in friezes/registers, with details in the negative space.
What Eastern imagery is present on this amphora?
-sphinx and lamassu
The art historical term Horror Vacui, "fear of empty space,” is the filling of the entire surface of an object
with decorative elements. Does the artist use flowers and other motifs in between the animal figures to
create a sense of horror vacui?
-Yes!
Black Figure Vase Production pg. 108 (You will be required to accurately explain this technical process on the
next exam, as well as recognize it.)
-3 step firing process:
1. Oxidizing= turned both pot and slip red.
2. Reducing= oxygen supply cut off, both pot and slip turn black
Document Summary
Discussion forums chapter 5 greece: greek vase painting. What did the greeks consider to be the measure of all things? . Demos means the people : american= democracy, for the people, by the people. Poleis is their word for independent city states (polis=singular form) Hellas is the name for anyone who spoke greek no matter the state? (pg106) Gods differed from humans only in that they were immortal. Who are the following greek gods, what are their latin names, and what were they associated with? (juno) goddess of marriage. Zeus: (jupiter) king of the gods and ruler of the sky. Artemis: (diana) goddess of the hunt and wild animals. Hermes: (mercury) fleet-footed messenger of the gods with winged sandals. Also the guide of travelers, including the dead traveling to the underworld. Briefly explain the athenian ideal the balance among activities in the life of the perfect citizen. Their aim was to achieve a balance of intellectual and physical discipline.
