Assyrian Arts

By: Sarah Pazderski

Background

• In ancient times art was used to communicate primitive images such as evil spirits, fertility, love, war, fear and death.

• As man became civilized these images became more sophisticated and art became a tool of a bigger purpose.

• In ancient Assyria for example, art was used to construct cities, palaces, libraries, hanging gardens, sculpture, reliefs and texts.

Reasons to use Art

• Assyrians used art to educate and to shape their society and to establish human identity.

• they also used art to influence other societies around them.

• Assyrian rulers found that if a society engages in creating and preserving culture through art, the society flourishes internally and spreads its influence through other regions.

Continued…

• The Assyrians more than any society used art to establish the emergence of a super-culture.

• They also used it to influence world opinion.

Examples of Art

• Assyrian art was usually Guardian animals, like lions and winged beasts with bearded human heads.

• They were sculpted partially in the round for fortified royal gateways.