KC

Greek Lecture

Introduction

  • Week Two Overview

    • Importance of Preparation

    • Discussion Format (not a formal lecture)

    • Recap of Ideas from the Unit Site

Student Engagement

  • Attendance and Participation

    • Few students accessed the unit site before lecture (only ~7 out of 106)

    • Quizzes and Journals

    • Importance of attempting quizzes and journals for understanding

Weekly Tasks Overview

  • Focus on Completing Weekly Tasks

    • Weekly journal and quizzes are essential

    • Group presentations and research papers as additional tasks

    • Aim to spread workload evenly across the semester

    • Potential pressure during Easter and final submission weeks

Today's Topic: Greece

  • Location and Significance

    • Greece is in Europe, close to Italy

    • Importance of Greek architecture and its influence on contemporary architects

    • Greek civilization recognized as one of the earliest recorded civilizations

Civilization & Historical Context

  • Age of Ancient Greek Civilization

    • Mention of ancient artworks dating back 27,000 BC

    • Evidence of human civilization predating recorded history

    • Comparison with other ancient civilizations such as Indus Valley and Mesopotamia

Greek Contributions to Architecture and Society

  • Importance of Greek Civilization in Architecture

    • Greek civilization offers timeless concepts of beauty, order, democracy, and philosophy

    • Influence on modern understanding and aesthetics in society

Greek Aesthetics and Philosophy

  • Concept of Beauty and Order

    • Greek theories suggesting beauty ties strongly to proportion and symmetry

    • Aesthetic values continue to influence contemporary architecture

  • Contributions to Political Philosophy

    • Emergence of democracy and the focus on human rights

    • Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle contributed foundational ideas of humanism

Greek Architectural Characteristics

  • Discussion of Greek Architectural Styles

    • Classical architecture characterized by the use of columns in three orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian

      The 3 Orders of Ancient Greek Architecture

    • Use of columns reflects societal values and aesthetics

  • Influence of Humanism

    • The balance of physical beauty and intellect encouraged through public forums like theaters and stadiums

The Megaron: Foundation of Greek Architecture

  • Traditional Structure of Greek Homes

    • The Megaron as the basis for all Greek buildings, characterized by simple columns and a central hearth

  • Development into Public Structures

    • Evolution from the Megaron into temples and civic buildings

The Acropolis and Agora

  • Understanding Greek Urban Planning

    • Acropolis as the religious center elevated to signify the importance of the gods

    • Agora as the public space for civic life and democratic activities

The Influence of Mythology on Architecture

  • Concept of the Gods

    • Greek gods represented as perfect human forms, influencing architectural design

    • Temples designed not just for worship but also for public celebration and visibility to the gods

Ongoing Discussion and Critical Thinking

  • Importance of Regular Attendance and Preparation

    • Engage actively to enhance understanding and avoid lagging behind

    • The significance of critical thinking in journals and presentations

Summary and Conclusion

  • Reinforcement of Greek architectural ideals and humanistic philosophies

    • Reflection on how these concepts remain relevant in modern architecture and societal frameworks

  • Encouragement for continued engagement and question-asking in seminars and lectures.