Sumerian Period
3500-2332 BCE
-world's 1st city states
-oldest temples and ziggurats
-narratives in register format
Akkadian Period
2332-2150 BCE
-1st Mesopotamian rulers as Kings
-earliest presented hollow cast bronze statuary (onset of metal working)
Neo-Sumerian and Babylonian(Old) Period
2150-1600 BCE
-largest ziggurats erected at Ur
-Gudea rebuilds temples and commissions portraits (commissioning works of art, esp. of ruler, signified wealth and power)
-Hammurabi's Stele and Law Code
Hittite and Assyrian Period
1600-612 BCE
-Hittites sack Babylon and fortify capital at Hattusa (fortification was surrounding capital w/ walls and protection, symbolizing power)
-Assyrians rule vast empire from citadels guarded by Lamassu (citadel was city situated on mtn so natural
Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Period
612-559 BCE
-Nebuchadnezzar II rebuilds Babylon boasting 1-2/7 Wonders of the Ancient World (Hanging Gardens of Babylon and Biblical Tower of Babel), also Ishtar Gate
-Persians build immense palace complex at Persepolis
Greco-Roman and Sassanian Period
330 BCE - 636 CE
-post Alexander the Great's conquest, Mesopotamia/Persia/Egypt adsorbed into Greco-Roman world (hence stories of Caesar an Cleopatra)
-new Persian empire challenges Rome from Ctesiphon
Important Sites Discussed
-Uruk, during Sumerian Uruk Period (Iraq)
-Sumer (S Iraq)
-Tell Asmar (Iraq)
-Akkad (Iraq)
-Lagash (Iraq)
-Babylon (old and neo) (Iraq)
-Assur (Iraq)
-Persepolis (Greece)
Uruk Period and Site
35-3100 BCE
Site: Uruk (S Iraq)
Sumer/Early Dynastic Period and Site
28-2300 BCE
Sites: Sumer, Tell Asmar, Ur (Iraq)
Akkadian Period and Site
23-2100 BCE
Site: Akkad (Iraq)
Neo-Sumerian Period and Site
21-19/1800 BCE
Site: Lagash (Iraq)
Babylonian Periods and Site
Old Period ~ 18-1600 BCE
Site: Babylon (Iraq)
Neo Period ~ 612-539 BCE
Site: Babylon (Iraq)
Assyrian Empire and Site
1300-612 BCE
Site: Assur (Iraq)
Achaemenid Persian Empire and Site
559-331 BCE
Site: Persepolis (Greece)
Other Important Cultures of the Ancient Near East
-The Hittites in Anatolia
-The Phoenicians
-The Hebrews
-Ancient Iran
The Hittites in Anatolia
Anatolia, modern day Boghask�y, Turkey
1450-1200 BCE
Site: Hattusas (fortified capital city)
ex: The Lion Gate
The Phonecians
East coast of the Mediterranean, present day Lebanon
Integrated motifs from Egypt and the E Mediterranean Coast
Adept working metal and ivory, making colored glass
ex: Ivory Plaque Depicting Winged Sphinx
The Hebrews
modern day Jerusalem, Israel
Site: Mount Moriah
one of only monotheistic peoples
ex: Temple of Solomon (2nd)
~457-450 BCE
Ancient Iran
modern day Iran
5000-331 BCE
was a flourishing ag center in Neo times
art reflects intersections w/ Mesopotamian cultures
early tribes left no structures/records...only what they buried with the dead
fashioned objects of wood, bone, metal
common decorativ
Ways of Expressing Power in Architecture and Works of Art of the Ancient Near East
MANY (see note card from class)
-fortification of capitals --> citadels
-commissioning of work of art
-employment of skilled craftsmen
-carving in relief (2D)
-massive size and elevation of architecture like high temples and ziggurats --> monumentality
-a
Attributes of Royalty in Art
MANY (see additional readings)
-distinctive headdress
-activities featured such as ritual performance~votive for offering to deity
-beard and mustache
-pronounced size and muscular physique
-in Mesopotamian art large eyes and unibrow
-long or elaborate ga
The 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
-Great Pyramid at Giza, Egypt
-Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Iraq
-Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Greece
-Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Turkey
-Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, SE Turkey
-Colossus of Rhodes, Greece
-Lighthouse at Alexandria, Egypt
large urban cities began to emerge in Mesopotamia in the area between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers in...
4000 BCE
the first major civilization in Mesopotamia dating to 4000 BCE was...
these cities flourished until...
several city states in the Southern region of Sumer near the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
these cities flourished until 2340 BCE
the sumerians developed writing systems, with the earliest appearing around...and consisting of...
the earliest writing system was refined by...into...and was known as
the earliest writing appeared around 34-3200 BCE and consisted of pictograms
the earliest writing system was refined by 2900 BCE into a series of wedge shaped characters known as cuneiform
the most famous literary work of Mesopotamia is...
the Epic of Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh carved his story on a stone marker ~ reinforcing the relationship between relief sculpture and narrative in Sumerian culture***
during the Sumerian period, art was used to reflect...
art was used to reflect political power, expressing stories through art
the grave goods from the Great Death Pit in Ur (Sumer) are particularly rich suggesting...
suggesting the elite status of many of the dead
The Royal Standard of Ur shows...
shows the early development of visual narrative, with scenes depicted in distinct registers
Im Mesopotamia we see the emergence of a --- religion...
we see the emergence of a polytheistic religion centered around the concerns of everyday life and many powerful and immortal gods and goddesses
we often find an association of animals with deities
Deity: ---> attribute
An (Anu)
Inanna (Ishtar)
Abu
Enki
Enlil
Imdugud
Shamash
Attribute:
Anu-sky god and head of the pantheon
Ishtar-queen of heaven, spouse of Anu, goddess of fertility, love and war
Abu-god of vegetation
Enki-god of wisdom
Enlil-god of atmosphere
Imdugud-storm god
Shamash-sun god
Each sumerian city had a...
civic god
in conjunction w/ the city's ruler governed the city with a system of theocratic socialism
theocratic socialism
civic god and city's ruler aligned
administrative staff based in the city temple and supplied area farmers w/ seeds, tools and work animals
farmers would donate a portion of their produce to the temple
The two types of Sumerian temples...
high and low
low temples rested on ground level
high temples were raised on platforms, which were gradually transformed into temples known as ziggurats
ziggurats were temples which served as a bridge between heaven and earth
Remains of the White Temple on its Ziggurat
-3500-3000 BCE
-Sumerian
-Uruk, Iraq
-white washed brick surfaces
-honored sky god Anu
-40' mount constructed by filling in ruins of older temples w/ brickwork ~ sacred site
-recessed brick work articulated slop
Female Head
-Uruk, Iraq
-Sumerian
-3200-3000 BCE
-limestone
-20.3 cm
-example of cult statue
-carved face of white limestone
-details added in precious materials like Au or Cu (secured by ridge in head) wig, and eyes/brows of colored materials
-abstractio
Statues from Abu Temple
-Tell Asmar, Iraq
-Sumerian
-2700-2500 BCE
-limestone, alabaster, gypsum
-76.3 cm ~ tallest figure
-group of sculptures
-hieratic scale
-shells set in bitumen accentuating eyes *seeing
-large eyes w/ exaggerated uno-brow as apotrop
The identification of the Tell Asmar figures is controversial...
some scholars believe they are supposed to represent Abu and his consort
most consider the entire group to be worshippers
the style of these figures is highly abstract
Royal Standard of Ur
-front and back sides
-Sumerian
-2600 BCE
-Ur, Iraq
-exemplify development of visual narratives in register format where subsequent panels tell story
-each panel unfolds to 3 horizontal registers superposed like bands
-2 panels shown
During the period of Sumerian power, a people known as the --- settled the area near modern Baghdad
the Akkadians settled the area near modern Baghdad
Under the rule of ---, the Akkadians conquered...
under the role of Sargon I the Akkadians conquered the Sumerian cities and brought most of Mesopotamia under their control
Head of an Akkadian Ruler
-Nineveh, Iraq
-2250-2200 BCE
-Akkadian
-30.7 cm
-copper
-most likely a representation of Sargon I, but some suggest it is a portrait of his grandson King Narim-Sin
-individualized lips and nose
# factors contribute to power of p
Stele of Narim-Sin
-Akkadian City, Iraq
-2254-2218 BCE
-Akkadian
-2m
-carving in relief, 2D, material carved away so elements creating form and telling story are prominent and projecting
-commemorate's King's victory over Lullubi
-king large scale and cen
In the Stele of Narim Sin two themes are combined...
the themes of power and narrative are combined
The rule of the Akkadians ended when...
when the Guti gained control of the Mesopotamian Plain
the Sumer drove them out in 2100 BCE under the leadership of King Urnammu of Ur
King Urnammu of Ur re-established Sumerian as the state language and began constructing buildings on a large scale
Great Ziggurat of King Urnammu
-neo-sumerian
-Iraq
-2100 BCE
-dedicated to moon god Nanna
-3 stepped stages
-base of mud brick faced w/ baked bricks set in bitumen ~ material and wide --> durability and strength
thick buttresses (vertical support elements
Statues from Lagash...
carved of diorite
attest to the piety and wealth of Gudea, the ruler of Lagash, one of the smaller Sumerian city states
Head of Gudea
-Lagash, Iraq
-neo-sumerian
-2100 BCE
-Diorite ~ artistic skill, wealth, power
-23.2 cm
-wearing thick woolen cap
-eyes large and wide w/ brow
-highly polished surface and precise modeling ~ light plays on features
-highly polished surface
The Babylonians established a powerful dynasty centered around the city of...
the founder was...
Babylon
the founder was Hammurabi
Hammurabi and his law code
founder of Babylonian dynasty(1792-50 BCE)
famous law code was one of earliest written bodies of law
lists 282 regulations dealing with commercial and property matters as well as domestic problems
law code inscribed on the lower portion of the Stele of Ha
Babylonian Deed of Sale
-1750 BCE
-Babylonian
-clay tablet w/ cuneiform writing
-graphically shows impressions made by the stylus in the soft clay
Upper part of stele inscribed with the Law Code of Hammurabi
-babylon
-babylonian
-1760 BCE
-stele 2.1m black basalt
-relief 71cm diorite ~ wealth, power
-Hammurabi in relief before enthroned sun god
-both at top of law code suggesting both preside over t
The administrative center of the Assyrian Empire was...
the palace of Ashurbanipal II at Nimrud, Iraq
The theme of Assyrian art was...
the power of the ruler
reflected in reliefs which were decorated with the details of the military campaigns that communicated the invincibility of this powerful empire
Lamassu
large guardian figures that protected the Assyrian palaces
Lion Hunt Relief
-North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Iraq
-Assyrian
-645 BCE
-orthostat relief (large upright gypsum slabs lining lower walls of palace)
-lions powerful and symbol of royalty, featuring muscles and jumping
-sculptor contrasted limp slain animal
After the Assyrian empire fell to...
the city of --- lived outs its last year
fell to the Medes in 612 BCE
the city of Babylon witnessed one final brief flowering b/w 612-539 BCE before it was conquered by the persians ~ late babylonian art
The most well known late Babylonian ruler was...
Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BCE)
a strong commander
responsible for building the renowned hanging gardens of Babylon, 1 of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World, plus the Ishtar Gate
Ishtar Gate
-The Royal Palace
-Babylon, Iraq
-late Babylonian
-575 BCE
-baked and glazed brick ~ vivid coloristic effect
-12.2 m
-framework of brightly colored ornamental bands w/ procession of sacred animals in molded brick against dark blue background
-
Babylon was overthrown in 1595 BCE by...
the Hittites
prior to late Babylonian period and brief flowering under Nebuchadnezzar II
Hittites adopted cuneiform writing for their language
The Hittite empire reached its height between
reached its height b/w 1400-1200 BCE
The Lion Gate
-Anatolia, Turkey
-The Hittites
-1400 BCE
-7' high
-likely inspired by assyrian lamassu serving same protective and intimidating function
-lions have ferocity and frontality
-carved and protruding from massive, irregularly shaped limestones
The Akkadians expelled the Hebrews from Mesopotamia in...
the Hebrews were expelled from Mesopotamia in 2000 BCE
they settled in Canaan before removing to Egypt in 1600 BCE
later returned to Canaan which they named Israel
The Hebrews exhibited the first...
the first monotheistic religion
their worship centered on Yahweh
Solomon built the first temple on...
on Mount Moriah where it stood until it was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar II of late Babylon in 587-6 BCE
The Israelities (Hebrews) were forced into exile and returned in...
538 BCE
the second temple, the temple of Solomon, was reconstructed under Herod the Great in 457-450 BCE
Temple of Solomon reconstruction
-Jerusalem
-The Hebrews
-457-450 BCE
-2nd temple, 1st destroyed
-enlarged and raised from rubble of 1st
-inner sanctuary held ark of the covenant
-W wall called the "Wailing Wall
The Persian Empire was...
a successor to a long progression of Mesopotamian kingdoms
extended from Greece to the Himalayas and from Southern Russia to the Indian Ocean
Instead of religious architecture, Persian kings constructed...
persian Kings constructed vast royal palaces
the most ambitious of which was at Persepolis
Persian Art displayed a sort of...
internationalism, multiculturalism
adopting and blending styles from across the region; egyptian, mesopotamian, assyrian, greek
created an international style
commissioned craftsmen w/ master skills from various regions and empires to come and do work ~ c
Palace of Darius and Xerxes
-at Persepolis, Greece
-Persian
-fortified and raised on platform
-great number of rooms, halls and courts
-extravagant and massive
-synthesis of materials(brick, wood, etc) from across empire ~ statement of internationalism
-e
Audience Hall of Darius and Xerxes
-Persepolis, Greece
-Persian
-500 BCE
-36 columns of 40' supporting wooden ceiling
-columns like Egyptians w/ vegetal detail of bases and capitals
-columns like greek w/ fluted column shafts
-crowning column capitals are
The Persians were defeated...
in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great who burned the Palace at Persepolis
Alexander the Great
after his death his empire was divided among his generals
Seleukas inherited a large portion of the Near East
***Shapur I...
expanded the Sassanian empire defeating 3 roman emperors ~250 BCE
military victories were commemorated on several reliefs including; Shapur I Triumphing over the Roman Emperors Philip the Arab and Valerian (ironically appropriates Roman iconography of tri
Goat in Thicket (Ram and Tree)
-one of the pair from the Great Death Pit in Royal Cemetery of Ur, Iraq
-Sumerian
-2600 BCE
-wood, gold, lapis lazuli, Cu, red limestone
-50.8 cm
-"grave goods"
-reflects sumerian concerns about plant/animal fertility
-refle
Bull Lyre
-from tomb of Queen Pu-abi
-Ur, Iraq
-Sumerian
-2600 BCE
-bulls head of gold
-lapis lazuli, bitumen, shell for detailing
-would've been in wood support as part of lyre (string instrument like harp)~ re-assembled
-panel just below as inlay of lyr
Inlay panel from soundbox of Bull Lyre
-Ur, Iraq
-Sumerian
-2600 BCE
-shell and bitumen
-31.1x11.3 cm
-panel tells myth/fable ~ funerary context
-hybrid creatures ~ apotropaic device
-male figure embracing 2 human-faced bulls
-male figure facing viewer w/
Priest-King Feeding Sacred Sheep
-Uruk, Iraq
-Sumerian
-3300 BCE
-cylinder sealing
-5.4 cm x 4.5 cm
-carved into stone
-shows the feeding of the temple herd, which provided much of the temple's wealth
-human figure w/ distinctive costume and hat ~ priest-
...
Seated Statue of Gudea holding temple plan
-Iraq
-neo-sumerian
-2100 BCE
-Diorite
-73.7 cm
-long garment draped over one shoulder
-highly polished surface and precise modeling ~ light plays on feature
-rounded forms emphasize figure's compactness ~ monume
Gate of the Citadel of Sargon II
-Iraq
-Assyrian
-742-706 BCE
-citadel gateway
-limestone
-guardian figures known as lamassu: winged, human headed bulls, hybrid creatures, almost in the round, carved of palace wall so 1 w/ wall, deep relief sculptures, ad
Fugitives Crossing River
-Northwest Palace of Ashurbanipal, Iraq
-Assyrian
-883-859 BCE
-alabaster
-98 cm
-artists intersperses landscape elements w/ humans ~ no concern for scale or single viewpoint
-naturalism
-narrative, recounting enemy conquest
Phoenician Ivory Plaque depicting a winged sphinx
-N Iraq
-The Phoenicians
-8th C BCE
-ivory plaque
-"open work" ivory plaque q/ egyptian sphinx poised atop ~ agility
-Egyptian details: wig, apron, pants
-carver reduced crown to fit w/in panel ~ Egyptian
Painted Beaker
-Susa, Iran
-Iranian
-4000 BCE
-28.3 cm
-handleless beaker
-surface is thin shell of pale yellow clay w/ brown glaze
-ibex form reduced to few dramatic sweeping curves w/ circles of horns in 2D reflect cup's roundness
-hounds above ibex str
Achaemenid Rhyton
-Persepolis, Iran
-Persian
-5-3rd C BCE
-gold
-ritual cup
-shaped as a senmurv (mythical creature and hybrid of mesopotamian creatures w/ lion body, griffin's wings and peacock's tail)
-excellent craft of international metal worker ~ ski
Bull Capital
-Persepolis, Iran
-Persian
-500 BCE
-front parts of 2 bulls back to back and truncated motif similar to iranian art, but choice of bull like Assyrian culture w/ lamassu
-crowned column capitals
-capitals similar to greek w/ shaft and Egyptian
Darius and Xerxes Giving Audience
-limestone relief embellishing platform and stairway of the hall
-theme of harmony and integration across multicultural empire
-in stark contrast to military narratives of Assyrians
-long rows of marching figures, superpo
Shapur I Triumphing over the Roman Emperors Philip the Arab and Valerian
-near Persepolis, Iran
-Sassanian, Neo-Persian
-260-272 CE
-immense panel carved into rock
-a "stock roman scene" but w/ Shapur triumphing ~ a "diss", ironic, iconography
-combined R
Palace of Shapur I
-Iraq
-Sassanian, Neo-Persian
-242-272 CE
-brick, barrel vaulted audience hall
-exploited arch spanning huge space ~ Roman
-90' high space enclosed by arch ~ massive and monumental royal building ~ Near Eastern
-blind arcades: registers
Peroz I or Kavad I Hunting Rams
-Sassanian, Neo-Persian
-5-6 C CE
-vessel/bowl
-silver w/ mercury gilding and niello inlay
-21.9 cm diameter, 4.6 cm ht
-metal work continued to flourish and hunting scenes were very popular
-image hammered out from behind