As the Classical period progresses, Classical sculpture trended toward the idealized human. The perfection shown in heroic sculpture shows the thought of perfection in Athenian society. For example, the east metopes of the Parthenon depict a gigantomachy, in which Herakles fights alongside the gods. According to Schwab, “The inclusion of Herakles, and his active participation in the battle against the giants, is essential for an Olympian victory” (Schwab, 87). While Herakles involvement in the battle is noteworthy, the gods needing assistance from a mortal demonstrates the esteem that Athenians have of themselves. As a mortal, Herakles represents the entirety of Greek mortals, and since this scene is on the Parthenon metopes, specifically Athenian
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In Stocking’s Greek Ideal as Hyperreal, he describes “the idealized and impossible symmetria of Greek sculpture” (Stocking 63). The idealization of the human form was not meant to represent any individual, but instead was to represent the superiority and perfection of the society. For example, Stocking states, “Heracles comes to represent a full embodiment of physical ideal located in the mythic Greek past, not ‘god or athlete’ but ‘god and athlete’” (Stocking 57). In this instance, Herakles represents the absolute perfection of the human form, as he was a mortal but became a god. Since Herakles bridges the gap between mortal and immortal, sculpture that depicts him represents a society ascending to godliness, since the status of the gods is the highest position in Greek society. The society represents its accession to superiority through the accession of Herakles to …show more content…
While the Romans did not invent their own style of Classical sculpture, they did admire the art form. According to Mattusch, “…the Romans [are] emulators, not originators: while we might be willing to recognize a creative copy, we shy away from the idea that a Roman sculpture might be an out-and-out original in the Classical style” (Mattusch, 280). Mattusch touches upon an important point, that while much of Roman sculpture in the Classical style may be copies of the Greek originals, the Romans are still partaking in the style of art. Greek sculpture on temples represent historical and mythological events in Greek culture, but Rome appropriates it for their own culture. While Rome did not share in the history of the Greeks, the style of Classical sculpture still appealed to them. This most likely is due to the ideal of superiority incorporated in the art form itself. As previously states, Classical style focuses on perfection and superiority by depicting their subjects as a reflection of the pinnacle of culture and society. While the Romans did not share the Greek’s cultural values, they did share a focus on military power. Per A History of the Roman People, “the Romans had developed an almost paranoid fear of powerful neighbors” (Ward, 95). This fear of powerful neighbors is Greek in nature, as each Greek
In Stocking’s Greek Ideal as Hyperreal, he describes “the idealized and impossible symmetria of Greek sculpture” (Stocking 63). The idealization of the human form was not meant to represent any individual, but instead was to represent the superiority and perfection of the society. For example, Stocking states, “Heracles comes to represent a full embodiment of physical ideal located in the mythic Greek past, not ‘god or athlete’ but ‘god and athlete’” (Stocking 57). In this instance, Herakles represents the absolute perfection of the human form, as he was a mortal but became a god. Since Herakles bridges the gap between mortal and immortal, sculpture that depicts him represents a society ascending to godliness, since the status of the gods is the highest position in Greek society. The society represents its accession to superiority through the accession of Herakles to …show more content…
While the Romans did not invent their own style of Classical sculpture, they did admire the art form. According to Mattusch, “…the Romans [are] emulators, not originators: while we might be willing to recognize a creative copy, we shy away from the idea that a Roman sculpture might be an out-and-out original in the Classical style” (Mattusch, 280). Mattusch touches upon an important point, that while much of Roman sculpture in the Classical style may be copies of the Greek originals, the Romans are still partaking in the style of art. Greek sculpture on temples represent historical and mythological events in Greek culture, but Rome appropriates it for their own culture. While Rome did not share in the history of the Greeks, the style of Classical sculpture still appealed to them. This most likely is due to the ideal of superiority incorporated in the art form itself. As previously states, Classical style focuses on perfection and superiority by depicting their subjects as a reflection of the pinnacle of culture and society. While the Romans did not share the Greek’s cultural values, they did share a focus on military power. Per A History of the Roman People, “the Romans had developed an almost paranoid fear of powerful neighbors” (Ward, 95). This fear of powerful neighbors is Greek in nature, as each Greek