2.3 Greece & Rome

Greek ideals

Greek art pursued idealized beauty and balance. The Doryphoros (Polykleitos) embodies contrapposto (weight shift) and mathematical proportion. The Parthenon (Athens) is a Doric temple of perfect proportions.

Orders

Greek architecture uses three column orders: Doric (plain), Ionic (scroll/volute), and Corinthian (leafy). These define classical style for millennia.

Roman engineering

Rome mastered the arch, vault, and concrete. The Colosseum (amphitheater) and the Pantheon (a vast concrete dome with an oculus) show Roman engineering and the fusion of Greek forms with new technology.

Key terms

Contrapposto

relaxed weight-shift stance (Doryphoros)

Parthenon

Doric temple of ideal proportions, Athens

Greek orders

Doric, Ionic, Corinthian

Pantheon

Roman concrete dome with an oculus

Colosseum

Roman amphitheater; arches and vaults

Try an AP-style question

Contrapposto means a figure…

1. is shown only in profile
2. rests weight on one leg, shifting the body
3. is seated on a throne
4. stands rigidly with both feet even