Ancient Greece: 12 essential works of art

a Smarthistory short course

c. 900 - 146 B.C.E.

Ancient Greek art, with its love of the human body, is perhaps the most influential art ever made.

Greek architectural orders

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Identify the classical orders—the architectural styles developed by the Greeks and Romans used to this day.

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Exekias, amphora with Ajax and Achilles playing a game

Exekias, Attic black figure amphora with Ajax and Achilles playing a game

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Achilles and Ajax, heroes of the Trojan War, break from battle to play a friendly game that hints at a tragic future.

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Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

The god Apollo spoke through his priestess at Delphi, and Greek cities competed for his favor with offerings.

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Peplos Kore

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

What’s in a name? Discover whether this ancient Greek offering is an idealized young woman or a goddess.

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Polykleitos, Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer)

Polykleitos, <em>Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer)</em>

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

For the ancient Greeks, the human body was perfect. Explore this example of the mathematical source of ideal beauty.

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Artemision Zeus or Poseidon

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

This bronze god sank to the bottom of the sea where he sat for millennia, but who is he and what can he tell us?

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The Parthenon, Athens

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Athena's great temple has inspired for 2,500 years, and only became a ruin fairly recently.

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Phidias, Parthenon sculpture

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Discover stunning depictions of gods, heroes, and mythical beasts in the most influential sculptures in history.

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Who owns the Parthenon sculptures?

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Ancient Greeks made them, Ottomans captured them, Venetians blew them up, and the British took them away.

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Capitoline Venus

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, emerges from her bath, but what did her nudity mean to the Greeks?

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Dying Gaul and Ludovisi Gaul

<em>Dying Gaul</em> and <em>Ludovisi Gaul</em>

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Pain is visible on the face of this dying warrior. Did the ancient Greeks sympathize with their defeated enemies?

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Apollonius, Boxer at Rest (or The Seated Boxer)

Apollonius, <em>Boxer at Rest</em> (or <em>The Seated Boxer</em>)

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Look closely to see bloody wounds and a lifetime of scars on this defeated athlete.

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at the VMFA — a conversation with Smarthistory's founders