In the 5th century B.C., Greek artists perfected an idealized version of the human form, representing figures with youthful, serene faces and toned bodies in elegant, balanced poses. Painters and sculptors of later centuries were greatly influenced by this classical ideal and by the mythological subjects so often depicted by ancient artists. The art of marble sculpture, its techniques, themes, and characteristics can also be traced back to the remarkable artistic achievements of classical Greek and Roman sculptors that have influenced generations of artists.