Greece and Rome

Greek architects, sculptors, and painters made important contributions to the arts.
They strove to achieve an ideal of beauty based on harmony. The most influential
architectural works were the temples. (A Greek temple consisted of an arrangement
of columns around a long, inner chamber.) Greek sculptors portrayed figures of
gods, goddesses, and human beings. Their works were lifelike. Few Greek paintings
have survived, mostly paintings on pottery.

The ancient Romans adopted the basic forms of Greek architecture. They also
created new kinds of structures, such as public baths and amphitheaters. In general,
the Romans designed larger and grander buildings than did the Greeks. Likewise,
Roman sculptors and painters borrowed from Greek art. Their work reflected both
the lifelike but idealized human figures of Greek art and the specific details of Italian
traditions.