How Do People And Culture Influence Ancient Greek Culture
The people and culture of Ancient Greece have shaped the way modern civilization is today. Since 800 BC, the Greeks were the first to civilize their country and rid of the rule of kings, forming a democratic system of government.1 Greek Gods were also anthromorphic, but humanized, and had their own personalities and conflicts.2 The basic form of literature was developed, hence the reasoning for the many myths and stories behind Greek art.3 Exekias’ black figure paintings of Gods on pottery showed a great deal of power, symbolism, and drama. Narrative storylines can be seen in his paintings of Achilles and Ajax Playing a Board Game, and Dionysus on a boat. However, the symbolic power of the two is displayed in much different ways.
Exekias’ …show more content…
painting of Achilles and Ajax shows a scene of rest in between fighting the Trojan War. In this scene, they are sitting down, playing a board game called Petteia.4 At the edge of their seat and literally tippy-toeing, they appear to be absorbed into the game. The two spears that each God is clutching on to directs the viewer’s eye to the intensity of the game, as well as focusing it out of the focal point to create an overall roundness in composition. The image is quite symmetrical, although Achilles sits on a higher stool and has his helmet on while Ajax’s is placed aside. Thus, Achilles seems superior and more imposing than his opponent. The number ‘four’ is spelled out in Greek by Achilles’ mouth, and ‘three’ beside Ajax’s, another indication that Achilles is obviously in the lead.5
This painting shows not only the power of both warriors, but also the humanization of the Gods. The tension and focus between Achilles and Ajax are dramatized. Ironically enough, although the scene is during a break in between battles, the two Gods were in a battle themselves, with Achilles dominating Ajax.
The kylix painting of Dionysus in a Boat tells a completely different story.
Best known as the grape and wine god, he was also known as a vegetation diety.6 He introduced the grape vine and taught how to cultivate and ferment wine.7 One day Dionysus hopped back on a boat back home from travels, and to his surprise, pirates, with the intention to be sold as a slave in Asia, kidnapped him. 8 Once he figured out he was abducted, he caused vines to grow all over the ship, frightening them9. The only way of the pirates escaping the vines was to jump off of the ship, which turned them into dolphins.10 This explains the seven dolphins surrounding the boat while a gigantic, blown-up version of Dionysus lies comfortably in it. The ratio of his size to the boat symbolizes his power. The seven bunches of grapes above him looks like clouds, acting like a shield.
Compositionally, the painting of this dramatic scene is well balanced. The boat that he lies in is placed in the center. The number seven is the central motif, one bunch of grapes contrasts with every dolphin. The circular border attracts the viewers’ eye to the inside of the cup, also acting as a barrier to the dolphins. Although this scene of Dionysus seems far from realistic, we understand a sense of theatricality to this
painting.
From these two paintings, we can observe that Ancient Greek art during the archaic style has evolved from eras preceding it. The Greeks developed an understanding of a clear storyline within these paintings, focusing mainly on drama and theatrics. However, geometric styles are still evident in the borders around his paintings. The evolution of stylized to naturalistic forms of art during this time period is clear, which the paintings include both elements. For example, the relation of size of Dionysus to the boat refers back to Mesopotamian art.11 The profile with the frontal eye can also be referred back to the art of Ancient Egypt.12
The Greek’s way of life has changed its future cultures and artforms in many different ways. Not only has it contributed a form of government that is used globally today, but also it humanized Gods of their time. Instead of strictly worshipping Gods, they could relate to them with these types of stories. This created a more intense relationship of the human and the God, which is even apparent in all forms of religion today.
Bibliography
Adams, Laurie Schneider. Art Across Time. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
n.a., “Attic Black-Figure Amphora by Exekias” Vatican Museums. http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/MGEs/MGEs_Sala19_04_056.html (accessed 7 November 2012)
n.a., “Greek God of Wine and Ecstacy” Dionysus. http://www.godandgoddess.com/the-god-dionysus.html (accessed 1 November 2012)
n.a., “Latrunculi” http://www.aerobiologicalengineering.com/wxk116/Roman/BoardGames/latruncu.html (accessed 2 November 2012)
Mus, P. Dionysus. “God of Grapes” Dionysus. http://home.scarlet.be/mauk.haemers/collegium_religionis/dionysus.htm (accessed 2 November 2012)
Thompson, Kristi. Dionysos. http://dionysia.org/greek/dionysos/thompson/dionysos.html (accessed 3 November 2012)
Exekias’ …show more content…
painting of Achilles and Ajax shows a scene of rest in between fighting the Trojan War. In this scene, they are sitting down, playing a board game called Petteia.4 At the edge of their seat and literally tippy-toeing, they appear to be absorbed into the game. The two spears that each God is clutching on to directs the viewer’s eye to the intensity of the game, as well as focusing it out of the focal point to create an overall roundness in composition. The image is quite symmetrical, although Achilles sits on a higher stool and has his helmet on while Ajax’s is placed aside. Thus, Achilles seems superior and more imposing than his opponent. The number ‘four’ is spelled out in Greek by Achilles’ mouth, and ‘three’ beside Ajax’s, another indication that Achilles is obviously in the lead.5
This painting shows not only the power of both warriors, but also the humanization of the Gods. The tension and focus between Achilles and Ajax are dramatized. Ironically enough, although the scene is during a break in between battles, the two Gods were in a battle themselves, with Achilles dominating Ajax.
The kylix painting of Dionysus in a Boat tells a completely different story.
Best known as the grape and wine god, he was also known as a vegetation diety.6 He introduced the grape vine and taught how to cultivate and ferment wine.7 One day Dionysus hopped back on a boat back home from travels, and to his surprise, pirates, with the intention to be sold as a slave in Asia, kidnapped him. 8 Once he figured out he was abducted, he caused vines to grow all over the ship, frightening them9. The only way of the pirates escaping the vines was to jump off of the ship, which turned them into dolphins.10 This explains the seven dolphins surrounding the boat while a gigantic, blown-up version of Dionysus lies comfortably in it. The ratio of his size to the boat symbolizes his power. The seven bunches of grapes above him looks like clouds, acting like a shield.
Compositionally, the painting of this dramatic scene is well balanced. The boat that he lies in is placed in the center. The number seven is the central motif, one bunch of grapes contrasts with every dolphin. The circular border attracts the viewers’ eye to the inside of the cup, also acting as a barrier to the dolphins. Although this scene of Dionysus seems far from realistic, we understand a sense of theatricality to this
painting.
From these two paintings, we can observe that Ancient Greek art during the archaic style has evolved from eras preceding it. The Greeks developed an understanding of a clear storyline within these paintings, focusing mainly on drama and theatrics. However, geometric styles are still evident in the borders around his paintings. The evolution of stylized to naturalistic forms of art during this time period is clear, which the paintings include both elements. For example, the relation of size of Dionysus to the boat refers back to Mesopotamian art.11 The profile with the frontal eye can also be referred back to the art of Ancient Egypt.12
The Greek’s way of life has changed its future cultures and artforms in many different ways. Not only has it contributed a form of government that is used globally today, but also it humanized Gods of their time. Instead of strictly worshipping Gods, they could relate to them with these types of stories. This created a more intense relationship of the human and the God, which is even apparent in all forms of religion today.
Bibliography
Adams, Laurie Schneider. Art Across Time. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
n.a., “Attic Black-Figure Amphora by Exekias” Vatican Museums. http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/MGEs/MGEs_Sala19_04_056.html (accessed 7 November 2012)
n.a., “Greek God of Wine and Ecstacy” Dionysus. http://www.godandgoddess.com/the-god-dionysus.html (accessed 1 November 2012)
n.a., “Latrunculi” http://www.aerobiologicalengineering.com/wxk116/Roman/BoardGames/latruncu.html (accessed 2 November 2012)
Mus, P. Dionysus. “God of Grapes” Dionysus. http://home.scarlet.be/mauk.haemers/collegium_religionis/dionysus.htm (accessed 2 November 2012)
Thompson, Kristi. Dionysos. http://dionysia.org/greek/dionysos/thompson/dionysos.html (accessed 3 November 2012)