How Do People And Culture Influence Ancient Greek Culture

The people and culture of Ancient Greece have shaped the way modern civilization is today. Since 800 BC, the Greeks were the first to civilize their country and rid of the rule of kings, forming a democratic system of government.1 Greek Gods were also anthromorphic, but humanized, and had their own personalities and conflicts.2 The basic form of literature was developed, hence the reasoning for the many myths and stories behind Greek art.3 Exekias’ black figure paintings of Gods on pottery showed a great deal of power, symbolism, and drama. Narrative storylines can be seen in his paintings of Achilles and Ajax Playing a Board Game, and Dionysus on a boat. However, the symbolic power of the two is displayed in much different ways.

Exekias’
Best known as the grape and wine god, he was also known as a vegetation diety.6 He introduced the grape vine and taught how to cultivate and ferment wine.7 One day Dionysus hopped back on a boat back home from travels, and to his surprise, pirates, with the intention to be sold as a slave in Asia, kidnapped him. 8 Once he figured out he was abducted, he caused vines to grow all over the ship, frightening them9. The only way of the pirates escaping the vines was to jump off of the ship, which turned them into dolphins.10 This explains the seven dolphins surrounding the boat while a gigantic, blown-up version of Dionysus lies comfortably in it. The ratio of his size to the boat symbolizes his power. The seven bunches of grapes above him looks like clouds, acting like a shield.

Compositionally, the painting of this dramatic scene is well balanced. The boat that he lies in is placed in the center. The number seven is the central motif, one bunch of grapes contrasts with every dolphin. The circular border attracts the viewers’ eye to the inside of the cup, also acting as a barrier to the dolphins. Although this scene of Dionysus seems far from realistic, we understand a sense of theatricality to this