Saturday, November 22, 2008

Greek Art





Ancient Greek art, now a days, is very expensive and viewed highly as great paintings on pottery or great sculptures by an artist. But back when they were making these things the artists didn't make a lot of money because the Greeks at that time didn't care about art that much. The orange and black paintings that had men on the paintings were always naked no matter what they were doing. The orange and black style of painting derived from the Greek Culture and was normally paitned on jars that were traded across seas and they had no value what so ever. But now if you find an actual pot that was painted it would be worth millions.
Archaic Art
"The Archaic sculptures are silent witnesses to the extraordinary development western society was about to undertake. The Kouros and Kore statues stand before a cultural revolution, all muscles tense, like a spring about to burst with energy into an extraordinary wave of classical thought. They stand with smiles frozen with meaning as if they knew what was about to occur [ more ]"
source
"The Classical Period
At the National Museum of Athens: The ancient Greek Artist invented his own self and became the creator of god and man alike in a universe of perfect formal proportions, idealized aesthetic values and a newly found sense of freedom. This was a freedom from barbarism and tyranny [ more ] "
source
"Hellenistic Art
Exclusive Gifts and apparel The subtle implications of greatness and humility of the high Classical era (see the Charioteer of Delphi) are replaced with bold expressions of energy and power during the moments of tension as evident in the Boy Jockey. [ more ] "
source


These were some of several Greek arts that involved skill to create. The most common though of all is that which lasted the entire Greek time period. That is the paintings on pottery such as the orange and black colored pots. What is so significant of these is of course they will be painted by artists, and they will sometimes paint stories on the pots to show the world what Greek city-states, which were cities that acted as their own nation, were doing.
If you look at a statue in a museum or something you can tell if it is a greek statue or not. All Greek statues are perfect. They will show a many with a six pack, perfect body, will show them wearing armor, and they will be buff. Greeks did this in a way of showing that they are te superior that they are better a way of provoking the other nation surrounding them.



Work citied:
Powers, H. H. The message of greek art. The macmillan co., New York, 1913.

Movie before the Spartans

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great who was king of Greece conquerd much of the world that was unknown to the ancient Greeks at the time.

"Alexander the Great (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας or Μέγας Ἀλέξανδρος,[1] Mégas Aléxandros; July 20, 356 BC[2] – June 10 or June 11, 323 BC),[3] also known as Alexander III of Macedon (Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' ὁ Μακεδών) was an ancient Greek[4][5] king (basileus) of Macedon (336–323 BC). He was one of the most successful military commanders of all time and is presumed undefeated in battle. By the time of his death, he had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks.[6]>


source

Alexander was a great war hero to the Greeks. He was their king, their uniter of the Greek colonies, and their leader in the wars against the world. He took over and destroyed many great empires.

"Alexander assumed the kingship of Macedon following the death of his father Philip II, who had unified[7] most of the city-states of mainland Greece under Macedonian hegemony in a federation called the League of Corinth.[8] After reconfirming Macedonian rule by quashing a rebellion of southern Greek city-states and staging a short but bloody excursion against Macedon's northern neighbours, Alexander set out east against the Achaemenid Persian Empire, which he defeated and overthrew.
source

He was such a great militairy leader that later ofter the overthrow of the Persian empire he extended his boundries as far as India. On his conquest he took over many places such as giza and all of Egypt, Meopatamis, Syria, and many other places. leagend has it that he was an undefeated general during his reign.

"Alexander was born in Pella, Macedonia, the son of Philip of Macedon, who was an excellent general and organizer. His mother was Olympias, princess of Epirus. She was brilliant and hot-tempered. Alexander inherited the best qualities of both his parents. But he was even more ambitious than his father. He wept bitterly when he heard of Philip's conquests and said, " My father will get ahead of me in everything, and will leave nothing great for me to do." Alexander's mother taught him that Achilles was his ancestor, and that his father was descended from Hercules. Alexander learned by heart the Iliad, a story about the deeds of Achilles. He carried a copy of the Iliad with him, and Achilles became Alexander's model .
Even as a boy Alexander was fearless and strong. He tamed the beautiful and spirited Bucephalus, a horse that no one else dared to touch or ride. Later, this famous steed carried him as far as India, where it died. Alexander then built the city of Bucephala on the Hydaspes River in memory of his beloved horse. Philip was so proud of Alexander's power over the horse that he said, "O my son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee."
source

So even from an early stage Alexander was a well learned person who because of his fearlessness and his strength even as a boy made him the man that he was when he was older. As a youth he was a pupil of Aristotle he was always ready to learn from Aristotle and at the age of 18 he participated in a battle that his father the king was commanding. Alexander murdered his father for the throne and wished to be worshiped as gods got worshiped.

source

"Alexander had vast plans, including his governmental reorganization and an expedition to Arabia. But he was taken seriously ill with malaria at Babylon. The simple remedies of the day did not help him. He died on June 13, 323 B.C. His body was placed in a gold coffin and taken to Memphis, in Egypt. Later it was carried to Alexandria, and placed in a beautiful tomb.
Alexander left no choice for a successor. His only son, Alexander IV, was born after Alexander's death. As a result, Alexander's leading generals became governors of various areas and fought among themselves for control of the Empire. But no single leader emerged, and by 311 B.C. the empire split into independant states or monarchies."
source

Alexander's will that he had to take over and rule the world nad be worshiped as a god fell into termoil espacially after his death. Everything he had fought for was worthless because he did not have a succesor.

This is a poem with a son talking to his dad.

People,The Best Loved Poems of the American:1936 Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Son:

How big was Alexander, pa,

That People call him Great?

Was he like old goliath tall

His spear a hundred weight?

Was he so large that he could stand

Like some tall steeple high

And while his feet were on the ground

His hands could touch the sky?

Father:

O no, my child:about as large

As me or uncle James

Twas not his stature that made him great

But greatness of his name.

Son:

His name so great? I know tis long

But easy quite to spell

And more than half a year ago

I knew it very well

Father:

I mean my child his actions were

So great he got his name

That everybody speaks with praise

That tells about his fame.

Son:

Well what actions did he do?

I want to know it all

Father:

Why he it was who conquered Tyre

And leveled down her wall

And thousands of her people slew

And then to Persia went

And fire and sword on every side

Though many a region sent

A hundred conquered cities shone

With midknight burnings red

And strewedo'er a many a battleground

A thousands soldiers bled.

Son:

Did killing people make him great?

Then why was Able Young

Who killedhis neighbor training day

Put into jail and hung?

I never heard them call him great.

Father:

Why no twas not a war

And him who kills a single man

His neighbors all abhor.

Son:

Well then if i should kill a man

I'd kill a hundred more I should be great and not be hung

Like Abel Young before.

Father:

Not so my child twill never do

The Gospel bids be kind

Son:

Then they that kill and they that praise

The Gospel do not mind.

Father:

You know my child the Bible says

That you must always do

To others as you wish

To have them do to you.

Son:

But Pa did Alexander wish

That some strong man would come

And burn his house and kill him too

And do as he has done?

Did everybody call him Great

For killing people so?

Well now what right did he have to kill

I should be glad to know.

If one should burn the building here

And kill the folks within

Would anybody call him Great

For such a wicked thing?(People 407-408)

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Era of Pericles

The Era of Pericles is very important in todays history because during his reign many brilliant people came along in Athens and created new ideas such as the person who figured out that the moon reflected the sun's rays. Also he was the leader of Athens during Athens's golden age which was constructed when he was in the process of creating a great empire.



"Pericles was also considered an eloquent speaker who "carried the thunder and lightning on his tongue". Although he was from an aristocratic family, he was the leader of the peoples' party. His mistress was the intelligent and beautiful Aspasia, whom he was to marry later on in life. Together the couple would host meetings of intellectuals and their wives in their home.

Pericles' rule as a statesman in Athens is called the Golden Age of Pericles, and he was an eager supporter of democracy. He wanted all citizens of Athens to take an active part in politics, and he was the first to pay servants to the state. Members of the council were chosen by all Athenians, and Pericles restored and built many temples and structures, such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis, employing the poorest citizens.
source

Shutt, Phillip. Foundations of Western Thought. Barnes and Noble Publishing/Audio. New York: 2004.

His building plan was enormous it cost Athens in modern day terms a couble billion dollars to create the structures that he created in the golden age of Athens. The building of the parthenon was so grand and needed such skill to create that it took many years to create.

The Parthenon of Athens was crafted by masters in Athens that if made a mistake would be severly punished. It use to enclose approximatley a 40ft solid gold and ivory statue of Athena the grey eyed one and was studded with jewels that held a 6ft statue of Nike.



"Pericles had such a profound influence on Athenian society that Thucydides, his contemporary historian, acclaimed him as "the first citizen of Athens". Pericles turned the Delian League into an Athenian empire and led his countrymen during the first two years of the Peloponnesian War. The period during which he led Athens, roughly from 461 to 429 BC, is sometimes known as the "Age of Pericles", though the period thus denoted can include times as early as the Persian Wars, or as late as the next century.

Pericles promoted the arts and literature; this was a chief reason Athens holds the reputation of being the educational and cultural centre of the ancient Greek world. He started an ambitious project that built most of the surviving structures on the Acropolis (including the Parthenon). This project beautified the city, exhibited its glory, and gave work to the people.[1] Furthermore, Pericles fostered Athenian democracy to such an extent that critics call him a populist.[2][3]"


source

Shutt, Phillip. Foundations of Western Thought. Barnes and Noble Publishing/Audio. New York: 2004.


Pericles was ruler of Athens for over 20 years and as you have read established a prominant empire and willingly continued the democracy that was established by Cleisthenes. This era when Pericles was ruler was significant mainly because of the things he built said and did. one of the things that lead to the downfall of Athens was that Pericles after being thrown from ruler of Athens told the people of Athens that going to war with the spartans would be an uter destruction for the Athenian people and for Athens. He knew that they had reached their apex he just didn't realize how rapid they would fall in such little time.