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Greek and Roman History
The Greek and Roman civilizations each played an important part in shaping the history of today. Greek artists then proved they were capable of designing in three-dimensional terms as indicated by vase paintings (Neil)." Ancient sculptures were symbols of the democracy in Athens. "In its own right, the epigram on the Athenian statue's base was just as celebrated as the sculptures (McHam)." The frieze on the Parthenon was constructed between 447 and 432 B.C and some historians argue "the gods are arranged according to their significance for Persian war battles, with land deities on the south and sea deities on the north (Neil)."
It is interesting to look at these two cultures and the major contributions of each.
Greek History
The Greek civilization was defined in the 5th century BC by the Golden Age. Athens was home at this time to "statesmen such as Pericles, Solon and Lycourgos.
Pericles, who lived from 495 to 429 B.C., was responsible for bringing democracy to Athens and building monuments such as the Parthenon atop the Acropolis. Under his leadership, Athens reached the pinnacle of its power in ancient times (unknown, Cemetery)."
Thucydides, who is 'considered one of the greatest of the ancient writers (unknown, Cemetery)," and the Greek philosopher Aristotle who taught at the school known as the Lyceum, also lived in Athens during this time. Thucydides is known for his reference to the ancient Greek cemetery, Demosion Sima, as well as his documentation of the Peloponnesian War, which "occurred during Pericles' rule (unknown, Cemetery)."
In ancient Greece, "notables such as Pericles and war heroes were buried in mass graves called 'polyandria', meaning 'many men' (unknown, Cemetery)." These gravesites contain ceramic artifacts which are illustrated with various battle scenes.
The architecture was distinctive in ancient Greece. "In Athens, the practice of dining in a round building was institutionalized by the Athenian democracy; the round building in the Agora known as the Tholos functioned as a dining room for fifty prytaneis (tribal representatives) and six to ten officials (Neil)."
Ancient Rome
During the 8th century B.C., the Etruscans created a city-state from the small villages in the hills of Rome. "Tradition tells of the founding of Rome by Romulus in 753 B.C., and the of the Tarquin family, the Etruscan royal house. It was Etruscan rule that civilized Rome and gave it the hegemony of Latium…
Works Cited
McHam, Sarah Blake. Donatello's bronze David and Judith as Metaphors of Medici rule in Florence. The Art Bulletin. (2001): 01 March.
Neils, Jenifer. Reconfiguring the gods on the Parthenon frieze. The Art Bulletin.
1999): 01 March.
Unknown. Historic Cemetery Uncovered Ancient Site May Hold Clues to the Golden Age of Athens. Seattle Post-Interlligencer (Seattle, WA). (1997): 09 August.
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