Compare the appearance of the Kouros with other marble sculpture in the Getty collection.

The kouros and Poseidon sculptures were created at two different times in history when Greek societies were near polar opposites, a fact that is reflected in their appearance. There are many different kouros sculptures, all of which have characteristics in common (Adams, 12). Most kouroi (plural of kouros) were created during the Archaic period of Greek history (700 B.C.E.-500 B.C.E), and they are similar to the Egyptian statues that preceded them. 1 The Poseidon statue was created in the early Classical period (500 B.C.E -300 B.C.E) also known as the Classical Revolution. 2 It reflects the severe style3 that was popular at the time of Pericles, whose work helped Athens become one of the most progressive of the city-states, with an active society of scientists, philosophers, poets, dramatists, artists, and architects. 4 This progression of Greek history is echoed in the change from the kouros to the Poseidon sculptures.

The kouros sculpture, made sometime during 650 B.C.E. to 525 B.C.E.5, shows the Greek idea of what male "physical perfection"6 looked like at this time in Greek history. These Archaic period Greek sculptures were influenced by Egyptian art, both in their geometric proportioning and appearance.7 Kouros sculptures were produced in large quantities at the time, ranging from small bronze figures to huge marble statues.8 During the Archaic period in Greek history when kouroi were popular, there was a harsh separation between the wealthy aristocrats and the lower classes (Bentley, 54). Only the aristocrats could afford to have the kouros sculptures made for them, and they used them for votive and funerary purposes. The kouros sculptures were "emblems of ruling class-virtues such as excellence and the ideal fusion of the beautiful and the good."9 They were also "considered a perfect embodiment of the aristocratic ideal of athletic male prowess and warrior-like virtue that permeated the strata of Greek society wealthy enough to commission sculpture."10 The aristocracy used kouros sculptures to show their wealth and status during this period and to display many qualities valued by the aristocracy at the time.

The lower classes of Athens soon became angry at their position in society and threatened a war with the aristocrats (Boardman, 15). However, an aristocrat named Solon compromised with them, giving the people more opportunity and limiting the power of the aristocrats. After some time, others reformed the system until a democracy was formed. During this period of Greek history, the Persian Wars occurred in 500 B.C.E to 479 B.C.E. The Persians destroyed the city of Athens and with it went much of the "old style sculpture of the city."12 Soon afterwards, a very popular leader, Pericles, came into power in Athens and was in control from 461 B.C.E. to 429 B.C.E.13 Pericles encouraged building programs, science, philosophy, art, and other elements of society, thus rebuilding Athens. It was during this time that the Poseidon sculpture was created.14 After the Persian Wars, and during the reign of Pericles, Greek art was changed ...