Greek Architecture: The Significance Of The Architecture And Sculptural Program Of The Acropolis

The significance of the architecture and sculptural program of the Acropolis was that it not only greatly influenced the entire west but also influenced the future of art and architecture. The Acropolis was an example of the extraordinary sculptural and architectural achievements used by the Greek. At the center of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, which was a temple for Athena, became one of the most important Greek structures in history due to its Ionic columns and beautiful statues. This structure showcased the Greeks’ use of naturalism which would influence the future of art. It was thought that the Greeks were the first to recognize the human as an individual and that belief surfaced in their art and architecture. The Acropolis sculptural and architecture program was important in affecting history because of the use of naturalism, the classical style of the sculptors Phidias and Polyclitus, and the Classical Order.

The sculptural program was noteworthy because it introduced the use of many different styles in sculpting. As the Acropolis became well-known, more and more people came to see it and many artists were influenced by the methods used. They brought many of these methods back to their own regions and used them there. The use of naturalism had a great effect on the figures inside the Acropolis. Later, naturalism was then used in the Roman empire and many others regions in the west. An example of another region using naturalism is when sculptor Lysippus created Alexander the Great’s portraits. This proved the sculptural program significant because the naturalism style was soon used by many sculptors who were influenced by Lysippus and the technique continues to be used today.Another significance of the sculptural program of the Acropolis was the use of the classical style of sculptors Phidias and Polyclitus. Even after the fall of Athens, Greek artists continued to develop the classical style. This technique was a growing trend that sculpts people in a dreamy and contemplated mood which helped replace the distant feel of the nobility.

The significance of the architecture and sculptural program of the Acropolis was that it not only greatly influenced the entire west but also influenced the future of art and architecture. The Acropolis was an example of the extraordinary sculptural and architectural achievements used by the Greek. At the center of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, which was a temple for Athena, became one of the most important Greek structures in history due to its Ionic columns and beautiful statues. This structure showcased the Greeks’ use of naturalism which would influence the future of art. It was thought that the Greeks were the first to recognize the human as an individual and that belief surfaced in their art and architecture. The Acropolis sculptural and architecture program was important in affecting history because of the use of naturalism, the classical style of the sculptors Phidias and Polyclitus, and the Classical Order.

The sculptural program was noteworthy because it introduced the use of many different styles in sculpting. As the Acropolis became well-known, more and more people came to see it and many artists were influenced by the methods used. They brought many of these methods back to their own regions and used them there. The use of naturalism had a great effect on the figures inside the Acropolis. Later, naturalism was then used in the Roman empire and many others regions in the west. An example of another region using naturalism is when sculptor Lysippus created Alexander the Great’s portraits. This proved the sculptural program significant because the naturalism style was soon used by many sculptors who were influenced by Lysippus and the technique continues to be used today.

Another significance of the sculptural program of the Acropolis was the use of the classical style of sculptors Phidias and Polyclitus. Even after the fall of Athens, Greek artists continued to develop the classical style. This technique was a growing trend that sculpts people in a dreamy and contemplated mood which helped replace the distant feel of the nobility. This style was used by many artists which greatly affected other cultures such as Rome. For instance, Alexander the Great had hired an artist called Lysippus who drew all of his portraits which became famous and known for Alexander’s disheveled long hair, intense and melting gaze, and a mouth slightly open, with his head alertly turn on a slightly tilted neck. These portraits dramatized Alexander so that not only did he represent him in the most naturalistic way, but also so the people would like him better. In addition, he animated Alexander’s features using a similar method to the classical style and typically showed Alexander in the midst of an action. This was important because not only was it an act of propaganda, but it also affects how we advertise today.

Finally, the architectural program of the Acropolis was significant because it introduced the world to what was called the Classical Order. The Greek used three design styles called the Classical Order which consisted of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Doric technique, probably the simplest of the three, resembled a sturdy, simple style which was typically the base of the column. The Doric style is defined by simple, circular capitals at the top of columns. Next, the Ionic style is more light and feminine. The use of columns, which are foremost and weight-bearing, allowing the Greek to build larger temples. These columns were made up of several parts consisting of the base, the shaft, the capital, and the volute. The most defining feature of the Ionic column is the volute which sits on top of the column and includes a decorative spiral, scroll-type capital. The Corinthian is a more refined variation of Ionic and frequently designed with acanthus leaves. Some examples, are the Doric column at the Temple of Hera the first, the Temple of Athena Nike which is Ionic, and Temple of Apollo Epicurious which had Corinthian columns.

The Classical Order of Greek architecture was momentous to that time period because of the assimilation of the order into the Roman culture, which continued into modern day art. For example, Eumenes II built the Alter of Zeus using the Greek Ionic colonnade. Therefore, evidence of the classical order on famous buildings like the United States Capitol building shows the significance of the Greeks architectural program on history.

In conclusion, the Acropolis was significant because of its influences on the west and the future. The use of naturalism in sculptures brought to life the characters, which had been carried over into other cultures who assimilated these ideas. In the modern day, people still use naturalism more than ever to elaborate their art and make it more real. The Greek classical style which gave sculptors a dreamy and contemplative mood greatly affected much of Rome. An example of this can be seen in the portraits drawn by Lysippus of Alexander the Great. These techniques also made it to modern art as people now use an even more advanced style of this technique. Finally, the Acropolis greatly influenced others with the Greek use of the Classical Order. This is extremely significant because not only were these used in other areas, but its influence continues to permeate art and architecture today.