Greek Art and Archaelogy Final Exam Terms

Delian League

• An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens to defend against the Persian Empire.

• Various Greek City states and islands paid money and ships fund the league

• Initially successful against Persian invasions, Athens later abused its power, turning the league into an Athenian empire.

Pericles

• Leading Athenian politician from 461 to 429.

• Promoted democracy and built the Parthenon.

• Served as a Strategos (Military General) and was reelected several times.

Erechtheum (aka Erechtheion

• Located on the Acropolis of Athens

• Built between 421 and 406 BC

• Dedicated to Athena, Poseidon, and Erechtheion

• Distinctive porch of the Caryatids

• Combination of Ionic and Doric architectural styles

Pnyx

• an ancient Greek democratic assembly

• It was held in Athens.

• Meetings were open to all male citizens.

• Citizens could debate and vote on laws and policies.

• Pynx played a key role in Athenian democracy.

Bouleuterion

• The council house in ancient Greek cities where the council of citizens met.

• Place where the boule meets or higher serving politicians

• the people work there would be elected every month to prevent tyranny

• 415 - 406 BCE

Stoa

• A covered walkway or portico, often used as a meeting place or market.

• Used for multiple purposes.

• Seen as desirable and useful feature for holding gatherings

• used as display place for trophies + art

Parthenon Frieze

• The sculpted frieze on the Parthenon depicting a procession of Athenians.

• The most famous scene depicted on the frieze is the folding of the peplos.

• The Folding of the peplos is done by young virgin maidens

• Its controversial as some believe that a young male is being depicted instead of a young girl.

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The “Long Walls”

• 460 - 440 BCE

• Defensive walls connecting Athens to its port at Piraeus.

• Sparta starved out the Athenians within their walls causing mass death

• Was meant to make Athens an isolated fortress

erastes and erōmenos

• Erastes = (Lover) older male most often a tutor/mentor figure

• Eromenos = (“beloved”) an adolescent male

• By having an older and younger lover together made society more stable + united generations

Panhellenism

• The idea of Greek unity and cooperation among city-states.

• At its peak during the Persian war when Greece united to defeat the Persians

• Showing of Greek culture

Doryphoros of Polykleitos

• original created 450 BCE ---> classical piece

• A famous ancient Greek sculpture of a standing male nude

• Known as the spear bearer

• c. 440 BCE

• Sculpture depicted in Contrapposto.

Lysikrates Monument

• Athens

• C. 334 BCE

• Commemoration of a chorus victory in a theatrical competition

• sponsored by Lysikrates a wealthy Athenian man

Mausoleum

• A monumental tomb, named after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus c. 349 BCE

• Named after Mausolus

Miletus

• Started in 494 BCE and finished in 479 BCE

• An ancient Greek city in Asia Minor known for its intellectual and cultural achievements.

• Designed by Hippodamos (498 - 408 BCE)

• First noted by Aristotle as the first grid city design

• Constructed in the late 5th century.

Phillip II

• King of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great.

• (382 - 336 BCE)

• Invade Greece and started the Macedonian empire

• Was assassinated

Vergina

• A city in northern Greece where the tomb of Philip II was discovered.

• Capital of Macedon

• Macedonian palace with an emphasis on dining

• Tomb of Persephone at Vergina (mid- 4th Century BCE)

Persepolis

• The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in Persia.

• Symbolizes divine and peaceful hierarchy of empire.

• Destroyed by Alexander in a fit of drunk rage

Lysippos of Sikyon

• A famous ancient Greek sculptor known for his realistic portrayals of the human body.

• Personal sculptor of Alexander the Great

• Fourth century sculptor

Zeus-Ammon

• A syncretic deity combining aspects of Zeus and the Egyptian god Amun.

• oracle god of Egypt

• The principal shrine of God

“Alexander Sarcophagus”

• A sarcophagus from Sidon depicting scenes from the life of Alexander the Great.

• Housed the body King Abdalonymos of Sidon

• Greek style present

• Greek Architecture and Macedonian narrative

• Depicts Macedonian battle

Pergamene Baroque

• A style of Hellenistic art characterized by dramatic emotion and intricate detail.

• Often depicts despair

Hermaphrodite

• A sculpture depicting a figure with both male and female characteristics.

• Son of Aphrodite and Hermes

• Fused with a nymph.

• seen as physical representation of marriage and a symbol of good luck

“grotesques”

• Decorative designs featuring fanciful human and animal forms.

• focused on physical abnormalities, diseases, poverty + labor class 

• part of Hellenistic artwork 

Ptolemies

• The dynasty of Macedonian rulers in Egypt following the death of Alexander the Great.

• Last dynasty of Egypt

• Close friend of Alexander the Great

Antikythera Mechanism

• An ancient Greek analog computer used to predict astronomical positions.

• used to predict eclipse in the future

• Recovered from a shipwreck near Greek island

Museion at Alexandria

• An ancient center of learning and research in Alexandria, Egypt.

•  located of promontory of lochia’s 

• beautiful palace decorated beautiful 

• housed 7000 scrolls 

Tyche

• The Greek goddess of fortune and prosperity.

• source for good and evil for human beings.

• Depicted as a woman wearing a turreted crown.

Delphic Monument of Aemilius Paullus

• A monument in Delphi commemorating the victory of Aemilius Paullus over the Macedonians.

•  erected sanctuary at Apollo 

• 167 BCE ---> Hellenistic piece 

• to commence the roman victory over King Persus of Macedon 

• it was an incomplete pillar 

• purpose of establish Macedonian presence Delphi + show tradition of friendship to Delphi 

Odyssey Landscapes

• Scenes depicted in ancient Greek art inspired by Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey."

• Roman works depicting Greek mythology

• Often depicting the landscapes in the Odyssey

Octavian

• The original name of the Roman Emperor Augustus, who ruled during the time of the Roman Empire.

• Adopted son and nephew of Julius Ceaser

• Defeated Mark Anthony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium.

• Founder of the Roman Empire