Amazon women, such as the sculpture of the wounded Amazon (see Plate 10). This
sculpture is like many of its era in which the Amazon women are subjects of the piece but
are always wounded and dying. The Amazon, usually fighting on the battlefield with
men during the Archaic period, depicted on the Athenian Calyx-krater (refer to Plate 5),
are usually portrayed in the Classical period as dying and alone.
Independence is the biggest key to power, without it, one is easily controlled.
This was the case for women that lived in the Classical period of Greece. The women
from this era were not taught self-reliance. This theme of dependence on others is
illustrated in the sculpture of Aphrodite being assisted from the sea by two nymphs,
which can be found on the “Ludovisi throne” (See Plate 11). In this piece, Aphrodite has
been sculpted to look helpless and weak. This, along with other pieces of art from the
Classical period, gives an example of how women in Greece were thought of.
In ancient Greece, women possessed more of a dominance and strength than the
women of the Classical period, which is illustrated throughout the artwork. Amazon
women (refer to Plate 5), who were depicted as being able to fight with men, were greatly
symbolic of women’s power in ancient Greece. In a painting from the House of
Dioscurides (see Plate 12), Perseus slays the dragon to free Andromeda, which reveals the
woman’s dependency on a man. When comparing artwork of the Classical and Archaic
period, one can see the transition that these Grecian women went through.
The struggle that some women have had to face for common rights that are
enjoyed by women today is incredible. Many owe thanks, to those that have fought for
civil rights so that equality can be enjoyed by everyone. Unfortunately, there are still
many countries who suffer from a lack of true freedom. The transition that Greece went
through in their attitude towards women is much different than any other cultures, in
which women usually gain rights and respect not lose them. The woman portrayed in
Archaic art, mythology and philosophy is one of power and grace, while the woman portrayed in Classica Baxevanis, John J., “Greece”. World Book Online. http://www.worldbookonline.com/na/ar/fs/ar234780.htm., Dec 6, 1999.
Bibliography
Culturgram ‘92, Greece. Brigham Young University, 1992.
DuBois, Jill. Greece. New York City: Marshall Cavendish, 1995, pp.37-44.
Halsey, William D., “Crete”. Merit Students Encyclopedia. Vol. 5.
Halsey, William D., “Greece”. Merit Students Encyclopedia. Vol. 8.l art, law and philosophy is one of subservience and weakness.