Ancient Artistry: Greek Sculpture & Roman Architecture

Classical Greek Sculpture: Key Features

Most surviving works are Roman copies, reflecting the period's focus on beauty. General features include:

• Worship of man, with human-sized figures.
• Idealized beauty, often a harmony of three parts.
• Emphasis on facial expressiveness and the representation of motion.
• Concern for volume and multi-faceted appearance.
• Original use of bronze (though known copies are in marble).

Hellenistic Sculpture: Characteristics

From the 4th to 3rd centuries BCE, Hellenistic sculpture began to move away from the ideals of classical beauty. Its characteristics include:

• Tendency towards syncretism.
• Orientalization and an accentuation of movement, pathos, and tension.
• Predilection for fantastic elements.
• Introduction of daily life scenes.
• Development of realistic portraits, including physical imperfections.

Notable Hellenistic Sculptures

1. The Winged Victory of Samothrace: From the Rhodian school (early 2nd century BCE), this sculpture was part of a ship's bow, depicting a figure wrapped in a thin chiton and mantle.
2. East Frieze of the Altar of Zeus in Pergamon: Dating from the first half of the 2nd century BCE, this frieze is adorned with grand reliefs depicting the Gigantomachy (struggle between gods and giants), showcasing a perfect combination of old and young figures.
3. The Laocoön and His Sons: A work by Agesander, Polydorus, and Athenodorus of Rhodes, it depicts the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by two sea serpents. This punishment, sent by Poseidon due to Laocoön's suspicion of the Trojan Horse, powerfully represents physical and moral pain as he witnesses his innocent children suffer.

Roman Architecture: Defining Features

Roman architecture generally followed two Greek architectural models and aimed to exalt the power and image of the state. Key characteristics include:

• Great aesthetic and stylistic unity.
• Development and expansion of major cities, leading to significant urban architecture.
• Increased decoration in buildings, emphasizing utilitarianism and strength.
• Use of new techniques and materials, including the Tuscan order of Etruscan origin (inspired by the Doric column, with a smooth shaft).
• Enhanced perspective, often referred to as symmetry.