why were the works of art during the greek and roman periods called classical?

The works of art during the Greek and Roman periods are called classical because they represent the art of ancient Greece and Rome, which set a standard of beauty, harmony, proportion, simplicity, and reasonableness that has had lasting influence. This period, known as Classical Antiquity, produced art characterized by idealized human forms, balance, and restrained emotion, often portraying gods and ideal beauty rather than individual likenesses. The classical style emphasizes clarity of structure and intellectual appeal, celebrating timeless beauty and form in sculpture, architecture, and painting. Greek and Roman art became the foundation and inspirational model for later Western art movements, including the Renaissance and Neoclassicism. The term "classical" thus reflects the art's connection to a foundational cultural period that established enduring aesthetic principles widely admired and emulated throughout history.