The “fantastic space” and the representation of animals in the corinthian pottery in the 7th century B.C.

Abstract

The representation of animals in the corinthian pottery during the 7th century BC consists in a thematic well appreciated among archaeologists and historians of art of the 20th century. According to those specialists, the “orientalizing style” was conceived as an “importation” of symbols of the near east by the greek artisans. Nevertheless, a new interpretation of the “orientalizing phenomenon” searches to comprehend the tensions, contests and conflicts within the poliad elites through the analysis of the “oriental” artifacts. Our aim is to present a new look about the representations of animals and “fantastic beings” in the corithian pottery of the 7th century B.C.

Keywords:
“orientalizing phenomenon”; corithian pottery; animals.