Chapter 2Ancient Near East

1.Identify the formal and iconographic characteristics of ancient Near Eastern art and architecture

2. Explain the relationship of art, architecture, and religion in the ancient Near East

3. Describe early writing systems and their impact on Mesopotamian cultures

4. Understand the function of religious and secular art and architecture

5. Identify instances of intercultural exchange between ancient Near Eastern civilizations and other parts of the ancient world6. Explain the materials and techniques of ancient Near Eastern art and architecture

Key Concepts

If prehistoric art pointed towards the need to survive, then the art of the ancient (but historical ) civilizations of the Near East point towards the development of urban civilization as we know it. After the Neolithic period, societies formed with organized religions and governments, all of which were reflected in their temples and renderings of their gods, rulers, and laws.

The Sumerians were the first people to create written language, build the wheel and the plow, and organize themselves into a race of people. They were followed by others:

Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, et al. The Greeks (and subsequently the Romans) would borrow heavily from the people of Mesopotamia in creating their own art in the 9th and 8th c. BCE

The art of the near east became what we know as

Islamic art after the Arabs of the 7th century CE took control of the region.

• Mesopotamia Greek: mesos=middle, potamos=river• Mesopotamia: area currently modern day Iraq the

focal point of ancient North Eastern civilization hand potters wheels appear meaning many advances in ceramics first known monumental temples

• Water was the essence of life to those inhabiting the Mesopotamian region. Waterways made agriculture and settled life possible.

• Between 4,000 and 3,000 BC, man laid the foundation for western civilization. politics and religion evolved hand in hand community projects cities were created by 3,500 BC there were rulers, priests, and laborers in these cities production of “monumental” sculpture statues, woven goods, ceramics, and metal works

• Mesopotamian Bronze Age replaced the “stone age.” Agriculture became the basis of wealth and kingships became the dominant form of government. Religion was a part of every aspect of life for both areas. Both Mesopotamia and Egypt were polytheistic societies, meaning they worshipped many gods, each with distinct powers and features. Rulers identified themselves with the gods.

White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE.

Reconstruction drawing of the White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE.

Female head (Inanna?), from Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE. Marble, approx. 8” high.

Presentation of offerings to Inanna (Warka vase), from Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE. Alabaster, 3’1/4” high.

Condition of vase after looting which followed

invasion of Iraq 2003

Statuettes of two worshipers, from the Square Tiemple at Eshunna (modern Tell Asmar), Iraq, ca. 2700 BCE. Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, male figure approx. 2’6” high.

Fragment of the victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures), from Girsu (modern Telloh), Syria, ca. 2600-2500 BCE. Limestone, full stele approx. 5’11” high.

War side side from the Standard of Ur, from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE.

Wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone, approx. 8” x1’7”.

Peace side side from the Standard of Ur, from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE.

Wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone, approx. 8” x1’7”.

Bull-headed lyre (restored) from Tomb 789 (“King’s Grave”), Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE.

Gold leaf and lapis lazuli over a wooden core, approx. 5’5” high.

Soundbox of the lyre from Tomb 789 (“King’s Grave”), Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600

BCE. Wood with inlaid gold, lapis lazuli, and shell, approx. 1’7” high.

Banquet scene, cylinder seal and it’s modern impression, form the Tomb of Pu-abi (Tomb 800), Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Lapis lazuli, approx. 2” high.

Head of an Akkadian ruler, from Nineveh, (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 2250-2200 BCE. Copper, 1 2 3/8 high.

Victory stele of Naram-Sin, from Susa, Iran, 2254-2218 BCE. Pink sandstone, approx. 6’7” high.

Votive disk of Enheduanna, from Ur (Modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2300-2275 BCE. Alabaster, diameter 10”.

Ziggurat (northeastern façade with restored stairs), Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, 2100 BCE.

Seated statue of Gudea holding temple plan, from Girsu (modern Telloh), Iraq, ca. 2100 BCE. Diorite, approx. 2’5” high.

Hammurabi and Shamash, detail of the Stele of Hammurabi, (fig 2-17), from Susa, Iran, 1700 BCE.

Stele with law code of Hammurabi, from Susa, Iran, ca. 1780 BCE. Basalt, approx. 7’4” high.

Lion Gate, Boghazkoy, Turkey, ca. 1400 BCE. Limestone, lions approx.7’high.

Statue of Queen Napir-Asu, from Susa, Iran, ca 1350-1300 BCE. Bronze and copper, 4’2 ¾ high.

Reconstruction drawing of the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad), Iraq, ca. 720-705 BCE.

Lamassu (winged, human-headed bull), from the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad), Iraq, ca. 720-705 BCE. Limeston, approx. 13’ 10” high.

Assyrian archers pursuing enemies, relief from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Kalhu, (modern Nimrud), Iraq, ca. 875-860 BCE. Gypsum, 2’ 20 5/8” high.

Ashurbanipal hunting lions, relief from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 645-640 BCE. Gypsum, 5’4” high.

Ishtar Gate (restored), Babylon, Iraq, ca. 575 BCE. Glazed brick.

Persepolis (royal audience hall in the background), Iran, ca. 521-465 BCE.

Processional frieze, on the terrace of the royal audience hall (apadana), Persepolis, Iran, ca. 521-465 BCE.

Palace of Shapur I, Ctesiphon, Iraq, ca. 250 CE.

Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian, rock-cut relief, Bishapur, Iran, ca. 260 CE.

1.Identify the formal and iconographic characteristics of ancient Near Eastern art and architecture

2. Explain the relationship of art, architecture, and religion in the ancient Near East

3. Describe early writing systems and their impact on Mesopotamian cultures

4. Understand the function of religious and secular art and architecture

5. Identify instances of intercultural exchange between ancient Near Eastern civilizations and other parts of the ancient world6. Explain the materials and techniques of ancient Near Eastern art and architecture