1.5 PRES Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece Overview

  • Course Title: URBS 110: The City

  • Instructor: Dr. Beth A. Wielde

  • Institution: Heidelberg Urban and Regional Studies Institute

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Ancient Greece Historical Context

Greek Influence on Egypt

  • In 332 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered Egypt.

  • Result: Egyptian cities re-planned in the Greek tradition under the Ptolemaic dynasty.

  • Shift in architectural styles from lotus/palm columns to Greek styles.

  • Cleopatra, a prominent historical figure known as a Greek pharaoh despite her Egyptian colony.

Evolution of Greek City-State

  • Ancient Greece was not unified but made up of independent city-states.

  • Growth of cities from early tribes; the dominant city-state would absorb smaller towns.

  • Definition: A city-state is self-contained with its own government.

  • Comparison: Similar to European nations with distinct capitals yet unified by geography and culture.

Key Concepts in Ancient Greek Urban Planning

City-States and Their Components

  • Various city-states: Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Ionia.

  • Alliance against external threats (e.g., Persia).

  • Focus of study: Hellenic era from 500 BCE to 146 BCE.

Hippodamus of Miletus

  • Pioneer of city planning and grid layout.

  • Responded to challenges after Persian invasions in the 490s-480s BCE.

  • Developed planning systems to optimize urban growth and manage varied terrain.

City Planning Innovations

The Grid Plan

  • Definition: Straight streets intersecting at right angles.

  • Improved air circulation through orientation with prevailing winds.

  • Notable feature: Adaptable to different terrains and city growth patterns.

The Polis

  • "Polis" implies city or city-state, influenced modern city-naming conventions (e.g., Minneapolis).

Public vs. Sacred Space

Agora

  • The Agora functioned as a public space for assembly, trade, and civic engagement.

  • Types of Agoras:

    • Archaic (uncoordinated)

    • Ionic (coordinated through architecture)

Stoa and Bouleuterion

  • Stoa: Covered walkway with two rows of columns for protection from weather.

  • Bouleuterion: Assembly hall for the Boule (council of citizens).

Theaters as Significant Spaces

  • Theaters offered entertainment and education about morality and politics.

  • Important cultural gatherings for political commentary and mythology.

Acropolis

Definition and Purpose

  • A sacred high place often featuring temples, restricted access, and an emphasis on religious worship.

  • Contrast with the Agora, showcasing the boundary between democratic and religious authority.

The Parthenon

Architectural Significance

  • The Parthenon exemplifies Doric architecture.

  • Known for its proportions and decorations (e.g., metopes and pediments depicting mythological tales).

  • Human-scale design strategy (e.g., corner column adjustments for visual uniformity).

Evolution to Roman Influence

  • Post-Hellenistic changes as Rome's power rose.

  • Continuation of Greek architectural and cultural practices, embedding Greek influence in Roman evolution.

Conclusion

  • Ancient Greece laid foundational aspects of urban planning, architectural styles, and cultural norms reflected in subsequent civilizations, especially during the Hellenic era.