preview

Dying Warriors In The Temple Of Aphaia

Decent Essays
Open Document

A huge proportion of the artworks included in this chapter depict war, victory, and defeat. They convey to the viewer glory and heroism – the glorious victories of the Greek over their enemies, and the heroic martyrdom of Greeks who die in battle, such as the “Dying Warriors” in the Temple of Aphaia. The viewer feels a sense of respect and awe at their achievement and sacrifice, but it is more respect for them as symbols of heroism rather than a empathetic connection to the characters as individuals. And, there seems to be an utter lack of empathy for the enemy – there is no attempt to see any perspective other than the Greek, so the enemies have only one dimension – that of being enemies. Their deaths have no gravity other than being an attribute

Get Access