Terracotta vase in the form of a sleeping African (known as Ethiopian) boy

Terracotta vase in the form of a sleeping African (known as Ethiopian) boy

Greek Art

The images/objects that I have chosen have conflicting views upon the status of Africans (or Ethiopians) in Ancient Greece. It should be therefore be asserted that individual Africans were held at different social classes in the ancient Greek civilization. On the one hand, the Bronze statues displays a youth of African descent as very strong and able. The statue of the young boy displays strong core, back, and leg muscles, indicating that he is a hard worker. Additionally, the description states that the garment “is characteristic of artisans”, demonstrating that the boy was not in the lowest class. On the other hand, the Terracotta perfume jug shows a boy of similar age being in total submission. He is crouched about and rather skinny. Additionally, the nature of being on a perfume bottle was possibly a way that his masters could have mocked him. In conclusion, it is apparent that there is not one social class that Africans belonged to in the Ancient Greek civilization, and thus, it is quite possible they participated in all social class levels.
Learning Objective: Review and craft the proper elements of a short historical analysis.

Greek

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

3rd - 2nd century B.C.E

Image belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is for education purposes only.

Terracotta

English

Image