The Greek krater is only one of many forms of ceramics found throughout the Greek world. The existence of the krater stems from the Greek’s custom of drinking wine diluted with water. The krater was used for mixing. While all kraters feature a large open mouth for dispensing the wine, there are four distinctive styles recognised by Historians. This investigation will be focusing on a krater that is currently housed in the Classics Museum at the Australian National University. The krater is a particular style known as the ‘column krater’ identifiable by the position of its handles.
The krater has a large open bowl area with intricate decorations around the lip of the bowl. Its size allowed for the storage of large amounts of wine mixture.
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Production was usually split into four isolated horizontal segments. These segments were the foot, the lower and upper body, the neck, and finally the handles (which may be absent on certain specimens). The segments would be connected together with clay and dried to hold the pieces in place before the edges and clay were smoothed off to give the final shape. The pot would then be painted and decorated. Painting is the pottery feature that changes the most throughout Greek history as certain styles change as the society’s values and ideals do as …show more content…
Economically it can provide information on which cities traded with each other and shows the spread of Greek ideals and trade with Greek ceramics being found all over the Mediterranean. It is also known, based off textual evidence and the number of pots still surviving that pottery was one of the largest industries in the Ancient Greek world. It may also provide information on war and war reparations. War booty and looting were extremely prevalent in Ancient Greece and may have been taken in order to justify and pay for the war and it is plausible that is what has taken place with the krater being
The durability of clay has brought forth an immense abundance of Greek pottery, a craft mastered by Athenian artists. Archeologists have found hundreds of varieties in creation, shape, function, style, and artwork in Archaic vases. The museum has been blessed with one of these priceless artifacts; it is the duty of this establishment to accumulate as much data as possible surrounding the vase. In first identifying technique, dimensions, and condition, as well as describing shape, ornament, and figural scenery, one may then begin to analyze the vase. This serves the general purpose of understanding where the artifact stands in Greek culture and history. Through the examination and research of figural scenes, it is then possible to compare these to other scenes and styles of the same and other painters. Finally, one can then hypothesize where, why, and how this piece was used.
Kamares ware was the first distinctive Minoan style of pottery. It was named after the cave sanctuary in Crete where many examples were discovered by archeologists. It is believed that Kamares ware originated from Phaistos, which was once one of the most important centers of civilization in Crete. Kamares ware came about in the Crete society at the same time the pottery wheel was introduced. The pottery wheel made the production of thin walled, symmetrical shaped vessels more efficient. Kamares ware was characterized by very thin walls, robust swollen curves, elegant spouts and decorations. The beauty of
The difference between an archaic statue such as Kroisos (fig. 5-11) and a classical statue such as Doryphoros (fig. 5-42) may not seem very great in a single glance. In fact, you may not notice any differences in that one glance. Yet, if you were to look at them closely, you can see that these two statues actually have very little in common.
The Statue of a kouros and the Portrait statue of a boy both depict similar subjects, however are greatly different in how they accomplish this task. Through detail, or lack there of, the Greeks and Romans are able to display a certain value they have in its members. These two statues were made about 500 years apart and approach the sculpting process quit differently. The Greek statue seems to use geometric exaggerated lines to form the body while the Romans use a more realistic approach and sculpt the body with a more rounded finish. Statue of a kouros, from about 590 B.C and Portrait of a boy, from about the first century, do not share any great technical aspects and are basically nothing alike.
Ridgway, Brunilde S. Hellenistic Sculpture II: The Styles of ca. 200-100 B.C. Madison, Wisc.: The University of Wisconsin Press, 2000.
Throughout Greek history and mythology, the greatest heroes have been driven by the desire to gain heroic glory. For them, kleos served as a fundamental indicator of their personal value. A warrior’s worth was defined by how they were viewed and discussed by their peers. Personal glory was more important than life itself. Warriors would rather die young with renown than live a long life of little consequence. However, once they reached the underworld, many found their struggle for kleos by way of personal gain never earned them what they desired. True glory goes beyond an individual’s accomplishments and lives on after their death through their posterity as demonstrated by Agamemnon and Achilles who, upon being visited by Odysseus in the underworld, inquire after the
Marble statue of a kouros (youth), Greek, Attic, ca. 590-580 B.C. Fletcher Fund, 1932. Accession number: 32.11.1
Throughout the history of Ancient Greece thousands of great works of art were produced. Works were created in many different media, ranging from life-size statues to larger than life architectural structures. One type of art that can sometimes be overlooked, though, is pottery. There are many examples of great Greek pottery, but the two that will be used as a sample are Artemis Slaying Actaeon and Woman and Maid. By considering the backgrounds of these works, and comparing them directly we are able get a taste not only of the artistic styles of the time, but also a taste of ancient Greek culture.
On the Warka Vase shown on register 4 naked men carry three types of pottery and at least three of these pottery pieces hold some objects, this implies that all three types of pottery are holding some object or objects, since the men are taking the pottery to the same location. One of these pottery pieces appears to be a piece made to pour, and hold, liquids. This pouring vessel is again seen in an image on another vase (20), this vase seem t...
The Greeks believed that the earth was formed before any of the gods appeared. The gods, as the Greeks knew them, all originated with Father Heaven, and Mother Earth. Father Heaven was known as Uranus, and Mother Earth, as Gaea. Uranus and Gaea raised many children. Amoung them were the Cyclopes, the Titans, and the Hecatoncheires, or the
There are a handful of differences and similarities from an Ancient Greek drinking vessel and a Starbucks cup some people may not take into consideration. While comparing and contrasting a Starbucks coffee cup and Ancient Greek drinking vessels I will take careful notation into the differences and similarities of their form, function and decoration of the artifacts. I will go into careful detail of what the ancient Greeks used to create their drinking vessels. Also, I will elaborate the functions that the Ancient Greeks first had in mind and what uses they had during the different time periods. Another important aspect of the ancient Greek drinking vessels and Starbucks cup are the decorations and logos. This plays an important role in describing stories with historical significance.
In Ancient Greek culture Kleos, or glory, was one of, if not, the most important life goal for a Greek citizen. The reason it was so important is that Kleos would, with enough of it, secure you a spot in one of the three rings of Elysium; the more kleos you had the farther into the three rings you got, and the better your after life ended up being. To the Ancient Greeks making it to the center, or third ring, was the holy grail of life. To put it into perspective making it to the third ring was today's equivalent of being superman and saving the world several times over. Unfortunately, Greek heros can and often do dig holes for themselves by not recognizing that a god has helped them along in getting more Kleos. In this article three
GREECE & ROME. Archaeology [serial online]. November 1987;40(6):18. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed December 22, 2011.
Greek art progressed through four divisible periods from ninth century B.C. to the second century B.C. The primary subject matter for all of these periods was humans. (Sowerby, 150) Each period progressed further than the last with developing the human form and making it continually more realistic and natural. (Boardman, 275) The most basic human forms were depicted in the Geometric period where triangles and ovals were used to make a rough human form. The Archaic period came next with artists slowly moving away from set geometric figures and incorporating more human detail into their art. Great change in art came in the Classical period. Sowerby states this by saying: "The classical artist concentrates up...
In modern society, Greek pottery is considered an art which is regarded as much for its aesthetic splendor as its historical significance. However, the role of pottery in ancient Greek culture was far more functional as its primary use was for the transportation and storage of such liquids as water and wine (Encyclopedia Britannica). Due to the durability of the fired clay material, Greek pottery is the only remaining art form that allows us to explore the evolution of this ancient culture. Through that examination, three distinct stylistic periods have been unveiled: Geometric, Orientalizing and Archaic. This analysis will detail these distinct periods as well as three design techniques prevalently used: black figure, red figure and white ground