Interpreting the Images of Greek Myths: An IntroductionFrom the age of Homer until late antiquity the culture of ancient Greece and Rome was permeated by images of Greek myths. Gods and heroes were represented as statues, on vase and wall paintings, on temples, on sarcophagi as well as on other media. This book offers, for the first time, a concise introduction into the interpretation of images of Greek myths. Its main aim is to make the pictorial versions of the myths comprehensible on their own terms. Ancient artists were well aware of the potential - but also the limitations - of these 'silent' images and of the strategies that made them 'speak' to the audience/viewer. The book combines detailed explanation of theoretical and methodological issues with exhaustive discussion of case studies. It will be useful and stimulating for all undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in classical mythology and ancient art. |
Contents
Achilles and Patroclus in the Trojan War An introductory case study | 1 |
Definitions myth and mythological image | 19 |
The production of myths and of mythological images stages in the historical development | 64 |
Types of monument and fields of function | 96 |
Methods | 120 |
Content and intention | 159 |
| 197 | |
| 222 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Achilles and Patroclus action Ajax already amphora ancient Antikensammlung antiquity archaeological Archaic aspects Athena Athena-Marsyas group Athenian Attic red-figure aulos Barberini Faun battle Cambridge centaurs chapter character Classical contemporary context culture death decoration depictions developed Dionysus discussed divine element epic episodes example Exekias fifth century figures frieze goddess gods Greece Greek Mythology Greek myths Greek vases Heracles heroes Hesiod Homer human hydria Iliad imagery images of Greek images of myth individual intellectual interpretation krater Lapiths legend legendary literary Marsyas meaning Medea metopes monument motif Munich Myron’s mythical narrative Odysseus Oedipus Olympia one’s painter pediment Photo pictorial picture play Poseidon Priam question red-figure religious representation represents role Roman sarcophagi Rome sarcophagi Sarpedon satyr scene sculptural group Sosias cup specific sphere status story takes theme Theseus tradition Trojan Trojan War Troy vase painting vessel viewer warrior west pediment