GEOMETRIC PERIOD: 900–700 BCE

Starts out pretty small–mostly small bronzes Fairly stylized Human figures disappear for 300 years or so but then come back Coaligns with the creation of the Greek Polis CONCEPTUAL: ARTISTS PORTRAY SUBJECTS IN TERMS OF CLEARLY ARTICULATED COMPONENT PARTS

Geometric Horse

Olympia 

• 8th c. BCE

• Est. of clearly defined sanctuaries for practice of cult 9th and 8th c. BCE!!

  • Prior to this, we do not have a lot of architecture in the mainland post Mycenaeans that is clearly set aside for cult worship

• Bulls (substitutes of sacrifice), horses (heroic/artistic associations) popular 

  • Snodgrass: raw and 

    • Raw: personal items of some value 

• Individual features depicted through geometric approximations (just enough detail to make it recognizable)

• Olympic games founded in 776 BCE

Geometric Tripod cauldron with Horse Protomes

• 8th c. BCE

• Tripods given to victors of the olympic games

• Tripod cauldrons: ring handles decorated with horses, occasionally helmeted human figures 

  • Protome: figured extensions projecting from rims of cauldrons and other metal vessels 

• Prizes in athletic competitions – elite status 

• Heroic/aristocratic imagery

• Rise of Panhellenic sanctuaries (ex: Olympia, Delphi) alongside rise of polis 

  • Shared separation of elites 

  • Agnostic: competitive

  • Social stratification definitely becomes more apparent in this period, can see it in votives

Geometric Group of Man and Centaur

Olympia

• Ca. 750–700 BCE

• Could be hercules and the centaur Nessos?

  • Similar early depictions of Herakles with sword, belt, helmet

• So mythological episodes being produced in statuary? Crazy 

• Multi–figured bronze votives from Olympia

• Some inspired by mythological episodes 

• Originally inlaid eyes 

• Centaur is a human with a horse’s back legs

Bronze Warrior from Karditsa

(Thessaly) 

• Ca. 700 BCE

• Rise of warrior class

• Wicker impressions added to shield 

• Light helmet, belt, spear in right hand (missing)

• Emphasis on joints, skinny waist, flat chest

• Increasing interest in facial features 

• Increased detail