Kouroi e opliti: sulle tracce della charis maschile

The representation of the warriors in Greek art evolved not only with regard to the military techniques but also to the male figure in the whole. The Olpe Chigi shows a famous “hoplitic” scene where the protagonists are examined under the aspect of the charis, a fully positive term which is difficult to translate: grace, beauty, but also in a wide sense honour, glory, respect. Through a broad spectrum of archaeological evidence (the pre-Classical warrior burials, the statues of kouroi and the male figures painted on the vases) one can make out the traces of the progressive passing of an aristocratic ideal of charis strictly related to rank. The Dipylon kouros and the François crater reveal precious details shedding a new light on the Archaic Athenian imaginary, contributing the composition of a much wider framework.