The culture of the civilization of ancient Greece briefly. Influence on European culture

Culture of Ancient Greece

Introduction

Ancient world. The era when cities, the first countries and entire civilizations were created, which are still being studied. Many secrets of the Ancient world remain mysteries that scientists have to uncover.

The history of the Aegean civilization ended with the arrival of the northern tribes of the Greeks - the Dorians, who, compared to the Achaeans, were at a lower level of development. Looting and burning the rich Achaean cities, they drove the Achaeans to the islands of the Aegean Sea, Asia Minor and the island of Cyprus. From about the 11th century. BC. A troubled period begins in the history of Ancient Greece, a time of decline in material culture. It lasted for several decades until Greek tribes those who called themselves Hellenes will not create their own distinctive culture, which will usher in the next period of Greek history.

The rugged bays of the Aegean Sea contributed to the development of navigation. The mountainous land of Greece was difficult for farming. But the Greeks cultivated vineyards, olive orchards and grain fields, which brought the main foodstuffs: wine, olive oil and bread. The many forested mountains were an excellent place for hunting deer, wild boars, and lions. In the foothills, shepherds grazed goats and sheep. The highest and most sacred mountain was Olympus. On Olympus, in the sky-high heights, according to the ancient Greeks, lived beautiful, human-like gods.

Greek scientists reached enormous heights and did not stop there. They tried to do even more, to open new lands. It was in Greece that such exact sciences as geometry and algebra appeared. There were legends about the power of the Greek army; they were fearless warriors who spared no effort in battle.

You also can’t ignore great amount myths, legends and stories left behind by this ancient civilization, for example the legend of the 12 labors of Hercules (or Hercules), or the journey of the organauts for the Golden Fleece.

Until now, modern historians and scientists show very great interest in the history of this state.

The main objectives of this work are:

1. Explore Ancient Greece as a state with a unique culture.

2. Consider the activities of outstanding personalities of Greece and show their influence on the cultural and historical processes of the state.

1. Mythology and religion

The culture of the ancient Greeks was secular in nature. But thanks to the rich, colorful and diverse mythology and religion, we can understand the ideological foundations of the Hellenes.

The center of the universe of the ancient Greeks was man. Works of Greek art amaze with their harmony and perfection. The main concept of art becomes internal and external perfection. Everything in the life of the ancient Greeks was proportionate to man. Therefore, nature, animals, plants, and gods acquired the form of humans in ancient Greek mythology.

The gods of the ancient Greeks are similar to people in everything, only more beautiful and immortal. That is why people depicted by ancient Greek artists are beautiful and like gods.

The pantheon of Greek gods is very large. There were three generations of gods. The progenitors of all gods were Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky) who emerged from the eternal Chaos. Their titan children (mighty gods of the wild forces of nature) are the second generation. Among them, Cronus and Rhea are the parents of the third generation of gods - the Olympians, who took away power from the titans and established order and law in the world.

Each of the ancient peoples had their own ideas about the structure of the world, which were reflected in mythology and religion.

The Hellenes believed that the Earth was surrounded by the World Ocean. Heavenly bodies travel above the Earth; the moon, the sun, the stars that rise from the World Ocean and fall into it.

At the western edge of the earth, the heavenly dome is held on the shoulders of the mighty Atlas. His daughters, the Hesperides, live here, guarding the golden apples of eternal youth. Here, in the west, according to the ancient Greeks, were the Islands of the Blessed (Champs Elysees) - a paradise for virtuous Greeks who received immortality from the gods. And in the north lives a tribe of Hyperboreans - the favorites of the gods.

The most powerful of the Greek gods were the twelve Olympians. In the formed pantheon of gods, each deity had its own rights and responsibilities.

Greek gods:

ZEUS is the king of Olympus, the god of thunder and lightning, the ruler of the Olympian family of gods and people. Symbols of Zeus: lightning, eagle and oak.

POSEIDON – lord of the sea, “shaker of the earth”, brother of the mighty Zeus. In his hand is a trident. Symbols of Poseidon: trident, dolphins and horses.

HADES is the gloomy ruler of the underground kingdom of the dead, brother of Zeus and Poseidon.

He has a magic helmet that makes him invisible.

HERA - wife and sister of Zeus, lily-armed, hair-eyed patroness of marriage and marital fidelity. Symbols of Hera: pomegranate and peacock.

HESTIA - goddess of the hearth.

DEMETER – goddess of fertility and agriculture. Symbols of Demeter: barley or wheat ear.

APHRODITE – goddess of love and beauty. Symbols of Aphrodite: roses, doves, sparrows, dolphins and rams.

ATHENA is the goddess of wisdom and just wars. Symbols of Athena: owl and olive tree.

APOLLO – god of light and poetry. Symbols of Apollo: swan, wolf, laurel, cithara and bow.

ARTEMIS – goddess of the hunt and the moon. Symbols of Artemis: cypress tree, doe and dogs.

HERMES - messenger of the gods.

DIONYSUS – god of grapes and winemaking. Symbols of Dionysus: cup and thyrsus.

ARES is the god of war. Symbols of Ares: a burning torch, a spear, a dog and a hawk.

HEPHAESTUS - god of fire and blacksmithing.

HEBE – goddess of youth.

AMPHITRITE – goddess of the sea.

PERSEPHONE – goddess of the kingdom of the dead.

2. Literature

Mythology played an important role in the development of ancient Greek literature, and primarily in the birth of epic poetry.

Excellent experts in Greek mythology were the poet and peasant Geopsis and the blind singer Homer. Their hymns and poems have become for us the main source of knowledge about this era. They opened up to us the world of the Greek gods.

HESIOD lived at the end of the 8th - beginning of the 7th century BC. in Boeotia. Being a small farmer, he was engaged in hard peasant labor and learned the art of reciting epic poems at holidays. He did not improvise with songs, but combined excerpts of texts learned from recordings.

In the poem “Theogony” (“the origin of the gods”), Hesiod talks about the beginning of the world and the birth of the gods, about the struggle of the gods with the Titans.

Hesiod's poem "Works and Days" was written in the form of instructions and parting words addressed to brother Persus. They express the main moral values, which can be considered the main life credo of Hesiod.

The brilliant ancient Greek poet HOMER was born in one of the cities of Ionia in Asia Minor. He lived in the 8th century BC, and there is almost no information about his life. This brilliant blind man was one of the traveling singers who, moving from city to city with a harp in their hands, chanted about ancient times, gods, heroes, wars.

From the Renaissance until the end of the 19th century, Homer was considered a fictitious person and his existence was believed to be real only after the discoveries of Schliemann and Evans. But in ancient times, judging by the statements of Herodotus, the historicity of Homer’s personality was not in doubt.

Having composed many hymns to the gods, Homer “created” the Greek gods. He was even criticized for disrespectful attitude to the celestials.

Almost nothing is known about Homer’s life: in what city he was born, how he lived, where he was buried. His personality can be judged by a sculptural portrait of a blind old man and two brilliant works ancient Greek literature dedicated to the Achaean epic about the campaign against Troy or Ilion. These are the poems "Iliad" and "Odyssey".

Ancient Greece is the birthplace of fables, which developed into an independent genre here. A fable is a short, often poetic story in which animals speak and act like humans and which, ending with a moral, teaches us about the mind - reason.

A famous writer of fables in Ancient Greece was EZOP, whose name is as well known as the name of Homer. We know almost nothing about Aesop's life. For the first time, the historian Herodotus briefly wrote about him as a historical and fairly famous person. Based on the writings of Herodotus, we can only say that Aesop was a fabulist, lived on the island of Samos around 560 BC, was a slave of a certain Iadmon and was killed for something in Delphi.

The novel “Biography of Aesop” was written about the life of Aesop. The book about Xanth the philosopher, his slave, or The Adventures of Aesop" is one of the few surviving " folk books» Greek literature. Aesop's fables, like Homer's poems, have survived centuries. Poets and writers different countries translated them into their languages.

3. Architecture

Greek architecture, which still amazes with the nobility of its forms, was distinguished by its simplicity from a constructive point of view. Already in the archaic period, Hellenic masters developed a strictly thought-out system of rational relationships between columns and ceilings lying on them. Its essence lies in the artistic design of a post-beam structure, consisting of two parts: load-bearing and supported. The collision of these opposing forces, concentrated in the vertical support and the transverse beam, is brought into a state of harmonic equilibrium.

This integral, artistically meaningful system for identifying the design of a structure is called ORDER.

It was in the ancient order that the fundamental essence of ancient art was reflected - its focus on man. This appeared even in such an objective beginning as mathematics.

The main Greek orders: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian were not formed immediately. At the end of the 7th century. BC. Doric arose, soon Ionic, at the end of the 5th – beginning of the 4th century. BC, the Corinthian order appeared. The first order developed mainly in the Peloponnese and in the cities of Magna Graecia, the second - mainly on the coast of Asia Minor, which was called Ionia.

Doric order

The Doric order is distinguished by its masculine grandeur, stern simplicity, monumental solemnity, strength and great restraint in the use of decoration. The Doric order column has no base. Column trunk standing directly on the top step. At approximately 1/3 of the height, the column trunk had swelling. The Doric capital, consisting of a square slab with straight edges and a round cushion with a convex curved profile, is extremely simple and constructive. The Doric entablature always consisted of three elements: the architrave, frieze and cornice. The architrave was a smooth beam supported by the capitals of the columns. Above the architrave is a frieze consisting of triglyphs and metopes. Triglyphs were represented as rudiments of the ends of transverse beams, and metopes were often relief slabs that covered the gap between the triglyphs. The cornice, located above the frieze, protruded strongly with its crowning part, hanging over the lower elements of the entablature. The triangular wall between the horizontal cornice and the two inclined edges of the roof slopes was called a pediment. Its surface was decorated with reliefs, prototypes of the Doric and Ionic orders in wooden buildings. An acroteria was placed on the roof at the corners of the gables.

Ionic order

The Ionic order differs from the Doric in lightness of proportions, refinement of forms, and wide use of decor. The Roman architectural theorist Vitruvius saw in the Ionic order an imitation of refined, ornamented female beauty, in contrast to the Doric order, which imitated male beauty.

The more slender Ionic column had a gracefully profiled base at the base and tapered less at the top than the Doric. The deeper flutes were separated by narrow paths, and the capital had two graceful scrolls. The Ionic order architrave consisted of three horizontal stripes slightly overhanging one another. Instead of a frieze with triglyphs, Ionic buildings have a continuous, often relief, plant frieze.

Corinthian order

The Corinthian order, close to the Ionic one, appeared only in the second half of the 5th century. BC. The Corinthian order developed from the Ionic. The Greeks did not often use the Corinthian order. It was finally formed only in the subsequent, Roman period. It differed from the Ionic in the more elongated proportions of the columns and the complex capital, decorated with an ornament in the form of ankaf leaves.

Origin of the ancient Greek order

It originated from a wooden post-and-beam structure, which, according to archaeological data, by the time the orders were created, played an important role among the elements of buildings made of wood, mud brick or clay. This is clearly seen from the drawings of prototypes of the Doric and Ionic orders in wooden buildings. For example, triglyphs represent the ends of wooden floor beams, and metopes represent slabs that covered the space between the triglyphs.

4. Ancient temple

The architectural order created by the ancient Greeks based on the post-and-beam structure became the basis of ancient temples.

According to the Hellenes, the gods could not only be in the natural elements, but also chose the most beautiful places on earth. Therefore, in the Homeric era, the gods were worshiped in sacred groves, caves, where altars were erected for offering sacrifices. Later, in the archaic era, when statues of gods appeared, the judgment arose that these statues, like people, needed housing. After all, the Greek gods are like people. This is how the temple appeared - the dwelling, or house, of the god, inside of which there was his statue.

The first “dwellings of the gods,” which were practically not preserved, were modest and built of wood and mud bricks on a stone foundation. From the 7th century BC. Stone began to be used to build temples.

They erected temples in the most beautiful, prominent places, always connecting them with the surrounding nature. After all, the gods are people with a beautiful appearance and a perfect figure, and their home must be correspondingly beautiful and necessarily proportionate to the human figure.

In the life of the ancient Greeks, the temple was of great importance. It was not only a center for the veneration of the deity, but a sacred storeroom, a cash register, a bank, a city archive, and a refuge. Therefore, the temple was the most important public building and was erected by the entire city.

The Greek temple was not so isolated and was built with the perception of the outside in mind. The latter gathered in front of the temple, the entrance to which was located in the east.

The planning structure of the temple was based on a megaron-type residential building, where the hearth was replaced by a statue of the deity. Initially, these were simple buildings that had a longitudinal rectangular plan with a gable roof and a small interior space. The interior space consisted of a central part, or sanctuary, where the statue of the deity stood, and a front part - a portico. Sometimes on the western side of the temple there was a room for storing gifts.

The interior of large temples had three aisles. The figure of the god was placed in the middle nave.

Depending on the location of the columns, temples were divided into the following types:

1. “Temple in Ants” was a small rectangular structure, the entrance to which was framed by protrusions of longitudinal walls - antas, between which there were one or two columns.

2. If the columns were located in front of one of the facades, then such a temple was called prostyle.

3. If the columns were located in front of two opposite end facades, then such a temple was called amphiprostyle.

4. If the colonnade surrounded the rectangular building along the entire perimeter, then such a temple was called peripterus. This is the most common classic type Greek temple. At the peripter, the number of columns on the side façade was equal to twice the number of columns on the main façade plus one column.

5. A temple with a double row of columns was called a diptera.

6. There was also a round temple - a monopter, which consisted of one colonnade, covered with a cone-shaped roof.

Greek temples were not monochromatic, but were painted according to a certain system. The columns and architrave remained light, the triglyphs were covered with blue paint, the metopes and the field of pediments were painted red, on which the sculptural decorations stood out well. Black, yellow, dark brown and gold accentuated smaller architectural decorations. The paints were of vegetable and mineral origin.

An ancient temple is, first of all, a plastically clear whole. There is no large internal space - the architecture is as plastic and clear as the image of an antique statue is clear. the temple is still a very realistically perceived dwelling of God in the form of a statue. Festive processions came to this dwelling, the festival itself unfolded around it, its external plastic appearance was no less, but even more important than its internal space. The harmony and clarity of its relationships appear in complete unity with the clear and concretely sensual clarity of the sculptural images decorating it.

Typical for the 6th–5th centuries. BC. the temple was the peripterus, i.e. a temple that represents an elongated rectangle in plan, surrounded on all sides by a colonnade. The entire structure was placed on a stone base - a stylobate. It structurally and visually supported the horizontally dissected and heavy entablature with its clearly expressed constructive rhythm.

The clearest example of a Doric temple, classical in its proportions, is the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, built by Libo. The best preserved temple of Poseidon is at Paestum, built around the same time and also an excellent example of the Doric style.

The connection with the surrounding architecture and natural environment is extremely characteristic of an ancient temple.

An ancient temple appears as a creation of man, built according to his aesthetic laws, which distinguish the temple from natural forms. The primitiveness of ancient technology can explain the fact that during the construction of temples they avoided big works by leveling, backfilling, etc., and the absence of large cities can explain the fact that every building was in direct connection with the landscape.

5. Acropolis of Athens

The shrine of each city was the Acropolis - the upper city, which served as a fortress and initially included only the king's palace, and later began to play the role of the religious and cultural center of the city.

One of the highest achievements of ancient times greek architecture is the Acropolis complex in Athens, restored by the Greeks after the expulsion of the Persians in the 5th century. BC. This time is called the “golden age” of Athens and the time of Pericles. The flourishing of the main center of Greek culture, Athens, is associated with the name of Pericles. It is in Athens that the rapid growth of the economy begins, the development of crafts, culture, trade, and democracy is strengthened. The result and symbol of this rise was the newly created Acropolis complex. Its creators were architects who worked under the artistic direction of the sculptor Phidias.

The Acropolis in Athens is a natural rock rising 150 meters above sea level. The Acropolis is the compositional center of the city, located at the foot. There is no symmetry in the layout of the Acropolis.

The main structure of the entire complex is the Doric Parthenon, the temple of Virgin Athena. The Parthenon is perceived from an angle, so that its main and side facades are visible. It is richly decorated with sculpture and reliefs.

The Acropolis was for Athens a sanctuary, a fortification, and a social center. The most magnificent festivities took place with the Athenian Acropolis.

The greatest Greek architects and artists of that time participated in the creation of the Acropolis in Athens: Iktinus, Callicrates, Mnesicles, Callimachus and many others. Phidias supervised the construction of the entire ensemble and created its most important sculptures.

The main building of the Acropolis is the temple of the goddess Athena the Virgin Parthenon, built by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates in 447 - 438. BC. Apparently, the ancient architects took into account the balance of asymmetrical architectural volumes and located the Parthenon not directly opposite the Propylaea, but to the south. Therefore, the facade of the Parthenon is perceived not from the facade, but from the corner, so that the southwestern and northern sides are visible. The perfect proportions of the temple, the perfect proportionality of all its parts create the impression of impeccable beauty. According to its plan, the Parthenon is a Doric peripter measuring 70 x 30 m, surrounded by forty-six columns.

Inside, the building was divided by a wall into two unequal parts. In the main cell on high pedestal stood the famous statue of Athena Parthenos created by Phidias from gold and ivory. On Athena’s head there was a helmet with an image of a sphinx and winged horses, on her chest there was an aegis with a mask of the Gorgon Medusa, at the feet of the goddess the sculptor placed a huge sacred serpent, on her right hand the goddess held a two-meter winged goddess Nike, and with her left hand she held a shield.

6. Theater

Ancient Greece was the birthplace not only of democracy, but also European theater. The ancient Greek theater, which attracted thousands of spectators, was considered a “school for adults,” a school of citizenship, courage, wisdom, and played a huge role in the life of the Greek. Every citizen of the policy was obliged to attend theatrical performances. It was not for nothing that Pericles issued a law on monetary assistance to poor citizens to attend the theater.

This spectacular art was presented by the “god of grapes” Dionysus. It is with religious festivities in honor of this jubilant god of spring, the sun and fruit-bearing earth, the patron saint of winemakers, that the origins of the 6th century are associated. BC. theater

Twice a year, the ancient Greeks organized the “Passion of Dionysus” in honor of the god of wine - festivals that freed a person from worldly worries and equalized everyone. In Athens, these performances developed into a more festive event, which was celebrated in the spring for five days and was called the Great, or City, Dionysia. In 534 BC, the tyrant Peisistratus made the cult of Dionysus a state cult, which earned him the love and respect of the people.

The theatrical performances were organized by a representative of the city authorities. He appointed wealthy citizens a patron of the arts, who paid for the production of plays. Theatrical performances lasted for several days from morning until dark, and the audience had time to watch three or four plays. To endure such a long performance, spectators brought food, drinks and pillows from home to the stone bench to make it more comfortable to sit.

Even during the rural Dionysia, farmers wore goat skins and masks, imitating the satyrs.

Thus, from the choral songs of the goat-footed companions of Dionysus, the main genres of Greek theatrical art arose: tragedy and comedy. The word "tragedy" literally means "song of the goats." Comedy was born from the songs of cheerful villagers, whose processions during the Rural Dionysia were called komos. Later, a third type of Greek drama appeared - the “drama of satyrs”.

Tragedy, usually featuring gods and heroes from myth, raised timeless issues such as honor and valor. Comedy characters were usually ordinary people, whose mistakes were ridiculed with invention, fun and rude jokes. In satyr drama, the tragic theme and tragic heroes were portrayed comically, and the chorus was dressed as satyrs, who represented half-humans - half-beasts.

The theater consisted of three main parts: theatron, orchestra and skene.

Theatron were spectator benches built on the hillside and could accommodate thousands of people. They were divided by passages into sectors. On the “entrance tickets” - tokens made of lead or baked clay - a letter indicated a specific sector where it was allowed to occupy any place. Famous people occupied special stone seats in the front row.

The other part of the theater, the orchestra, was a round platform on which actors and a choir performed. In the center of the orchestra there was an altar. The choir entered the orchestra through a side passage. The acoustics of the theater were so good that the words spoken in a whisper in the orchestra could be heard from the most distant benches of the theatron.

At the edge of the orchestra, opposite the audience seats, a skene was erected - a small building where the scenery was installed. Initially, the skene played the role of a tent where the actors changed clothes. But later it began to play the role of an architectural and decorative background. Of the three elements of the theater, the skene was the most subject to change.

The decoration of the skena varied depending on the type of play. To represent the tragedy, elements of a palace setting were needed: columns, pediments, statues. in comedies, the characters performed in simpler environments, and the sets depicted private houses with balconies and windows overlooking the surrounding area. The satyr drama required scenery depicting views of nature: forests, mountains, caves.

Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes brought worldwide fame to the art of Greek theater. Their influence on subsequent world literature huge. Poets, playwrights, musicians, artists of all eras turned to them immortal works. Their creativity played a huge role in the education of many generations.

AESCHYLUS (525 - 456 BC) was born in Elnvsina, near Athens, into an aristocratic family. He was the winner of dramatic competitions 13 times. His plays received the right to repeat productions. Aeschylus introduced a second actor into the tragedy and shifted attention from the chorus to the dialogue of the actors, increasing the number of dialogues and characters. He introduced luxurious costumes, masks, contours and stage devices. Of the eighty plays he wrote, only seven tragedies have reached us: “The Petitioners,” “The Persians,” “Seven Against Thebes,” “Prometheus Bound,” “Agamemnon,” “Choephori,” and “Eumenides.”

SOPHOCLES (496 - 406 BC) - contemporary and friend of Pericles, was born on the outskirts of Athens into a wealthy family. The heyday of his work occurred at the time of the highest cultural and economic growth of Athens. In 468 BC. in the competition of tragic poets, he dared to defeat the great Aeschylus. He introduced a third actor and reduced the size of the choir parts. Sophocles wrote about 123 dramas. His most famous tragedies are “King Epis” and “Antigone”.

EURIPIDES (c. 484 – 405 BC) – third master ancient Greek tragedy, was born into a wealthy and noble family on the island of Salamis. He won four victories at the tragic competition, and the fifth was awarded to him posthumously. He wrote 92 works. The best surviving tragedy is Medea.

ARISTOPHANES (445 - 385 BC) - “the father of comedy”, lived in Athens and became famous for his wonderful comedies that ridiculed the ugly sides of human life. Of the 40 comedies written, 11 have reached us: “Acharnians”, “Horsemen”, “Clouds”, “Wasps”, “Peace”, “Birds”, “Lysistrata”, “Women at the Thesmophoria”, “Frogs”, “Women” in the People's Assembly" and "Wealth". Aristophanes' witty comedies, touching on the most important issues about war and peace, dishonest politicians, and inequality, purified and educated Athenian society with laughter.

7. Sculpture

A special place in ancient Greek culture Sculpture is the art of sculpture and plastic art, imbued with admiration for the physical beauty and wise structure of man. According to the ancients, Athens had more statues than inhabitants. The sculpture decorated the temples of the gods and the homes of people, perpetuated the memory of people and marked graves. In addition to the traditional statues of gods, statues of the winners of the Olympic Games and distinguished citizens. main topic ancient greek sculpture– a wonderful, powerful and harmonious person.

The favorite materials of ancient Greek sculptors were stone and bronze, sometimes mixed techniques were used, and finished stone statues were painted. Clothes were dyed bright colors, and hair was golden. Eyes for statues were made of colored stone, glass or ivory. Unfortunately, almost no Greek sculpture has survived. Either fragments and fragments, or Roman copies, have reached us.

The first examples of Greek sculpture appeared in the ARCHAIC PERIOD (VII–VI centuries BC).

These are archaic statues of naked, slender young men and draped statues of girls. Not yet freed from the power of the stone, they are restrained in their movements: their arms are tightly pressed to the body, and emphasis is placed on two legs. These statues create a generalized image of an “archaic” person, always young and calm, with a so-called “archaic” smile with slightly raised corners of the lips.

IN THE CLASSICAL PERIOD (5th–4th centuries BC), the classical beauty of ideal heroes is valued in sculpture. At this time, use the counterpost technique in sculpture - bending vertical axis bodies.

The highest achievements of Greek sculpture of the V–IV centuries. BC. associated with the names of Myron, Polykleitos and Phidias.

MIRON (500 – 440 BC). His statues of athletes were distinguished by compositional thoughtfulness, dynamics and free movement. The Roman copy of the bronze statue of Myron "Discobolus" shows rapid movement. The same tasks were set by the sculptor in the bronze group “Athena and Marsyas”, which stood on the Athenian Acropolis.

POLYCLETUS (about 480 - end of the 5th century BC) - Agros sculptor, a younger contemporary of Phidias, was “the creator of purely formal plastic values.” Polycletus determined the proportions of the human figure based on its height. For example, the head was one eighth of the height, the foot was one sixth, the face and hand were one tenth. These ideas were practically realized in the sculptures “Doriphoros”, “Diadumen”, “Wounded Amazon”.

PHIDIA (beginning of the 5th century BC - about 432 - 431 BC) - gained fame as the greatest master. He was a master of relief and circular sculpture. Its the most famous works- these are reliefs of the Parthenon in Athens and the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, sculptures of Athena Parthenos made of gold and ivory on a wooden base and Athena Promachos made of bronze. But Phidias' most famous work was the colossal statue of Zeus at Olympia. His works attract people with truly epic power and life-affirming humanism. In them, with extraordinary expressiveness, the idea characteristic of his era about the greatness of man - a citizen, in whom the physical beauty of the body and moral purity and valor are combined in a limited way, sounds.

THE ERA OF HELLENISM (IV–I centuries BC) is associated with the name of the great commander Alexander the Great, whose motto was the words: “Each of the barbarians must become like Hellene.”

Hellenistic culture continued the Greek traditions. New cities were built according to plans developed back in the 5th century. BC. Hippodamus of Miletus with wide straight streets intersecting at right angles. The city was divided into four quarters by two highways.

The architecture and sculpture of this period were of grandiose proportions. The architectural ensemble of the island of Rhodes included about 100 statues of colossal size. The most famous of them is a gilded bronze statue of the sun god Helios, made by Lysippos' student Chares. The Colossus of Rhodes was also considered one of the wonders of the Ancient World.

The altar of Zeus, built on the acropolis of Pergamum, the capital of a small Hellenistic state in Asia Minor, also gravitated toward grandeur.

The sculpture of the Hellenistic period also reflected new trends of the era: interest in poignant, dramatic subjects, curiosity in everyday details and the diversity of everyday life. If the sculptors of the classical era depicted man in his heyday, then in the Hellenistic era, themes of old age and childhood, grief and even death began to appear. This can be seen in the sculptures “Laocoon” by Agesander, Polydorus Athenodorus, “Fist Fighter”, “The Dying Gaul”.

The masterpieces of Hellenism include one of the most outstanding monuments of sculpture of antiquity, made in the 1st BC. This is the “Venus de Milo” marble statue of the goddess of love Aphrodite, who is distinguished by humanity, warmth, perfection and to whom many works are dedicated. Its author is considered to be Agesander from Antioch.

8. Painting

The painting of ancient Hellas was as beautiful and life-affirming as architecture and sculpture, the development of which can be judged by the drawings decorating vases that have come down to us from the 11th to the 10th centuries. BC.

If in the early works of pottery one can feel the continuity of the traditions of Mycenaean ceramics, then already in the 9th–8th centuries. BC. In vase painting, a geometric style developed, the only decoration of which was a linear geometric ornament of patterns - signs in the form of squares, triangles and concentric circles on simple, strict, monumental vessels: amphoras, craters. A loved one appears greek ornament– meander – a pattern in the form of a continuous line broken at a right angle. The geometric pattern was arranged in horizontal stripes and apparently had a hidden magical meaning. Later, in the 7th century. BC, the abstract pattern includes conventional, flat, stylized images of animal and human figures, which become characters in various scenes with a strict, thoughtful composition.

At the end of the 7th century. - early 6th century BC. Ancient Greek vases began to be decorated with patterns focused on the art of the Ancient East. This style is called “orientalizing” or “carpeting”, when the entire field of the vessel is covered with ornaments. Images of plot-narrative scenes and fantastic animals appear. The centers of carpet painting of vases in the oriental style were Rhodes and Corinth.

By the beginning of the 6th century. BC. monumental vases that served as tombstones are replaced by smaller ceramics. By this time, certain types of vessels were formed, the shape and size of which were determined by the unity of beauty and practicality.

Thus, a narrow-necked elongated amphora with two easy-to-carry handles was intended for storing olive oil or wine. Pelika also served to store wine and oil.

Hydria, which has a stable base and three handles, was intended for carrying and pouring water.

Sometimes a mixture of wine and water was poured from the crater into a jug called oinochoe, or olpa, and then poured from it into glasses.

They drank wine from a kylik, which had a thin, easy-to-grip stem and two handles. Skyphos was also used for drinking. It had large handles so that those reclining on the boxes could easily hold them.

They scooped wine from the crater with a kiaf, which had an elegant high handle.

A small lekythos also had one handle, in which incense and jewelry were stored, and the box for women's toiletries was called a pyxida.

The art of pottery, which creates artistic objects from clay, or ceramics, was highly valued in Ancient Greece, and potters and vase painters were respected and honored. This is evidenced by the author's signatures on the vases. And the name of one of the quarters of Athens - Keramik - turned into the name of products made from baked clay.

In the second half of the 6th century. BC. The center of vase painting moved to Athens, where black-figure style vessels were especially popular. Multi-figure compositions This style represented scenes from the life of gods, heroes and mere mortals. Black-figure painting is decorative and silhouette-like. First, the artist scratched the outlines of the figures, then filled them with black varnish. The black, seemingly “negative” drawing stood out perfectly against the clay yellow, orange and pinkish background. In Athens there were entire workshops with talented craftsmen. One of them, Exekius, is the author of famous vases: an amphora depicting Achilus and Ajax playing dice; kylix from Vulci with the image of Dionysus in a boat and others. The “François” vase is considered a masterpiece of black-figure ceramics, on which mythological scenes are depicted with five belts: the solemn procession of the gods to the wedding of King Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis, battles, the death of Achilus, a boar hunt.

Around 530 BC Athenian masters created a more advanced red-figure style of ceramic painting, which soon replaced the black-figure technique. Unpainted light clay-colored figures stood out effectively against the black background of the varnished vessel. The details were no longer scratched, but drawn with a thin black line. This technique made it possible to more freely depict figures of people and animals, to build difficult turns and angles, increase the number of subjects in the painting of vases. The best masters of this technique were Euphronius, Euthymides, Brig and Duris.

9. Music and lyric poetry

Unfortunately, we don't know what it sounded like ancient greek music. But thanks to fine art, namely sculpture and drawings on vases, we imagine what musical instruments looked like in Ancient Greece.

The LYRE was perhaps the most beloved instrument of the ancient Greeks. Today her image is considered to be the emblem of music. According to legend, the lyre was invented by the god Hermes. He made this plucked instrument from a tortoise shell and horns, seven sinews and the skins of stolen cows. Apollo gave Hermes for a lyre fifty cows, which he had stolen from Apollo by cunning.

KIFARA - this plucked instrument is a more complex version of the lyre. The cithara was usually played by virtuosos at music competitions and festivals. Initially, the cithara had four strings, then the number of strings reached seven, and later there were eighteen.

The HARP also belongs to the plucked instruments known in antiquity.

AULOS, or DOUBLE FIPE, is an ancient wind instrument with a double reed. Avlos consisted of two separate pipes with reed mouthpieces. The musicians played two pipes at once.

SVIRINGA, or SVIREL, is a wind instrument of the type of single-barreled or double-barreled flute. In literature, the multi-barreled flute of Pan is often called a pipe. It consists of a set of tubes, closed at one end and of different lengths, made from the trunk of reeds, reeds or bamboo. Each tube makes only one sound, the pitch of which depends on its length and diameter.

TYMPAN is a percussion instrument.

Ancient Greek music was closely related to literature, especially lyric poetry.

Lyrical poetry, which replaced the majestic epic, expressed the individual world of an individual. Poetry, like music, was an important educational tool.

In Ancient Greece, poems were recited in a chant musical accompaniment lyres or flutes. The word “lyrics” comes from the name of the favorite musical instrument of the Greeks – the lyre.

Since the 7th century. BC. In Greek lyric poetry there are genres: song (melika), iambic, choral, elegy. And although the lyric poetry of the Greeks has almost completely disappeared, from the depths of centuries the names of Archilochus, Sappho, Alcaeus, Anacreon, Pindar have reached us, who sang love and friendship, courage and patriotism, wisdom and nobility.

The birthplace of melic lyric poetry was the island of Lesbos with its main city of Mytilene. Music and poetry studios arose here, where people came to study from other cities in Greece. One of these studios was headed by the beautiful, gifted poetess Sappho (VII–VI centuries BC), who was surrounded by enthusiastic students and admirers of her talent.

Alcaeus (VII–VI centuries BC) – a contemporary of Sappho, was also from Lesbos. He also wrote in the meliki genre, glorifying the feast cup and love for the homeland. Political struggle often occupied the thoughts of the poet, who was expelled from Lesbos at the same time as Sappho.

The poet who wrote in the meliki genre, Anacreon (559 – 478 BC), had a huge influence on world lyricism. He is considered a singer of sensual love, carefree fun, the joys of life and, at the same time, sighs of the frailty of life.

The representative of choral lyricism was the poet Alcman (mid-7th century BC). Sparta became his second home. Alkman was the head of a singing school for girls, and the basis of his work is poems for choral chants - the so-called parfeneys, or parthenii.

The genre of solemn choral lyrics and odes is represented by Pindar (521 – 441 BC). His lyrical works were varied, but only 45 hymns of praise in honor of the winners of equestrian competitions have reached us in their entirety.

E VII century BC. iambic becomes a common genre of lyrics. This energetic meter of verse, which makes it possible to express a sober, sometimes mocking thought, will subsequently become the favorite meter of Russian poetry. Archilochus (7th century BC), born on the island of Paros, is considered the father of iambic poetry. His poems are alien to tenderness and charm, but in them one can feel sincerity, firmness of spirit, and a calm recognition of the strength of circumstances. Archilochus also wrote elegies.

Elegies were performed to the flute as early as the 6th century. BC. But this genre became especially beloved during the Hellenistic era. The calm rhythm and simple language of the elegy allows you to express serious thoughts, reasoning and morals. The famous legislator of Athens Solon (beginning of the 6th century BC) and the skeptic poet Theognis, dissatisfied with the world, wrote in this genre (6th century BC).

In terms of simplicity and conciseness of the language, it was close to elegy and epigram - a short poem relating to a person, circumstance or object. Among the epigrams there were funeral, philosophical, and erotic ones. Epigrams were written by the bucolic poet Theocritus (born in the 3rd century BC), the idealist philosopher Plato (427 - 347 BC), the poet and scientist Callimachus (310 - 240 BC). e.).

Conclusion

I chose this topic because I really wanted to know what kind of culture was in this state. I read ancient Greek myths and legends, and I really liked them, especially the descriptions of temples, houses and other buildings. I also read about famous personalities of this state. And I really wanted to know what people used to be like, how they dressed, what they looked like, how they lived and what their gods looked like.

The ancient Greeks were cheerful and life-loving. They worked very hard for the benefit of their state. They were patriots of their state, this is evidenced by the fact that a lot of patriotic songs and anthems were written. Also, the Greeks were very wise people, because they were interested in everything, they constantly thought about what the sky is, where it came from, why it is impossible to stop time, and so on. They wanted to know everything. They even created their own culture. There were no analogues of this culture anywhere in the world. There were a lot of talented people in Ancient Greece. Some of them could write poems, odes, hymns, epigrams, some could make sculptures, some could draw a drawing of a temple, some played musical instruments. In Greece there were a lot of people who went down in history, for example: Phidias, Homer, Aesop, Sappho, etc. They built houses and temples very well. They made very beautiful sculptures and ceramics. The ancient Greeks were very brave warriors. They defended their state, standing to the death, this is confirmed by the poem “Iliad” written by Homer.

Greece is a state that has no analogues, has never been and never will be.

Bibliography

1. A.M. Vachyants. World Art. M.: Iris press, 2004.

2. L.D. Lyubimov. Art of the Ancient World. M.: Education, 1980.

3. N.A. Dmitrieva. Short story arts M.: Education, 1986.

4. N.V. Miretskaya, E.V. Miretskaya. Lessons from ancient culture. Obninsk: Title, 1996.

5. P.P. Gnedich. The World History arts M.: Sovremennik, 1996.

Introduction

1. Cultural history of Ancient Greece

1.1 Periodization and a brief description of stages of ancient Greek culture

1.2 Mythology as the source and foundation of ancient culture

1.3 The ancient polis and its role in the culture of Ancient Greece

1.4 Art of Ancient Greece

2. Theory of ancient Greek culture

2.1 Awareness of culture by thinkers of Ancient Greece (Plato, Aristotle)

2.2 The doctrine of paideia

Conclusion

List of used literature

Applications

Introduction

The history of Ancient Greece is one of the components of the history of the ancient world, studying the state class societies and states that arose and developed in the countries of the Ancient East and the Mediterranean. The history of Ancient Greece studies the emergence, flourishing and fall of social and government structures that formed on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula and in the Aegean region, in Southern Italy, on the island. Sicily and the Black Sea region. It begins at the turn of the 3rd-2nd millennium BC. e. - since the emergence of the first state entities on the island of Crete, and ends in the 2nd-1st centuries. BC BC, when the Greek and Hellenistic states of the Eastern Mediterranean were captured by Rome and included in the Roman Mediterranean power.

Over a two-thousand-year period of history, the ancient Greeks created a rational economic system based on the economical use of labor and natural resources, a civil social structure, a polis organization with a republican structure, and a high culture that had a huge impact on the development of Roman and world culture. These achievements of ancient Greek civilization enriched the world historical process and served as the foundation for the subsequent development of the peoples of the Mediterranean during the era of Roman rule.

Everything that has come down to us from Ancient Greece, and this is extensive material that includes written sources, archaeological excavations, and the works of Greek thinkers, served as a standard in the development of world science. The history of Ancient Greece has always attracted the attention of scientists and prominent thinkers

1. Cultural history of Ancient Greece

1 Periodization and brief description of the stages of ancient Greek culture

Ancient art is the art of ancient times. It refers to the art of Ancient Greece and countries (peoples) of the ancient world, the culture of which developed under the influence of ancient Greek cultural tradition. This is the art of the Hellenistic states, Rome and the Etruscans.

Antiquity is a kind of ideal historical period. Then sciences and arts, states and public life.

The art of Ancient Greece marks one of the highest peaks in the cultural development of mankind. In their creativity, the Greeks used the experience of more ancient artistic cultures, and primarily Aegean art. The history of ancient Greek art proper begins after the fall of Mycenae and the Dorian migration and covers the 11th-1st centuries. BC e. In this historical and artistic process, 4 stages are usually distinguished, which correspond to the main periods of social development of Ancient Greece:

8th centuries BC e. - Homeric period;

6th centuries BC e. - archaic;

in - the first 3 quarters of the 4th century BC. e. - classic;

quarter 4th century - 1st century BC e. - Hellenism.

The area of ​​distribution of ancient Greek art went far beyond modern Greece, covering Thrace in the Balkans, a significant part of Asia Minor, many islands and coastal Lunites in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, where Greek colonies were located. After the campaigns of Alexander the Great, Greek artistic culture spread throughout the Middle East.

1.2 Mythology as the source and foundation of ancient culture

The importance of ancient Greek mythology for the development of culture can hardly be overestimated. Ancient Greece is called the cradle of all European culture. And therefore, the study of ancient Greek mythology acquires special significance - it is a study of the origins, primarily the origins of European culture, but it is also obvious that it had a huge influence on the entire world culture. Ancient Greek myths were not only widely disseminated, but were subjected to deep understanding and study. It is impossible to overestimate them aesthetic value: There is not a single type of art left that does not have in its arsenal themes based on ancient mythology - they are found in sculpture, painting, music, poetry, prose, etc.

For the most complete understanding of the significance of ancient Greek mythology in world culture, it is necessary to generally trace the significance of myth in culture.

A myth is not a fairy tale, it is a way of explaining the world. Mythology is the main form of worldview of peoples at the most ancient stage of their development. Mythology is based on the personification of the forces of nature (nature dominated, was stronger than man). Mythology as a dominant way of thinking and behavior disappears when man creates real means of domination over the forces of nature. The destruction of mythology speaks of a fundamental change in man's position in the world.

But it is from mythology that scientific knowledge, religion and the entire culture as a whole grow. The mythology of ancient Greece became the basis for the entire ancient culture, from which subsequently, as we have already said, the entire European culture grew.

Ancient Greek is the name given to the mythology of civilization that developed from the 6th century. BC e. on the territory of modern Greece. The basis of ancient Greek mythology is polytheism, that is, polytheism. In addition, the gods of ancient Greece are endowed with anthropomorphic (i.e. human) features. Concrete ideas generally prevail over abstract ones, just as in quantitative terms humanoid gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines prevail over deities of abstract meaning (who, in turn, receive anthropomorphic features).

3 The ancient polis and its role in the culture of Ancient Greece

The meaning of ancient culture. Ancient civilization that arose at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. first on the territory of Balkan Greece, the islands of the Aegean Sea and the coast of Asia Minor ,inhabited by the Greeks, played an outstanding role in the history of European culture. It existed until the middle of the 14th millennium AD, that is, over 15 centuries, and during its peak development covered a vast territory around the Mediterranean basin - from the British Isles to Transcaucasia and Mesopotamia and from the Rhine and Danube to the Sahara.

Ancient culture distributed during the era of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, formed the basis of the spiritual life of modern European society, and we still feed on its juices and admire the masterpieces created during this period that we are neither able to repeat nor surpass in the new historical situation. It surpassed all previously existing cultures in that it achieved unusual completeness and completeness of development. In every form of art, literary creativity and science, standard models were created that were followed and imitated in all subsequent eras.

In ancient Greece, for the first time in the history of mankind, a democratic republic arose - highest form state structure. Along with it, the institution of citizenship arose with a full set of rights and responsibilities that extended to the ancient citizen living in a community - a state (polis).

Another distinctive feature ancient civilization is the orientation of culture not towards the reigning persons, the nobility close to them ,as observed in previous cultures ,but on the ordinary free citizen. As a result, culture glorifies and exalts the ancient citizen, equal in rights and status among equals, and raises such civic qualities to the shield ,like heroism, self-sacrifice, spiritual and physical beauty.

Ancient culture is imbued with a humanistic sound ,and it was in antiquity that the first system was formed universal human values,directly related to the citizen and the civil collective .which he entered.

The idea of ​​happiness occupies a central place in the set of value guidelines of every person. It is in this that the difference between the ancient humanistic system of values ​​and the ancient Eastern one is most clearly manifested. A free citizen finds happiness only in serving his native community, receiving in return respect, honor and glory, which no amount of wealth can give.

This value system emerged as a result of the interaction of a number of factors. Here is the influence of the previous thousand-year-old Cretan-Mycenaean civilization, and the transition at the beginning of the 1st millennium - BC. e. to the use of iron, which increased individual human capabilities. It was also unique government structure- policies (civil communities), of which there were several hundred in the Greek world. The dual ancient form of property also played a huge role, organically combining private property, which gave a person initiative, and state property, which provided him with social stability and protection. Thanks to this, the foundation of harmony between the individual and society was laid

The predominance of politics over economics also played a special role. Almost all of the income received was spent by the civil collective on leisure and cultural development, and went into non-productive spheres.

Thanks to the influence of all these factors, a unique situation arose in ancient Greece during the classical era (V-IV centuries BC). For the only time in the entire history of the development of human society, a temporary harmony of man arose with the three main spheres of his existence: with the surrounding nature, with the civil collective and with the cultural environment.

4 Art of Ancient Greece

The literature of the early Greeks, like other peoples, went back to the traditions of the ancient folklore creativity, which included fairy tales, fables, myths and songs. With the change in social conditions, the rapid development of folk epic poetry began, glorifying the deeds of the ancestors and heroes of each tribe. By the middle of the 2nd millennium, the epic tradition of the Greeks became more complex, and professional poet-storytellers, aeds, appeared in society. In their work already in the 17th-12th centuries. tales about the most important historical events contemporary to them occupied a prominent place. This direction testified to the interest of the Hellenes in their history, who later managed to preserve their rich legendary tradition in oral form for almost a thousand years before it was written down in the 9th-8th centuries.

Theatrical performances in Ancient Greece, according to custom, took place on the feast of the Great Dionysius. The choir was located on the round platform - the “orchestra” (“dancing platform”). The actors played there. To stand out from the choir, the actor wore shoes on high stands - buskins. At first, all the roles in the play were played by one actor. Aeschylus introduced a second character, making the action dynamic; introduced scenery, masks, buskins, flying and thunderous machines. Sophocles introduced a third character. But the three actors also had to play many roles, transform into different persons. Behind the orchestra there was a small wooden structure - a “skena” (“tent”), where the actors prepared to perform in a new role. The transformation was simple: the actors changed the masks they wore. The masks were made from clay. Each specific character and mood had its own “own” mask. Thus, strength and health were represented by the dark color of the face of the mask, sickness - yellow, cunning - red, and anger - crimson. A smooth forehead expressed a cheerful mood, while a steep forehead expressed a gloomy mood. The expressiveness of the masks was necessary for clarity; in addition, the mask also served as a mouthpiece that amplified the actor’s voice. Theatrical performances began in the morning and ended at sunset. On the same day they staged a tragedy, a drama, and a comedy. Theatrical shows were especially loved by the Hellenes. Social, ethical, political problems, issues of education, deep depiction of heroic characters, the theme of civic consciousness form a life-affirming basis ancient Greek theater.

The level of poetic creativity of the early Greeks is evidenced by the epic poems “Iliad” and “Odyssey” - outstanding monuments of world literature. Both poems belong to the circle of historical narratives about the campaign of the Achaean troops after 1240. BC. to the Trojan kingdom.

In addition to fiction, the oral tradition of the Greeks of the time under study also contained a huge number of historical, genealogical and mythological legends. They were widely known in oral transmission until the 7th-6th centuries, when they were included in the written literature that was spreading at that time.

ancient greek culture paideia

2. Theory of ancient Greek culture

1 Awareness of culture by thinkers of Ancient Greece (Plato, Aristotle)

For education, teachings that include ontological, epistemological, axiological and praxeological aspects become relevant.

It is these aspects that actualize the cultural and educational space in the context of ancient Greek paideia and bring the educational ideas of the sophists closer to the educational ideas of Plato and Aristotle; it is these aspects that are the connecting link that contributes to the process of self-organization of the educational space, where the pedagogical views of the sophists and the ontological views of Plato find common ground.

In these teachings, two value orientations of education compete for influence, one of which is based on the paradigm of instrumental-technical rationality, where a person is a means of achieving rational goals, the second is based on the paradigm of humanism, within which the individual and his interests are considered the highest value.

These two orientations originate from Ancient Greece, developing and interpreting both the educational ideas of the Sophists, aimed at the need to educate a “capable” and “strong” person, and the educational ideas of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the basis of which is the ideal of kalokagathia, self-knowledge and self-improvement of the individual.

The ideal of culture and education was expressed both in the sophistic school and in the ideas of the great Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and was designated by one main goal - the desire to build a new society based on the spiritual development of citizens. But if, for example, Plato saw the achievement of this goal in the philosophical comprehension of truth, then the Sophists - in rhetorical education. The Sophists, on the one hand, Socrates and Plato, on the other, identified the two poles of ancient Greek paideia - extrovert and introvert, while Aristotle pointed out the middle path, which did not contradict the formation in Ancient Greece of two main ideals of education, which for Plato are contained in the ideal of wisdom, for the sophists - as a result of practical success.

Ancient Greek paideia, which developed in two directions and laid the foundation for classical education, is not only a certain moment of general cultural development, it is, first of all, a form that is established in its maturity, in accordance with which the ancient pedagogical tradition unfolded, transformed into the ideal of Western and Eastern European educational thoughts.

2.2 The doctrine of paideia

The modern world is considered to be centered around Hellenic culture; Numerous facts that make Greek antiquity absolutely unique and at the same time familiar and fundamental to Europeans confirm that it was in Ancient Greece that both education and culture in the highest sense of the word arose. "Paideia" includes both concepts.

However, the Greeks could not express themselves In a similar way. The terms "education" and "culture" come from Latin, and the Greek word "paideia" began to be used in Greece from the time of Pericles, after it had existed in the language for many centuries and was ready to give its most visible fruits when it entered into life the entire population.

The proposed innovation was that, thanks to intuition, the formation and development of the individual did not occur by chance and not by the will of the gods: everything was simultaneously connected with the “nature” of the individual, whose task was to achieve an understanding of his nature. Nowadays these terms may seem too banal, but such an understanding of nature can truly be equated with the Copernican revolution in a world in which all important events were seen to have a supernatural meaning. They were the concepts that paved the way for the emergence of two of the most outstanding signs of the Western world: the secular nature of its worldview and attention to the individual.

The Greeks quite naturally endowed it with the ability to satisfy those needs for universal laws of order that traditional deities could embody to an ever lesser extent. Pindar - whose voice in poetry can be considered a synthesis of Greek culture at the moment of its greatest flowering - argues, for example, that the typical poet's enormous amount of knowledge is bestowed by nature, while a person who acquired his knowledge through incredible efforts can be compared to a crow presented before the eagle of Zeus (II, “Olympian”, 86-88). He exclaims: “Become what nature created you!” (Pythian, 72). He claims that the highest person is the one who is naturally endowed with brilliant abilities, who received them without any effort on his part (III, “Nemean” 40-41). When we hear these words, we understand that they contain both a heroic poetics and an aristocratic moral code, and an archaic version of the natural concept of the world.

“Individuation” is a “natural need”, and to hinder it by lowering the level of collective standards means harming the vital activity of the individual. Since individuality is a primary psychological and physiological given, it is expressed by psychological means.

In the Greek universe, with its gods who, unlike the biblical God, did not possess the art of creating people in their own image, metaphysical nature was ready to take on the empty role of omnipotent creator and creator. However, this for the first time placed the individual in a space in which it was possible to interact with fate, and not just passively submit to it.

Already in the 6th century. BC, when belief in the traditional gods was still quite strong, the philosopher Xenophanes was able to say: “The gods did not reveal to mortals the original order of things; but mortals, through a long search, discover it.” Just as Pindar's beliefs seemed to anticipate the Jungian ideal of developing the inner potential of the individual, so the growing fascination with the idea of ​​nature (the study of which gave hope for the establishment of those laws of order that lay outside the realm of fading religion) was in some ways very much like a delight, with which the first depth psychologists welcomed the idea of ​​the unconscious. The existence of the unconscious, like the existence of nature, cannot be proven by direct observation, therefore, although these phenomena cannot be called fiction, their existence cannot be considered a proven fact. But being proposed as a hypothesis, the "nature" of classical antiquity (the impersonal and invisible essence underlying all living things) and the unconscious modern psychology(the impersonal and invisible essence that underlies all mental life) become objects of faith, for they lead to more adequate and understandable explanations of a large range of phenomena included in the life we ​​perceive.

With all precautions taken - and it is quite obvious that caution is necessary when considering the general characteristics inherent in cultural systems so distant from each other - it seems that the idea of ​​​​the unconscious arouses the suspicion that the unconscious is the modern analogue of this way of becoming aware and comprehending new hypotheses , which made possible the emergence of the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bnature among the Greeks. It can be assumed that each of the listed ideas, in a specific way suitable for its time and society, formulates a general archetypal idea. In this case, it can be assumed that the ideal that found its expression in the statements of Pindar, as well as the activation (realization) of this ideal in the practice of paideia, represent the product of an ancient value system, extremely similar to those aspirations whose goal today is individuation, and not healing. In both cases, the attitude is determined by a belief in the forces of nature (“Individuation represents a natural need...”), but with the accompanying understanding that improperly cultivated nature—nature without culture, in the original sense of the word—remains a wild jungle. Think of individuation as culture - in light of the original meaning of the word "culture", which found its expression in paideia, and then lost in the modern world (perceiving culture in an external sense or in the sense of acquiring something outside of us, and not in the form of a discovery of what a person “is” within himself) means, as was said at the beginning, to see it involved in the cross-fertilization of the cultural situation and the psychic life of the individual.

In the world of archaic Greece, the individual determined his place in this cycle of individuation and acculturation - this cycle in which the individual exerts personal influence on the culture that sets the general parameters of his life - mainly through "fame." All major documents relating to the era lying between the century of Homer and the 5th century. BC e., tell us that the highest achievements of the Hellenes were glory and fame. Such aspirations did not contain the modern meaning attached to these concepts. For the Greeks, fame was not something ephemeral, it was not the glory that modern media has accustomed us to - it was its complete opposite. Gaining fame meant securing a place in the memory of future generations. And memory among future generations in a society not accustomed to history was the only guarantee of continuing its existence in time: it made it possible to preserve symbols and values, thanks to which the past could provide stability to the institutions of the present and future, as well as give character to the individuals living in them.

Besides this, in a world in which religion had nothing to do with any real system of ethics (the ethics associated with the religion of the ancient Greeks contained at best a number of prohibitions, but did not include descriptions of the nature of good, positive actions), examples of people who justly deserved fame cast a single but powerful ray of light that penetrated the darkness of the struggle against almost inevitable destinies. To follow such an example, a person had to imbue it with new meaning through what we would call the process of individuation. A person could choose a hero as an example to follow; however, he was well aware that he and the hero had different destinies (“Moiras”), different parents and different natural talents. A person could use example as a source of inspiration, but the light emitted by it should be used to explore a new, own path. So, before the advent of the era when philosophy and monotheism began to offer clear and sublime ethical criteria (but at the same time abstract, general and fixed), namely in archaic, and partly in classical Greece (approximately from the 8th century BC to 5th century BC), activity was stimulated solely by narratives telling about the actions of other people and the individual emotions that such narratives aroused in listeners. Here we are dealing with a heroic ethics that did not adhere to abstract rules; she followed beautiful images and was guided by the desire for fame.

The people of Ancient Greece had very little freedom of action; we see that they lived in the grip of superstition, gripped by the fear of witchcraft, with a belief in an irresistible fate. We find this fatalism in Homer, in tragedies, and even in Herodotus, whom we nevertheless perceive as the founder of the historical concept. We take a view that strangely ignores the possibility that the lack of clear abstract rules for identifying good, positive actions, and of institutions empowered to propagate such rules (especially in the religious direction), forced the ancient Greeks to live in a terrifying state of total freedom , theoretically significantly superior in this sense to our own. Their attitude towards proud loneliness and tragic humility meant in this case the point at which they sought refuge from such crushing freedom. We should not be misled by the existence of such religious institutions as the authoritative and generally recognized Delphic Oracle. The Oracle at Delphi gave specific answers - in encrypted form - to individual questions, but did not lay down guidelines or general rules of behavior (apart from famous sayings such as "Know thyself" or "A little of every good thing", which may have met the needs of a small number of people prone to introspection and self-discipline, but, undoubtedly, these statements were too abstract for wide range population).

The sense of desperate loneliness that the Greeks experienced in connection with problems of morality led to further strengthening of superstitions and strengthened the belief that the gods were untrustworthy, malicious and envious. But this ethical gap, as well as the fears and accidents inherent in such a state of heightened freedom, could lead to the emergence of “paideia”. “Paideia” was the problem of cultivating one’s own discipline and culture - and, above all, internal culture - in the most perfect psyche that existed in the ancient world, but at the same time was a psyche that did not know how to determine the good or positive actions to which one should set oneself.

In late antiquity, the sophists often transformed paideia into an overcomplicated form of teaching, but in the previous period it played an important role and was very similar to the form of growth observed in modern analysis. In the absence of universal and reliable rules, internal maturation was facilitated by deep identification with exemplary models, both real and imaginary: maturation occurred in the process of the individual’s search for his own myth, which is so close to the Jungian school today. These models were the objects of psychic projections, or transferences, which prolonged or perfected the father's function, or rather replaced the father's function, for the Hellenic father played a rather insignificant role in the training of his sons. There is no doubt that "paideia" was most complete when there was an encounter with an ideal figure (an example is the myth of the hero), as well as with a real present model (such as a teacher), who helped the young man to develop an internal image that would otherwise the image might seem too unattainable.

Conclusion

The Cretan-Mycenaean, or Aegean culture (discovered by A. Evans and T. Schliemann), which existed from the middle of the 3rd millennium BC, is considered as the basis of ancient Greek culture. and died as a result of a natural disaster, and most importantly, the invasion of the barbarian tribes of the Greco-Dorians in the 12th-10th centuries. BC. After this, the large centers of the Cretan-Mycenaean culture (Knossos, Pylos, Troy, etc.), the palaces of its kings, and the patriarchal family disappeared. The invasion of the Dorians was associated with a sharp cultural decline, but from the 8th century. BC. The rapid development of ancient Greek culture begins. From primitive early class states and unions, a new form of statehood is being formed - the polis. The process of establishing the policy spanned 300 years. This is a turbulent, contradictory process, filled with wars, rebellions, expulsions, and the struggle of the demos against the aristocracy.

This is also the time of colonization by the ancient Greeks of the Black Sea region, North Africa, the south of what is now France, and Asia Minor. The most energetic part of the polis moved to the colonies, maintaining cultural and trade ties with the metropolis, i.e. with the mother city. This contributed to the strengthening of commodity-money circulation. The Greeks widely used iron tools, which made it possible to create intensive agriculture, gardening and, with the help of the labor of one family, rather than a community, to cultivate plots of land. Viticulture, olive trees and crafts were the three sources of wealth in Ancient Greece.

Since the 6th century. BC, purchased slavery spread in Greece, and the process of enslaving their fellow citizens stopped. Debt slavery is abolished. In Athens this happened as a result of Solon's reforms in the 6th century. BC. The most important consequence of this was the consolidation of the citizens of the policy, especially citizens of the same house, i.e. territorial community.

List of used literature

1.Ancient literature. Greece. Anthology. Part 1-2. M., 1989 - 544 p.

2. Zelinsky F.F. History of ancient culture. St. Petersburg, 2005 - 312 p.

Kumanetsky K. History of culture of Ancient Greece and Rome. M., 1990 - 400 p.

Polevoy V.M. Art of Greece. Ancient world. M., 1970 -388 p.

Radzig S.N. History of Ancient Greek Literature. M., 1982 - 576

Culturology: / Comp. A.A. Radugin. - M.: Center, 2007. - 304 p.

Application

1. Explain such values ​​of Greek culture as measure, cult of the body, competition, dialectics

Measure is understood as the initial principle of the existence of something specific. She is one and indivisible, she is a characteristic of perfection. Measure was introduced in ancient Greece into philosophical, political, aesthetic and ethical culture, representing one of its main categories.

The anthropocentricity of ancient Greek culture presupposes the cult of the human body. Let us remember that when idealizing the gods, the Greeks represented them in human form and endowed them with the highest bodily beauty, because they did not find a more perfect form.

The cult of the body was also determined by more pragmatic reasons. Every Greek had to take care of dexterity and strength for military purposes, he had to defend the fatherland from enemies. The beauty of the physique was highly revered and was achieved through physical exercise and gymnastics. Historians testify that the cult of the body was a powerful incentive for solving socio-political problems.

The principle of patriotism also permeates such a feature of ancient culture as competition: it characterizes all spheres of life. The main role was played by artistic competitions - poetic and musical, sports, equestrian.

Dialectics is the ability to conduct a conversation, refuting the reasoning and arguments of an opponent, putting forward and proving one’s own arguments. In this case, “to listen to the Logos” meant “to be convinced.” Hence the reverence for the word and the special veneration of the goddess of persuasion, Peito.

2. What is agon? What is the role of agonism in ancient Greek culture?

The Greek agon (struggle, competition) personified a characteristic feature of a free Greek: he could prove himself primarily as a citizen of the polis, his personal merits and qualities were valued only when they expressed the ideas and values ​​of the polis, the city collective. In this sense, Greek culture was impersonal. Legend has it that the remarkable Athenian sculptor Phidias, who dared to depict himself as a bearded warrior on the shield of Athena Promachos, a huge statue of the Acropolis, was almost expelled from Athens.

In the Greek agon, the right of existence of various philosophical trends, which were the source of cultural progress, was substantiated. Philosophy - the love of wisdom - formed a method that could be used in various areas of life. Knowledge had a practical meaning, it created the basis for art and craftsmanship - “technique”, but it also acquired the significance of theory, knowledge for the sake of knowledge, knowledge for the sake of truth.

What is an architectural order? When did it take shape in ancient Greek art?

An architectural order is a type of architectural composition consisting of vertical (columns, pilasters) and horizontal (entablature) parts in the appropriate architectural style.

In Greek architecture, initially only two orders were used - Doric and Ionic; subsequently they were supplemented by the Corinthian order in Hellenistic and Roman architecture.

Although from the moment of contact with more ancient cultures the Dorians lost their innate rudeness, they still retained their racial instincts. The Dorians were characterized by great masculinity, firmness and certainty.

A characteristic expression of the worldview of the Dorians is their architecture, in which the main place belongs not to decorative effects, but to the strict beauty of lines. This flowering of Greek architecture was undoubtedly preceded by a long period of preparation. The resettlement of the Dorians began no earlier than the 10th century, and the first glimpses of art appeared only in the 7th century. BC. The period of its intensive development begins from the moment when Greek society, already fully established, begins to develop colonization activities.

Thanks to the unparalleled wealth of the colonies, cultural centers multiply, and revival begins everywhere at the same time. The establishment of Pan-Hellenic Olympic competitions creates a close connection between individual members of the Pan-Hellenic family and gives unity collective creation Hellenes. From this moment on, there is a single nation in which Dorian genius and Ionian traditions coexist side by side, without merging with each other. Art sanctifies this newly born nation, it becomes its symbol. It is expressed in two main types or orders. One of these orders is called Ionian. He reproduces, ennobling their forms, introduced by the Phoenicians, and traces his descent in a direct line from the architecture of the Lydian group.

The second order, named after the conquerors - the Dorians, marks the first attempt at liberation from eastern influences

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Greece, The Greek Parliamentary Republic is a state in Southern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula and numerous islands in the Ionian, Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Area – 132 thousand sq. km.

Population: 10.66 million people

Highest point: Olympus (2917 m.)

Official language: Greek.

Currency: Drachma. 1000 drachmas = 4.83 rubles.

Head of state: president, elected by parliament for a 5-year term.

Legislative body: unicameral parliament (300 deputies elected for a term of 4 years).

Exports: bauxite, nickel, manganese, tobacco, raisins, olives, olive oil, citrus fruits, cotton, industrial products, cement.

Import: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, mineral raw materials, consumer goods, food.

Trading partners: Germany, Italy, USA, France, Saudi Arabia.

GNP per capita: US$8,360.

Borders: in the north with Macedonia and Bulgaria, in the northeast and along the Aegean Sea with Turkey, in the northwest with Albania.

About 80% of the territory of Greece is mountainous. The climate is Mediterranean subtropical, with mild wet winters and dry hot summers. The average temperature in January is +4…+12 C, in July + 25…+27 C; In winter, snow lies only in the mountains in the north of the country. Precipitation on the plains is 400 - 700 mm, in the mountains - up to 1500 mm per year,

There are no large rivers in Greece, the largest are Alyakmon, Pinies, Aheloos - no more than 500 km in length.

Due to thousands of years of development of the territory, the natural vegetation is poorly preserved. Forests and shrubs occupy only 20% of the territory. Agricultural lands occupy almost 70% of the area of ​​Greece (27% are arable lands, 41% are pastures).

In the 1st millennium BC. and 1st floor. 1 thousand AD The ancient Hellenic civilization flourished in Greece, leaving us traces of a rich culture. In the second half. 1 thousand n. e. and in the early Middle Ages, Greece was part of Byzantium. In 1453, the Turks captured Constantinople and by the end of the 17th century, Greece was completely conquered by them: continental Greece was part of the Turkish eyalet of Rumelia. In 1774, Greek ships were given the opportunity to sail under the Russian flag, and a significant part of Russian Black Sea trade was in the hands of the Greeks. With the assistance of Russia and under its patronage, the Greek Republic of the Seven Mediterranean Islands was created in 1800 on the Ionian Islands. In 1821 – 1822 A national liberation revolution began in continental Greece, and after Turkey’s defeat in the war with Russia (1828–1829), Greece was granted autonomy. In February 1830, by decision of three powers - Russia, England, France - Greece officially became an independent state with a monarchical form of government. But part of the Greek territory still remained under Turkish rule, and only in 1864 - 1881. The Ionian Islands, part of Thessallia, and in 1912-1913 were transferred to Greece. she received Aegean Macedonia, Crete. During World War II, the Greek government declared neutrality, however fascist Italy presented her with an ultimatum and tried to conquer Greece. The Greek army expelled the interventionists, but on April 6, 1941, German troops landed in the country and soon occupied its entire territory. In 1941 – 1944 The Greek people waged a continuous partisan struggle against the invaders and in October 1944 they completely liberated the country.

Today's Greece is a presidential republic, with legislative power vested in a unicameral parliament. The country is divided into 51 districts (nomes) and a special administrative unit - Aion Oros (Holy Mount Athos); The nomes are grouped into 13 regions.

The population is about 10.7 million people, about 96% of them are Greeks. Small groups of Macedonians, Turks, Albanians and Aromanians live in the north of the country. The official language is Greek. 97% of believers are Orthodox.

Greece is an industrial-agrarian country, inferior in size and level of its economy to the most developed European countries. Gross domestic product is $203 billion. (about 19 thousand dollars per capita). The basis of the industry, which accounts for 23% of GDP, is made up of light and food industry enterprises, the products of which (carpets, clothes, shoes, olive oil, juices, wines) Greece imports to many countries of the world. In Northern Europe and Russia, Greek fur coats made from natural fur are very popular - a very specific product for a country where the temperature is above zero all year round. The mining industry is developed: coal, bauxite, pyrites, nickel ores, bentonite, and marble are mined. Shipping plays a big role in the Greek economy: this small country has almost 160 ports. Agriculture contributes 8% of GDP. Fruits, vegetables, grapes, tobacco, and world-famous Greek olives are grown here; and besides them, traditional crops for Europe - wheat, corn, barley, cotton.

Almost 10 million people visit Greece every year, which is almost equal to the population of the country. Tourists are attracted by the charming Greek islands, with traces of ancient cultures, and especially by the capital of the country.

Athens is located on the Attica peninsula, near the shores of the Aegean Sea, on a hilly plain irrigated by the rivers Kifisos and Ilisos. 8 km. from Athens there is Piraeus - a seaport merged with the capital. The city already existed in the Mycenaean era (16th -12th centuries BC). In 1896, the first games of the renewed Olympics took place in Athens. The combination of great monuments of antiquity with monuments of the Byzantine Middle Ages and modern buildings gives Athens a unique appearance. The Acropolis rock with the Parthenon, the Areopagus and Pnyx hills - the centers of social and political life of Ancient Athens (built in the 5th century BC) - are the most famous parts of the city. Among the buildings of antiquity, the Temple of Zeus is also famous.

Now the city has about 770 thousand inhabitants. It is the largest political, cultural and economic center of the country. About 2.3 of Greece's industrial production is concentrated here (metallurgy, mechanical engineering, oil refining; textile, leather and footwear, clothing and food industries.

Greece is rightly called the cradle of European civilization. The country has many cultural monuments, most of which date back to the mid-19th century. was hidden underground. Only after 1870 archaeologists have managed to recreate a clear and comprehensive picture of the history and culture of Greece. In Athens there is the Acropolis - a symbol of Greek civilization, the temple of the goddess Athena - the Parthenon, which is considered the most perfect structure of Greek antiquity (442 - 438 BC), the Temple of Erechtein, the Theater of Dionysus. A very special feeling of contact with ancient culture arises in the cities of the ancient world - Delphi, Thebes, Eleusis. In Knossos there is a labyrinth with the throne of King Minos - the largest structure of the ancient Minoan culture. The myth of the labyrinth of the Minotaur is associated with the palace (the cult of the sacred bull was indeed widespread in Crete). In the middle of a valley in northern Thessaly rises the sacred Mount Olympus, which the ancient Greeks considered the kingdom of Zeus. In its vicinity, rivers and springs bear the names of ancient gods, since the entire territory around Olympus is considered part of the divine domain. Since ancient times, these places were described by the greatest poets of antiquity: Homer, Herodotus, Eucripides, Demosthenes, etc.

The works of outstanding ancient Greek scientists and thinkers formed the basis of many modern fields of knowledge.

In the area of ​​Mount Athos there are the shrines of the Christian world, the Athonite monastic republic was created, governed by the “Holy Council”: along the entire length of the 50-kilometer peninsula there are unique monasteries, which are the spiritual centers of Christianity. Founded in the 4th century. The republic also had a great influence on the organization of Russian monasticism. In the past there were 40 monasteries here, where more than 4 thousand monks lived. Now only 20 operate, and the number of monks has decreased to 1,700 people. Only men are allowed to enter the territory, and an application from the Greek authorities is required; Entry visa for 4 days is issued only to professors of theology, history and philosophy.

The inhabitants of Greece (this is especially noticeable in small towns and villages) are a courageous, proud and hospitable people. However, it should be remembered that a return invitation is required. Life here is peculiar; people do not always adhere to the rules familiar to foreigners. For example, the level of service in restaurants will improve dramatically if you walk into the kitchen and establish personal contact with the staff.

As a rule, Greeks are individualists who do not accept rigid norms of behavior and restrictions; Drivers often ignore the rules traffic, and in recent years, thefts in houses and on the streets have become more frequent. Unemployment in

everyday life is not particularly noticeable thanks to the regime of the so-called “parallel economy”. The main thing in the life of a Greek is most often the family, where the head is the father, who decides all issues. By tradition, older people in the family live together with younger ones. In their free time, young people gather in cafeterias or discos (the law is very strict regarding drugs), and older people, especially in small villages, go to the nearest bar to play cards or backgammon, or just watch TV. They are reluctant to play sports, but they “support” their favorite teams desperately. They tend to spend their weekends in nature. Children, both their own and those of others, are treated like kings. It is not recommended to refuse treats in village houses, as well as to speak ironically about Greece and the Greeks.

There are many holidays in Greece, local and national, which are very spectacular. These are festivals and theatrical performances, for example the festival folk music and dance, Greek song and Greek cinema; in Macedonia there is a day when men and women switch roles; in Airos - Nikolaos on Easter they burn an effigy of Judas and others on the lake.

Greece is an industrial-agrarian country with an average level of development. It is characterized by a high degree of employment in the non-productive sector (over 50% of GNP). Since the early 80s, the country has been in crisis. The main burdens of the economic crisis in the country fell on the shoulders of Greek workers, who do not put up with this situation and are intensifying the struggle in defense of their fundamental vital interests.

Buildings and sculptures, poems and thoughts of great philosophers - all these are components of the “Greek miracle”, as scientists call it today.

If you are interested in culture, you can briefly familiarize yourself with it in this article. So, what has fascinated even the most inexperienced person in art for four thousand years? Let's take a closer look.

General information

The ancient period, which is characterized by the rise and prosperity of Hellas (as the ancient Greeks called their country), is the most interesting for most art historians. And for good reason! Indeed, at this time the origin and formation of the principles and forms of almost all genres of modern creativity took place.

In total, scientists divide the history of the development of this country into five periods. Let's take a look at the typology and talk about the formation of some types of art.

Aegean era

This period is most clearly represented by two monuments - the Mycenaean and Knossos palaces. The latter is better known today as the Labyrinth from the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. After archaeological excavations, scientists confirmed the veracity of this legend. Only the first floor has survived, but there are more than three hundred rooms in it!

In addition to palaces, the Cretan-Mycenaean period is famous for the masks of Achaean leaders and Cretan sculptures small form. The figurines found in the palace's hiding places amaze with their filigree. Women with snakes look very realistic and graceful.

Thus, the culture of Ancient Greece, a brief summary of which is presented in the article, arose from the symbiosis of the ancient island civilization of Crete and the arriving Achaean and Dorian tribes who settled on the Balkan Peninsula.

Homeric period

This era is significantly different in material terms from the previous one. From the 11th to the 9th centuries BC, many important events took place.

First of all, the previous civilization died. Scientists suggest that due to a volcanic eruption. Then there was a return from statehood to a communal structure. In fact, society was being formed anew.

The important point is that against the backdrop of material decline, spiritual culture was fully preserved and continued to develop. We can see this in the works of Homer, which reflect precisely this turning point.

Refers to the end of the Minoan period, and the writer himself lived at the beginning of the archaic era. That is, the Iliad and the Odyssey are the only evidence about this period, because apart from them and archaeological finds, nothing is known about it today.

Archaic culture

At this time there is rapid growth and formation of state-polises. Coins begin to be minted, the alphabet is formed and writing is formed.

In the archaic era, the Olympic Games appeared, and the cult of a healthy and athletic body was formed.

Classical period

Everything that the culture of Ancient Greece fascinates us with today (a summary is in the article) happened precisely in this era.

Philosophy and science, painting and sculpture, and poetry - all these genres are experiencing a rise and unique development. Apogee creative self-expression became the Athens architectural ensemble, which still amazes viewers with its harmony and elegance of forms.

Hellenism

The last period of development of Greek culture is interesting precisely because of its ambiguity.

On the one hand, there is a unification of Greek and Eastern traditions due to the conquests of Alexander the Great. On the other hand, Rome captures Greece, but the latter conquers it with its culture.

Architecture

The Parthenon is probably one of the most famous monuments of the ancient world. And Doric or Ionian elements, such as columns, are found in some later architectural styles.

We can mainly trace the development of this type of art through temples. After all, it was in this type of construction that the most effort, money and skills were invested. Even palaces were valued less than places for sacrifices to the gods.

The beauty of ancient Greek temples lies in the fact that they were not formidable temples of mysterious and cruel celestial beings. In terms of their internal structure, they resembled ordinary houses, only they were more elegantly equipped and richly furnished. How could it be different if the gods themselves were portrayed as similar to people, with the same problems, quarrels and joys?

Subsequently, three orders of columns formed the basis of most styles of European architecture. It was with their help that the culture of Ancient Greece briefly, but very succinctly and lastingly entered the life of modern man.

Vase painting

Works of this type of art are the most numerous and studied to date. At school, children study information about what the culture of Ancient Greece was like (briefly). 5th grade, for example, is a period of acquaintance only with myths and legends.

And the first monuments of this civilization that students see are black-glazed ceramics - very beautiful, copies of which served as souvenirs, decorations and collectibles in all subsequent eras.

Vessel painting went through several stages of development. At first these were simple geometric patterns, known since the times of the Minoan culture. Then spirals, meanders and other details are added to them.

In the process of formation, vase painting acquires the features of painting. Scenes from mythology and everyday life of the ancient Greeks appear on the vessels, human figures, images of animals and everyday scenes.

It is noteworthy that the artists managed not only to convey movement in their paintings, but also to give personal features to the characters. Thanks to their attributes, individual gods and heroes are easily recognized.

Mythology

The peoples of the ancient world perceived the surrounding reality a little differently than we are used to understanding it. Deities were the main force that was responsible for what happened in a person’s life.

At school they are often asked to make a short report on the topic “Culture of Ancient Greece”, briefly, interestingly and in detail to describe the heritage of this amazing civilization. In this case, it is better to start the story with mythology.

The ancient Greek pantheon included many gods, demigods and heroes, but the main ones were the twelve Olympians. The names of some of them were already known during the Cretan-Mycenaean civilization. They are mentioned on clay tablets with Linear writing. What's remarkable is that at this stage they had female and male counterparts of the same character. For example, there was Zeus-on and Zeus-on.

Today we know about the gods of Ancient Greece thanks to monuments of fine art and literature that have remained for centuries. Sculptures, frescoes, figurines, plays and stories - all of this reflected the Hellenic worldview.

Such views have outlived their time. Art culture Ancient Greece, in short, had a primary influence on the formation of many European schools various types arts Renaissance artists resurrected and developed ideas of style, harmony and form that had been known since classical Greece.

Literature

Many centuries separate our society from the society of ancient Hellas, and besides, in fact, only crumbs of what was written have reached us. The Iliad and the Odyssey are probably the most popular works for which the culture of Ancient Greece is known. The summary (about Odysseus and his adventures) can be read in any anthology, and the exploits of this wise man still impress society.

Without his advice there would have been no victory for the Achaeans in Trojan War. In principle, both poems form the image of the ruler in an ideal light. Critics perceive him as a collective character who contains many positive traits.

Homer's work dates back to the eighth century BC. Later authors, such as Euripides, introduced a completely new spirit into their works. If before them the main thing was the relationship between heroes and gods, as well as the tricks of the celestials and their interference in the lives of ordinary people, now everything is changing. The tragedies of the new generation reflect the inner world of man.

Culture in short classical period tries to penetrate deeper and answer the majority eternal questions. This “research” involved such areas as literature, philosophy, and fine arts. Speakers and poets, thinkers and artists - everyone tried to understand the diversity of the world and pass on the received wisdom to their descendants.

Art

The classification of art is based on the elements of vase painting. The Greek (Achaean-Minoan) period is preceded by the Cretan-Mycenaean period, when an advanced civilization existed on the islands, and not on the Balkan Peninsula.

The actual culture of Ancient Greece, a brief description of which we provide in the article, was formed at the end of the second millennium BC. The most ancient monuments were temples (for example, the temple of Apollo on the island of Thera) and vessel paintings. The latter are characterized by an ornament in the form of simple geometric shapes. The main tools of this era were the ruler and compass.

During the Archaic period, which began around the seventh century BC, art became more developed and bold. Corinthian black-glazed ceramics appeared, and the poses of people depicted on vessels and bas-reliefs were borrowed from Egypt. A so-called archaic smile appears in sculptures that become more and more natural.

In the classical era there was a “lightening” of architecture. The Doric style gives way to Ionic and Corinthian. Marble is being used instead of limestone, and buildings and sculptures are becoming more airy. This civilizational phenomenon ends with Hellenism, the heyday of the empire of Alexander the Great.

Today, many institutions study the culture of Ancient Greece - briefly for children, more fully for teenagers and in depth for researchers. But even with all our desire, we do not fully cover the material left to us by the representatives of this solar people.

Philosophy

Even the origin of this term is Greek. The Hellenes were distinguished by a strong love of wisdom. It is not for nothing that throughout the ancient world they were considered the most highly educated people.

Today we do not remember any of the scientists of Mesopotamia or Egypt, we know a few Roman researchers, but the names of Greek thinkers are well known to everyone. Democritus and Protagoras, and Pythagoras, Socrates and Plato, Epicurus and Heraclitus - they all contributed huge contribution into global culture, enriched civilization with the results of their experiments so much that we still benefit from their achievements.

The Pythagoreans, for example, absolutized the role of numbers in our world. They believed that with their help they could not only describe everything, but even predict the future. The sophists mainly paid attention to the inner world of man. They defined good as something that is pleasant, and evil as a thing or event that causes suffering.

Democritus and Epicurus developed the doctrine of atomism, that is, that the world consists of tiny elementary particles, the existence of which was proven only after the invention of the microscope.

Socrates turned the attention of thinkers from cosmology to the study of man, and Plato idealized the world of ideas, considering it the only real one.

Thus, we see that the cultural features of Ancient Greece, in short, were reflected through the prism of a philosophical worldview on modern human life.

Theater

Those who have visited Greece will remember for a long time the amazing feeling that a person experiences while in the amphitheater. Its magical acoustics, which even today seem like a miracle, have been captivating hearts for thousands of years. This is a structure in which there are more than a dozen rows, the stage is located in the open air, and the viewer sitting in the farthest place can hear a coin falling on the stage. Isn't this a miracle of engineering?

Thus, we see that the culture of Ancient Greece, briefly described above, formed the foundations of modern art, philosophy, science and social institutions. If it were not for the ancient Hellenes, it is unknown what the modern way of life would be like.

Gave the world philosophy, rhetoric, astronomy and many sciences? These are all the results of the development of Greek culture.

The culture of Ancient Greece is a unique phenomenon that provided general cultural values ​​in literally all areas of spiritual and material activity of mankind. Just three generations of cultural figures of Ancient Greece created the art of high classics, laid the foundations of European civilization and role models for many millennia. Having mastered the cultural experience of Egypt and Babylon, Ancient Greece determined its own way both in the socio-political development of society, and in philosophical searches and artistic and aesthetic understanding of the world.

In Ancient Greece there were “research centers” that were very developed for their time: huge libraries (in Pergamon, Alexandria and other cities) and engineering structures (for example, the famous Alexandria sea lighthouse on the island of Pharos).

Ancient culture was not burdened by Asian tradition, although the ancient Greeks were familiar with the cultural achievements of both Ancient Egypt and the peoples of the East. The anthropological contradiction between spirit and body was resolved by ancient culture in favor of the latter, giving it a “corporal” style. Modern researchers sometimes see the roots of this “corporality” in ancient slavery. In a slave-owning society, neither the full value of man nor man himself could be understood, and therefore man and his spiritual life were conceptualized according to the type of physical bodies or things. This is how the entire ancient worldview is constructed: science, religion, philosophy and art.

Ancient humanism glorifies only the cult of the body - the physical perfection of man, but the subjectivity of the individual, his spiritual capabilities have not yet been revealed. The standard of harmony was the physical development of a person. Even the Greek gods are, first of all, eternal perfect bodies. From this follows the proportionality of the proportions of Greek architecture and the flourishing of sculpture. An indicative expression of the physicality of ancient humanism was the exceptional position of physical culture in the system of public education.

Olive oil is a symbol of Ancient Greece, a bargaining chip and a source of pride, a gift from Athena. It was used for food, used to illuminate rooms, washed and rubbed the body as a means of moisturizing the skin in dry climates. A reverent attitude towards olives and olive oil has been preserved in Greece to this day.

However, in ancient society the biosocial nature of man was recognized, enshrined in Aristotle’s formula: “Man is a social animal.” The body was conceptualized as an aesthetic symbol of the Greek city-state, the “polis.” The ancient Greeks tried to cultivate in themselves, through the body and thanks to it, correspondingly harmonious spiritual qualities, seeing in it the presence of feeling and mind in their mutual unity and contradiction, but the weak development of individuality did not allow Greek culture to reflect the heights of manifestation of human emotionality and spirit.

Exalting the body, in general, ancient art and culture, as in the East, resolved the contradiction between the personal and the public in favor of the latter. Personality was considered useful to society only thanks to their civic virtues. The contradictions between object and subject as aspects of the human personality can be called the main nerve of ancient culture. If in relationships with society the individual found some way out, then in relation to fate both the individual and society were only objects, blind instruments of Fate.

The famous “Greek profile” (a nose that smoothly turns into a high forehead without indicating the bridge of the nose) almost never occurs in real life and is considered an artistic convention invented by ancient Greek masters.

The idea of ​​the inexorability of Fate is closely connected with ancient slavery, for in the ancient world free people thought of themselves as slaves of the general world order. Single breakthroughs of the human spirit in ancient culture did not become the paradigm of the ancient worldview and did not express its essence. The culture of Greece is an ancient culture, but like any other culture, it has undergone changes in its time. As society developed and what problems stood in its way, it was necessary to rework and rethink the images and plots of myths and give them new content. For example, during the heyday of the Greek city-states, the Greeks’ ideas about the gods were already very different from those fabulous, semi-naive ideas that were in the time of Homer.

Thus, the image of the capricious and abusing power of Zeus turned into a wise, reasonable ruler of the world. The most obvious changes in Greek spiritual culture manifest themselves during the development of the Dionysian and Apollonian cults. For example, the god Dionysus symbolized for the Greeks the self-awareness of a person living in a mysterious, but full of dangers, world of wild nature. The Greeks had not yet analyzed nature, so the world, in principle incomprehensible to man, was subject to the gods, and the law in it was the arbitrariness of the gods, symbolizing the inexplicable forces of nature.

One of the most popular games in Ancient Greece was “kottab”: participants in feasts splashed out the remaining wine from their cups, trying to hit the target.

However, this world caused not only fear among the Greeks, they tried to feel the happiness of belonging to the mystical world and dissolve in chaos. In addition to the fact that Dionysus was an illegitimate god, which is why he had to fight for the right to become one of the Olympian gods and for the widespread establishment of his cult, he was infringed on his rights, like a person, and had to defend them. Not the last detail for the prosperity of the cult of Dionysus was the fact that the instrument of this god was intoxication, which knows no barriers, which awakens the soul and reveals to it that side of life where there are no obstacles and subordination.

It was precisely this kind of transcendence beyond their own limitations and awe of the magical world that the Greeks sought during holidays dedicated to the god Dionysus. At these festivals, the Greeks immersed themselves in the nature of the Dionysian world. They wanted orgies, ecstasy, madness that would take the soul to the palace of All-consuming Love, apparently perceiving it as the deep essence of the universe. A country with a highly developed ancient culture, which played a huge role in the formation and development of world culture, is ancient Greece, where the emergence of a slave society, and at the same time philosophy, dates back to the 7th-6th centuries. BC e. and is associated with the collapse of the primitive patriarchal-tribal way of life, which corresponded to mythological thinking.

The word laureate, which refers to the winner of a competition, means “crowned with laurels.” Laurel wreath among the Hellenes it was a reward for the winner of the Pythian Games; it was crowned with “Apollo’s favorites” - poets. The laurel was also credited with a prophetic gift: priests ate it to find out the future.

Mythology is a form of social consciousness, a way of understanding natural and social reality in the early stages of social development. The most characteristic feature of the religious ideas of the ancient Greeks before the slave society (VII-VI centuries BC) is the reflection of tribal ties in the form of myth, totemism and ancestor cult. The mythological image of human thinking was objectively a reflection of real tribal socio-economic practice. The monuments of ancient Greek mythology are considered to be Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Hesiod's works Theogony and Works and Days, which reflected the way of thinking of a person in a tribal society.

The mythological culture of Ancient Greece is based on material-sensual or animate-intelligent cosmologism. Cosmos is understood here as an absolute, a deity, but the ancient gods are nothing more than those ideas that are embodied in Cosmos, that is, the laws of nature that govern it. The cosmos appears as an absolute (there is nothing that created it) and as a work of art. The Greeks' idea of ​​the world comes down to the idea of ​​it as theater stage, where people are actors, and everything together (the world and people) is a product of the Cosmos.