Hellenistic Architecture in Pergamon, Greece

HOW DO BUILDINGS AND ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAMS EXPRESS THE VALUES (values

can be cultural, social or religious) AND POLITICAL AGENDAS OF THEIR PATRONS?

• THE PERGAMON ACROPOLIS

• Acropolis of a large and wealthy city with a diverse, non-Greek population

• Included palaces, temples, gymnasiums and markets

• City became known as a 2nd Athens• At the very top was the palace of the

Pergamon king• Monarchy towers above all else• Pomp and display of the Hellenistic

city was a departure from austere Athenian acropolis

• Monuments erected to honor the kings and glorify not the city but individuals

What are the facts? (F)

Artist: EpigonosPatron: King Attalus IDate: 200 BCEPeriod/Style: Hellenistic GreeceSize: 3’ ½”Location / findspot: Pergamon Acropolis

SUBJECT MATTERWar with the Gauls

MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES

Original BronzeMarble Copy exists

DYING GAUL

CA: WHY WAS IT CREATED

1. PHYSICAL LOCATIONPergamon Acropolis: Courtyard below royal palace

2. PATRONKing Attalus

4. HISTORICAL EVENTSVictory over the nomadic Gauls – a constant threat to Greece.

5. Big Ideas: Drama, Individualism, Focus on the human experience and pain of the individual

FUNCTION: Victory caused the King to beautify the city. Statues are a commemoration. The Gaul’s strength in death makes the victory over them more impressive

How is the subject matter visually represented?How is the meaning/function visually conveyed (FA)

- The Gaul’s strength in death makes the victory over them more impressive

- Mortally wounded, struggling against death

- Eyes fixed on the ground, looking at his sword and trumpet (used to sound call for relief)

- Support himself weakly with one arm- Gaping wound on one side- Anguished expression on his face- Rough musculature of body marks his

barbarism- Detail is individualistic and realistic- While the citizens would rejoice at his

defeat they were meant to also sympathize with him and thus get involved in the drama

Altar of ZeusWhat are the facts? (F)

Artist: NAPatron: King Eumenes IIDate: 200 BCEPeriod/Style: Hellenistic GreeceSize: 3’ ½”Location / findspot: Pergamon Acropolis

SUBJECT MATTERAltar of worship for Zeus, commemorating the Hellenistic struggle against the barbarians.

MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES

Marble (only copy exists)

CA: WHY WAS IT CREATED

1. PHYSICAL LOCATIONPergamon Acropolis

2. PATRONKing Eumenes II

4. HISTORICAL EVENTS: DEPICTED IN THE FRIEZE: Allegory for the war between Pergamens and the Gauls Continuing the tradition of celebrating Greeks’s struggles against, and victories over barbarians. Pergamons are the Gods, Gauls are the Giants

5. Big Ideas: Drama and the appeal to the emotions

FUNCTION: Commemoration of triumph and Glory of the Hellenistic Monarchy

How is the subject matter visually represented?How is the meaning/function visually conveyed (FA)

- Temple Style:- Traditional Greek temple turned upside

down- Rested on a podium or platform- On either side of the step was a frieze 7

feet high 450 feet long- At eye level with the viewer – sculptural

adornment is more important than the architecture = interest in drama

- Frieze is framed by a molding below and a dentil range above

- Ionic colonnade on the building façade has not structural purpose

- Wider space between columns allowed viewer to look into interior courtyard where the alter to Zeus was housed

How is the subject matter visually represented?How is the meaning/function visually conveyed (FA)- Frieze: Olympians vs. Giants- Included inscription – could read an vies

the frieze- Struggles between forces of light and

dark- Bold high relief and great detail in texture

and appearance of swords and and buckles

- Figures stand out so far they are nearly in the round and come at the viewer – they are superhuman

- Makes full use of the light and shadow created by the sculptures = Heightened tumultuous Drama

- Swirling struggle of bodies is continuous along the whole narrative

- Motion creates unity- Separate scenes are linked together by

coiling snakes – they lead the eye- Poseidon and Athena copied from the

Parthenon pediments

ATHENA ATTACKING THE GIANTS ABOVE

ZEUS HURLING THUNDERBOLTS ABOVE