Laconian ArtLaconian ArtMrs Graham’s Ancient HistoryMrs Graham’s Ancient History

Plutarch on SpartaPlutarch on Sparta

“…“…..Thus gradually cut off from the things that ..Thus gradually cut off from the things that animate and feed it, luxury atrophied of its own animate and feed it, luxury atrophied of its own accord…….As a result their craftmenship of accord…….As a result their craftmenship of everyday essential items of furniture like beds everyday essential items of furniture like beds and chairs and tables was first rate, and the and chairs and tables was first rate, and the Laconian kothon or drinking cup, according to Laconian kothon or drinking cup, according to Critias, is especially valued for use on Critias, is especially valued for use on campaigns. Visibly off putting elements in water campaigns. Visibly off putting elements in water which had to be drunk were concealed by its which had to be drunk were concealed by its colour, while the dirt in the liquid was trapped colour, while the dirt in the liquid was trapped by the lip, so that when it reached the mouth by the lip, so that when it reached the mouth for drinking was cleaner”.for drinking was cleaner”.

Laconian drinking cupsLaconian drinking cups Laconian drinking cups were famous. The edge Laconian drinking cups were famous. The edge

contained a lip which prevented any wine solids contained a lip which prevented any wine solids from reaching the mouth.from reaching the mouth.

Laconian cups reveal, interest in banquets, Laconian cups reveal, interest in banquets, festivals, ritual, horseriding and huntingfestivals, ritual, horseriding and hunting

Many scenes are painted by a figure who has Many scenes are painted by a figure who has been named the Hunt Painterbeen named the Hunt Painter

The distinctive black figure pottery was the The distinctive black figure pottery was the product of only two identified workshops, most of product of only two identified workshops, most of whose output was exportedwhose output was exported

Much of the evidence of art comes from the Much of the evidence of art comes from the shrine of Artemis Orthiashrine of Artemis Orthia

Hunters killing a boar- Hunters killing a boar- 555BC555BC

Laconian cup, depicting the Laconian cup, depicting the Rider Naucratis 560-550BCRider Naucratis 560-550BC

Warrior killing a serpent- Warrior killing a serpent- 550 BC550 BC

Two soldiers carrying a slain Two soldiers carrying a slain warrior- 6warrior- 6thth century- Berlin century- Berlin

MuseumMuseum

The Arkesilas cup, found in The Arkesilas cup, found in central Italy, which shows central Italy, which shows

scenes of trade or tribute in scenes of trade or tribute in Dorian Cyrene- mid 6Dorian Cyrene- mid 6thth century century

Laconian Drinking CupLaconian Drinking Cup

Heracles defeating the bull- Heracles defeating the bull- 550 BC550 BC

Amphora of the 7Amphora of the 7thth century, century, from a grave, shows hunting from a grave, shows hunting

and battle scenesand battle scenes

Laconian Krater-575-550 BCLaconian Krater-575-550 BC

Cylix depicting Odysseus.Cylix depicting Odysseus.

The son of Typhonas -560 The son of Typhonas -560 BCBC

The blinding of Polyphemos by The blinding of Polyphemos by Odysseus and companians- Odysseus and companians-

550BC550BC

The Titans Atlas and The Titans Atlas and Prometheus punished by Zeus Prometheus punished by Zeus

550BC550BC

Fragment of a Pythos found at Fragment of a Pythos found at Sparta – 6Sparta – 6thth century century

Spartan Sculptors in bronze, Spartan Sculptors in bronze, terracotta and ivory.terracotta and ivory.

Significant archaeology suggests scupltors Significant archaeology suggests scupltors were active both at home and at Olympia were active both at home and at Olympia and Delphi during the 6and Delphi during the 6thth century century

At least 9 scupltors were knownAt least 9 scupltors were known Spartan bronze products were of such high Spartan bronze products were of such high

quality that they were viewed as valuable quality that they were viewed as valuable diplomatic giftsdiplomatic gifts

Spartan bronzes generally depicted Spartan bronzes generally depicted women, hoplites or particular heroes such women, hoplites or particular heroes such as Leonidasas Leonidas

Bronze Hoplite statuette Bronze Hoplite statuette 500BC500BC

Spartan soldierSpartan soldier

Statuette in bronze of Statuette in bronze of LeonidasLeonidas

Bronze Spartan Runner- 520 Bronze Spartan Runner- 520 BC- British MuseumBC- British Museum

Ivory and Bone Carvings.Ivory and Bone Carvings.

The use of ivory and bone, seem to The use of ivory and bone, seem to dissappear after the 6dissappear after the 6thth century century

Many examples have been found at Many examples have been found at the site of Artemis Orthia.the site of Artemis Orthia.

Carvings generally are either, plaques Carvings generally are either, plaques carved in relief, obnjects of personel carved in relief, obnjects of personel adornment, such as broaches, combs adornment, such as broaches, combs or mirrors or figures of Orthiaor mirrors or figures of Orthia

Plaques carved in relief in ivory. Plaques carved in relief in ivory. Soldiers leaving for battleSoldiers leaving for battle