Ancient Greek sculptures have a long history, spanning over 800 years. Any body sculpture artists would be lying if they said they were not, in some way, influenced by the body art sculpture of the Ancient Greeks. The body sculpture created by the Ancient Greeks is classified into three distinct periods – the Archaic period (8th century BC to 5th century BC), Classical period (5th century BC to 4th century BC), and Hellenistic period (4th century BC to 1st century BC). Ancient Greek sculptures of the Classical and Hellenistic periods directly influenced Roman sculpture and even modern western sculpture today.

Archaic Period

The first period of ancient Greek sculptures was influenced by the body art sculpture of the Ancient Egyptians. The ancient Egyptians first brought body art sculpture to prominence by emphasizing perfection of the human form. Even so, the ancient Greek sculptures of the time were considered unnatural and rigid. The body sculpture of this time is criticized for showing that they were assembled in pieces. These statues are today called Kouros (for male) and Kore (for female). They are known for their subjects standing tall and erect, looking straight ahead with arms at the sides. A modern body sculpture artists will rarely use the Kouros and Kore form of ancient Greek sculptures.

Classical Period

The Classical period of ancient Greek sculptures begins with the defeat of the Persians at Marathon. This military victory led to giving the body sculpture artists a sense of optimism and with it, an urge to bring realism to body sculpture. The advancement of this period in ancient Greek sculptures is the contrapposto stance, in which one leg of the subject is extended to convey a shift in weight and the presence of gravity. An example of the contrapposto stance of Classical ancient Greek sculptures is Discobolos by the body sculpture artist, Myron. The Discus Thrower shows the tension of his position and the effects of gravity on him. Myron cast the original in bronze instead of the marble that is popularized in reproductions of ancient Greek sculptures.

Hellenistic Period

The Hellenistic period of ancient Greek sculptures lasts up to the Roman invasion of Greece in the 1st Century BC. The expansion of the Greek empire at this time is responsible for the widespread influence of Greek body art sculpture. This period is known for vastly improving upon the poses and dynamic movement begun in the Classical period of ancient Greek sculptures. The masterpiece of this period is considered the Nike of Samothrace body sculpture. The dynamic of movement is so precise that the wind blowing through the feathers of the wings and the folds of the clothing can be seen with unimaginable detail.