This episode picks up from where we left off last time by focusing on ancient Greek sculpture of the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Among other things, we devote quite a bit of time to talking about male and female nudity, and what this says about Classical and Hellenistic perceptions of the role of men and women in the ancient Greek world. We also talk about the sculpture of Etruria and Central Italy, and touch upon statuary from Magna Graecia.
As with the previous episode, you may want to consult the images further down this page when listening to this podcast. (The video version of this podcast has the images integrated, so you can also watch that to have the pictures pop up when we talk about them.)
This episode is also available on YouTube.
Gallery
Zeus from the Sea
This is the Artemision Bronze or Zeus (God) from the Sea, found submerged off the coast of Artemision in Euboea. It measures 209 cm in height and dates to the first half of the fifth century BC. It most likely represents Zeus hurling a thunderbolt, but some have argued it could also be Poseidon. National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The Riace Bronzes
The Riace Bronzes or Riace Warroprs are two life-size Greek bronzes of bearded men, dated to ca. 460-450 BC. Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Caryatids of the Erechtheion
A caryatid is a column in the form of a maiden; the capital takes the shape of a basket that a woman would carry on the top of her head in Classical Greece. These caryatids are columns from the Eretheion on the Athenian Acropolis, dated 421-406 BC.
Aphrodite of Knidos
The Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles, dated to the mid-fourth century BC. The original was presumably made of bronze; this is a marble copy. Photo: Marie-Lan Nguyen.
Hermes with infant Dionysius
This marble statue was found at Olympia and has been attributed to Praxiteles. It depicts the god Hermes carrying the infant Dionysus. Both the front and the back of the statue are shown here. Photos: Dwaisman and Roccuz.
Barberini Faun
A marble sculpture of a resting faun, dated to ca. 220 BC. The onlooker appears to have stumbled upon this sleeping creature. Munich Glyptothek. Photo: Bibi Saint-Pol.
Aphrodite, Pan, and Eros
A sculpture group depicting Aphrodite either repelling the advances of Pan or encouraging them. The little Eros above them can be interpreted as pushing them together or trying to separate them. We discuss this group in more detail in the episode. National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Photo: Jebulon.
Diskobolos by Myron
The diskobolos (discus-thrower) attributed to Myron. It is always photographed from this angle, because it is quite flat when viewed from the sides. Originally a work of the fifth century BC, this is a Roman copy dated ca. AD 140. National Roman Museum Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. Photo: Livioandronico2013.
Terracotta statuary from pediment
A fifth-century-BC terracotta pedimental sculpture from the “Sassi Caduti” sanctuary in Civita Castellana (ancient Falerii Veteres). The sanctuary was dedicated to the god Mercury. Photo: Sailko.