Golden Age of Athens
The Utopia Pericles Created
A Golden Age is classified by peace, stability and prosperity during a specific period of time. The term “Golden Age” comes from the Greek Mythology, Chryson Genos, which is the first of the five Greek Ages of Man. The etymology shows that Golden Age, by definition, is a time of immense prosperity, harmony, and an abundance of different art and leisure forms. Following the Persian Wars, the Delian League was formed and an exceptional leader emerged. Pericles was born into a wealthy aristocratic family in 495 B.C.E. Then around 462 B.C.E., Pericles was deemed leader of the democratic faction in Athens. Around the same time, a Golden Age was dawning on 5th century Athens. With Greece shifting into its Classical Period of art and the Parthenon rising from the site of a previously destroyed temple in 447 B.C.E, Pericles shaped a sublime Greek democracy. The Golden Age of Pericles included many key innovations such as flourishing art, astonishing architectural feats, and a revolutionary government. Despite the impeccable works of this time, prolonged peace and a steady government proved to be the most significant impression left from the Golden Age of Pericles.
Beginning around 480 B.C.E., Athens went through many reforms; the art and sculpture slipped into the Classical Period, and mosaics began to be laid. Around the start of the 5th century, mosaics were first used to signify the importance of a room, but as time went on it increasingly became a symbol of class. First, river rocks were used to depict flowers, but when luxuries like glass tiles were introduced, the flower scenes morphed into intricate battle scenes. (Biers) Phidias, an Athenian sculptor was commissioned to create an elaborate shrine of Athena inside the Parthenon. “The technique of construction… included face, arms, and other skin areas pieced together in ivory, while the drapery, of very thin gold.” (“Phidias”) This quote reinforces the fact that not only
A Golden Age is classified by peace, stability and prosperity during a specific period of time. The term “Golden Age” comes from the Greek Mythology, Chryson Genos, which is the first of the five Greek Ages of Man. The etymology shows that Golden Age, by definition, is a time of immense prosperity, harmony, and an abundance of different art and leisure forms. Following the Persian Wars, the Delian League was formed and an exceptional leader emerged. Pericles was born into a wealthy aristocratic family in 495 B.C.E. Then around 462 B.C.E., Pericles was deemed leader of the democratic faction in Athens. Around the same time, a Golden Age was dawning on 5th century Athens. With Greece shifting into its Classical Period of art and the Parthenon rising from the site of a previously destroyed temple in 447 B.C.E, Pericles shaped a sublime Greek democracy. The Golden Age of Pericles included many key innovations such as flourishing art, astonishing architectural feats, and a revolutionary government. Despite the impeccable works of this time, prolonged peace and a steady government proved to be the most significant impression left from the Golden Age of Pericles.
Beginning around 480 B.C.E., Athens went through many reforms; the art and sculpture slipped into the Classical Period, and mosaics began to be laid. Around the start of the 5th century, mosaics were first used to signify the importance of a room, but as time went on it increasingly became a symbol of class. First, river rocks were used to depict flowers, but when luxuries like glass tiles were introduced, the flower scenes morphed into intricate battle scenes. (Biers) Phidias, an Athenian sculptor was commissioned to create an elaborate shrine of Athena inside the Parthenon. “The technique of construction… included face, arms, and other skin areas pieced together in ivory, while the drapery, of very thin gold.” (“Phidias”) This quote reinforces the fact that not only