![]() ![]() The relief vase represents her as a centaur, a popular monstrous figure in early Greek art, while the Eleusis amphora represents the Gorgons with heads that look like cauldrons. As evidenced by the examples illustrated above, the Orientalizing artist did not have a canonical form for the visual form of Medusa. Medusa and her sisters the Gorgons exemplify this fascination. New monsters like the sphinx and griffin become popular. Greek art during the seventh century witnesses a fascination with the monstrous. It was used by the Greek to identify a non-Greek speaker, one who speaks nonsense or "bar bar". ![]() It is in Greek culture that the concept of the "barbarian" was invented. As Greeks came into contact with other cultures, they emphasized the difference between themselves and others. While the Greeks were divided politically into fiercely independent city-states, there was still a strong sense of intense Greek identity through the shared language and culture. With this encounter with non-Greek cultures, the Greeks developed a strong sense of cultural identity. This is a period of dramatic change in Greek art as Greek culture expands out and comes under the influence of non-Greek, especially Near Eastern cultures. The seventh century is known by scholars as the Orientalizing period. She was punished by the goddess Athena for rivalling her beauty and Medusa was transformed into a hideous figure with snakes instead of flowing locks for her hair. Significantly scholars have seen the name Medusa etymologically going back to the Sanscrit name Medha or in Greek Metis or in Egyptian Maat, meaning"sovereign female wisdom." Versions of the story talk about how Medusa was born a beautiful maiden with beautiful flowing hair. You can read the Wikipedia account of this legend or this other page. As exemplified by the examples above, one of the most popular stories told by these artists is the story of the Greek hero Perseus, with the aid of the goddess Athena, beheading the monstrous female figure of Medusa. Artists in a variety of media begin to tell stories in their art. The seventh century witnesses the birth of narrative art in Greek art. Metope of Perseus with the aid of Athena beheading Medusa from the Temple of Selinus, c. Review this site and write in your journal a statement of what you make of this image. Christopher Witcombe has dedicated a valuable web site to a discussion of this image. Consider the significance of these symbols in later Western culture, especially the symbol of the snake. How do we understand this figure with its powerful hypnotic stare? While it is not certain that the feline creature on the head was original, the figure is shown brandishing snakes in her hands. While traditionally called a Snake Goddess, we have no certainty that this is a god or a priestess. ![]() So when an object like this faience object was uncovered, we are left to speculate on its meaning. While the Minoans had writing, it was largely for book keeping and there is no literature that comes from this period. Like other legends there is a kernel of truth with its reference to the wealth of the Cretan king, but it is largely a fabrication of the later period. The legend of King Minos and the Minotaur were very popular in the historical period of Greek history after the eighth century BCE. The culture is named after the legendary King Minos who ruled Crete. It was a palace culture that was focused on the Aegean islands, especially the island of Crete. One of the most intriguing archaeological finds in the remains of the Minoan palace at Knossos was the figure above which has been traditionally identified as the "Snake Goddess." Minoan culture flourished in the middle of the second millenium BCE. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |