AP Art History: Ancient Mediterranean Study Guide 🏛️

Hey there, future art historian! This guide is your go-to resource for acing the Ancient Mediterranean unit. Let's make sure you're feeling confident and ready to rock the exam! This unit covers a lot of ground, but we'll break it down into manageable, memorable pieces. Let's dive in!

🧭 Unit Overview: Ancient Mediterranean (3500 BCE – 350 CE)

This unit explores the art and architecture of the ancient Mediterranean world, from the Near East to Rome. We'll look at how different cultures expressed their beliefs, values, and power through art. Remember, dates are approximate, so focus on the general timeline and artistic movements rather than specific years.

🌍 The Near East (3500 BCE – 300 CE)

🏞️ Mesopotamia: Cradle of Civilization

Located in the fertile river valley between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (modern-day Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and small parts of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon).
Home to the world's first civilizations, marking a shift from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled communities.
Organized into city-states, each with its own government, and a stratified society (unequal social classes).
Practiced polytheism (belief in multiple gods).
These themes of class and religion are often reflected in art and architecture.

✍️ The Invention of Writing

Cuneiform, the first form of writing, was developed by Sumerian merchants to keep track of taxes.
Later used to record laws and stories, providing valuable context for art historians.

Map of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and its surrounding areas.

Key Concept

Mesopotamia's stratified society and polytheistic religion heavily influenced its art and architecture. The invention of cuneiform also marked a major turning point in history.

🇪🇬 Egypt (3000 – 30 BCE)

👑 Dynasties and Kingdoms

Began as a divided society until King Narmer unified Upper and Lower Egypt, forming the Old Kingdom.
Experienced periods of internal conflict before unifying again into the Middle Kingdom.
The New Kingdom was a period of great artistic achievement, including the Amarna Period.
The Amarna Period saw a shift towards monotheism under Pharaoh Akhenaton, influencing artistic style.

🎨 Characteristics of Egyptian Art

Use of hieroglyphs to provide context about the artwork's purpose and the individuals depicted.
Strong emphasis on the afterlife, with art often depicting gods, pharaohs, and religious themes.
Pyramids served as massive tombs for pharaohs, ensuring their prosperity in the afterlife.

Map of Egypt.

Memory Aid

Remember the Egyptian focus on the afterlife with "Pyramids for Pharaohs' Passage." This helps you connect pyramids with their function as tombs and their significance for the pharaohs' journey into the afterlife.

🇬🇷 Greece (900 – 30 BCE)

🏛️ City-States and Artistic Periods

Divided into city-states, similar to those in the Near East.
Known for democracy, military power, and significant contributions to art.
Greek art is divided into four main periods:
- Geometric Period (900-700 BCE): Simple, geometric shapes on pottery.
- Archaic Period (700-500 BCE): Emergence of naturalistic forms, including the kouros and kore sculptures, characterized by the archaic smile.
- Classical Period (400-200 BCE): Mastery of realistic human figures, use of contrapposto (weight shift) for natural poses.
- Hellenistic Period (200-30 BCE): Greater emotional expression in sculpture.

📐 Greek Architectural Orders

Three main forms:
- Doric: Simple, oldest order.
- Ionic: Decorative scrolls.
- Corinthian: Most ornate, with acanthus leaves.

Map of Greece.

Exam Tip

When comparing Greek sculptures, remember "Archaic smiles, Classical contrapposto, Hellenistic emotions." This phrase will help you quickly recall the key characteristics of each period.

🏺 Etruria (900 – 270 BCE)

🪦 Etruscan Art

Predecessors to the Romans, known for detailed art.
Sculptures primarily made from bronze and depicting human figures.
Paintings, often found in tombs, were made using fresco techniques.
Etruscan art significantly influenced Roman art.

Quick Fact

Etruscans are the bridge between Greek and Roman art. Remember that their art was found in tombs, which gives you a hint about their focus on the afterlife.

🏛️ Rome (750 BCE – 350 CE)

🌍 Roman Art and Engineering

A powerful civilization with a significant impact on Western civilization.
Roman art was influenced by Greek and Etruscan traditions.
Sculptures depicted gods, emperors, and important figures with elements of realism, including veristic sculptures (highly detailed, even wrinkles).
Fresco paintings and mosaics (pieces of glass put together to form art) decorated homes and buildings.
Known for engineering innovations such as concrete and aqueducts.

Roman Emperor Augustus of Primaporta.

Common Mistake

Don't confuse Roman realism with Greek idealism. Roman sculptures, especially veristic portraits, aimed for accurate representation, while Greek sculptures often idealized the human form.

🎯 Final Exam Focus

🔑 High-Priority Topics

Mesopotamian social structures and the impact of cuneiform.
Egyptian emphasis on the afterlife and the function of pyramids.
Greek artistic periods (Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic) and architectural orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian).
Roman engineering achievements (concrete, aqueducts) and the development of veristic sculpture.

📝 Common Question Types

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Focus on identifying stylistic characteristics, cultural contexts, and the functions of artworks.
Short Answer Questions (SAQs): Require concise explanations of artistic techniques, historical influences, and the significance of specific works.
Free Response Questions (FRQs): Often involve comparing and contrasting artworks from different periods or cultures, analyzing their historical context, and discussing their impact.

⏰ Last-Minute Tips

Time Management: Quickly scan questions, allocate time wisely, and don't get bogged down on any single question.
Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers; be specific with terminology and examples. Don't confuse different cultures or artistic periods.
Strategies: When comparing artworks, use specific details and analyze how each work reflects its culture. For FRQs, start with a strong thesis statement.

❓ Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following best describes the function of the pyramids in ancient Egypt? (A) Royal residences (B) Public gathering places (C) Tombs for pharaohs (D) Temples for worship
The term "contrapposto" refers to which of the following characteristics in sculpture? (A) The use of geometric shapes (B) A stiff, frontal pose (C) A natural, weight-shift pose (D) The use of bronze material
What is the significance of cuneiform in the ancient Near East? (A) It was used for religious rituals. (B) It was the first form of writing. (C) It was used for decorative purposes. (D) It was a form of painting.

Free Response Question

Compare and contrast the artistic styles and purposes of sculptures from the Greek Classical period and the Roman Imperial period. Use specific examples to support your claims.

Scoring Breakdown

Thesis (1 point): A clear statement that identifies the main differences and similarities between Greek Classical and Roman Imperial sculptures.
Greek Classical Sculpture (2 points):
- Identification of key features, such as idealism, contrapposto, and focus on the human form.
- Specific example (e.g., Doryphoros) and explanation of its characteristics.
Roman Imperial Sculpture (2 points):
- Identification of key features, such as realism, verism, and emphasis on portraiture.
- Specific example (e.g., Augustus of Primaporta) and explanation of its characteristics.
Comparison (2 points):
- Discussion of the similarities in the use of naturalistic forms.
- Discussion of the differences in the purpose and style of the sculptures.
Conclusion (1 point): A concluding statement that summarizes the main points of the essay.

Okay, you've got this! Go into that exam with confidence, knowing you've got a solid understanding of the Ancient Mediterranean. Happy studying, and remember to take a deep breath. You're going to do great! 🎉

Ancient Mediterranean, 3500-300 BCE

Chloe Davis