3. Aegean Culture: Mycenaean
Civilization
Greek mainland (1600-1150 B.C.E.)
Mycenaens: warriors and pirates
Treasure found in Mycenae includes the
“Mask of Agamemnon” (fig. 2.12)
After Trojan War, Mycenae fell
4. Early Greek Poetry
Homeric epics: long narrative poems;
heroic deeds; hero who brings pride to
country. Iliad and Odyssey: First
masterpieces of Western literature (7th
century B.C.E.)
Heroes: Achilles and Odysseus
Despite man’s frailties, his life is noble
5. Sappho’s (ca. 610-580 B.C.E.)
Lyric Poetry
Lyric poems: brief, expressing feelings,
often accompanied by a lyre.
Sappho’s poems expressed her love for
her women friends.
Lived her life on the island of Lesbos
6. Art in Early Greece
Geometric Period: ca. 1000-700 B.C.E. –
ceramics characterized by painted geometric
forms. Sculpture small scale in wood, clay,
ivory, and bronze.
Orientalizing Period: ca. 700-600 B.C.E. –
Ceramic designs influenced by trade from
Near East. Sculpture inspired by Egyptian
models.
The Archaic period: ca. 600-480 B.C.E. –
black-figure and red-figure pottery. Sculpture
progresses from the Egyptian models.
