Classical Greece and the Birth of Western Art

Addresses the 'Classical Revolution' in Greek art, its contexts, aims, achievements, and impact.

Andrew Stewart (Author)

9780521853217, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 October 2008

376 pages
26 x 18.6 x 2.4 cm, 0.97 kg

"Stewart's volume is intended for a broad audience, but it is not a general handbook. This is a discussion of Greek history, the cultural and political elements that made up Greek society in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., and their influences on the visual arts and literature. Since most books on ancient art provide a rather paltry amount of historical and cultural context, and books on ancient history usually give little room to the arts, this book will be a useful supplementary text to complement readings on specific topics in ancient Greek civilization, archaeology, and the history of art." --Pamela A. Webb, Bryn Mawr College, BMCR

What was the 'Classical Revolution' in Greek art? What were its contexts, aims, achievements, and impact? This book introduces students to these questions and guides them towards the answers. Andrew Stewart examines Greek architecture, painting, and sculpture of the fifth and fourth centuries BC in relation to the great political, social, cultural, and intellectual issues of the period.

1. Archaic into classical: the Greek revolution
2. The first generation
3. The classical moment
4. Interlude: city, household, and individual in classical Greece
5. The great convulsion
6. The fourth century: an age of the individual?
7. The shadow of Macedon.

Subject Areas: Classical Greek & Roman archaeology [HDDK], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG]