Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Stephen Smithers

Second Advisor

Veanne N. Anderson

Third Advisor

Edward A. Warner

Abstract

Art is an outlet for all cultures both ancient and modem. Art is used to express ideas and to leave a lasting legacy. This thesis focuses on the art of Ancient Greece, specifically Attic black and red figure ware of the Archaic and Classical periods. This study focuses on the depiction of Amazons on the vases as representations of Athenian enemies. The society of the Amazons, Archaic Athens, and Classical Athens will be discussed. The change of attire on the Amazons depicted on the vases will be examined, along with why this change occurred. A look at various Attic black and red figure vases will establish the change and be connected to the evolution of Athenian society. The enemies of Athens changed throughout the Archaic and Classical periods, thus the clothes worn by the Amazons changed. In order for the Amazons to be considered an allegory for Athenian adversaries, artists had to depict the Amazons in attire similar to that of Athenian enemies. On Archaic black figure ware Amazons are depicted totally as Greeks, but on red figure ware Persian dress is infused into Amazon iconography. Therefore, it can be assumed that the Amazons depicted on Attic vases stand in for current Athenian adversaries. This allegorical use is not limited to the vasepaintings of Ancient Greece; it can also be found in Athenian sculpture such as the metopes of the Parthenon. Evidence of this allegorical use is also seen in Roman art.

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