Stonehenge, Kritios Bay, and the Portrait of Constantine

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While reading Chapter One, the first thing that caught my eye was Stonehenge. Though not a traditional piece of artwork such as a painting or sketch, this strategically placed grouping of stones has always had me intrigued. This sculpture dates back to 2550-1600 BCE, and also is classified of one the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. (Kleiner, 2013) The 45-50 ton rocks create a circle, with various rocks place on top of one another. The tall vertical rock is titled a monolith and the horizontal rock is the lintel, which supports the vertical rocks and creates an opening. (Kleiner, 2013) What is interesting is this technique is still used in modern day construction and is called s post-and-lintel system. The word henge defines the arrangement of stones in a circle- hence the name Stonehenge. (Kleiner, 2013) What is most interesting is the size of the stones itself. Each one is approximately 17 feet tall and weighs nearly fifty tons. From a historical perspective these are called megaliths (i.e. great stones). The stones consist of roughly cut sandstone, as well as bluestones, which are volcanic rocks. The great mystery to this grand sculpture is how the Neolithic people constructed this trilithon, which is a three stone construction. Historians predict that the construction occurred in phases throughout the centuries before and after 2000 BCE. (Kleiner, 2013) As for the purpose of this great rock formation, archaeologists determined it served purpose as a solar calendar. I chose this particular piece solely because I find it so interesting. It portrays a great sense of mystery as to how they successfully constructed it and what purpose it served to the Neolithic individuals.

Chapter two Ancient Greece is very di...

... middle of paper ...

... eyes are not looked straightforward; instead they glance fully to his left side. The oversized sculpture emphasized his position as the absolute ruler. (Kleiner, 2013)
The various forms of art in Prehistory and the First Civilizations, Ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire are distinctly unique when compared against one another. In the Prehistory and the First Civilizations period, the art seemed to tell stories via painting and symbols. The sculptures were not as complex as compared to the Roman Empire, where sculptures were crafted with such great detail. Despite the fact the Greeks borrowed ideas from Mesopotamia and Egypt, distinctive architecture emerged with vast columns and large sculptures. The Stonehenge, Kritios Bay, and the Portrait of Constantine from the Basilica Nova is just one example of how various forms of art have transitioned over the eras.

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