Nudity In Ancient Greece

and opinions about life each and every day. Various gods ruled these different city states.

Allison Glazebrook and Kelly Olson’s chapter, “Greek and Roman Marriage" the authors discuss marriage practices in Ancient Greece and Rome and highlight the importance of wives in a family structure and society. They do so by looking at what was required for a legitimate marriage over the course of these civilizations’ history. In both cultures, Glazebrook and Olson especially look at how women and girls’ bodies were policed and defined. From an early age, girls were taught that their role in life would be remain sexually available to their husbands and produce heirs. From a modern perspective, girls in ancient civilizations married extremely young. However, this chapter address the “scientific” justification society gave to promote this practice

This article is of use to the contextualization of Ancient Greek Art as it presents the sultriness of the times, including the possibly more liberal perspective men and women during those times had about the human body. Through the article, there are images and memories relating to the myths of those times which have been repressed. This article provides a more playful and romantic perspective of Ancient Greek Art, one which very much views the human body as a

Ancient Greece is known to treat their women unfair and unjust. The way their culture of life was set-up, for there women was almost borderline slavery. Ancient Greece provided there men with literature, philosophy, science, art, etc, but the women didn’t have the same privileges as the men did. However, this civilization could not boast of the healthy social and family relations. The disgrace and attitudes towards women and children were very unjust. They oppressed women and gave men absolute control over women and children. First thing first, let us look at a couple of examples from Ancient Greece time to demonstrate what the women had to endure.

Pederasty, or a homosexual relationship between an adult male and an adolescent male, was quite common in ancient Greek myth. For example, Pelops and Poseidon, as well as Zeus and Ganymede, were represented as lovers. But these bonds weren’t just mythological themes, they had real-life parallels at Olympia. Young male competitors participated in a variety of events ranging from racing to wrestling in the nude before a predominately male audience. Women also held roles as athletes and spectators.

Greeks were constantly in search of the "Ideal"(Riffert). Their "Ideal" was "a body capable of enduring all efforts, either of the racecourse or of bodily strength…this is why the athletes in the pentathlon are the most beautiful." (Tufts) This description of the "Ideal" person given by Aristotle reflects the attitude of the majority of ancient Greeks. People were not judged solely on their minds but rather strong emphasis was given to the body. This emphasis given to the body was given to the nude body. It is understandable that we question why nude art was so accepted by the Greeks, as they were the pioneers in this field. The answer lies in the everyday life of the people. It was commonplace for Greek men to exercise, go to war, and generally go about their daily business in the nude or scantly clothed (Boardman 276).

In which is seen when Athene enters the ornate chamber in order to inspire Nausikaa to wash clothes, “In this likeness the gray-eyed Athene spoke to her: Nausikaa, how could your mother have a child so careless? The shining clothes are lying away uncared for, while your marriage is not far off. When you should be in your glory for clothes to wear, and provide too for those who attend you.” (102,103) In this quote Athene points our Nausikaa’s lack of respect to conform to these roles by not washing clothes. This shows that women in Ancient Greece were expected to not slack in their role of household duties but to be on top of

Throughout the ancient world, there were many civilizations that had many things in common, but as well many differences. The ancient civilization of Greece and the ancient civilization of India are not truly connected in a specific or direct way, yet there are many similar aspects within each culture. For example, Greece centered their culture around philosophy and politics. Greece also believed in the upanishads and mysticism. While India focused “more on the specifics of ritual and sacrifice” for priests and gods, and India also had the Caste system (Document 2).

With the help of Anne Carson, we are able to analyze the stereotypes that women portray during ancient Greek which are simple adjectives that one would not think to describe someone. Throughout ancient Greek times, women were seen as wet and ripe. They were born wet and stayed wet for the rest of their lives. This does take a sexual stance but it first helps imply that men are dry. Men do not want to be looked at as wet because to be wet, is to be soft.

In Classical Greece, roles played by males and females in society were well-defined as well as very distinct from each other. Expectations to uphold these societal norms were strong, as a breakdown within the system could destroy the success of the oikos (the household) and the male’s reputation—two of the most important facets of Athenian life. The key to a thriving oikos and an unblemished reputation was a good wife who would efficiently and profitably run the household. It was the male’s role, however, to ensure excellent household management by molding a young woman into a good wife. Women were expected to enter the marriage as a symbolically empty vessel; in other words, a

social views of Greece. While the Athens saw the Spartans as barbaric and animalistic behavior

While the human form has always been acceptable in art, the nude female form continues to stir

Ancient Greek stands in an important position in the art history. Classical and Hellenistic period are the most impressive periods of Greece. There are many values of Greek 's culture become the fundamental principle of today 's civilization especially for the weatern society. Greeks created the concept of democracy and make a huge contributions in the fields of science, literature and art. Moreover, the Greeks also imagined their gods into humans and their humans into gods. The Greek ideal is to become a perfect individual and the representation of attractive human beings. It became the focus of the artists in Greek. Greek ideal is one of the most important cultures of Greece and it has a great influence of Greek religion, philosophy and society. The art work of Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Period have proved that Greek has achieved their lofty goals in many aspects of their civilization.

Ancient Greece is perhaps one of the most extraordinary civilizations in history as it had remarkable advancements that altered the future of the world. During the period of 600 BCE, many new concepts originated from this location, such as Homer’s Ilad and the Odyssey. These acted as resources for Greeks to learn about their gods. A significant amount of culture in conjunction with religion was also generated in this region as well, including pottery and sculptures that were created for different purposes along with the creation of the music theory. In the end, Greece possessed city states that thrived united and individually, which is seen in Sparta with its highly trained Spartans, leading to an increase in military victory.

Ancient Greek stands in an important position in the art history. Ancient Greek art proper emerged during the eigth century BCE. Classical and Hellenistic period are the most impressive eras of Greece. There are many values of Greek 's culture become the fundamental tenets of today 's western civilization. Greeks created the concept of democracy and make a huge contributions in the fields of science, literature and art. Ancient Greece 's art and architecture also have a strong influential to western society. Moreover, the Greeks made their gods into humans and their humans into gods. The perfect individual became the Greek ideal and the portrayal of beautiful humans became the focus of many of the greatest Greek artists. Greek ideal is one of the most important cultures of Greece and it also has a great influence of Greek religion, philosophy and society. The art work of Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Period have shown that Greek has achieved their lofty goals in many aspects of their civilization.