Archaic Period
ARCHAIC PERIOD
I. THE ARCHAIC PERIOD (600-480)
***Please note that different texts/scholars will have different dates. You should recognize which piece or work is
earlier, that is, be able to establish a relative chronology. Page numbers refer to place in Pedley text.
A. The Kouros (Kouroi is plural)
B. Male Dedicant Statues
--Moscophoros (Calf-Bearer) (560); p. 172
--Rampin Horseman (550); p. 173
C. The Kore (Korai is plural)
--Berlin Kore (570-60); p. 174
--Cheramyes Kore from Samos (560); p. 178
--
Lyon Kore (540)
--Peplos Kore (530); p. 170
--Antenor's Kore (530-20)
--Kore 682 (520-10); p. 175
--Kore 674 (500), p. 175
--
Kore 675 --
Kore 684D . Architectural Sculpture
In your study of architectural scultpure, especially the use of the pediment for sculptural groups, consider the
development of narrative. On the temple of Artemis on Corfu, discrete, individual stories are represented. Compare the
Corfu pediment to the one on the temple of Aphaia on Aegina.
Terms: contrapposto: shift of weight to one leg causing pelvis to sink down onto free leg. Free leg is bent at
knee.
Bibliography: Ridgway, The Archaic Style in Greek Sculpture (1977) Boardman, Greek Sculpture: The Archaic Period
(1991)
II. ARCHAIC ARCHITECTURE
The classical Doric temple was the end result of an evolution of methods and experiments. The following temples mark
the change in plan and construction. As the ancient Greek architect became more secure in his understanding of the
weight-bearing qualities of stone, the proportions tended to become leaner and the capital became smaller, and the
entasis (swelling) of the shaft less pronounced. The Greek architect thought in terms of modules. That is, the height
of a column is so many diameters of the column (measured at its widest). The distance between the columns is so many
diameters, etc. What you have in architecture is a developing system of proportions, just as one sees in sculpture
(particularly classical).
--Syracuse, temple of Apollo (590 and later; Pedley dates it to 560) 6 x 17 (six columns across the
front of temple and 17 along the sides).
--Olympia, Temple of Hera (590-80) 6 x 16; p. 151
--Posidonia (Paestum), Temple of Hera I (550) 9 x 18; p. 163
--Corinth, temple of Apollo, (540) 6 x 15; p. 151
--Athens, Temple of Athena II (520) 6 x 12
--Selinus (Sicily), Temple 'G', from end of sixth to end of fifth--never finished; 8 x 17; p. 162
Archaic temple tend to be narrow and long. Later the canonical number of columns would be x2 of number of front
columns + 1. For instance, the Parthenon has 8 columns across the front [east side] (and back). 8 x 2=16 = 1=17.
Seventeen is the number of columns along the side. The archaic period period represented a time of great
experimentation in architecture and great variety. The period is also characterized by the number of colossal temples.
Such temples were usually built by the local tyrant/king who could afford to underwrite such projects. Colossal temples
are to be found in both East and West Greece (Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Olympeion at Athens, and Temple 'G'
[probably to Apollo] at Selinus, a Greek colony in southern Sicily.) For Ionic temples, see pages 155-56.
Bibliography: J.J. Coulton, The Ancient Greek Architect at Work (1977). A classic.
III. ARCHAIC POTTERY Black
Figure
Proto-attic (650-600)
--Eleusis Amphora, Blinding of Polyphemus (neck), Perseus slays Medusa (body) (650); p. 129
--Nessos (Nettos) Painter, 625-600, Herakles slays Nessos (neck); p. 130
Attic (600-)
--Gorgon Painter, 600-580
--Sophilos, 580-70, Dinos, Funeral Games for Patroclus--first signed Attic vase we have. See other Sophilos Dinos
on p. 188
--Kleitias and Ergotimos, Francois vase, 570, Volute Krater; main theme is marriage of Peleus and Thetis; p. 186
and 189
--Nearchos, Kantharos, 570-55, Achilles speaks to his horses
--Amasis Painter, Amphora, Dionysus and two Maenads (Dionysus' female followers), 540; p. 187
--***Exekias, floruit 540-25. A master potter/painter; the great genius of black- figure.
1. funerary plaques
2. Ajax and Achilles, amphora; p. 188
3. Achilles kills Penthesilea, queen of the Amazons, amphora; p. 188
4. Dioscuri (Castor and Polydeuces) at home, amphora.
5. Ajax prepares to kill himself, amphora; p. 190
6. Dionsysus on the sea, kylix
Red Figure
--Andokides Painter, 510, Herakles and the dog Cerberus
--Euphronios, 520-500, Calyx Krater, Death of Sarpedon; Herakles and Antaios; p. 198
--Euthymides, Amphora, Rape (Abduction) of Helen, 520-00
--Kleophrades Painter, 490-80, Dionysus and Maenads
--Berlin Painter, Bell Krater 490-80
--Brygos Painter, Cup, 490, Youth Vomiting
Megalographia (Large Scale Painting)
--Metope from the temple of Apollo at Thermon, 630
--Tomb of the Diver from Posidonia (Paestum), 480s; pp. 233-35
Little remains of large scale painting. Most of the works were done on boards (wood) which do not wear well.
Pottery, on the other hand, is quite hardy (unless you pulverize it).
