BEN 1004: LANDMARKS OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Diploma In Design Foundation 2011/12 Izaak Mifsud 394(M)

PREHISTORIC ART
The earliest forms of prehistoric art are extremely primitive. The early sculptures known as the Venuses of Tan-Tan is a crude representation of humanoid shapes that some experts doubt whether they are works of art at all. It is not until the Upper Paleolithic (40,000 BCE onwards) that modern man produced carvings and pictures. The Aurignacian culture witnesses an explosion of rock art, including the cave murals at Chauvet, the Venus of Hohle Fels, the animal carvings, the Venus of Kostenky, Aboriginal Rock Art and much more. The later cultures gave birth to even more sophisticated versions of prehistoric art, which we can refer to the sensational cave paintings at Lascaux.

NEOLITHIC PERIOD
The Neolithic period is marked by such innovations as the rise of urban civilization or the introduction of metal tools or writing. The earliest known development of Neolithic culture was in SW Asia between 8000 B.C. and 6000 B.C. There the domestication of plants and animals was probably begun leading to the establishment of settled villages based on the cultivation of cereals, including wheat, barley, and millet, and the raising of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Excavations of farming villages indicate a once peaceful and prosperous life. In later times though, scientists have found these villages evolved into forts surrounded by protective moats. The use of stone weapons is especially noted in these later periods and also the competition of more fertile lands which le to fast growing populations which might have also evolved itself into more chances of violence.

EGYPTIAN CULTURE
The Ancient Egyptian civilization was one of the longest in the west, beginning in approximately 3000 B.C.. Despite of the rapid growth and development, they were still able to preserve the past and undergo relatively little change through the centuries. Ancient Egypt is the point where history of western art begins. Pyramids and Sphinxes are not only symbols of Egypt anymore, but also the expression of artistic genius as a whole The profession in Ancient Egypt was a major factor defining social classes on a pyramid scale. Also known as the Social Pyramid , since the population of Egypt at that time was all based on soldiers, farmers, and builders they were in the bottom row.

 The ancient Egyptian peoples prospered under what was one of the longest spanning civilizations in recorded history with a historical record of their achievements dating from approximately 3000 B.C. through nearly 300 B.C. The ancient Greek culture that eventually conquered Egypt through the efforts of Alexander the Great and which was in its own right a highly developed culture, continuously referenced Egypt in its literary and historical texts and has provided modern historians with a foundation on which to base further studies. Egypt's Old Kingdom (26492150 B.C.) One of the most dynamic periods in the development of Egyptian art. Artists learned to express their culture's worldview during this period by creating their first images and forms that evolved during this period. Many Architects mastered new techniques which were necessary to build monumental structures in stone. Whereas Sculptors created the earliest portraits of individuals and most of the lifesize statues mostly made in copper, and stone. They perfected the art of carving intricate relief decoration and, through keen observation of the natural world, produced detailed images of animals, plants, and even landscapes, recording the essential elements of their world for eternity in scenes painted and carved on the walls of temples and tombs

Menes was the first human monarch to reign over all Egypt and was also the founder of Memphis. Egypt was referred as the gate of Africa due to its ancient wealth and power were enormous and It has always held an important position in world-politics. Its population at this period was more than eight millions. Before Menes Egypt was divided into independent kingdoms but It has always been a country of mysteries and never understood by the ancients, the mysteries trackless desert and pyramids. In the sciences and in the industrial arts the ancient Egyptians were highly professional in their work, whereas the Egyptian literature has come down to us, but it is unsystematic and entirely devoid of style, being without lofty ideas or charms. We can compare this Country with the Greek style and age when it comes to art.

ANCIENT GREECE
Greek Society was mainly broken up between Free people and Slaves, who were owned by the free people. Slaves were used as servants and labourers, without any legal rights. Sometimes the slaves were prisoners of war or bought from foreign slave traders. Although many slaves lived closely with their owners, few were skilled craftsmen and even fewer were paid. The Archaic period was a growing elevation of individualism and uniqueness. Poetry and sculpture show an approach during these periods and seeking for attention and a personal feeling within art. Sculpture was a powerful form of art with the Greeks and was a sense of artistic expression, especially nude walking youths. Archaic art was a silent witness compared to the one produced during the Hellenistic period, where the human figure was more expressed, we have several belongings showing the mighty and muscly sculptures. The political side was less important, and the new prime subject was the way of a better living. The change in gender issues, and male attitude towards women.

The classical Greek was somehow a freedom of expression and celebration of mankind. The focus on ethics was a key feature during this period, and also the art focused more on the emotions and feelings of the human figure. This helped the artist express his feelings in the form of art.
The Western influence in the Greek philosophy was incorporated in the Roman Empire. It dealt with a wide variety of subjects, including political, aesthetics, ethics and metaphysics. Socrates and Plato were two famous philosophers, where Plato had a great interest in politics, Socrates' death was a philosophical reflection and writing for Him.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Alexander III the Great, born in 356 BC, was also the King of Macedonia and a conqueror of the Persian Empire considered as one of the greatest military geniuses. He was an inspiration to Caesar, and Napoleon. He spent his childhood watching his father transforming Macedonia into a great military power, an unbeaten state on the battlefields. Aristotle was Alexanders personal tutor in which he helped him in rhetoric and literature and even stimulating his interest in science, medicine, and philosophy. Alexanders father, Philip the King of Macedonia, inherited the power to rule of Macedonia , which shows that at a young age Alexander was recognized as mighty. Alexander assembled an army, led it against the rebels, He defeated the Maedi, and as soon as became a colony under Alexanders will, He renamed it after himself Alhe exandropolis.

MYCENAEAN CULTURE
The Mycenaean period, the Greek mainland enjoyed an era of prosperity centered in such strongholds as Mycenae, Tiryns, Thebes, and Athens. Local workshops produced objects made from pottery and bronze, as luxurious objects such as, jewelry and vases in precious metals. Minoan Crete had an important role in the development of Mycenaean culture, mostly in the arts. Mycenaean goods were commercially famous and seen as a good mostly from Spain and the Levant, which they would trade with oil and wine. They were also fierce warriors, architects and engineer who designed and built remarkable bridges and fortification walls. In the Mycenaean palace, Linear B, which was the first type of Greek language, tablets was written the form organized of their feudal system. Late 13 th Century B.C., Greece witnessed a wave of destruction and the decline of the Mycenaean sites, and the withdrawal to more remote refuge settlements.

PERCILES
Pericles, born in 495 B.C., his father Xanthippus was a military commander for Athens at the battle of Mycale. He started his political career in the law courts, in which he got rid of his political opposition and his political rival, Ephialtes. He then was also in charge of the military during the Peloponnesian Wars, he helped mostly the people of Athens which maybe this leaded him to gain the majority support. He gave allowance to the poor to attend theatrical performances for free, this was one of his law statements in which He ordered. The money that were saved for The Peloponnesian War were funded to rebui;d the Acropolis and the Parthenon instead the rebuilding of Athens. This offered also a lot of job opportunities to the Athenians, and for this Pericles became an influential statesman for Athens until his death in 429 B.C.