IOB Visual Sources

Visual sources for the Invention of the Barbarian paper

Triptolemos red-figure kylix (5^th Century BCE)

Attic helmet vs phrygian helmet

Dominant vs defensive position

Plain tunic vs patterned trousers

Sword vs bow

Greek soldier central position delivering final strike

Large hoplite shield with pegasus

South Frieze at the Temple of Athena Nike (426-421 BCE)

Submissive vs dominant positions

Persians on horseback

Draper

Heroic nudity

Crescent vs Greek shield

Penthesilea Attic red-figure kylix (470-450 BCE)

Dead Amazon hands tied submissive, patterned trousers

Central Greek soldier dominating amazon and locking eyes

Penthesilea has short peplos

Greek armour

Lucanian red-figure bell krater (late 5^th Century BCE)

Heroic nudity vs tight patterned peplos

Battle axe vs spear

Hoplite shield vs thracian shield

Corinthian helmet vs phrygian cap

Locking eyes like myth

Chasing her

Frieze of Apollo at Bassae (Mid 5^th Century)

Billowing impractical peplos vs heroic nudity

Amazon being pulled of horse by hair

Greek being trampled by amazon on horseback

Wounded Greeks being supported

Wet drapery

Hoplite shields

Phrygian cap vs Corinthian helmet

Spear vs bow

Amazon’s working together

Achilles wearing skin of Nemean lion trying to take Hippolytas belt

Euphronios Attic red-figure bell krater (6^th Century BCE) (before G-P Wars)

Mix of Greek/Barbarian dress for amazon’s

Less feminine

Hoplite shields

Bows

Phrygian cap

Patterned trousers suit

Herakles in lion suit

Greek submissive

Statuette of a naked youth - Oxus Treasure (5-4th century BCE)

pierced ears, roll of hair, fists with holes = good craftsmanship

given to solidify a promise = shows Persian culture

silver with gold gilding = luxury/wealth

no beard, nudity and pose = Greek influence - vastness of empire

Persian headdress = vastness of empire

very stylised human form = clear Greek influence as not very Persian - vastness of empire

Gold armlets with griffins - Oxus Treasure (5-4th century BCE)

griffin inlaid with glass/stone = good craftmanship (griffins crafted separately then added)

gift given in Persian court = Persian culture (also seen in Apadana relief)

gold, cloisons inlaid with stones/glass = luxury and wealth of empire

goldsmith influence is Egyptian = influence of vastness of empire

luxury item - not worn everyday

Silver rhyton ending in a griffin (5th century BCE)

mane and horns on griffin are ornate = good craftmanship

silver with gold gilding, stone/glass inlay in eye = wealth/luxury of empire, only an everyday item (wine pourer)

eastern style griffin copied in Greek art (cauldron handle) = vastness/influence of empire

held 1.5 litres of wine to be poured into a shallower bowl - not even the main receptacle

Head of a young Persian prince in lapis lazuli from the Apadana (6th century BCE)

made of lapis lazuli a rare rock = wealth and luxury of empire

stylised eyebrows = clear Egyptain influence - vastness/influence of empire

almond shaped eyes = influence of Greek Archaic statues - vastness/influenced by empire

beardless, castellated crown, eyes would have been inlaid

Rock relief at Bisitun (6-5th century BCE)

defeated rebel groups - 9 liar kings in ethnic dress = diversity of empire

inscriptions in Elamite, Babylonion and old Persian = diversity of empire

Darius 1.72m, Liar Kings 1.17m, show autobiography of Darius saving empire from imposter, show of power = Persian culture

Scythian hat on Skunkha = influence by vastness of empire

Ahura Mazda depicted

Darius standing on Smerdis the imposter

Scythian Skunkha added 519 BCE

Statue of Darius I from Susa (circa 486 BCE), sandstone

cartouches of Thrace, Cush and Medea = diversity of empire (‘King of Kings’ concept)

Hieroglyphs = diversity of empire

made in Egypt on Darius’ orders (only free standing Persian statue) = Persian culture

Egyptian style but Persian dress = influenced by empire, synthesis of cultures

pleats inscribed in cuneiform of the 4 official languages of empire = diversity/vastness

Greek influence of Kouros statues = influenced by vastness of empire

Cyrus Cylinder (539 BCE) buried in foundations of walls of Babylon, baked clay tablet

‘I, Cyrus, King of the World’ = diversity of empire

inscribed in 3 languages (show no desire to have one overall language) = tolerance of empire

says being in empire beneficial and shows he imagined himself as liberator saving Babylon from a tyrannical king

Tomb of Cyrus the Great, Pasargardae (550-525 BCE)

dominant ziggurat structure on flat surface = Persian culture treating kings like gods

initially lined with gold and tapestries = wealth/luxury of empire

synthesis of various influences across the empire including Ionia - unique in Persia

“I am Cyrus, and I won for the Persians their empire. Do not begrudge me this little earth which covers my body” = clear focus on Cyrus’s greatness and achievement, contrasts with Greek mythological foci

Gate of all nations - palace at Persepolis (6-5th century)

trilingual inscription (saying Xerxes built gates and Ahura Mazda made Xerxes) = diversity of empire

17.5m tall

Lamassu (winged bull with human head) = Assyrian deity that Persians used to ward off evil - cultural influence of empire on court

The Apadana (6-5th century) - Palace at Persepolis

‘audience hall’ where tribute paid and gifts handed out = culture

started by Darius finished by Xerxes

20m tall = imposing, domineering

2 staircases giving access

roof probably made of wood

Apadana East Stairs (6-5th Century) Palace at Persepolis

Greeks in Lydian clothing carrying cups, bowls and textiles = diversity of empire - Persian misconception of Greeks

depicts nations of Persia - includes Greeks

stylised beards and hair but no heroic nudity

22 nations distinguished by inaccurate dress, each group lead by a Persian/Mede with leaf/tree behind before next group

delegations have to pass to make tribute = showing diversity which gives Kings diversity

Greek, Egyptian and Assyrian influences

realism unimportant