Greek Ideas And Art example essay topic

I. The Athenians surrounded themselves with beauty. They decorated their structures with their finest work of art, especially sculpture. The Acropolis, the location of the original polis, provided the backdrop for special artistic creations. The Parthenon is considered the finest example of Greek architecture. The structure represents a Greek idea known as the Golden Mean- a midpoint between two extremes- Nothing in excess and everything in proportion. The Parthenon had doors but no windows, the best preserved Greek painting are those found on vases.

These artists delighted in showing the graceful and Natural movement of their subjects. Other Greek painters decorated public building with murals or wall painting. II. Greek culture reached new heights during the 400's b. c., a period so magnificent we call it Bolden Age. In the 300's b. c. an outside power, Macedonia conquered the Greek city state, Alexander the Great established a vast empire.

By creating a much bigger area within which Greek ideas and art could thrive. This led to the development of the Hellenistic culture My roh and Phidias, two of history's greatest sculptors, lived during the Golden Age. Myr an sculpted famous Discus thrower. Phidias created sculptures of Athena in the Parthenon and Zeus in Olympia. In ancient times people considered Zeus one of the 7 wonders of the world. Phidias created large, formal dignified works appropriate for the gods, Praxiteles created more delicate life like often life sized figures.

Above all the works of Praxiteles expressed the Greek admiration for the human body.. 4 characteristics in particular helped establish the style of this great art. 1) Greek art glorified humans as the most important creatures in the universe. 2) Greek art symbolized the peoples pride in their city state. 3) All Greek art expressed Greek ideas of harmony, balance, order, moderation. 4) Greeks believed in combining beauty of the human body. IV.

Socrates, one of history's greatest thinkers and teachers lived in Athens from 469 to 399 b. c. He would not allow himself to be called a Sophist, Preferring the term philosopher. Socrates wanted people to think for themselves and not imitate their elders. Only then could they acquire wisdom, which would lead to the right living. According to Socrates, only evil could result from ignorance. People should depend on reasons and logic to guide their lives.

Instead of memorizing, he asked questions of anyone he met. His purpose was not to receive information but to make people think in order to answer questions. His motto was "Know Thyself". He urged each person to find his or her own answers to these and other questions. This way of teaching became known as the Socratic Method.

His questions often made public officials look foolish. He also criticized democracy. He believed it was unwise to elect unskilled people to positions of power and he distrusted the wisdom of the assembly. Though Socrates honored the Gods of Athens, his enemies accused him of denying the existence of many Greek Gods. The Athenian leaders brought him to trial on charges of teaching false religion and corrupting the minds of Athenian Youth. Found guilty and condemned to die by drinking poison made from the hemlock plant. V. Although Socrates never recorded his ideas, later generations learned of then from the writings of Plato, the greatest of Socrates students.

Plato wrote dialogues or imaginary conversations among several people, covering such topics as.