Spring Semester, Optional module, 10 ECTS

Instructor: Stylianos E. Katakis

Summary

This course examines an important category of Greek art, the sculpture in the round and in relief, from the Archaic till the end of the Hellenistic period about 30 BC. The students, who will have already attested the core module “Visual Cultures of Classical Greece”, will now study thoroughly specific issues concerning the use of sculptural works as cult images, as votive offerings, as grave monuments and as part of architectural settings, as well as the way in which we can know the lost originals through copies from the Roman times.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course students should be familiar with:

• the basic forms of Greek sculpture, their use and meaning,
• the methods of recognizing, dating and interpreting a sculpture or a group of sculptures.
• the importance of narrative scenes on architectural settings which contribute to the broader study of Greek literature, archaeology and history.

They should also be able to:

• use and combine data from different sources for a holistic study of sculpture. 
• create and express their own opinions about sculpture as a means to learn more about ancient Greek society: politics, economics, everyday life, religion and cult.

Syllabus

The course examines the following topics:

•  Introduction, instructions for presenting and writing assignments
•  Sculpture technics: material (different kinds of marble), sculptor’s tools. Visit to the Cast Museum of the Department
•  Architectural sculpture I – II
•  Attic Grave Reliefs I – II
•  Honorific statues
•  Classical sculpture known through Roman copies
•  Athens in Late Hellenistic and Roman Periods
•  Presentations of students’ essays – Discussion
•  Possible visit το selected archaeological Museums and sites

Assessment

Assessment is in English and can be formative and summative. During the semester, students are asked to write an essay of approximately 3.500-5.000 words on a topic related to the course content. A list of indicative topics is provided, but students are encouraged to choose and personalize the essay topic with the instructor. Each student must present his/her work to the class and answer questions from the instructor and fellow students during the discussion after the presentation. It is particularly important to submit the final text with all the comments incorporated.

Class participation: 10%

Oral presentation: 30%

Written work: 60%

The evaluation criteria are available in the course e-class and are analyzed in the first lesson.

Student's study hours

Lectures: 20

Educational visits: 6

Study and analysis of bibliography: 80

Cooperation with the instructor: 24

Independent study (incl. project): 40

Essay writing: 80

Course total: 250

Recommended bibliography

Biard, G. 2017. La représentation honorifique dans les cités grecques aux époques classique et hellénistique, BÉFAR 376. Athènes

Bol, C. ed. 2001-2007. Die Geschichte der antiken Bildhauerkunst I. Archaische Kunst; II. Klassische Kunst; III. Hellenistiche Kunst. Mainz

Palagia, O. ed. 2019. Handbook of Greek Sculpture. Berlin

Palagia, O. and J. J. Pollitt, eds. 1996. Personal Styles in Greek Sculpture. Cambridge

Queyrel, F. 2016, 2020. La sculpture hellénistique Ι. Formes, thèmes et fonctions, IΙ. Royaumes et cités. Paris

Ridgway, B. S. 1970, 1981, 1997. The Archaic Style in Greek Sculpture, The Severe Style …, Fourth Century Styles … Fifth Century Styles … Princeton or Madison/Wis.

Ridgway, B. S. 1990, 2000, 2002. Hellenistic Sculpture. I, II, III. Madison/Wis.

Smith, R. R. R. 1991. Hellenistic Sculpture. London

Spivey, N. 1996. Understanding Greek Sculpture. Ancient Meanings, Modern Readings. London