Art and architecture flourished during the period of Classical Greece. Many new art forms and ideas were developed during this wonderful time. Greek paintings became more realistic in depth and perception. New ideas emerged from sculptors to create more drama and rhythm within Greek sculptures. New Greek dramas began to develop along with new ideas of what society should be and how one should act in society. In their architecture, the Greeks were very advanced. One example of the art in their architecture is The Parthenon. It must have been magnificent to see, when it was still in its’ prime state. The Greek culture during the thriving classical period has had one of the largest impacts on western civilization to this day.

What exactly is meant by the phrase Classical Greece? Classical, has two meanings in our modern language that apply to Classical Greece. Within the development of art and science, classical expresses recognition of a standard of perfection within a particular genre. In other words, something that is the highest class or rank is said to be classical. But, in a historical sense, classical has an alternative meaning. Classical h

After defeating the Persians, the atmosphere in Greece was very confident yet self-questioning. This mixture of feelings led to the most dominant literary art of the fifth century B.C. -which is known as the Athenian tragic drama. The dramas were public rites performed at religious festivals by actors who were fellow citizens of those who watched them. The dramatic poet, reflected the mentality of his time, or seeking to shape it, or both, spoke to, and often for society as a whole (Batterberry 153). The dramas were designed to bring about intellectual and emotional preoccupations, while also teaching that there is a meaningful moral order in the world. The Athenian tragic dramas were inspiring to the people of Greece, especially the artists.

Within the new severity another concept in art was developed in Classical Greece. Ancient Greek psychology recognized two forces at the root of human emotional expression, Ethos and Pathos. Ethos is described as man’s ‘character’ formed by inheritance, habit, and self-discipline. Pathos is man’s spontaneous reaction to experiences in the external world (Cook 46). Artists and writers began to explore and display an active interest in the roles in which these two aspects of human expression should play in the arts. Socrates, a great philosopher, was recorded convincing the painter Parrhaius that art is able to portray the soul, in a sense that it can capture character and emotional reactions in the faces of the figures it depicts (Cook 56). The first artist to explore the possibilities of emotional expression was Polygnotos. In his paintings, he illustrated the mouth to show the teeth, and gave variety to the face in place of its’ earlier rigidity.

as come to mean ‘of or pertaining to Greek and Roman culture’. The literature of Greece and Rome is referred to as ‘the Classics’, because they were recognized as having authoritative excellence in thought and expression (Brilliant 9). Combine the two meanings and thus the definition of Classical Greece.

During the Early Classical movement confidence and doubt were the basis of all Greek art. In the High Classical period of Greece, the scale seemed to have tipped toward the confidence side. The Greek began to believe that men could shape their world in accordance to their own vision of it. Many factors contribute to this positive atmosphere. One factor was the victory over the Persians was still active; another was that the Greeks turned away from concern of the physical world, and toward a preoccupation with human society.

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