Ancient Greece and Rome: Art, Architecture, and History

Ancient Greece: A Civilization of Beauty and Harmony

Location: Greece is situated at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula.

Territory: The territory includes mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Although technically a peninsula, the Isthmus of Corinth, which connects the Peloponnese to the mainland, is so narrow that it almost feels like an island. Greece also encompasses Crete, the Aegean Islands, and the coasts of Asia Minor.

Timeline: Greek civilization flourished from approximately 600 BC to 30 AD.

Key Characteristics: The most outstanding qualities of Greek art and architecture are the perfection of forms, balance, harmony, and proportion.

Greek Painting

Unfortunately, no original Greek paintings have survived. However, based on literary texts and anecdotes, we know that painting must have reached a high level of development. We can get a glimpse of its style through Greek-influenced frescoes in Pompeii or copies in mosaics, such as the famous "Battle of Issus."

Function of Vases: Greek vases served various purposes, including utilitarian, offering, funeral, and as prizes at the Olympic Games.

Decoration: Initially, vases featured black figures on a red background. Later, the style shifted to red figures on a black background. Motifs included geometric patterns, stylized human and animal figures, and plants.

Capitoline Wolf

1. Acroterion 2. Architrave 3. Cornice 4. Frieze 5. Capital 6. Shaft 7. Stylobate 8. Base 9. Column 10. Tympanum 11. Entablature

Ancient Rome: Grandeur and Functionality

Location: Rome is located in the center of the Italian Peninsula.

Territory: The Italian territory is partly mountainous but less divided into valleys and regions than Greece, making it more uniform.

Greco-Roman Civilization

Periods of Roman History:

• Monarchy
• Republic
• Empire

The Etruscans were the founders of Rome as a city. They were part of the empires residing in the peninsula, prevailing over other peoples and concentrating all power.

Timeline: Roman civilization developed approximately from 200 BC to 400 AD, culminating in the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Key Characteristics: Roman architecture is characterized by its grandeur and functionality, reflecting the wisdom of Roman legislative power and the practical sense of Roman life.

Roman Architectural Materials and Techniques

Materials: Stone, brick, fired clay, and marble were commonly used in Roman construction.

Innovation: The Romans are credited with the discovery of cement as a building material. Initially used to join materials, it later determined the thickness of buildings.

Construction System: Roman construction was based on ancient civilizations, combining the lintel system with the arch and vault in a single building.

Roman Architectural Orders and Buildings

Orders: Roman architecture incorporated the three Greek orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) and created two new ones: Tuscan and Composite.

Important Buildings:

• Temples: Most Roman temples were rectangular and stood on a base, lacking an opisthodomos. The Pantheon in Rome is considered one of the most perfect works of Roman architecture.
• Theaters: Roman theaters were semi-circular, with a wider stage. Their structure was enhanced, resulting in a curved facade.
• Amphitheaters: As the name suggests, Roman amphitheaters were essentially two theaters joined together to form an elliptical plan.