🌊Ancient Mediterranean World Unit 9 – Art and Architecture in Ancient Mediterranean

Key Civilizations and Time Periods

• Ancient Egypt (3100 BCE - 30 BCE) known for its monumental pyramids, temples, and sculptures
  • Old Kingdom (2686 BCE - 2181 BCE) saw the construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza
  • New Kingdom (1550 BCE - 1069 BCE) marked by the rule of famous pharaohs like Ramses II and Tutankhamun
• Ancient Greece (800 BCE - 146 BCE) renowned for its classical art and architecture
  • Archaic Period (800 BCE - 480 BCE) characterized by the development of the orders of architecture (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian)
  • Classical Period (480 BCE - 323 BCE) saw the construction of the Parthenon and the emergence of naturalistic sculptures
  • Hellenistic Period (323 BCE - 146 BCE) known for its more expressive and dramatic art styles
• Ancient Rome (753 BCE - 476 CE) famous for its engineering marvels and realistic sculptures
  • Roman Republic (509 BCE - 27 BCE) marked by the construction of temples, forums, and aqueducts
  • Roman Empire (27 BCE - 476 CE) saw the building of the Colosseum, Pantheon, and triumphal arches
• Mesopotamia (3500 BCE - 539 BCE) home to the world's first cities and monumental architecture
  • Sumerian Period (3500 BCE - 2000 BCE) known for its ziggurats and carved stone stelae
  • Assyrian Period (1000 BCE - 609 BCE) characterized by its palaces decorated with elaborate reliefs
• Minoan Civilization (3000 BCE - 1100 BCE) on the island of Crete, known for its vibrant frescoes and labyrinthine palaces (Knossos)
• Mycenaean Civilization (1600 BCE - 1100 BCE) in mainland Greece, famous for its massive citadels and gold artifacts (Mask of Agamemnon)

Major Art Forms and Techniques

• Sculpture created using various methods and materials
  • Stone carving using tools like chisels and hammers to shape limestone, marble, and granite
  • Bronze casting involving the lost-wax technique to create hollow metal sculptures
  • Terracotta modeling using clay to form small figurines and large-scale statues
• Painting executed on a variety of surfaces and using different pigments
  • Fresco painting on wet plaster, allowing the pigments to become part of the wall (Minoan frescoes)
  • Encaustic painting using heated beeswax mixed with colored pigments (Fayum mummy portraits)
  • Tempera painting using egg yolk as a binder for pigments, often on wooden panels (Byzantine icons)
• Mosaics created by arranging small pieces of colored stone, glass, or ceramic (tesserae) to form patterns or pictures
  • Floor mosaics used to decorate the floors of public buildings and private homes (Alexander Mosaic in Pompeii)
  • Wall mosaics used to adorn the walls of churches and palaces (Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna)
• Relief sculpture carved into a flat surface, creating a three-dimensional effect
  • Low relief (bas-relief) featuring slightly raised figures and backgrounds (Parthenon frieze)
  • High relief (alto-relief) with figures projecting significantly from the background (Pergamon Altar)
• Pottery created using clay and decorated with various techniques
  • Black-figure pottery using black silhouette figures on a red background (Exekias' amphora depicting Ajax and Achilles)
  • Red-figure pottery featuring red figures on a black background, allowing for greater detail and expression (Euphronios krater)

Iconic Architectural Structures

• Parthenon (447 BCE - 432 BCE) in Athens, Greece, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and a prime example of Doric architecture
  • Features a rectangular floor plan surrounded by a peristyle of columns
  • Decorated with sculpted metopes, triglyphs, and pediments depicting mythological scenes
• Pantheon (118 CE - 128 CE) in Rome, Italy, a temple dedicated to all the gods and a marvel of Roman engineering
  • Boasts a massive concrete dome with an oculus at the center, allowing light to enter the interior
  • Features a portico with Corinthian columns and a triangular pediment
• Great Pyramid of Giza (2580 BCE - 2560 BCE) in Egypt, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau
  • Built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu using limestone blocks and a smooth outer casing
  • Stands at a height of 481 feet (146.5 meters) with a base length of 756 feet (230.4 meters)
• Colosseum (70 CE - 80 CE) in Rome, Italy, an amphitheater used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles
  • Constructed using concrete and stone, with a seating capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 spectators
  • Features a complex system of arches and vaults to support the structure and create a visually impressive facade
• Hagia Sophia (532 CE - 537 CE) in Istanbul, Turkey, originally a Byzantine church later converted into a mosque
  • Known for its massive central dome, which appears to float above the interior space
  • Decorated with intricate mosaics depicting religious scenes and figures
• Ziggurat of Ur (21st century BCE) in Iraq, a stepped pyramid structure built as a temple to the moon god Nanna
  • Constructed using mud bricks and featuring three main levels connected by staircases
  • Topped by a shrine or temple, which would have been accessible only to priests and rulers

Religious and Mythological Influences

• Ancient Egyptian art and architecture heavily influenced by the belief in the afterlife and the gods
  • Pyramids and tombs designed to protect and provide for the deceased in the afterlife
  • Temples built to honor the gods and serve as their earthly dwellings (Karnak Temple Complex)
  • Sculptures and paintings depicting gods, goddesses, and pharaohs as divine beings (Statue of Khafre)
• Ancient Greek art and architecture inspired by the pantheon of gods and mythological stories
  • Temples dedicated to specific gods and goddesses, often featuring their sculptures (Temple of Zeus at Olympia)
  • Sculptures portraying mythological figures and scenes (Aphrodite of Knidos, Laocoon and His Sons)
  • Pottery decorated with scenes from mythological stories and epic poems (Francois Vase)
• Ancient Roman art and architecture incorporating elements of Greek and Etruscan religion
  • Temples dedicated to Roman gods and goddesses, often adapted from Greek counterparts (Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus)
  • Sculptures depicting gods, goddesses, and mythological figures (Apollo Belvedere, Diana of Versailles)
  • Frescoes and mosaics illustrating mythological stories and religious rituals (Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii)
• Mesopotamian art and architecture reflecting the belief in multiple gods and the importance of religious rituals
  • Ziggurats serving as temples and connection points between the gods and humans
  • Sculptures and reliefs depicting gods, goddesses, and religious ceremonies (Stele of Hammurabi)
  • Cylinder seals used to impress religious scenes and symbols onto clay tablets and documents
• Early Christian and Byzantine art and architecture focusing on the teachings of Christianity
  • Churches designed with a central plan or basilica layout to accommodate liturgical needs (Old St. Peter's Basilica)
  • Mosaics and frescoes depicting biblical scenes, Christ, and saints (Apse mosaic in the Church of San Clemente)
  • Illuminated manuscripts containing religious texts and illustrations (Book of Kells)

Cultural and Social Context

• Ancient Egyptian art and architecture reflecting the hierarchical structure of society
  • Pharaohs depicted as larger-than-life figures, emphasizing their divine status and power
  • Nobles and officials shown in smaller scales, indicating their subordinate positions
  • Scenes of daily life and work illustrating the roles and activities of different social classes (Tomb of Nakht)
• Ancient Greek art and architecture expressing the ideals of democracy, philosophy, and humanism
  • Sculptures emphasizing the beauty and proportion of the human form (Doryphoros by Polykleitos)
  • Public buildings and spaces designed for civic engagement and discourse (Agora of Athens)
  • Theatrical performances and festivals celebrating cultural values and shared experiences (City Dionysia)
• Ancient Roman art and architecture reflecting the power and grandeur of the empire
  • Monumental structures symbolizing the strength and authority of the state (Arch of Constantine)
  • Portraits and busts honoring influential individuals and emphasizing their status (Augustus of Prima Porta)
  • Triumphal arches and columns commemorating military victories and conquests (Column of Trajan)
• Mesopotamian art and architecture indicating the importance of kingship and the state
  • Palaces and royal tombs showcasing the wealth and power of rulers (Palace of Sargon II at Dur-Sharrukin)
  • Steles and reliefs depicting kings and their achievements, legitimizing their rule (Victory Stele of Naram-Sin)
  • Cylinder seals used as markers of ownership and authority, often featuring royal symbols and scenes
• Minoan and Mycenaean art and architecture reflecting the values and lifestyles of their respective cultures
  • Minoan frescoes depicting scenes of nature, leisure, and religious rituals, suggesting a peaceful and prosperous society
  • Mycenaean citadels and fortifications indicating a more militaristic and hierarchical culture
  • Gold masks and ornaments from Mycenaean tombs (Mask of Agamemnon) signifying the wealth and status of the elite class

Materials and Technologies

• Stone as a primary material for architecture and sculpture
  • Limestone used extensively in Egyptian pyramids, temples, and sculptures due to its abundance and ease of carving
  • Marble prized by the Greeks and Romans for its beauty, durability, and ability to render fine details (Parthenon sculptures)
  • Granite employed in Egyptian obelisks and statues for its hardness and resistance to weathering
• Clay used for pottery, terracotta sculptures, and architectural decorations
  • Terracotta figurines and plaques popular in Greek and Roman art for their affordability and versatility (Tanagra figurines)
  • Glazed bricks used in Mesopotamian architecture for decorative and protective purposes (Ishtar Gate)
• Metal, particularly bronze, used for sculptures and decorative objects
  • Lost-wax casting technique developed to create hollow bronze sculptures (Riace Warriors)
  • Hammering and repoussé used to shape metal vessels and reliefs (Vix Krater)
• Glass employed in mosaics, jewelry, and decorative objects
  • Millefiori technique used to create intricate patterns in glass objects (Nimrud ivories)
  • Glass tesserae used in mosaics to achieve a wide range of colors and textures (Great Palace Mosaic in Constantinople)
• Pigments derived from natural sources for painting and polychromy
  • Mineral pigments like ochres, azurite, and malachite used in Egyptian and Minoan frescoes
  • Plant-based dyes like madder and woad used in textiles and manuscripts
  • Precious materials like gold leaf and lapis lazuli used for highlights and accents (Tutankhamun's death mask)
• Advancements in construction techniques enabling monumental architecture
  • Corbelled arch used in Mycenaean tholos tombs and Mesopotamian palaces
  • True arch and vault developed by the Romans, allowing for larger and more complex structures (Basilica of Maxentius)
  • Pendentive and squinch used in Byzantine architecture to transition from a square base to a circular dome (Hagia Sophia)

Stylistic Developments and Innovations

• Egyptian art characterized by its adherence to conventions and idealized forms
  • Frontal poses, hierarchical scale, and composite perspective used to convey symbolic meaning
  • Stylized and simplified human figures with distinctive proportions and features (Seated Scribe)
  • Innovations in the Amarna Period, with more naturalistic and expressive styles (Bust of Nefertiti)
• Greek art marked by a progression from stylized to naturalistic forms
  • Archaic Period characterized by stiff, frontal poses and patterned drapery (Kouros and Kore statues)
  • Classical Period introducing contrapposto, realistic anatomy, and expressive faces (Discobolus of Myron)
  • Hellenistic Period embracing more dynamic compositions, exaggerated emotions, and dramatic lighting (Winged Victory of Samothrace)
• Roman art synthesizing Greek and Etruscan influences with a focus on realism
  • Veristic portraits capturing individual likenesses and personalities (Bust of Caracalla)
  • Historical reliefs depicting narrative scenes with depth and perspective (Ara Pacis)
  • Innovations in architectural forms like the basilica, amphitheater, and triumphal arch
• Mesopotamian art featuring stylized and symbolic representations
  • Figures depicted in profile with large, expressive eyes and patterned clothing (Standard of Ur)
  • Animal and mythological creatures used as protective symbols and decorative motifs (Lamassu)
  • Innovations in narrative storytelling through continuous friezes and registers (Balawat Gates)
• Minoan and Mycenaean art showcasing distinct regional styles
  • Minoan art characterized by fluid lines, vibrant colors, and nature-inspired motifs (Bull-Leaping Fresco)
  • Mycenaean art featuring more angular and geometric forms, with a focus on warfare and power (Lion Gate at Mycenae)
  • Innovations in metalworking and inlaid decoration (Dagger of Tutankhamun)

Legacy and Impact on Later Art Movements

• Greek and Roman art serving as the foundation for Western art traditions
  • Renaissance artists studying and emulating classical forms and proportions (Michelangelo's David)
  • Neoclassical artists drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman architecture and sculpture (Jefferson Memorial)
  • Modern artists reinterpreting and deconstructing classical elements (Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon)
• Egyptian art influencing Art Deco and modern design
  • Simplified, geometric forms and stylized motifs adapted from Egyptian art (Cartier's Egyptian Revival jewelry)
  • Fascination with Egyptian culture and symbolism in popular media (Cleopatra film posters)
• Mesopotamian art inspiring ancient Near Eastern and Islamic art
  • Continued use of protective symbols and mythological creatures in Persian and Assyrian art
  • Adaptation of Mesopotamian motifs and techniques in Islamic metalwork and ceramics
• Minoan and Mycenaean art influencing ancient Greek and Etruscan art
  • Minoan frescoes and pottery inspiring Greek Orientalizing styles
  • Mycenaean metalworking and inlaid decoration techniques adopted by Etruscan artisans
• Rediscovery and appreciation of ancient art in modern times
  • Archaeological excavations and museum exhibitions bringing ancient art to public attention (Rosetta Stone in the British Museum)
  • Scholarly research and publications deepening our understanding of ancient cultures and their artistic achievements
  • Contemporary artists engaging with ancient art through appropriation, reinterpretation, and critique (Ai Weiwei's Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn)