978-0205677207 Chapter 17

Unlock access to all the studying documents.

View Full Document

110

Chapter Seventeen: The Ancient World

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

• The Earliest Art

• Mesopotamian Cultures

• Egyptian Civilization

• River Valley Societies of India and China

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

This Chapter Will:

• survey the early developments of Prehistoric, Sumerian, Egyptian, Aegean,

Greek, Roman, and Asian art

• identify visual characteristics of objects and images in the ancient world

KEY TERMS

Homo sapiens megalith civilization mudra

Paleolithic henge contrapposto bodhisattva

Neolithic minotaur pi

MyArtsLab RESOURCES

Closer Look: Reading The Palette of Narmer

Closer Look: The Design and Making of Stonehenge

Closer Look: The Snake Goddess or Priestess from Crete

Primary Source Document: The Code of Hammurabi

Primary Source Document: Plutarch (ca. 46–after 119 CE)

111

Primary Source Document: Buddhacharita

Primary Source Document: Sermon of the Buddha

Interactive Flashcards

LECTURE AND DISCUSSION TOPICS

1. The Art of History

Introduce Part V of the textbook by defining art history and the methods used by art

historians. Discuss traditional methods such as formal style analysis as well as other

multi-disciplinary methods of interpretation such as sociological, psychological, feminist,

semiotic, and deconstructionist approaches. Stress that art history is connected to and

objects are found. For example, the discovery of the Valley of the Golden Mummies in

1996 revealed tombs containing thousands of mummies, expanding our knowledge of

ancient Egypt.

2. The Earliest Art

When discussing Paleolithic images of large hunted animals found in cave paintings at

Chauvet (554)and Lascaux (), explain the psychologically based theory connected with

the function of these images. The theory proposes that Paleolithic peoples believed that

they had the ability to take control of the spirit of an animal if they physically drew an

image of that animal. Prehistoric peoples may have believed this domination would

3. The Stone Ages

Distinguish between Paleolithic and Neolithic—Old Stone Age and New Stone Age—by

pointing out how the difference in lifestyle (Paleolithic peoples were hunters/gatherers

and Neolithic peoples were farmers/herdsmen) is reflected in subject matter, media, and

4. From Prehistory to Civilization

Differentiate between Prehistory (Paleolithic and Neolithic) and the characteristics of a

civilization. Illustrate the differences with a discussion of the complex societal structure

112

5. Ancient Figures

Compare the figurative sculptures of all ancient civilizations presented in this chapter.

How did sculpture reflect the respective societies? What are the style characteristics of

each one?

6. Egyptian Civilization

Discuss the rigorous aesthetic, political, and religious organization of ancient Egyptian

culture. Elaborate on the relationship between the Pharaohs and the pantheon of

Compare the civilization of ancient Egypt to those in the Aegean region with a discussion

of the Toreador Fresco from Crete (fig. 568) and the Warrior Vase (fig. 569).

7. River Valley Societies of India and China

Civilization developed at roughly the same time in many parts of the world. In India, the

Harappans, lived in large cities and developed remarkable new technologies, art and

architecture. This civilization eventually declined but left behind religious and artistic

8. Complex Societies in the Americas

The earliest history of people in the Mesoamerica is still unclear, but there is evidence

that a people called the Olmec settled in the lowlands of southern Mexico around 1500

BCE. They build large ceremonial districts and created (sometimes monumental) art.

9. Art and the Olympics

Illustrate the progression of Classical Greek sculpture from Apoxyomenos (The Scraper)

(fig. 572) to Nike of Samothrace (fig. 573) and provide a base of understanding with a

brief history of the Olympics. The first Olympic games were held in 776 B.C.E. as part

of a religious festival in ancient Greece. They continued every 4 years for a millennium.

113

10. Greek and Roman Art

Compare and contrast Greek and Roman art and the achievements of each culture. Stress

the significance of engineering, development of the arch and dome, and monuments of

11. Asian Art

12. Religion and Art

In a discussion of The Great Stupa in Sanchi, India (fig. 584), consider how religion

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

1. Prehistoric Letter

2. Mesopotamian Civilizations

In an essay, have students discuss the early civilizations in the Mesopotamian region.

3. Archeological Discoveries

Assign students to write a magazine article that reports on their recent discovery of a

major work of art from ancient Greek or Roman or Asian civilizations. Their article

4. Indus River Civilizations

Have students research the latest theories on early Indus River Valley civilizations,

particularly with regards to the “Aryan invasion” theory. This could initiate a classroom

HANDS-ON PROJECTS

For additional project ideas, remember to investigate the Hands-On Projects found on

MyArtsLab.

114

1. Good Luck Charm

Have students research the Venus of Willendorf (fig. 555) and create their own amulet.

2. A Royal Palette (see the Closer Look in MyArtsLab)

Using the Egyptian canon of ideal proportions evident on the Palette of King Narmer

3. My Hero

Since the time of ancient Greece, artists have been inspired to create portraits of heroes

and heroines. Statues and monuments in city parks and plazas remind us of those who

Other Suggested Websites:

The Lascaux Homepage provides a complete view of the Lascaux Cave and the Hall of

the Bulls at www.culture.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/

The Institute of Egyptian Art and Archeology site exhibits the gallery of fake ancient

Egyptian objects at www.memst.edu/egypt/main.html