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Greek and
Roman Art
Development of Classic Art
Influences
 Egyptian and Assyrian ideas combined with
prehistoric Greek folk forms
 Trade with Middle East influenced Greek Art – Lions
and Sphinxes common motifs in Greek pottery and
painting
 Conquests of Alexander the Great helped to spread
Greek culture – Political and military leaders honored
with statues and relief sculptures on altars, arches, and
columns
Alexander the Great’s
Empire
At its height in 325 BCE
Roman Empire
At its height in 100 CE
Greek and Roman Ideals
 Emphasis on the importance of humanity.
 Human forms as ideal.
 Human ideas and creative expression more important
than antique rules and regulations.
 Artistic rules centered on proportions and balance.
 Their artistic rules promote a sense of unity and
stability.
Important Historical
Developments
 The developments of city-states in Ancient Greece.
Development of Democracy in Athens.
 Development of philosophy. Plato and Aristotle
particularly discussed what constitutes beauty and artwork.
 Advances in ship-building and beginnings of naval warfare.
 Golden Age of Mythology. Greek and Roman mythology
remains an important influence in Western society.
Introduction to Greek Mythology
Famous Roman Arches
 Arch of Septimus
Severus in Rome
 Arch of Hadrian at
Jerah, Jordan
Greek and Roman Dance
Greek Purposes of Dance
 Different city-states in Ancient Greece had a variety of
values. The various purposes of dance represent these
various values.
 In Sparta, where physical ability and warrior culture
were prized, dance was used to develop strength and
agility.
 In Athens, where philosophy and beauty were prized,
dance was performed for aesthetic satisfaction.
Five Categories of Dance
 Religious: including dance/dramas based on legends
and myths
 Ritualistic/Veil: to honor the gods
 War: to tone the body for battle and victory
celebrations
 Theatrical: the beginnings of drama that included
dances of comedy, tragedy, burlesque, and satire
 Social: recreations, rituals for funerals and choral
narrative dancing
Qualities of Greek dance
 Danced while singing
 Dances were often in groups
 Variety of movement including:
 Circular design
 Line procession
 Labyrinth or maze
Examples
 Greek Veil Dance
 Group Dancing
 War Dance
 Jumping Dance from Crete
Roman Purposes of Dance
 Greek forms copied.
 Romans were more interested in power and self-
indulgence than aesthetic expression.
 Dance degenerated into base form of entertainment
for the masses.
 Dance was a lavish spectacle.
Example
Greek and Roman Drama
Greek Theatre
 Developed from early religious rites to the god Dionysus.
 Only about 30 of the ancient Greek plays remain.
 Actors were well respected members of the community.
 Main parts were typically done by as little as three actors.
They changed masks and costumes to change parts.
 Chorus – Intermediary between actors and audience.
 Introduction to Greek Theatre
Parts of Greek Theatre
Importance of Drama
 As a highly respected art form, structure and
characteristics of theatre, especially the genres of
Tragedy and Epic, were subjects of discussion even for
the philosophers.
 Aristotle discussed the forms of Tragedy and Epic in
his work Poetics. Aristotle's Poetics in 5 Minutes
 These qualities and formats are still used in drama
today. Anakin Skywalker - Tragic Hero
Roman Theatre
 Roman actors regarded as low and vulgar.
 Forms copied from Greek models.
 Plays overshadowed by sensational spectaculars.
 Purpose was to glorify state, not aesthetic expression.
 First to use a front curtain to signify a time lapse
during the course of the action.
Parts of Roman Theatre
Most popular Roman Entertainment
 Gladiator fights at the Colosseum – often included
wild beasts released open the fighters.
 The Colosseum could be flooded to hold Naumachia
– mock naval battles.
 Chariot racing at the Circus Maximus
Panem et Circenses
 Translation: “Bread and circuses.”
 In Ancient Rome, entertainment was free, and free
bread was provided at events.
 The government wanted to keep its citizens appeased
by providing these forms of superficial amusement.
 Heavy topics in theatre were avoided. Comedy and
Farce was preferred.
Greek and Roman Music
Greek Purposes of Music
 At Greek festivals there was much singing and
dancing.
 Vocal contests often held at festivals.
 Music important at social occasions and during
religious rites.
 Festivals were also used to introduce new and talented
musicians.
Greek Instruments
 Aulos – double pipe reed instrument, associated with
the singing of certain poetry
 Lyre – hand-held string instrument
Roman Music
 Adapted much of their music from Greece.
 Developed some brass instruments such as the
trumpet for military purposes.
 Knowledge of Music was vital to an upper class
Roman.
 In the 5th century AD, Martianus Capella defined the
seven Liberal Arts as: grammar, dialectic, rhetoric,
arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.
Music as Divine
 Music was believed to have divine origins. Gods
associated with music are Apollo, Amphion, and
Orpheus. The Myth of Orpheus- Please take notes as
you watch
Greek and Roman Visual
Art
Overview
 Greek and Roman Art
Greek Forms of Visual Art
 Idealized the human form.
 Sculpture, Mosaics, Painting, Pottery.
 Artists sought to depict action.
Greek Pottery
•
Flat, linear designs
•
Widely traded throughout Near
East and Europe.
•
Many themes from mythology
and legends.
•
Has recorded more information
about ancient Greek life than
many written records.
Roman Forms of Visual Art
 Realistic sculpture, portrait, and painting.
 Focus was realism, not idealism.
 Few Roman portrait paintings exist. Painted using a
medium called encaustic: pigment mixed with wax.
Theatre Terms We Still Use
 Theatron – Where we get our modern term “Theatre.”
 Skene – Backdrop of stage. Root of the word “scene.” We
refer to the backdrop as the scene or scenery.
 Proskenion – The area in front of the Skene. In modern
theatres, the arch around the stage is known as the
“Proscenium Arch.”
 Orchestra – Flat area in front of stage. Chorus would
perform here. In modern theatre the area in front of the
stage is where the musicians typically are seated. It’s also
referred to as the floor seating in a modern theatre.
And now, let’s watch some!
 Overview of Oedipus Rex
 Oedipus Rex in Stratford, Canada
Greek and Roman Architecture
 Many important structures constructed using the
Golden Ratio:
Three Architectural Orders
Doric Order
 Example: Temple of Athena Parthenos (“Virgin”), aka
the Parthenon.
Ionic Order
 Erechtheum – temple with multiple sanctuaries on the
Acropolis with the Parthenon.
 Some columns on the Erechtheum were statues of
maidens known as Caryatids.
Corinthian Order
 Temple of Zeus at Athens
Roman Architecture
 The Pantheon – built around 126 AD, still the largest
unreinforced concrete dome. Both the height to the
oculus (hole in the roof) and the diameter of the dome
are 142 ft.
Roman Baths
 Baths were not just places of hygiene but also places to
socialize and exercise.
Not just a bath.
 Taking a bath was not a simple chore. There was not
one bath to use in a large complex such as the one at
Bath. A visitor could use a cold bath (the frigidarium),
a warm bath (the tepidarium) and a hot bath (the
caldarium). A visitor would spend some of his time in
each one before leaving. A large complex would also
contain an exercise area (the palaestra), a swimming
pool and a gymnasium.
City of Bath, UK
 Extent of Roman culture evident by their architecture
throughout the Empire.
Roman Aqueducts
 Superb feats of ancient engineering. Aqueducts helped
to supply water to the Empire. This aqueduct can be
found at Nimes in Southern France.
Rome’s Achievements
 Seven Wonders of Ancient Rome