ARTAND ARCHITECTURE IN ASIA MINOR

VACATION READING LIST

Description:

This module will look at the art and architecture of the major Greek cities in Asia Minor - including Ephesus, Pergamum, Aphrodisias and Halicarnassus - from the sixth century B.C. through to the fourth century A.D. A major theme throughout the course will be the relationships between the Greek cities of Asia Minor and neighbouring powers – Lydia, Lycia and Persia – as well as their interaction with foreign powers such as the Hellenistic monarchs and Rome. We shall look at the influence such relationships had on the commissioning of buildings and the artists and techniques employed on them.

Preparation during the summer:

In order to prepare for the module, it is a good idea to do some preparatory reading during the summer. In particular, try to build up a picture of the roles played by the coastal cities of Asia Minor during Greek history.

To Read:

Herodotus, The Histories (available in penguin translation – probably worth buying, or on the web:

look for Herodotus in Greek texts):

Read at least Book 1, and as much else as you can, skipping sections on Egypt if you like. Concentrate especially on sixth and fifth centuries BC.

AND One (or more!) of the following accounts:

V. Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates, p.103-186

N. Demand, A History of Ancient Greece (1996) chs 8 and 9

J Boardman, The Greeks overseas, chs 1-3.

P. Green, A Concise history of Ancient Greece, p.96-100 and look under ‘Ionia’ in index

R. Osborne, Greece in the Making, p.318-325 and under ‘Ionia’ in index

R. Sealey, A history of Greek City States 700-338 BC, ch 7

Think about the following questions, and write some notes:

  • In what ways did the Greeks of Asia Minor interact with their neighbours – especially the Lydian kings (Eg Croesus) and Persia.
  • How was art and architecture in Greek cities used and affected by these external powers? Write down some examples.
  • What sorts of leagues and associations did the Greek cities built up among themselves?
  • What picture of their relationship with mainland Greece do you get?
  • How do the Greek cities of Asia Minor fit into the connections between Greece and Persia, especially in the lead up to the Persian Wars?
  • Write a list of the main Greek cities of Asia Minor, and their most important neighbours

Also ensure that you understand the different orders and architecture (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) and the main technical terms, included in any book on Greek and Roman architecture.

A useful book covering these (with a helpful glossary) which it would be worth buying, is

R. A. Tomlinson, Greek and Roman Architecture (BritishMuseum Press, £9.99)

To Visit:

If you live near London, please go to the British Museum to familiarise yourself with some of the materials from Turkey. NB There will also be a compulsory trip on Thursday of week 6, so if you live far away save it for then!

British Museum (Great Russell Street, WC1, near Holborn or Russell Square tubes, website: britishmuseum.ac.uk).

As well as all the other Greek and Roman material, make sure you look at the following (in brackets the gallery number, according to the new numbering system on their website):

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (21) )

The NereidMonument (17), ) all ground floor

The carved column from the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (22) )

Lycian tombs (15) )

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