Ancient Greek lived around 1,000BC-449AD. Though cameras or video recorders were not invented at the time, people today can learn about their culture and styles through the arts they created, such as painting and sculptures. The Greek religion was evolved with mythologies and different kinds of gods. Many art works illustrate the religious action of people kneeling down and praying for a god. Art pieces became visual documents that reflect the impact of religion upon Ancient Greek and Roman civilization. A Sphinx, which was considered a mythical creature with wings and that is half lion and half human, was often included in the arts of Ancient Greek and Roman in paintings as well. There were no proof of the existence of such creature, yet it was mentioned by different people, such as Homer and Hesiod. Although the knowledge of science is not as advanced as today’s, the appearance of such creatures does display another side of the ancient Greek and Roman culture—the aesthetic side. Furthermore, the art works created after the early archaic periods were much different from before. Gradually, Greek and Roman artists and sculptors learned to present images that are more natural, detailed, and dedicated. Although artists perused for more realistic drawings or paintings, beauty was not limited by the appearance but by what is thought to be attractive and pleasing through different perspective. Just like the many gods in the Greek and Roman culture and mythology; however, not all of them are gods with powers; some of the “gods” were citizens who conducted noble acts and were often idealized to be gods by other people. The Ancient Greek and Roman religion is not limited by only one god with numerous rules. The diversity of gods indicates an appeal to religion with Greeks unique values. Art pieces provide people vivid descriptions of the Ancient Greek and Roman society, religion and aesthetics. The art works portray the significant values of the Ancient Greek and Roman civilization.
Ashley Chang, Jenny Yu, Diana Kim, and Justin Park!
We agree that not only does the Sphinx of Ancient Greece show the aesthetic side of Greek and Roman culture, but also that it portrays their emphasis on the importance of mythology. In Greek mythology, a Sphinx guarded the city of Thebes, asking a riddle to all passerby in order to allow them to enter or leave. Nobody dared enter or leave the city though, for no one had been able to answer her riddle, and, if answered incorrectly, she'd tear the person to pieces. Eventually, Oedipus encountered the Sphinx and was able to correctly answer her riddle. As a result, the Sphinx killed herself and Oedipus married Queen Jocasta, becoming the King of Thebes, and we all know how that story ends.
ReplyDeleteCassidy Combs, Isabelle Rosenthal, Jennifer Kim, Adria Kelly-Sullenger
(adding on to our previous post)
ReplyDeleteGreek mythology was also crucial for defining the Ancient Greeks’ religion. The myths told stories about their gods, such as who they were, what they represented, how they punished people and how the Greeks should try to appease them. The Greek myths were symbolic, often telling of Greek values and morals. In the story of King Midas, the moral was that you should never be too greedy. In the myth about Pandora, the moral was that curiosity killed the cat. In most of these myths, the morals were punishments by the gods for the defiance of mere mortals. These punishments and morals were often fodder for Greek play writers to create tragedies. These tragedies also incorporated the use of Greek deities, linking together the Greek values of mythology, religion, and plays.