Ian Jenkins

To the ancient Greeks the human body in sculpture was both an object of sensory delight and an expression of an intelligent mind. From the abstract simplicity of prehistoric Cycladic figurines to later realism, sculptors gave form to thought in a rich harvest of artworks that have had a profound influence upon western visual culture. Through stunning new photographs and close-up views, this book explores the subject of the body in ancient Greece, drawing on the British Museum’s outstanding collection of marble, bronze and terracotta sculptures. In the modern popular imagination, mention of the ancient Greeks is likely to conjure up an image of idealised and naked youth, and it is true that the ideal nude, both male and female, is a striking feature of Greek sculpture. However, in later Greek art especially, sculptors and their patrons became increasingly interested in human diversity, experimenting with the representation of ethnicity, age and character. The gods and heroes of Greek myth are conceived in the image of mankind, as supermen and superwomen. Other supernatural beings – centaur and sphinx, satyr and siren – combine human with animal parts as symbols of their otherworldliness. With over one hundred colour illustrations, this book allows the reader to experience the Greek body in its many forms as evidence of both art and thought.

An essential resource for those wishing to understand the driving factors behind the operation of an adventure tourism company, this textbook offers guidance on how to deliver a profitable and sustainable product. The importance of changing markets, technology and corporate social responsibility, including environmental impacts and climate change, are discussed in the context of managing an adventure tourism firm. To remain profitable, companies must address these issues along with the important aspects of risk and safety. Key features include: - Case studies from successful professionals in the industry. - Consideration of the development of sustainable adventure tourism. - Guidance on managing products and customers. Compiled from the author's experience in delivering adventure tourism courses over the last 20 years, this long-awaited book is aimed at both students taking university courses on adventure tourism and outdoor recreation as well as professionals working within the industry.

Risk management can often be poorly understood and applied in the leisure, sport, tourism (including adventure) and event industries. In particular, there can be a tendency to see the management of risk as simply its avoidance or removal from activities, projects and business ventures. Unfortunately, this can reduce the quality of the activity experience, or mean opportunities for profits are missed. This book is therefore designed for students and practitioners who wish to improve upon past practices, make better management decisions and ensure safer operating environments. It includes: - an explanation of the core underpinning concepts of risk and safety, which can be used at different levels of management, in different countries, for all leisure related industry sectors; - numerous applied examples and case studies from around the world; - many practical hints and tips on how to analyse, assess and control risks and improve on safety; - explanations of the key legal and regulatory underpinnings of risk and safety; - how risk and safety management practices can be developed, and their relevance for health and safety assessments, project risk management and strategic planning.

The Discobolus or discus-thrower is a marvellous classical piece of sculpture that over time has come to mean different things to different people. Originally cast in bronze by the fifth-century BC sculptor Myron, the composition portraying an athlete preparing to throw his discus captures a moment of action perfectly: the tensed body looks as if it is merely pausing and about to burst into life at any moment. An enduring pattern of energy, Myron’s statue of harmonious proportions is a fantastic representation of the athletic ideal and an embodiment of the male Greek body beautiful. Sadly, the original statue has long been lost; however, it was so admired by the Romans that numerous marble copies were made. This book tells the story of Myron’s Discobolus both as an archaeological artefact and bearer of meaning. Focusing on the Townley Discobolus, the Roman marble copy excavated from Hadrian’s Villa in Lazio, Italy, this illustrated introduction explores the history and significance of the statue – in both classical and modern times – in light of ancient discus throwing, Myron’s other works, and the artistic, intellectual and philosophical context of the Greek world.

A lavish exploration of the human figure in Greek art. From idealized beauty to highly individualized portraits, the sculptures featured in this exquisite volume demonstrate the incredible range and appeal of bodies made by the hands of the ancient Greeks. More than any other ancient civilization, the Greeks placed the human body at the center of their culture. To them, the sculpted human figure was both an object of sensory delight and an expression of an intelligent mind. In the modern popular imagination, mention of the ancient Greeks is likely to conjure up an image of idealized and naked youth, and it is true that the ideal nude, both male and female, is a striking feature of Greek sculpture. However, in later Greek art, sculptors and their patrons became increasingly interested in human diversity, experimenting with the representation of ethnicity, age, social standing, and character. The marble, bronze, and terra-cotta sculptures presented in this volume--outstanding highlights drawn from over six centuries of artistic production--demonstrate the diversity of Greek figural forms, from the idealized beauty of the Classical era to the individualized portraits of the Hellenistic period. Large, stunning details testify to the artists' skills in portraying cold, hard materials as warm, human flesh.

The Parthenon in Athens is the most famous Greek temple in the world and an icon of Ancient Greek art. It was built to house a colossal statue of the goddess Athena, and the temple itself was decorated with sculptures and reliefs of the most magnificent quality. These sculptures are now on display in London and Athens, and are admired by thousands of visitors each year. This book explores in detail these lovely carvings, with the aid of new detailed digital photography. Who are the people, animals, and gods and goddesses shown on the frieze and what are they doing? Why were they shown on a temple? How were the sculptures made, and how did the carvers give such an amazing illusion of ranks of horsemen, chariots and people in carvings only a few centimetres deep? Ian Jenkins, a world expert on Ancient Greek sculpture, describes and explains these wonderful sculptures in a vivid and simple way for children, and puts them in the context of Ancient Greek religion, life and art. Children will enjoy discovering the wonders of the Parthenon sculptures for themselves but in the process they will also gain a much greater understanding of the people who created the Parthenon and of the world of classical Athens.

The Parthenon sculptures in the British Museum are unrivalled examples of classical Greek art that have inspired millions since their creation in the fifth century BC. This book serves as a superb visual introduction to these magnificent sculptures.

The artistic genius of Athens in the 5th century BC reached its peak in the sculpted marble reliefs of the Parthenon Frieze. The original composition of the Frieze and its precise meaning have long been the subject of lively debate. Designed by Phidias and carved by a team of anonymous masons, the Frieze adorned the temple of Athena on the Acropolis and represents a festival procession in honour of the Olympian gods. Through photographs and drawings, this authoritative book reconstructs the Frieze in its entirety according to the most up-to-date research, with a detailed scene-by-scene commentary. The superb quality of the carving is revealed in a series of close-up photographs. In his introductory text, Ian Jenkins places the Frieze in its architectural, historical and artistic setting. He discusses the various interpretations suggested by previous scholars, and finally puts forward a new view of his own.