The Golden Age (400 B.C.)
David Thorburn

ARCHITECTURE

• Athenians built many structures including temples, gymnasiums, and theaters.
• One of Athens' most famous temples, the Parthenon, is considered as Greek's finest example of architecture.
• The Parthenon was also built in honor of Greek god Athena.
• The Parthenon currently houses a statue of Athena made of ivory and gold.

PAINTING

• Unfortunately, most original artwork had been lost or badly damaged.
• The best preserved Greek paintings are found on vases.
• Greek vase painters illustrated scenes from everyday life as well as mythological events.
• Some vase painters used light and shade on the pottery to show contour and depth.
• It is believed that the Greeks adopted their form of painting from Egypt.

SCULPTING

• Like Greek paintings, Greek sculptures show Egyptian influences.
• Many figures were shown in stiff, unnatural poses.
• Many sculptors used mathematical proportions to make their works realistic
• Phidias, a Greek sculptor, created a statue of Greek god Zeus.
• Praxiteles sculpted figures that were more lifelike and natural in form and size.

PHILOSOPHY

• Philosophy is the study of basic equations of reality and human existence.
• Greeks used philosophy to better understand themselves and the world.
• Philosophers believed that nature is based upon natural laws, or truths.
• According to tradition, the first Greek philosopher was Thales of Miletus
• Other Greek philosophers included Parmenidus and Democritus.

MEDICINE

• Hippocrates is considered to be the founder of medical science.
• He taught that disease comes from natural causes, not as punishment.
• He also believed that rest, fresh air, and proper diet were the best cures.
• Today medical doctors still take the Hippocratic oath.

THEATER

• Many of today's literature styles were developed by the Greeks.
• The Greeks were the first people to write dramas.
• Greek dramas featured little scenery.
• They also wrote tragedies which the main character struggled against something.
• Greeks also wrote comedies which made fun of people and ideas.