Archaic/Early 5th c

Archaic Greece

600-480 BCE (Second invasion of Greece by Persians)

Attic black-figure painting

(c. 600-530 = early to late sixth century)

Persian Invasions

(490-480, early 5th c. BCE)

● Massive, multiethnic forces from MENA invaded Greece

● Most Greek states surrendered/collaborated: Athens, Sparta, and a few

others resisted

● Victories (albeit temporary) by Greeks very, very important to them. Defeat in

these battles much less relevant to Persia

● Major implications, especially for Athens

○ City itself sacked, looted, sacred Akropolis destroyed: will clear the way for a new temple to

Athena that we know as the Parthenon

○ Victory led by new democratic leadership - helps to boost democracy

○ Changes internal and external focus for the city

Athenian Treasury at Delphi

(soon after 490 BCE

Notable for prime location in sanctuary

Doric treasury

No frieze, decorated metopes

Showed images of Athenian hero

(Theseus) with Herakles

Closely linked with Athenian sponsors of

rebuilt Temple to Apollo

Inscription refers to battle of Marathon (490

BCE) -- huge for Athens

Persian destruction of Athens

480

Athenians abandoned the city (except for the

Akropolis)

Persians occupied it for the winter/early spring,

burned Akropolis temples, left

Athenians returned and initially vowed to leave the

destroyed Akropolis in ruins as a monument to the

Persian sacrilege, but…….

Carvd Metopes

Individual scenes of heroic struggle

Compare with Siphnian Treasury

frieze

Often a hero (Herakles or Theseus)

fighting a hybrid creature (Minotaur here)

or mythical beast

Same concept of “human” order/

animal “chaos”

Themistoklean Wall

Became a symbol of Athenian strength, independence, and identity

North wall of the Athenian Akropolis