Chapter 15 Section 2 Greek Art and Literature

Anticipatory Set The Arts is something we value today Plays Musicals Stand-up Comedy Painting Sculptures All of these things are available to us because of the Ancient Greeks

Standards S.S Describe the enduring contributions of important Greek figures in the arts and sciences (e.g., Hypatia, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Thucydides) E-LA Reading Identify and interpret figurative language and words with multiple meanings.

Objective Students will learn about the art and architecture of ancient Greece along with lyric poetry, drama, and fables written by the Greeks.

Language of the Discipline Frieze Pediment Lyric Poetry Chorus Sophocles Aesop Sappho Drama

Art and Architecture (Input) The Greeks were highly skilled in many arts Their works have been admired for generations. These include: Making a pot Carving a statue Designing a temple

Painted Pottery (Input) Ancient Greeks were famous for their beautiful painted pottery They made drinking cups, jars, and bowls in many shapes Some of these vessels stored wine, water, oil, and perfume. Many were used for decoration. They developed two main techniques: “black figure” and “red figure” This referred to the colors of the figures on the vase in contrast with the background The paintings on the vases often were scenes from myths, Homer’s epics, or Greek life.

Painted Pottery (Input)

Sculpture (Input) Greeks were experts at sculpture Temples had huge statues of the gods and goddesses Temple walls have carved scenes These works were created for public display and to pay tribute to the gods The main subject of sculptures was the human figure Nothing had more beauty than a strong, athletic human body They tried to show their ideals through these sculptures The perfect beauty of classic Greek sculpture has inspired artists for centuries

Sculpture (Input)

Architecture (Input) Greek architecture is found all over the world today in civic buildings, banks, and monuments The most famous Greek building is a temple called the Parthenon that was build 2,400 years ago Architects Ictinus and Callicrates designed it It stands on the Acropolis and displays a huge gold and ivory statue of Athena made by Phidias Although the Parthenon was made of stone, the building did not appear heavy

Architecture (Input) Graceful marble columns supported the roof Above the columns was the frieze, or horizontal band, that ran around the entire building Carvings on the frieze told stories of mythology Other carvings decorated the pediment, a triangular section that rose above the main entrance People believe that the statues were while marble, however they were very colorful and the color washed away over time

Architecture (Input)

Lyric Poetry (Input) Greeks began to write shorter poems after Homer’s long stories Performers sang these poems while playing the lyre These poetic songs became lyric poetry that often expressed a personal viewpoint These were spoken at religious festivals and weddings Some were performed solo and others as a chorus, or group of people who sang and danced Their singing represented the voice of the people praising the gods Greeks wrote poetry on many different subjects Alcaeus wrote poems about politics and war Sappho wrote about human emotions

Greek Drama (Input) Modern theater came from Greek religious festivals Drama is a Greek word meaning a play or performance on stage Theater, tragedy, comedy and scene are also from the Greek language Greek theaters were build outdoors on hillsides The audience sat on the slopes surrounding the flat around the stage Greek dramas developed from choral performances honoring the god Dionysus

Greek Drama (Input) Individual actors took on the roles of characters The chorus made comments on the action and advised the characters Wealthy citizens often funded the training and costumes Plays became a central feature at festivals Prizes were awarded to the best play, best chorus, and the best actor. Men played all of the characters They wore wigs and masks to play women’s parts

Tragedy and Comedy (Input) Dramatists wrote plays of tragedy and comedy Tragedy often came from mythology or Homer’s poems They often traced the downfall of heroic figures caught in violent conflict with their family, their city, or the gods Sophocles write the tragedy Antigone Greek comedies dealt with current events Greek culture, society, and politicians Comedies sometimes made serious points like protests against war Aristophanes was the most famous comic playwright Two of his comedies are still performed today (The Frogs and Lysistrata)

Fables (Input)

Greeks created fables, stories that taught a lesson The most famous are Aesop’s Fables Aesop was an Ethiopian slave who lived on the Greek island of Samos during the sixth century B.C. Later he was freed for his learning and wit Aesop traveled widely around the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Asia, collecting and retelling his fables Later on many of his fables became popular in the fourth century B.C.

Check for Understanding Please determine the BEST answer for the following question. Please write your answer on your white boards and wait for the teacher’s signal. On the teacher’s signal, hold up your white boards.

Checking for Understanding #1 Fill in the blank _______________ is a triangular section that rose above the main entrance of architecture. Pediment

Checking for Understanding #2 Answer the following question. What did performers often sing while playing a stringed instrument known as the lyre? Lyric poems

Checking for Understanding #3 Answer the following question. What was the main subject of Greek sculptures? The human figure

Guided Practice/Independent Practice Guided Practice Complete questions on the reading comprehension worksheet. Raise your hand and wait to get stamped. If you received an “R” go to the back table with Ms. Graham. Independent Practice Once you have been stamped moved to independent practice and complete numbers 4 and 5 on the reading comprehension worksheet. Homework Note-taking guide on the reverse side.