Art History, Period 1, Class 4 [2-8]

[screwyoumarvel]

"A few weeks ago, we touched on very early ancient Greece," Steve said, "but by the time period most people think of when they think of ancient Greece, those people--the Minoans, the Mycenaeans, and the Cycladics--had been supplanted by other tribes who'd moved into the area. A lot of very interesting stuff happened in ancient Greece, and it's known as the cradle of western civilization, but this is an art history class so I'll spare you a lot of that lecture." Which was kind of him, really, because once he got onto the topic of military tactics he could wax lyrical on Alexander the Great for quite some time. "There are quite a few things ancient Greece is known for, when it comes to art. Among them are red and black figure pottery depicting religious scenes, athletic scenes, and scenes from mythology, fantastic architecture such as at the Acropolis of Athens, and marble sculpture such as the Winged Victory of Samothrace. I would love to have shown you a kouros, as several do survive, but they're all, by definition, naked, so that wasn't happening.

"Now, for quite some time, Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire, and in 1801 the Earl of Elgin, who was an ambassador, persuaded the Turks to sell him most of the sculptures of the Parthenon, since known as the Elgin Marbles and currently housed in the British Museum. The Greek government want them back, as they're a national treasure and were given away by an occupying government; the English say they're under no obligation to do so. It's a bit more complicated than that, of course, but there's more information in your handout. I want to know what you think should happen."