The Classical period in Greek culture was from 480 - 400 BC and was much different from the art periods before it. This period marked the pinnacle of there culture, and many new ideas were being introduced through there artwork. The first of these ideas was of Contraposto, the naturalistic and balanced body style that became widely popular, and deviant from previous ideals. The Greeks also strove for accurate proportions, and idealized forms. An example of these ideas in there artwork would be the statue of Doryphorus (Spear Bearer) by Polyclitus. This wonderful work became the "Canon" or the rule of measure for the ideal proportions for human figure during the Classical period. Many other ideas differed from the Archaic period such as the modification of proportion, the highly idealized male figure, and movement and proportions of the body are determined by geometry and math. Around this time the Greeks also fully embraced the realism and fluidness that is the idealistic Greek athlete. The Discobolus by Myron showed a great difference in form from previous artistic periods, and had very little continuity with previous artworks such as the Korous. The Discobolus depicted movement in free-standing sculpture, and brought about the idea of spaciousness and balance, which for that time period were radical ideas. The statue also was used to stand for energy, and tried to draw the viewer into wanting to participate. This was also the first time circles were widely used, and they soon became prevalent in Greek art and architecture throughout the Classical period. The Greek architecture of the Classical period is easily recognizable today boasting of such works as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Acropolis, which were all ground-breaking architectural accomplishments. Though styles such as Doric and Ionic columns were used in both periods, they were used in different ways. The Parthenon used Doric columns as a sign of power and wealth, compared to the Archaic period in which the Doric orders were used out of necessity to complete the building.
