Premium Essay

Difference Between Greek and Roman Sculpture

In:

Submitted By melsch
Words 361
Pages 2
In Western culture the Greeks and Romans are citizens of the two most celebrated ancient cultures. “Classical art” was referred to the art of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture which the three primary areas of classical art are painting, architecture, and sculpture. The differences between Greek and Rome art are both interesting and significant for identification. Historically, the Greeks were the primary influences of the Romans in terms of artwork. The most obvious difference between Greek and Roman architecture is the material used. The Greeks used marble and the Romans used concrete. Greek sculptures are associated with white marble, Greek sculpture in the early classical period was often made in bronze during the high classical period. They were made from white marble and were often painted. Roman sculptors also used primarily white marble, though they did not paint their sculptures as Greeks did. Throughout the classical period Greek sculpture consisted primarily of depictions of Gods, mythological scenes and figures. These figures are often sculpted as "heroic nudes," in which the male figure is idealized. Although Roman sculpture, which features many copies of Greek sculptures, is also apprehensive with mythology. Romans often storied emperors and naturalistic examples of noble individuals. The Greeks not only had free-standing sculptures, but also sculpture worked into architecture. The panels primarily ran in horizontal strips above architectural columns. These architectural sculptures also depicted Gods and mythological figures and were often featured above temples. Like the Greeks, Romans incorporated figurative sculpture into their architecture, but as with free-standing architecture. Their figures often depicted leaders and historical events. Figures in Greek sculpture are often disconnected and unemotional, even when performing

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Greek and Roman Architecture

...In Western culture the Greeks and Romans are citizens of the two most celebrated ancient cultures. “Classical art” was referred to the art of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture which the three primary areas of classical art are painting, architecture, and sculpture. The differences between Greek and Rome art are both interesting and significant for identification. Historically, the Greeks were the primary influences of the Romans in terms of artwork. The most obvious difference between Greek and Roman architecture is the material used. The Greeks used marble and the Romans used concrete. Greek sculptures are associated with white marble, Greek sculpture in the early classical period was often made in bronze during the high classical period. They were made from white marble and were often painted. Roman sculptors also used primarily white marble, though they did not paint their sculptures as Greeks did. Throughout the classical period Greek sculpture consisted primarily of depictions of Gods, mythological scenes and figures. These figures are often sculpted as "heroic nudes," in which the male figure is idealized. Although Roman sculpture, which features many copies of Greek sculptures, is also apprehensive with mythology. Romans often storied emperors and naturalistic examples of noble individuals. The Greeks not only had free-standing sculptures, but also sculpture worked into architecture. The panels primarily ran in horizontal strips above architectural...

Words: 293 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Greeks vs Romans

...Ancient Greek and Roman sculpture The sculpture of the Greeks and Romans represents one of the major arts of antiquity. It is diverse in its function. Greek monumental sculptures were developed on the islands of the Aegean and Crete in the middle of seventh century B.C. The adaptation of figures and technologies are borrowed from the Near East and Egypt make a new artistic idiom suitable to the needs of the individual city-states and the Greek sanctuaries. In around a century and a half, the developments rapidly led to the birth of Classical art that show the distinctiveness of the human figure. Sculpture was the perfect means for the expression of the new Classical ideal. There are three major periods of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures which are differentiated by their style and their function. The earliest sculptures appear in the Archaic period around 8th - 7th century BC. The sculptures illustrate form of small figures of men, animals, and gods in bronze, clay, or stone the usually standing or seated. The form is called Daedalic with a form of big heads, frontal figures, and triangular faces. In the late of the 7th century the Greeks aware of the Egypt sculpture and they change to make larger figures in hard white marble from the Cyclades islands. There are two main types of the figure, “the kouroi” who are naked males standing with one foot forward, hands to sides, and the korai, who are dressed in women. They are used for decorating buildings or dedications for the...

Words: 839 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Greece vs Rome

...of the most famous Greek and Roman artistic achievements involve statues. While they have a few similarities, the differences by far outweigh such. The Greeks were prominent well before the Roman empire, and it shows in their art. While their roles have changed with respect to the rest of the world, their contributions to art still remain. One notable difference between the two styles of making sculptures is that the Greek ones are free-standing, meaning they are capable of standing without any extra help or support. Their Roman counterparts, however, almost always need some form of support as the statues they produced had problems standing upright. The most common method used by Romans to support their statues involved implementing a post. Inspiration Another key difference lies in what the artists of the respective cultures depicted. The Greeks were fond of making statues of the various gods. Beyond that, creatures of mythology---such as centaurs and hydras---were popular. Heroes were also a favorite to mold into a statue. The Romans, on the other hand, preferred to make statues of real people and events. The various emperors throughout Rome's history were often an inspiration for art. Real-life events such as great battles and catalysts for change also were represented in art. The Statues By and large, Roman sculptures aren't considered on the same level as their Greek predecessors. The Greeks are credited with pioneering the craft, and the Romans picked up the know-how...

Words: 871 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Honors History Research Paper

...History 14 April 2013 Roman and Greeks Correlations There are many differences between the Greeks and Romans. There are so many similarities between the two because Romans adopted the Greek religion and everything they did in life. One difference between them is the religion even though the Romans adopted it there are differences. Another difference is architecture like the Greeks the Romans also did gods for their architecture, but there are many differences. The last difference would have to be art while the Greeks did body the Romans did nature and power. Even though they were the same almost there are many different correlations. First one thing that was the same with the Greeks and Romans but had different attributes was architecture. One difference between their architecture was the materials. The early classical period of Greece used bronze. bowserguy62 When they started to advance they used white marble and painted it. The Romans also used white marble to make their architecture however they didn’t paint it. Another example is their styles and inspiration. Greeks often did depictions of their gods in heroic nudes and mainly the male figure was idealized. Even though the Romans did do gods they often did nobles or emperors that were naturalistic. Greeks did sculpture in architecture and also did free- standing sculpture just like the Romans did. When it they did free-standing sculptures the Romans never did it because their sculptures were often historical events...

Words: 430 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Claasical Sculpture

...[COURSE NAME] [DATE] Classical Sculpture Classical sculpture did not appear from nothing; its genesis was not that of Athena’s birth from the head of Zeus, but a rather more sedate process. The roots of classical sculpture are, surprisingly, to be found in Egypt. The Egyptians had highly developed sculpture, most of which had religious implications, as can be seen by the hieroglyphic inscriptions on many of the pieces (Wilkinson, 34-37). Subjects of sculptures included the numerous gods and goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon, pharoahs (who were considered divine) and slaves and other figures created for inclusion in burials; these sculptures, along with real items (e.g., chariots) would become part of the deceased’s “estate” in the afterlife (ibid., 64). The majority of Egyptian sculptures were all in the same style, regardless of whether they represented an animal-headed god, a king, or a scribe. The typical pose was frontal and standing, with the arms hanging close to the body, the hands with clenched fists, the left foot slightly advanced, and an ambiguous facial expression. It must be noted that this “typical Egyptian style” is much more a product of the Egyptian belief system and its associated symbology than the artistic imagination or technical competence of Egyptian artisans (ibid., [YOUR LAST NAME] 2 88). The influence of this Egyptian style can be seen on some of the earliest Greek sculptures, particularly those of two important Greek styles. The first of these is...

Words: 1681 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Inventory

...Unit 1 Introduction to Humanities Individual Project Tenisha Greene HUMA215-1101B- AIU Online Instructor Marek McKenna, MA August 25, 2012 Differences and Similarities Early Greece Early Rome |The Greeks were responsible for various temples and such sculptures as the Parthenon, the temple at| |The Roman empire built some of the grandest structure amongst all other early civilizations. | |Hephaestus, and the concert hall Odeon. The three architectural styles the Greeks used to build | |The Romans built aqueducts, the amphitheaters, the coliseum, walls, temples, cathedrals, | |structures were Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. These styles were used to create palaces, sculptures,| |tombs, sculptures, pottery, and clay terra cotta statues. The Romans specialized in arched | |art, and jewelry. During the archaic times the Greek culture made grade stride with their | |entrances and columns. The three architectural styles the Romans used to build structures | |sculptures, pottery and clay terra cotta statues. | |were Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. | | | ...

Words: 1412 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

This Paper Will Be Using Sculptural and Ceramic Illustrations Provided by Soltes, Explain the Evolution from Geometric Greek Art Into Classical Greek Art, Culminating with the Construction and Decoration of the

...Soltes, explain the evolution from Geometric Greek art into Classical Greek art, culminating with the construction and decoration of the Parthenon (The Temple of Athena). It will discuss what social, cultural/historic events accompanied and promoted this evolution. Greek art and sculpture has had a profound effect throughout the ages. Many of the styles have been reproduced and copied by some of what the modern day audiences would class as some of the finest artists to have ever lived. The Greeks used many different types of materials in their sculptures including stone, marble and limestone as these were abundant in Greece. Other materials such as clay were also used but due to their brittle nature very few have survived. Greek sculptures are very important as the vast majority of them tell us a story about Gods, Heroes, Events, Mythical Creatures and Greek culture in general. Many of the statues that have survived are actually of Roman origin. Like many people today the Romans had a deep respect for Greek sculptures and many were copied. If the Romans had not made these copies, many of the Greek Legends and stories that we know today would have been lost to antiquity. Geometric Art was a dramatic transformation that led to the establishment of primary Greek institutions such as the Greek city and the Greek alphabet. Although primarily visual, transformation is a concept which moves it way through history. Sculptures and carvings began to be made representing...

Words: 711 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Time Travel

...customers. Benton, J. R., & DiYanni, R. (2008 2005 1998). Arts and Culture (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Offering an exploration of Western and World civilization's cultural heritage, this book is richly illustrated, beautifully designed and engaging. Readers move chronologically through major periods and styles–from prehistoric culture to 20th Century America–to gain insight into the achievements and ideas in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, philosophy, religion, and music. Sakoulas, T. (2003-2012). Ancient Greece. Retrieved from http://www.ancient-greece.org/history/classical.html Associate Professor of Art at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta where he teaches Sculpture and Computer Art. He studied sculpture in the USA at Florida International University, and did his graduate work at the Maryland Institute College of Art, in Baltimore, Maryland. His artwork is made with stone, steel, or digital media, and he travels extensively to Greece where he studies Greek art and culture in archaeological sites and museums. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to travel in time through many different time periods? In my book “Escaping Current Time, and Exploring Ancient Time Periods”...

Words: 1649 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Origins of Vernacular Language

...Greek and Roman Civilization Achille Tyson AIU Online HUMA 215 Professor: Dr. Lisa Feder Due Date: Jul 22, 2012 This is a chart to compare and contrast distinguishing elements of early Roman and early Greek cultures. CATAGORIES | GREEK | ROMAN | | Religion | 1. Greek religion was festive. 2. More poetic and less practical. 3. Not much was placed on religion to make it a state religion. 4. Less ritualistic. 5. God and Goddesses | 1. Roman religion was of a conservative and serious nature. 2. More ritualistic and ceremonial than the Greek’s religion. 3. Emphasized a state religion. 4. Gods are more defined. 5. Cult-like religion | | Architecture/Art | 1. Like marble when dealing with sculptures. 2. Love the Doric and Ionic style of architecture. An example of the Doric and Ionic style architecture style or design is the famous temple of Parthenon. 3. Interested in perfection as it relates to art. 4. They were interested in mythology and focus on that when it comes to art. 5. Greek art were “good” | 1. Liked to use cement and concrete to make their sculptures...

Words: 420 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Roman Civilization

...Degree Selected essays on Roman Civilization Plebeian revolt There are a number of causes that led to the first revolt by the Plebeians. Some of the causes of the revolt are poor distribution of land, poverty among the Plebeians, and the harsh debt law that affected the plebs. This essay will discuss the causes of the first Plebeian revolt as well as the results of the revolt. One of the main causes of the plebeian revolt was the existence of poverty among the Plebeians. The poverty was a result of the actions of the Patrician, in some ways. What happened was that the Plebs assisted the Patrician to expel the kings from Rome and led to a republican state. The fight against the kings left the plebs in a very worse off condition. Since the patricians lived in the city, during the war their property would remain secure. The city was guarded by walls. However, since the plebs lived in the countryside, which was not guarded, their property was greatly destroyed during the wars. The plebs’ fields were destroyed as much as their property. The destruction of the property and fields was possible since the Plebs men were fighting in the wars leaving their homes unprotected. So, whereas the men were fighting during the wars their properties and fields were being plundered, making them very poor at the end of the wars. So the Plebs were not happy that their properties and fields were being destroyed by the enemies, when in fact they were serving in the Roman army for the sake of protecting...

Words: 9212 - Pages: 37

Premium Essay

Ancient Greeks and Romans

...Ancient Greeks and Romans Stephanie Bumpase AIU Abstract There were a little similarity between the ancient Greeks and Romans that would be detailed out. There were towns of differences between the two cultures. In this paper, you would know how the ancient Greeks ran their land and how Romans did theirs. By the end of this paper, you would see how each culture adapted in their way of living. Ancient Greeks and Roman When you think about ancient Greeks and Romans, the most that pops out of people mind is the art work and architectures. These people were more than art work and architecture. The ancient Greeks and Romans both started as city-states. They both had some similarities and differences in their culture. Between the Greeks and Romans they had a few similarities in their culture life. Geographically, they both establish life on the Peninsula by the Mediterranean Sea. Both culture had farmers to where they did the farming. However, the only thing that they farm the same was wheat and olives. The Greeks and Romans both made vases. They also love going to the theater for arts and entertainment. Both culture had temples to worship the gods and goddesses. There was quite a bit of differences between the Greeks and Romans culture. The Greeks was surrounded by water (http://chalk.richmond.edu), therefore they would capture fish, squid, and octopus (http://chalk.richmond.edu) to eat. The Romans would grow a few items, but mostly shop in the market...

Words: 625 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Novel

...Archaeological Museum. One of the greatest surviving works of Greek sculpture, dating from about 470 B.C. Source:WikipediaThe art of ancient Greece has exercised an enormous influence on the culture of many countries from ancient times until the present, particularly in the areas of sculpture and architecture. In the West, the art of the Roman Empire was largely derived from Greek models. In the East, Alexander the Great's conquests initiated several centuries of exchange between Greek, Central Asian and Indian cultures, resulting in Greco-Buddhist art, with ramifications as far as Japan. Following the Renaissance in Europe, the humanist aesthetic and the high technical standards of Greek art inspired generations of European artists. Well into the 19th century, the classical tradition derived from Greece dominated the art of the western world.PeriodsThe art of Ancient Greece is usually divided stylistically into four periods: the Geometric, the Archaic, the Classical and the Hellenistic.As noted above, the Geometric age is usually dated from about 1000 BC, although in reality little is known about art in Greece during the preceding 200 years (traditionally known as the Dark Ages), the period of the 7th century BC witnessed the slow development of the Archaic style as exemplified by the black-figure style of vase painting. The onset of the Persian Wars (480 BC to 448 BC) is usually taken as the dividing line between the Archaic and the Classical periods, and the reign of Alexander...

Words: 4069 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Renaissance

...History has one page, like the middle ages and the Renaissance, for so many reason they have their similarities and their differences but yet history only has one page. That one page is called Repetition. The art and the lifestyles, the ideas, the architecture. To start off with the middle ages is known as a time period between the 5th and the 15th century, it was lapse of time that lasted since the fall of the roman empire until the renaissance. There were differences but some similarities to the roman and middle ages for example: Sculpture: Greek and Roman classical influences. Use of bronze (Donatello) but for middle ages Sculpture: Was More gothic; extremely detailed. The Architecture for the Roman: Were Rounded arches, clear lines. Less detailed Focus on balance and form. But the Architecture for middle ages: Gothic style, Pointed arches, Elaborate detail. Renaissance means, "to be reborn," and the "rebirth" has happened and still happening throughout the history of this planet. Anytime there is new technology, and new thinking, there is going to be a general change in the way things are done. It didn't just happen after the Middle Ages, but several times after that. The Industrial Revolution affecting all aspects of people's lives, even spilling over into drama, poetry, and music; and more recently--the Technological Revolution. The Renaissance was a historical art period that led to the abandonment of the Middle Ages. The artists abandoned the...

Words: 280 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Kleobis and Biton in Comparison with the Venus of Arles

...Art 101A, World Art History August 4, 2011 Kleobis and Biton in Comparison with The Venus of Arles Polymedes’ Kleobis and Biton and The Venus of Arles, a marble copy of a sculpture attributed to Praxiteles are both fine representations of their respective time periods in ancient Greek art. Kleobis and Biton are a pair of marble kouroi, c. 590 BCE, 6.15 meters in height, and were sculpted in the Archaic Period of Greek History (700-500 BCE). The kouroi were sculpted in Argos, found in Delphi and are now located in the Delphi Archeological Museum in Greece. Kleobis and Biton tell a story of a heroic act, as relayed by the Greek historian Herodotus. The Venus of Arles, c. 1st Century BCE, is probably a marble copy of a bronze original created by Praxiteles, c. 375 – 340 BCE. It measures 1.9 meters in height. The sculpture is an example of the late Classical Period in Greek history (510-323 BCE). It was found in 1651 CE, in pieces, and was restored by François Giradon. It is now located in the Musée du Louvre, Paris. A comparison of the Kleobis and Biton with The Venus of Arles serves as a visual timeline of one period of ancient Greek art (the Archaic Period) directly following another (the Classical Period). Kleobis and Biton Kleobis and Biton, c. 590 BCE, are based on a heroic story as given by Herodotus. In the legend, Kleobis and Biton were sons of Cydippe, a priestess of Hera. They volunteered to pull a cart of goods meant for a sacrifice up a hill to a temple of Hera...

Words: 1434 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Greeks vs Romans

...6/16/2013   Greeks • Center point Athens • Mountainous, hilly landscape • Made great philosophical contributions • No ruler over individual city states • Realistic sculptures and paintings • Women couldn’t be citizens • Prided themselves on philosophy and science • Democratic Both • Civilizations began with city states • Helped shape the Middle East • Made contributions to Middle East • Worked in mines • Agriculture main economic base • Similar social classes • Great builders • Worked slaves • Used currency Romans • Influenced other empires • Set laws and had ruler • Started militaries to back ruler • Flat landscape surrounded by mountains • Women could be citizens • Center point Rome • Known for military and engineering • Semi democratic The Greeks and Romans have lots of similarities. Both helped shape the Middle East, made great contributions to shape today’s world, had similar social classes, used currency, are known for their architecture, and both flourished with the beginning of city states. Some ways they differed though. The Greek landscape was mountainous and hilly, somewhat rough terrain while Roman cities sat in the valleys between the mountains giving them a little extra protection. The Romans unintentionally appointed a king or ruler that then set laws and was backed by a military where the Greeks governed each individual city state and sometimes war arose between the Greek city states. Greeks prided themselves...

Words: 300 - Pages: 2