<P> C. 540--520 BC: this is the era of the Peisistratos dynasty and marks the assumption of Athens as the centre of artistic activity in Greece . In this period of great development the anatomical proportions become normal, the forms modelled and the spine clearly S - shaped . The head is now spherical and well - developed . The tragus takes on its natural form, the antitragus is also indicated . Hair occasionally descends as far as nape of neck . The sterno - mastoids when marked are indicated by modelled shapes . Their attachment to sternum and clavicles is often not indicated, this results in a continuous hollow groove or run above the clavicle . There is an attempt to indicate the backward curve of clavicle . Groove along linea alba is sometimes continued below the navel . The lower boundary of thorax arch is indicated . In the flanks the swelling of the external part is well developed . Lower boundary of abdomen assumes shape of small semicircle or deep curve . The erector spinae always indicated as modelled shape . Generally hand and forearm is semi-pronated . Hands are no longer attached to body but joined by short supports . The metacarpal bones are sometimes indicated . The bulge of the vastus internus increases . Toes are no longer parallel but do not recede along a continuous curve . Toes and nails point upwards . The articulation of joints is well rendered . Sometimes the flank of the advanced leg is placed forward and higher than receding leg . </P> <P> The characteristics of this group can be observed on the Siphnian Treasury which is dated on external evidence before 525 BC, therefore allowing time for the maturation of the style we can date the beginning of this group to, roughly, a generation prior . The earliest is perhaps the Munich kouros (Glyptothek 169) judging by the rendering of some of the muscles . Other significant Attic kouroi in this style are the Anavyssos (Base reads: "Stand and mourn Kroisos, first in line of battle and whom Ares (God of War) killed") (NAMA 3851), the akropolis torso (Akropolis 665, 596), and the Rayet head (Carlsberg Glyptothek 418). The island of Keos supplies us with one of the best examples of the time (NAMA 3686), notable for its advanced rendering of the back where the greatest protrusion of the back is level with that of the chest . Keos was likely under the cultural influence of Athens at this time and this kouros is comparable to and chronologically close to the Anavyssos kouros and akropolis head . From the Ptoan sanctuary in Boeotia we have the Ptoon 12 kouros (NAMA), "softer, less sturdy" suggests Richter it is, she asserts, a native Boeotian product and not an Athenian import . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> Anavysos Kouros . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Munich Kouros, Munich 169 . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Athens, NAMA 4890, Kouros from Merenda . </P> </Li> </Ul> <Li> <P> Anavysos Kouros . </P> </Li>

Greek statues from the archaic period like kouros differ from ancient egyptian statues because