Hellenistic Architecture

Mr. Houston

Tommie Hofstetter 

ART 2713 Art History I (Online)

11-10-2014

Hellenistic Period 

During the Hellenistic Period, architectures focused mainly on drama.

The time frame for the Hellenistic Period of architecture is the time between the death of Alexander the Great and the rise of Roman Domination. 

History 

Hellenistic Art is a form of Greek Art. This is the form of art that was used in the Architecture built during this period. Greek Architects worked extremely hard to attain the level of perfection and craftsmanship that are identifiable characteristics of Greek Art in General.  

Altar of Zeus 

Reconstructed west front of the Altar of Zeus, Pergamon, Turkey, ca. 175 BCE.

The Altar of Zeus is arguably the greatest piece of Hellenistic Greek Sculpture. The roof of the Altar of Zeus contains numerous different types of statues such as horses. The Altar of Zeus is said to have influenced the architecture in the classical period. 

Altar of Zeus, Pergamon, Turkey, ca. 175 BCE. 

Athanadoros, Hagesandros, and Polydorosof Rhodes, Laocoonand his sons, from Rome, Italy, early first century CE. Marble, 7’ 10.5” high.

Lacoon and his sons in the Vatican

The Lacoon group is a sculpture of Lacoon and his sons. It was found on January 14, 1506.  It was inspired by and argument and battle with him and the serpents that were after him. If you look at the image they are wrapped around his legs and arms. 

The Tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus 

T omb of Mausolus 359-325 BC. Marble

The Tomb of Mausolus is described as being the Mausoleum of Mausolus. Mausolus ruled Halicarnassus and decided to build a new empire in order to help him become a better ruler. Mausolus died in 353 BC and left the Tomb of Mausolus to be ruled by Artemisia. The architect in the Tomb of Mausolus later inspired architect during the Classical period. 

Video 

• At the 1:35 mark this video reiterates what I explained about the Altar of Zeus. The Hellenistic Period is explained is this video as real and true. It explains that this is one of the most important parts of the Hellenistic Period. 

This video is all about the Hellenistic Architecture Period. 

Works Cited 

• History of Ancient Greece: Hellenistic. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2014, from http://ancient-greece.org/history/helleninstic.html
• Conrad, M. (2012, January 18). The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Tomb for a King and a Testament. Retrieved November 11, 2014, from http://www.ancient.eu/article/131/
• Lahanas, M. (2001, March 10). The Pergamon Zeus Altar and the Gigantomachy. Retrieved November 11, 2014, from http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Arts/ZeusAltar.html
• Rosenberg, C. (2003, October 7). Hellenistic Art. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from https://www.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/arth/ARTH209/Hellenistic.html
• Kleiner, F. (2007). Gardner's Art Through The Ages: A Global History (13th ed., Vol. 1, pp. 1-555). Thomson Wadsworth.

Ending 

As one can tell from this presentation, the Hellenistic Architecture and Sculpture were both interesting and hard work. The people of this period were very hardworking and had to stay focused in order to accomplish building all of the wonderful sculptures and different architect.The Hellenistic Period is one that is very fascinating and is personally my favorite.