Statuary As a Staple of Classic Art in Ancient Greece
Statuary As a Staple of Classic Art in Ancient Greece Archaic Greeks were well known for creating the first freestanding statuary; up until then, most carvings were made out of walls and pillars as reliefs. Most of these freestanding sculptures were what is known as kouros figures, statues of young, attractive male or female (kore) Greeks. Considered by Greeks to represent splendour, the kouroi were structured into rigid, forward facing positions with one foot outstretched, and the male statues were usually nude, well-built, and athletic. In about 650 BC, the varieties of the kouroi became life-sized. The Archaic period was tumultuous for the Greeks as they progressed into more refined forms of federal government and art, and obtained more information about the peoples and civilizations outside of Greece.
During this time and other periods of historic tumult, clashes often took place, most notably wars fought between city-states such as the Arcadian wars and the Spartan infiltration of Samos.
A Brief History of the First Water Fountains
A Brief History of the First Water Fountains Towns and communities depended on functional water fountains to channel water for preparing food, washing, and cleaning up from nearby sources like lakes, channels, or springs. A source of water higher in elevation than the fountain was necessary to pressurize the movement and send water spraying from the fountain's spout, a technology without equal until the later part of the 19th century.
The elegance and spectacle of fountains make them ideal for traditional memorials. Crude in design, the very first water fountains didn't appear much like modern-day fountains. Created for drinking water and ceremonial reasons, the very first fountains were very simple carved stone basins. Rock basins are theorized to have been first utilized around the year 2000 BC. The first fountains put to use in ancient civilizations relied on gravity to control the movement of water through the fountain. The placement of the fountains was influenced by the water source, which is why you’ll usually find them along aqueducts, waterways, or rivers. Fountains with flowery decoration started to show up in Rome in approx. 6 BC, usually gods and animals, made with stone or bronze. A well-engineered system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public water fountains supplied with fresh water.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Fountains Proper care and regular maintenance are important to the longevity of water fountains. Leaves, twigs, and insects often find their way into fountains, so it is important to keep yours free from such debris. Another factor is that water that is exposed to sunlight is susceptible to growing algae. To stay clear of this, there are some simple ingredients that can be poured into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. There are those who choose to use bleach, but that is harmful to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided.
Every three-four months, garden fountains should have a serious cleaning. Before you can start washing it you should drain out all of the water. When you have done this, scour inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. Feel free to use a toothbrush if helpful for any stubborn crevasses. Be sure to completely rinse the inside of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and eliminate any plankton or calcium. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it quicker to scrub. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain ingredients that will accumulate inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
One final trick for keeping your fountain in top working order is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!