Greek Art and Culture Review

These flashcards encompass key terms and concepts related to Greek art and culture, ideal for exam preparation.

Democracy

A system of government where power is given to the people, characterized by individual importance.

City-states

Independent political entities in ancient Greece, known as poleis.

Kouros

A standing nude youth figure in Greek sculpture.

Kore

A standing draped girl figure in Greek sculpture.

Naturalism

A style in art that seeks to depict subjects realistically.

Hellenistic Period

The era after Alexander the Great, marked by diversity and naturalism in art.

Archaic Smile

A stylistic element in Archaic Greek sculpture used to convey a human-like quality.

Geometric Style

A decorative art style characterized by concentric circles and linear patterns during the Greek Dark Age.

Black-Figure Style

An ancient Greek pottery technique where silhouettes of figures are painted in black on an orange background.

Red-Figure Style

A reversal of black-figure technique allowing more detailed depiction of the human figure and forms.

Delian League

An alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens for mutual protection against Persia.

The Peloponnesian Wars

Conflict between Athens and Sparta primarily over resources and power.

Parthenon

A monumental temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, symbolizing the power of Athens.

Sculpture

Art form that manifested in various styles throughout Greek history, including Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic.

Epic Poetry

A lengthy narrative poem detailing heroic deeds, originating from ancient Greece.

Lyric Poetry

A collection of poems expressing personal emotions or thoughts, prevalent in ancient Greek literature.

Tragedy

A dramatic genre that focuses on serious themes and often a noble main character facing a downfall.

Comedy

A form of dramatic art that uses humor to critique society, often ending happily.

The Battle of Marathon

A key battle during the Persian Wars where the Greeks defeated the Persians.

The Battle of Thermopylae

A famous battle in which a small Greek force, including 300 Spartans, fought against a much larger Persian army.

Acropolis

A fortified high area in ancient Greek cities, notably Athens, housing important temples and structures.

Agora

The central public space in ancient Greek city-states used for assemblies and marketplaces.

Classical Period

The era of Greek history known for its advancements in art, philosophy, and political structure.

Ideal Beauty

The Greek concept of perfect proportions and harmony in art and sculpture.

Xenophon

An ancient Greek historian known for his accounts of the Peloponnesian Wars.

Herodotus

Often regarded as the 'Father of History,' chronicling events in the Persian Empire.

Thucydides

An ancient Greek historian who wrote about the Peloponnesian Wars in a more objective style.

Sophocles

A significant playwright from ancient Greece, known for tragedies like Oedipus Rex.

Plato

A philosopher who explored ethics, politics, and aesthetics in ancient Greek thought.

Hippocrates

An ancient Greek physician renowned as the 'Father of Medicine.'

Macedonia

A kingdom north of Greece that became powerful under Philip II and Alexander the Great.

Peace of Callias

The treaty that ended hostilities between Greece and Persia after the Persian Wars.

Fresco Painting

A technique of mural painting on freshly laid wet plaster, common in ancient Greek art.

Panel Painting

A revered form of art created on flat surfaces, often using encaustic or tempera.

Heroic Realism

A style of art focusing on the depiction of heroes, often found in Greek pottery.

Archaic Period

The period from 800-500 BCE characterized by the development of art and culture in Greece.

Orientalizing Style

An art style that incorporated Eastern motifs into Greek art, influencing pottery designs.

Mythology

Traditional stories that explain natural or social phenomena, central to Greek culture.

Lysistratus

The sculptor credited with innovations in the lost-wax casting technique.

Alexander the Great

The king of Macedon who created one of the largest empires in the ancient world.

Byzantine Empire

The continuation of the Roman Empire in the East after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Delphi

An ancient Greek sanctuary that was the site of the oracle of Apollo.

Olympics

The ancient Greek athletic competitions held every four years in honor of Zeus.

Chiaroscuro

An artistic technique using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume.

Daedalus

A mythical figure known for his skill in arts and architecture, attributed with the invention of many structures.