{"id":154435,"date":"2025-03-24T21:33:01","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T21:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/entertainment\/art\/where-art-astrology-architecture-and-mythology-meet-the-divine-veronica-winters-painting\/"},"modified":"2025-03-24T21:33:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T21:33:01","slug":"where-art-astrology-architecture-and-mythology-meet-the-divine-veronica-winters-painting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=154435","title":{"rendered":"where Art, Astrology, Architecture and Mythology meet the Divine \u2013 Veronica Winters Painting"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This article is based on my trip to Greece with some information coming from Greek sites and books (links are included). I spent two months collecting and presenting the information here I hope you\u2019ll find it useful to satisfy your curiosity to the max! Here, I delve into the world of ancient Greece to uncover the secrets of the gods of ancient Greece. I look at ancient architecture, Aristotle\u2019s philosophy, the Antykithera mechanism, mythical creatures, archeological discoveries, ancient Greek lifestyle, and much more!<\/p>\n

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The Gods of Olympus as the Divine in Marble: A Sculptural and Astrological Exploration<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Athena flanking the column at the modern academy of Athens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Did you know that ancient Greeks had no holy books? Religion was taught through the act of worship. Ancient Greeks believed in the power of fate that was predetermined by the gods. This notion let them create stunning temples, festivals, and rituals worshipping gods. Ancient Greeks went to battles following oracles, commemorated wins in memorials to gods, and discovered mathematical principles used in architecture that reflected the divine harmony of the cosmos. Their philosophical view of the world and the pursuit of ethereal beauty in art paved the way for the Italian Renaissance many centuries later. We can argue if the beauty and power of ancient Greek classical sculpture was surpassed by Michelangelo or Canova, but one thing is clear. Ancient Greece was an advanced civilization with philosophical views on democracy, art, astrology, and god\u2019s power that may as well rival our society today.<\/p>\n

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Attributed to the Nikon Painter, Terracotta lekythos (oil flask), ca. 460?450 B.C., Terracotta, H. 15 in. (38.1 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Pomerance, 1953 (53.224)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I was always inspired and puzzled by the divine skill of ancient Greek artists able to depict human form with such perfection and naturalism. Their strive for visual harmony in sculptures depicting gods was expressed through the mathematical principles, novel poses, and perfect proportions they believed reflected the divine cosmic order. Every ancient civilization tried to explain the origins of our existence in the Universe. It\u2019s not a surprise that ancient Greek myths took a central stage in the lives of regular people. A combination of pagan deities and the Olympian gods probably came from the Near East but the Greek gods and goddesses were often unfair and capricious although powerful and divine. Greek gods and goddesses are reminiscent of regular people with their flaws, wants, and beauty. Also, the names of the gods relate to some planets in astrology. For instance in myths, Zeus (Jupiter) is immovable. Apollo (the Sun god) ran in his chariot. Hermes (Mercury) was a messenger running on tasks. The god of war, Aries was a lover of Aphrodite (Mars-Venus relationship). Let\u2019s explore a few of these gods depicted in ancient sculptures found in Athens and beyond.<\/p>\n

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Diadomumenos athlete, marble, 100 BC copy of the famous statue of the \u201cDiadoumenos\u201d made by Polykleitos, about 450-425 BC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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There were 5 famous ancient Greek sculptors:<\/strong> Phidias (c. 480-430 BCE), the designer of colossal Athena in marble, gold and ivory and chief sculptor of the Parthenon in Athens. Myron (c. 480-440 BCE) who developed advanced bronze casting methods. Polykleitos (c. 450-420 BCE) created precise, mathematical ratios and proportions to depict human figure. Praxiteles (c. 400-330 BCE) was the master of realistic marble sculpture, many of which are in the Louvre including Venus. Lysippos (c. 390-300 BCE) was the official sculptor to Alexander the Great who made naturalistic bronze sculptures. <\/pre>\n
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Zeus<\/h3>\n
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Zeus<\/strong> (Jupiter), the king of the gods in Greek mythology, was the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. He was the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea and overthrew his father to establish his powerful rule over everything. (Cronus knew about the prophecy that one of his children would kill him, but Zeus escaped his fate because his mother hid him from Cronus when he was born.) After the defeat of his father, Zeus divided the universe with his brothers Poseidon (Neptune), ruler of the sea, and Hades (Pluto), the god of the underworld. Zeus was a powerful god, often holding a thunderbolt in his hand. He was known for his numerous love affairs, both with goddesses and mortal women, which resulted in a large number of offspring, many of whom became important figures in mythology. While revered as a supreme god, Zeus was not without his flaws. He could be impulsive, capricious, and unfaithful to his wife, Hera, whose jealousy and vengeance were legendary. He fathered numerous children with other goddesses and mortals, including Ares (Mars, the god of war), Hephaestus (Vulcan, the god of armor and the forge), and Hebe (the goddess of youth) with his queen. Despite these shortcomings, Zeus had unlimited authority and was the ultimate arbiter of fate and a symbol of divine power. His influence permeated every aspect of Greek mythology and culture.<\/p>\n
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The bronze statue of Poseidon or Zeus<\/strong>, 2.09 meters tall, is displayed at the National Archeological Museum of Athens. Found in the sea area near Cape Artemision, Northern Euboea. About 460 BC, early Classical period. The King of the gods is depicted in a wide stride, possibly holding a trident or a thunderbolt. His face used to have inlaid ivory eyes, silver eyebrows, and a copper mouth. The original bronze statue is a rare survivor, depicting the god in the Severe Style (480-450 bc)<\/strong> by an unknown sculptor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zeus is often depicted symbolically as a big and muscular man with a lightning bolt, scepter, and an eagle. Often associated with the planet Jupiter, Zeus also represented the supreme cosmic order. In astrological interpretations, Jupiter was linked to expansion, wisdom, and divine authority. Sculptural representations typically showed Zeus with an eagle, a constellation symbol representing his power over the heavens. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) depicted him seated on a throne, embodying celestial majesty.<\/pre>\n
The<\/strong> Temple of Olympian Zeus<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens (left), its Corinthian order column (right). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Temple of Olympian Zeus<\/strong> is located not far from the Acropolis Hill in Athens. Today the temple consists of a few Corinthian columns in a restoration mode and a couple of free-standing ones on a vast and empty field. So while there\u2019s not much to see there visually, we can appreciate a historical place of power and worship.<\/p>\n
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, was a construction spanned centuries, beginning in the 6th century BC and completed in the 2nd century AD under the Roman Emperor Hadrian. He adorned it with statues and a massive gold and ivory statue of Zeus, making it a symbol of both Greek culture and Roman power. Construction first began under the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisioned a temple that would surpass any other in the ancient world. However, the project was abandoned several times due to political upheavals and wars.<\/p>\n
Made of Pentelic marble, the finished temple consisted of 104 towering Corinthian columns, each 17 meters (56 feet) tall, making it one of the largest temples in the ancient world.
Unfortunately, the temple\u2019s splendor was short-lived. It was looted and damaged during a barbarian invasion in the 3rd century AD, and likely never fully repaired. Over time, it was further ravaged by earthquakes and the removal of building materials for other construction projects in the city.<\/p>\n
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The altar of Zeus near the Hephaestus temple in Athens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Hera<\/h3>\n
Hera (Juno), the queen of the gods in Greek mythology, was the wife of Zeus. She was the goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family. While a powerful and majestic figure, Hera is often portrayed as jealous and vengeful, particularly towards Zeus\u2019s numerous lovers and illegitimate children. She relentlessly pursued them, often inflicting harsh punishments. Despite this shortcoming, Hera was also revered as the protector of married women and a symbol of marital fidelity. She was a key figure in many myths and played a significant role in the Trojan War, often siding with the Greeks. Hera\u2019s complex character, embodying both regal power and fierce resentment, makes her one of the most compelling goddesses in the Greek pantheon.<\/p>\n
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This fragmentary sculpture of the head of Hera was found in Argive Heraion. Made of marble, it\u2019s on view at the museum in Athens. This statue comes from the Temple of Hera made in the workshop of Polykleitos in 420 BCE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Hera, Queen of the gods, was often depicted wearing a crown and holding a staff.<\/pre>\n
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