In Greek sculpture, we see a celebration of the perfect physique, from the male athletic body to statues molded in the likeness of Greek gods. In comparison, Indian sculpture captures the ancient Indian ideology of the release from the physical and the emphasis on the spiritual, and sculptures were not only dedicated to the gods, but were worshipped. Ancient Greek and
Indian sculptures were such an important part of communicating cultural views of the time that it continues to this day to inspire modern day art.

Ancient Indian sculptures can trace its beginnings to the Harappan civilization of the Indus River region (ca.2600-ca.1500) and it is thought they learned to make bronze and metal figures from
Mesopotamians. India’s National Museum in New Delhi houses one of the oldest known artifacts, a copper image of a young woman whose features included a wide nose and thick lips, which was the physical traits typical of the Harappans. Her relaxed pose leads us to believe she is a dancing girl and this style would be seen in future Indian sculpture.
After the fall of the Harappan culture, Indian art was influenced by the remaining
Harappan populous and the Greeks. The Greeks influence Indian art when in 326 B.C.E,
Alexander the Great conquered much of northwestern India and the Greek style became popular in India. The Greek style, in turn, was influenced by both the Mycenaean’s and the Egyptians.
The most important periods of Ancient Greek sculpture were Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic.
The Archaic sculpture was rigid in their depiction of humanity. The classical period showed a more realistic representation of the human figure. The Hellenistic period worked to capture the ideas of strength and courage which were high ideals in Greek states.

Ancient Greeks poleis had their own representative deity from among the