Sculptural and Architectural Elements in Ancient Greece

Sculpture in Greek Architecture

Cornices

  • From the Archaic period, there was substantial sculptural production using various materials, primarily focused on representing the human body.
  • These sculptures served different functions:
    • Celebrating divinities and heroes.
    • Depicting devotees of the sanctuary.
  • These statues embodied heroic ideals like strength, courage, and beauty.

Friezes

  • Friezes were used to depict episodes and mythological narratives.
  • Doric temples:
    • The square panels of the metopes, alternating with triglyphs, necessitated a more concise representation of mythological stories.
  • Ionic temples:
    • The continuous decorated band allowed for the development of more complex scenes.

Pediments

  • The triangular frame of the pediment compelled sculptors to include mythological figures to represent myths.
  • An early example is the pediment of the Temple of Artemis:
    • The scene was sculpted with hierarchical dimensions.
    • The central Gorgon was meant to protect the building.
    • The monster with wide eyes was depicted in a geometric running-kneeling pose, flanked by two symmetrical panthers.

The Pursuit of Naturalism

  • Around 500 BC, figures in the pediments of the Temple of Athena were sculpted with more natural poses.
  • In the western pediment:
    • Statues of soldiers were closed off and isolated in their actions.
    • Statues assumed different poses to fill the space.
  • In the eastern pediment:
    • A freer rhythm of poses led to a more unified and engaging narrative composition.
  • The stylistic differences are especially evident when comparing statues of wounded warriors from both pediments.
  • The pose with crossed legs and the archaic smile did not reflect the drama of the moment.

Archaic Statuary

  • In sculpting human bodies, the aim was to achieve balance and harmony, striving for a synthesis between naturalistic imitation and idealization of forms.
  • There was a palpable desire for aesthetic precision and their unique moral vision, summarized in the phrase kalos kai agathos (that which is beautiful is good).
  • Several artistic currents circulated during this period:
    • The Daedalic current.
    • The Ionic current.
    • The Attic current.
    • The Doric current.
  • In the 6th century BC, Attic terracotta production became prominent in the Mediterranean.
    • The style was narrative, and the main themes were the deeds of heroes and divinities.
    • Vases were produced for domestic, votive, and funerary purposes.
  • Two techniques were used for making vases:
    • Black-figure technique: The most commonly used.
      • The outlines of the figures were drawn and filled with liquid clay, then the details were touched up with a burin (a metal point).
    • Red-figure technique: The outlines of the figures were painted with black varnish.
      • The interior of the figures was red, the color of the clay, and then the details were added, making the vase waterproof.

The Classical Age

  • The Classical Age began in 480 BC, after the Greek victory against the Persians, and ended in 323 BC with the death of Alexander the Great.
  • This period saw alternating hegemonies of various cities and peoples, most notably Athens, which played a crucial role in the war against the Persians.
  • However, after the Peloponnesian War, Sparta exerted its hegemony over Greece.
  • Subsequently, Thebes gained hegemony over all the Greek poleis.
  • Finally, Philip II, the king of Macedonia, conquered all the Greek poleis, which became part of Macedonia.
  • Philip II's successor, Alexander, extended Macedonian rule to India before dying in 323 BC, and his empire was divided into many small Hellenistic kingdoms.
  • This period marked the end of the Classical Age and the beginning of the Hellenistic Age.

The Sanctuary and the Theater

  • Sanctuaries were built away from the most powerful poleis, in areas considered sacred and where the oracle of the god to whom it was dedicated resided.
  • All citizens were to have access to the sanctuary.
  • Sports competitions and religious rites were held there, reinforcing the Panhellenic sentiment, i.e., the awareness of the Greek peoples of belonging to a single civilization.
  • Additionally, sanctuaries housed a treasure containing offerings from citizens.
  • An example of a sanctuary is that of Olympia, where sacred games called the Olympics were held every four years.
  • In the Greek world, theatrical performance was understood as a representation of myth and was linked to religious rites, particularly to the god Dionysus.
  • All public activities were suspended during performances.
  • The theater was generally located on a height from which the sea or other landscapes could be seen.
  • Usually built of stone, the theater had a semicircular or semi-elliptical shape and was equipped with tiers of seats.
  • The center of the theater was the stage where the orchestra, the chorus, and the actors performed, while the audience, called the cavea, watched.
  • There were two entrances: one for the audience and one for the actors.