Greek Classical Sculpture

Greek Early Classical
Greek High Classical
Greek Late Classical

The Classical Period of Greek art becomes an important period in the Athenian Empire, in that it marks the beginning of a new style of art. The Persian sack of Athens in 480 B.C.E. is considered a turning point in the political and cultural life of the Athenian Empire. The Parthenon is an example of the flourishing 'Golden Age' of Athens, as it celebrates the goddess Athena, to whom the city is dedicated. The city of Athens, as the center of the Athenian Empire, becomes the birthplace of Classical Greek art, with its decorative buildings, painting and sculpture. Moreover, the use of mythology and allegory as a means of referring to historical events becomes a major theme during this period, as seen in the Parthenon sculptural program with its various battles of the Greeks over supernatural characters like the Amazons or Centaurs. This period becomes a time to celebrate and represent the Athenian Empire while showing an extreme amount of pride in their city to intimidate other civilizations that wanted to conquer them.

The Temple of Athena Parthenos, otherwise known at the Parthenon, is an edifice that was constructed on the highest part of the Acropolis in Athens under the reign of Pericles. The construction began in 447 B.C.E. and was later dedicated in 438 B.C.E. The foundations of the temple were built upon the site of a previous temple that was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 B.C.E. The architect who designed and constructed the Parthenon is Ictinus who was assisted by Callicrates. However, the overall work was supervised by Pheidias, the artist who created the cult statue of Athena that is found within the temple, in addition to the sculptures that adorn the exterior of the temple. The building has an unusually large amount of sculpture for its decoration. The ninety-two metopes show four mythological battles, whereas an Ionic frieze, carved in low relief, surrounds the uppermost level of the cella exterior. This frieze, however is unique in that is shows a contemporary scene of the procession for the Panathenaia. The Pedimental sculpture celebrates Athena's birth and her victory in the contest for the land of Attica. One will note that the sculpture created for the Parthenonon is highly idealized which becomes a major theme of Classical Art.

K.B.