2020 IB Extended Essays

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one could live their life. The body of teachings concerned with Greek gods, goddesses,

heroes and monsters, contributed extensively towards influence and the extent of which

it had on lifestyle, arts and literature.

Art in Ancient Greece

Art in ancient Greece was a prevalent, tangible form used to epitomise religious beings

and to denote stories. As the Greek religion lacked sacred texts or any tangible relations

to their beliefs, the embodiment of myths, oracles, mysteries, gods and goddesses –

provided a physical and graphic representation of their beliefs. The creation of

substantial representations of these deities gave power and meaning to symbolic pieces

present in throughout the Greek lifestyle. Examples of these, consist of architecture,

large works of sculptures, statuettes and small reliefs, decorative metalwork, engraved

gems, coins, jewellery, paintings, mosaics, pottery, vase-painting and furniture. Each of

these manifestations of deities and stories consist of different techniques and convey

representations in a similar and contrasting demeanour.

The Periods of Greek art

Historians refer to ‘Greek art’ as to the period following the Dark Ages (around

900BCE), even though Greek art had existed for 2000 years prior. The conclusion of the

Dark Age marked the beginning of the time of innovation and evolution of Greece,

where the identity of Greek art began to change and develop.