Greek Literature and Art - Essay Example

?Sur Parthenon: Greek Literature and Art According to history, art, philosophy and architecture have been appliedalongside each other to explain the importance of a given jurisdiction to the whole world. In this case, the three scholarly aspects are imperative since they offer education in a much elaborated method. This is the case with the development of Parthenon Greek in which there is close consideration of the aspect of art, architecture in explaining the concept of religion and politics. This paper will be substantial in analyzing Parthenon Greek structure it’s artistic, architectural and literature backing. How the work is significant for the period in which it was created. It should be remembered that Greek religious society has anciently been controlled by gods. This magnificent construction was dedication to the Greek goddess Athena, and was completed in 438 BC. In those days, there was ancient believe that gods were to be offered sacred place. Again, it is prudent to consider that the development of the artifact was significant in emancipation of the Doric order. In this case, the Doric order is the magnificent facet of the building which in this case had flat pavements and with a base and vertical shafts. The nature of this building was used either for political or religious reasons (Mikalson, 44). In itself it was a symbol and facet of power. How the work perhaps challenges the conventions associated with the period. It is scholarly good to note that the Parthenon was a politically backed religious presentation. In this case, the Greek society held a powerful convention which had close similarities to this period. In light with this, attention is garnered towards realization of the Greek political nature alongside other effects. One of the prominent conventions of the time is Chronology. This classical Antiquity (c. 1200 – c. 800 BC), was geometric styles and proto-geometric designs applied in Architecture. This convention was substantial in the beginning of the Orientalizing influence which was initial stage of the end of dark ages. Based on this presumption, it is good to relate the Parthenon as an elucidator to the much common culture of modern artistic period. What are the main concerns of the artist/creator or architect? As analyzed in the above description, it is coherent to note that the architecture was more interested with elegance. The desire to retain the Doric order was substantive in improving the quality of the design. Firstly, it is imperative to consider that architecture was interested in attempting to establish the rules of harmony. The engineering concept focused in methods to change stones into cube in order to provide full support architrave load at the last column. This method was called the broader corner triglyph. However, it is prudent to understand this method was not satisfying in any event, engineers required to strengthen the corners more as this would withstand pressure. Therefore, in design, the architect was obliged to relate the two further corners together to form cohesion. What are some of the challenges the artist/creator or architect faced? It should be understood that engineering works attracted a significant challenge in relation to the aspect of suspension and comprehension. Firstly, in consideration that the building was done purely by stone block is a significance fact that attracted attention on the security of the building. Primarily, strengthening of the corners was a close consideration based on the fact that corners were to be classically oriented to provide solution about the challenges of weather and time. To solve this architectural hiccup, the corners were terminated using Triglyph (Curlee, 21). Another significant challenge considered by architecture was the elevation. This was the subdivision of columns, entablature and crepidorma structures. Harmonizing these three considerations without technical aspects; for instance, cement always proved a technical hurdle for designers. In particular, the Entablature was a prominent jostling point which attempted to harmonize the architrave and frieze. Central challenge focused on the protection of the roof top which played a significant challenge by determining total dead weight of the roof in relation the strength of the pillars. Another challenge was the architectural relationship between Naos and Peristasis. This was based on the anxial links between cella walls and columns (Curlee, 24). This area is considered likely for suspension taking to account the axial relationship was an imperative factor in determining possible weight carriage. Finally, another considerate challenge is the determination of proportions, which in this case was a requirement of a full football field. Based on where the structure was developed, this space was not readily available, but in consideration that this structure was a temple, the maximum measurement had to be oriented timely. What is the significance of the iconography? What is physically noted of the Parthenon is its all-round facet. Any viewer will appreciate the religious presentation accustomed with the structure. Firstly, the religious elegance was substantial in adding value to the structure, as well as, presenting value to the concept of humanity. Based on the time of this structure, it is essential to relate the structure artistic workers to the much elaborated humanism concept of the time. The world by then was being controlled by a grounding technology, and man ability to organize resource to accomplish a given objective. To make the structure appear relevant, the iconic presentation on the face was significant in expression of deity. In fact, its decorative elements (iconography) are considered one of the most prominent sculptures of all ages. The idea behind lies on the ability to present a humanistic concept, which in this case is, sculpture to present man timeframe in technical development. Again, in this light the consideration that the magnificent of the building, religiously and politically was a strong aspect. These sculptures were dominated by strong men which has imperative concept on the decline of man. Therefore, it is prudent to relate the works of architecture as wholly based on the educative theme (Henderson, 34). The education was centered on the concept of Man was weak and there was a necessity for the reaffirmation of the relationship between gods and man based on the concept of political security. Decorative works of the Parthenon took stages stretching to five years in total plan. What might be some of the technical challenges in creating this work of art/monument? In a close relation to the above discussion, it is eminent to reckon that by that time engineers was faced with challenge of rudimentary technology. The important aspect of modern architecture cement was not readily available (Darling, 136). The art happened either through free hand painting or was placed as sculptures inside the building different locations. In any case, the consideration of weathering or fading was taken close as a close challenge. The Parthenon frieze was a marble sculpture in the part of naos. This artistic impression was wholly curved from stone. This was a challenge in considering the elevation height of the structure, courtesy of 13 meters (Jenkins, 12). Again, it should be noted that some marble were quarried and crafted in Mt. Pentelikon and transported a total of 19km by use of rudimentary technology. Again, technical challenges experienced by then were the place between 17mm where there was a place to give access to the chisel. To limit these challenges, the architecture considered the possibility of using sculptor instead of sculptures. Reason, sculptors were easier to transport than a standalone sculptures. With this application, iconographic art was lucidly applied. What might be the function of art at this specific point in time? Considering the concept of Art in the entire humanism aspect is substantial in communicating the general public about certain religious, social, political or economic considerations. Art has been considered as both intuitive and educative. This is derived from the general knowledge that art creates required emotional triggers. At that particular time, Greece was largely considered as a world power, this is the consideration of its deep nurture to modern philosophy. Therefore, the application of art was a direct comprehensive strategy that was seen as communicative method to explain the role of Greeks to the general world. Again, spiritually, art was significant in explaining the role and symbolic affiliations of gods. Finally, art did explain luxury, and in this case, the relation to the Parthenon, it should be acknowledged that the structure was dedicated to goddess which in this case was a symbol of elegance. How might geography be important to the decisions of the artist or the work of art? Ancient Greece had a direct replica of ancient art which was reflected in its much aggrandized democracy; thus a civilized world. Primarily, Athens was traditionally considered the Greek capital; thus, strategizing the creation of Parthenon in Athens was a realistic decision to affirm the importance Greece territorial jurisdiction – hence power. As this discussion has attempted to establish, there was a close consideration of the structure to political affiliation. This is the based on the knowledge, that structure provided glory of Athens and a strong western civilization (Burstein et al, 275). Therefore, in constructing artistic features, the application of iconic presentation; for instance, powerful men riding horses communicated to the world that Athens was a traditional political and military center. What is the status and role of the artist of this point in time? Based on the time of age by then, the role of artist in that particular time was much influential to the modern day setting. What is substantive to understand is the presentation of Art on various categories of communication. Artists were largely considered innovative with abilities to interpret basic human concepts of the time. Also, based on the structures, it should be noted that artists worked with a strong backing of religious and political ethics existing at the time. As noted in the above discussion, there was a close consideration that religion illuminated ideally on the political destiny of Greece at the time (Neils, 380). However, this could not be explained to the common man, without the usage of artistic expression to educate the general public on the fundamentality of unity. Conclusion This paper has attempted to analyze the important aspect of Greek Parthenon in elaborating a religious and political Greek foundation. The paper has borrowed historical aspects of time and artistic impression to revisit the important aspect of religion and how artist applied craft to educate the masses on the importance of religion for a political unity. Work Cited Beard, Mary. The Parthenon. New York: Profile Books, Dec 9th, 2010. Print. Burstein, Stanely., Walter, Irvine., & Tolbert, Jennifer. Ancient Greece : A Political, Social, and Cultural History: A Political, Social, and Cultural History. New York: Oct 22nd, 1998. Print. Curlee, Lynn. Parthenon. Athenes: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Oct 11, 2011. Print. Darling, Janina. Architecture of Greece. New York: Greenwood Publishing, 2004. Print. Henderson, Mark. The School of History: Athens in the Age of Socrates. California: University of California, 2002. Print. Jenkins, Ian. The Parthenon frieze. Houston: University of Texas, 1994. Print. Neils, Jennifer. The Parthenon: From Antiquity to the Present. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Sept 5th, 2005. Print. Mikalson, Jon. Ancient Greek Religion. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Sept 7th, 2011. Print. Read More