...In the article Destruction and Memory on the Athenian Acropolis Rachel Kousser argues a different perspective to the usual interpretations on the purpose of the Athenian Acropolis. According the Kousser the Athenian Acropolis serves as a reminder, connection and elicits an emotional reaction to the viewer of the Early Classical Greek period. Not only does the Acropolis serve these sorts of functions but it also stands monument to the trials that the Greeks went through to win their war. These sorts of connections can be made not only in the myth that is used in the Acropolis but also in the physical recycling of parts of the previous Acropolis structures in elevating and drawing a link to their past. Kousser begins the discussion by detailing other contemporaneous theories that discuss the Acropolis in terms of victory and...
Words: 709 - Pages: 3
...The Parthenon has transitioned through many different uses throughout its history, including a temple for the Greek goddess Athena, a church of the Virgin Mary, and a Mosque. Naturally, this results in it being an important site from Greek history. Thus, in 1801-1802, when Lord Elgin came to the acropolis when Greece was under Ottoman rule, he removed sculptures from the acropolis and took them back to England, where they were called the “Elgin marbles.” In the recent past, there has been some dispute between Greece and England about his justifications in taking the marbles, and whether or not they should be sent back to Greece. After analyzing the two arguments, I argue that the Elgin marbles should remain in the British museum. The first reason these marbles should remain in London is because Lord Elgin was not sporadically taking things from the acropolis, but he did so under the full knowledge and authorities of the Ottoman Empire, who were at this time in control of Greece. Some may argue that the Ottomans didn’t have the right to give away artifacts of Greek history, but if they were the ruling power, who is to say they didn’t? The rulers decide what actions to take,...
Words: 867 - Pages: 4
...Acropolis,which located in central Athens acropolis hill, is the most outstanding ancient Greek buildings. Greek for “Acropolis” means “high city” or “Takaoka on the city-state.” As a representative work of ancient Greek architecture, Acropolis of Athens has reached the highest level of sacred buildings, temples, orders and sculptures in ancient Greece. These ancient buildings can be rated as the heritage of mankind and architectural masterpiece, and hold an important position in architecture history. Acropolis, including four greatest ancient Greek art masterpieces—Parthenon Temple, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum and Temple of Athena Nike, is considered to be a symbol of the world’s traditional concepts. Due to the history, there are many Parthenon marbles which they removed from the temple and transported to England in the British museum. Many people require England to return sculptures while others do not want to. It is a controversy topic and different people have very different opinions. In my point of view, returning is necessary because cultural treasures from ancient civilizations belong in the places they come from. Also, the cultural importance of the marbles are very strong, not only do they possess the power to almost unlock the past of ancient Greece but as well they have the power to unite the local Citizens of Greece to their true heritage. The Acropolis is used to prevent foreign invasion of the fortress, surrounded by the walled hilltop, site of the ancient...
Words: 1298 - Pages: 6
...The suggestion and application I take from this particular excerpt questions whether or not Greece or the British Museum could put a price on the Parthenon Marbles. Is there a price that either side could pay to get their way? With my knowledge of Greece’s current economic situation, the British Museum has stronger funding than the Acropolis Museum. Greece is not lacking in Greek art by any means, but it is lacking in the necessary funding for its country and for the museum in ways that the British Museum is not. The quote above would suggest that the British Museum would pay market price; but then if Lord Elgin legally removed the Marbles from Greece, why should the British Museum have to pay for legally acquired...
Words: 2391 - Pages: 10
...Cultural riches from ancient civilisations belong in the places they come from. Many museums no longer buy relics, although many like the Louvre or the Metropolitan Museum are still increasing and restoring their collections. Some museums are trying to return these artifacts to their rightful homes. “About 65% of the original sculptures from the Parthenon survive and are located in museums across Europe. The majority of the sculptures are divided between the Acropolis Museum in Athens and the British Museum in London (about 30% each), while important pieces are also held by other major European museums, including the Louvre and the Vatican.” Everyone has the right to define what the past means for us. Not everyone may have the same understanding...
Words: 281 - Pages: 2
...Antigone - commentary notes The Myth •Characters of a tragedy were not invented from scratch each time the writer composed a new play. •Images and stories inspired by myths were connected with every form of artistic expression and ceremonial ritual, proving that the greeks were not only familiar with a great number of mythical stories, but also made them to define themselves in the world and communicate their specific cultural issues. •In tragic theatre the characters were mentally close to the audience and shared the values of the democratic period in Athens. •The geographical characteristics of the mythical location, which usually existed in reality, could also be used in the stories and affect the dramatic events of the play. •The Theban saga of Lais and his children was one of the most popular in the Greek literary and iconographic tradition. The Festival •The tragedy of Antigone was presented in the theatre of Dionysus as part of a drama competition that took place every year during the city Dionysia, one of the city’s numerous festivals. •The city Dionysia, which was dedicated to Dionysus, god of fertility, wine and theatre, was one of Athens’ greatest annual festivals and aimed to celebrate the god’s arrival in Athens as well as the city’s wealth and prosperity. •The event took place in mid to late march when seagoing again became possible after the winter. •A rough schedule of the festival can be made as it developed...
Words: 1377 - Pages: 6
...Abstract 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 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...
Words: 711 - Pages: 3
...were used to build it? The Temple of Nike is not intact. It was torn down and recycled by the Turkish government in 1687, but then was rebuilt in 1835.The temple of Nike was constructed from white pentelic marble. Today, the main structure, stylobate and columns are mostly intact, but the temple is missing its roof. It is currently undergoing a major restoration project, which includes a lot of dismantling and reassembly of the building materials for cleaning. There is a statue inside the temple of the goddess of victory, Nike. This statue is made out of wood and was made without wings. They did this so it could never leave the city. 3. Describe the layout/design of the building. 3. The temple is the earliest fully ionic temple on the Acropolis. The Temple of Athena Nike was built between 427 and 424 BC. It is a tetra style Ionic structure, which means there are 4 columns, with a colonnaded portico at both front and rear facades (amphiprostyle). This building was built on top of the remains of an earlier 6th century BC temple to Athena, demolished by the Persians in 480 BC. It lies at the top of the hill which makes it very visible. The total height from the beginning of the stairs, to the top of the...
Words: 419 - Pages: 2
...AR 115 March 29, 2013 Greek Influences in Art The Greeks have had a prolonged effect on Western art. The statues and carvings, as well as their architecture, has withstood the test of time and cemented their place in history as the one of the most influential founders of modern art. All three of the periods in Greek history, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic, have produced many marvels in the art world. Their methods of construction have been tried and true in withstanding thousands of years of destructive conflicts, wars, and weathering. The Kore and Korous, as well as the acropolis, are perfect examples of this. THREE PERIODS IN GREEK HISTORY The first period in Greek history is called the Archaic period. During this era, around the seventh century B.C., they produced naturalistic styles of pottery and statues that showed influences from Egypt as well as other Near East areas. The Kore and Korous were produced during this period. The Korous, a simple life size portrayal of a naked youthful man, was used as tributes to the male form. They were sculpted standing in a frontal pose with their left leg moved forward, their arms close to their bodies touching the side of their thighs. The high regard and admiration of the male form were perfectly portrayed in these sculptures. The Kore on the other hand were more basic and sculpted as clothed. The Kore was the clothed female version of the Korous. The statues were carved standing erect with their feet together...
Words: 782 - Pages: 4
...THE BRITISH MUSEUM TO RETURN PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE The Acropolis museum gives way for the Parthenon sculptures that are in Athens to be appreciated against ancient Greece’s backdrop. Museums are a valuable resource that provides an opportunity for the world to reexamine the past and the cultural activities associated with the history. The Parthenon sculptures are essential elements in the interconnectedness of the world and the political boundaries. The discussion has an argument on whether the British Museum should return the Parthenon (aka Elgin) Marbles to Greece. The Greek archaeology society was founded in 1830, and there in their first meeting, the president ordered the return of marbles. The people of Greece regard these artifacts as the symbols of their culture and their heritage. Historians also argue that the sculptures are an integral part of the temple structures that are still standing in Athens. The placement of the statues in London is unappealing to the Greeks since it is considered to be the biggest museum to tell us about the development in the ancient Greece. They are being used as significant features of the British identity yet they should be unified and viewed in a larger framework to present the Greek art in a chronological narrative (Fineberg, Amos & Lang, 1985). The British Museum was among the first museums used to enlighten society. The museum was considered beneficial to the public in the fact that it was used to expose the pieces of ancient...
Words: 1130 - Pages: 5
...Greek Architecture has heavy influence in current society. The Parthenon is a former temple, on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. It is one, if not the, most famous temple in the world. The architectural styles the Parthenon includes is the Doric Order, and it has classical architecture. The work began under the orders of Pericles to show the wealth and exuberance of Athenian power. The columns used in Greek Architecture are very popular today, popular buildings across the world use them. There are three types of columns the Greeks created; The Doric Column, the Ionic Column, and the Corinthian Column. The Doric Column was the first created, it has smooth, round...
Words: 374 - Pages: 2
...Images of Hellenism March 4, 2014 The Elgin Marbles: Fact or Feeling? “In a confrontation between Greece and Britain over the marbles, Greece is clearly the sentimental favorite.” – John Henry Merryman “The Elgin Marbles.” “The Parthenon Marbles.” “The Marbles.” Regardless of their description, these works of art are inarguably controversial. The debate surrounding the marbles is heated and far from reaching conclusion. Today, the controversy takes the shape of public protests, press releases from public figures, web-campaigns, and popular media coverage. Why is it that so many in the past have cared, and so many in the future likely will care, about the marbles? Perhaps they offer insight into the human condition, providing us with a global and cultural identity. Or maybe we simply enjoy the aesthetic appeal. Yet the reasoning behind a global interest in the marbles is not what lies at the heart of the controversy. The real issue is ownership. And allowing arguments based on national sentiment rather than legality and preservation to dictate the fate of the Elgin Marbles is irresponsible and, to some degree, disrespectful. Before a meaningful exploration of ownership can be pursued further, critical details regarding the actual acquisition of artifacts must be examined. First of all, Thomas Bruce (more commonly known as the Seventh Earl of Elgin, or Lord Elgin), and his crew brought back to Britain 247 feet of the 524 foot long Parthenon frieze. In addition to the...
Words: 1431 - Pages: 6
...abilities. The lions gate was thus far the most stunning structure of the Mycenaean civilization; displaying symbolism and their engineering abilities. Ten ton a piece each stone stood precisely to its adjacent block. It is curious to think how the Greeks were able to construct such magnificent works without modern technologies. A core belled arched, was held together by constant pressure from outward inward. This labeled the feature the most innovative structure. Polycrates (c.570-522 B.C) a dominant sea force was most known for his agricultural inventions. He managed to create an aqueduct connecting the city of Samos to spring water. Pericles was a democrat and an enlightened intellectual. The Parthenon temple built on the Athenian acropolis; the greatest city-state of all Greece. Such a magnificent structure required time and harsh labor. Ultimately, to make a statement of the grandiosity of the Greek culture and the immensity of their power. Their engineering spoke for them. Their almost natural and...
Words: 327 - Pages: 2
...Called "The Athens of the South", Nashville boasts many colleges and universities, including Vanderbilt University and Fisk University. Athens, Greece has a Parthenon on the acropolis. The Athens of the South has its Parthenon in Centennial Park, the site of the 1897 Exposition. This Parthenon is an exact replica of the one in Greece. It maintains all of the friezes encircling the building. The architect used drawings from the British Museum to produce the desired effect. The building, built from plaster, was so impressive that the citizens wanted to keep it after the fair closed. Nature had taken its toll on the plaster and a permanent building of concrete was finished in 1931, refurbished, and reopened in 2003. Approaching the Parthenon from the East, the sheer symmetry of the building impresses the visitor; not a single straight line, however, in the entire structure. The pediment above the seventy-one two ton doors depicts the birth of Athena. Over the West doors the pediment depicts the contest between Athena and Poseidon for the control of Attica. Under the eaves around the building, a series of friezes depict the gods and heroes. Inside the naos, the primary chamber, a statue of Pallas Athena, the patroness of Athens, dominates. Rising forty-two feet her gold leafed covered robes radiate her beauty and the wealth of Greece....
Words: 517 - Pages: 3
...historical structures produced from the Golden Age of 480 BC to 404 BC which attract attention worldwide. Thousands of people travel to learn of Athens’s past through the many edifices that remain standing to this day. In this class we will be studying the historical sites of Athens, Greece such as the Acropolis of Athens, the Theatre of Dionysus, and the Temple of Hephaestus. The first historical site the class will be studying is the Acropolis of Athens. During the Golden Age, Greeks created the Acropolis of Athens which contained at the time revolutionary structural building methods that created many ancient buildings suchlike would last for thousands of years. As Pericles was leading Athens in the 5th century BCE, he insinuated the construction of the Acropolis of Athens that would further strengthen the economy, and advancements of architecture. The Acropolis of Athens is the largest tourist attraction in Greece that also constitutes one of the most distinguishable monuments in the world. Several buildings, and structures remain in the Acropolis that display the prowess of the Greeks during Pericles’s Era of rule....
Words: 436 - Pages: 2
