Chapter 9. Classical Art

Abstract

This chapter introduces the wider scholarly community a range of important, recently discovered objects relevant to the cultural life of pre-Hellenistic Macedonia. It focuses on the years 479-323 BC, the Classical period, an analytical unit not without relevance to Macedonian history, though there will also be reference to the links between art in this period and in the late period. Of the major arts it is sculpture which is first evident in Macedonia, and specifically from funerary contexts. The late Archaic sculptures from Aiane do not stand alone. Most of the known fifth-century sculpture from Macedonia is funerary. The preserved paintings from Macedonia all belong to the funerary sphere. Art, also includes categories which are often included under the rubric arts. An examination of the terracotta figurines, excavated primarily in funerary contexts, from Macedonia offers insights into the development of another field of the arts. Keywords: classical art; late Archaic sculptures; minor arts; monumental paintings; pre-Hellenistic Macedonia