Greece
Early Greek civilization expanded across the northeastern Mediterranean, encompassing the islands and peninsula of modern-day Greece. During the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, early Greeks developed unique architectural styles, plays, novels, and objects. This period is marked by freedom from Persian rule after several decades of warfare.
The Classical period was when the early Greeks were free to develop their ways of communicating and sharing their culture with neighboring regions. Myths and folklore about early Greek deities were the primary sources of inspiration behind the art in their culture. The mythology, or collection of these stories, was central to Greek culture because they provided ways to explain natural phenomena, recall the actions of national heroes, and influence the decisions people make in their everyday lives. These myths were often shared through oral storytelling or sharing stories by word of mouth. Myths also made their way to other mediums, such as pottery, where Greek artists would paint or draw these stories onto everyday objects.
During the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, Greek artists created visuals of their gods and goddesses to share stories, entertain, and educate many people about their unique culture. Here is an example of a Greek vase featuring a mythological story. What are some ways we share stories today? What are some stories that are important to your culture? Are there any objects you can think of that make your culture unique?
Attic Black-Figure Amphora with (A) Dionysus, Satyrs, and Maenads and (B) Battle Scene, Greece, Athens, circa 520 B.C., Furnishings; Serviceware, Ceramic, Height: 16 in. (40.64 cm), William Randolph Hearst Collection (50.9.35), Greek, Roman and Etruscan Art
This object is an example of an amphora painted with a black-figure technique, an early pottery painting style where characters and figures were painted with liquid clay that turned black after it was fired. An amphora is a ceramic vase, a common household object, usually used to store food. Dionysus, the god of wine and vegetation, is painted on this amphora. His followers, the satyrs, and maenads, join him in a scene of feasting and celebration. Here we see how the story communicated on the vase may have directly related to its use, specifically what materials were stored inside.
Follow-Up Questions
- What do you think would be stored in this amphora?
- When or where could this object be used?
- If you made your own amphora, what would you store inside? How would you decorate it?
Amphora with Athena Pouring Wine for Herakles, and a Woman Pouring Wine for Dionysos, Greece, Attica, circa 470-460 B.C., Furnishings; Serviceware, Red-figure ceramic with a trace of added red, Height: 18 1/2 in. (47 cm); Diameter: 10 5/8 in. (27 cm), William Randolph Hearst Collection (50.8.21), Greek, Roman and Etruscan Art
Here is an example of another amphora painted in the red-figure technique, an artistic style after the black-figure technique, where painting in red liquid clay was favored. Here, we see an explicit reference to food with the Greek goddess Athena, who represents wisdom and strategy, pouring wine for the Greek hero Herakles, the protector of mankind. This vase may be trying to communicate two stories. First, it highlights the kind of friendship that Athena and Herakles had; indeed, the protector of mankind would benefit from a close relationship with the goddess of wisdom and strategy. Also, it could show how even goddesses and heroes led similar lives to everyday Greeks.
Follow-Up Questions
- Herakles was the hero and protector of all people. If you were to design an amphora, what type of person would you include as your hero?
- What activities could you include on an amphora to show people what it’s like in your everyday life?