人教版高中英语B6 Unit1 Art 主题深度阅读资料.

Introduction to ancient Greek art

by Dr. Renee M. Gondek. Google ClassroomFacebookTwitter Email

A shared language, religion, and culture

Ancient Greece can feel strangely familiar. From the great feat of Achilles who was

a hero in the ancient epic poem by

Homer, The Illiad to the works of Aristotle,

from the exacting measurements of

the Parthenon (帕台农神庙) to the

rhythmic chaos of the Laocoön (below),

ancient Greek culture has shaped our

world.(1) Thanks largely to notable archaeological sites, well-known literary works, and the influence of Hollywood, this civilization is embedded(嵌入) in our collective consciousness .

Scattered around the Mediterranean and divided into self-governing units called city-states, the ancient Greeks were

united by a shared language, religion,

and culture . Strengthening these bonds

further were the temples and festivals

that embraced “all Greeks” and

encouraged interaction, competition, and

exchange. Although popular modern

understanding of the ancient Greek world

is based on the classical art of fifth

Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, 447 – 432 B.C.E. Laocoön and his Sons , early first century C.E., marble, 7’10-1/2″ high

century B.C.E. Athens, it is important to recognize that Greek civilization was vast and did not develop overnight. (2)

The Dark Ages (c. 1100 – c. 800 B.C.E.) to the Orientalizing Period (c. 700 – 600 B.C.E.)

Following the collapse of the Mycenaean castles of the late Bronze Age, the Greek

mainland was traditionally

thought to enter a “Dark Age”.

Not only did its complex socio-

cultural system disappear, but

also its numerous achievements

(i.e., metalworking, large-scale

construction, writing). The

discovery and continuous ex cav ation of a site known as Lefkandi, however, completely changes this impression. Located just north of Athens, Lefkandi has yielded an immense structure, a massive network of graves, and two heroic tombs filled with gold objects and valuable horse offerings. One of the most interesting artifacts, buried in two separate graves, is a statue with a horse body and a human head. Relating to mythology and perhaps a particular story, this strange statue shows the cultural richness of this period.

Similar in its adoption of narrative elements is a vase-painting likely dating to c. 730 B.C.E. The images on the

vase reflects other eighth-century

artifacts. Though simplistic, the

overall scene on this vase seems

to record a story. A man and

woman stand beside a ship

equipped with tiers of rowers.

Grasping at the stern(船尾) and

lifting one leg onto the ship, the man turns back towards the female and takes her by the wrist. Is the couple Theseus and

Centaur (Horse body with human head), c. 900 B.C.E.

Vessel(器皿) for mixing water and wine, possibly from c. 730 B.C.E., 30.5 cm hig h