APAH – GARDNER CHAPTER 2-3 PP. 47-51 THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST APAH – GARDNER CHAPTER 2-3 PP. 47-51

NEO-BABYLONIA – 6th century Neo-Babylonian kings held sway over the former Assyrian Empire until the Persian conquest. Babylon: city’s famous hanging gardens were counted among Seven Wonders of ancient world/ enormous ziggurat= Tower of Babel/ mud-brick city

King Nebuchadnezzar II (r. 604-562 BCE) (2-additional) Ishtar Gate Babylon, Iraq Neo-Babylonian c. 575 B.C.E. Glazed brick Flashcard Neo-Babylonian Art King Nebuchadnezzar II (r. 604-562 BCE) Ishtar Gate, restored (575 BCE) Blue- Glazed Bricks which were molded and glazed separately profile figures of dragons and bulls alternate

Flashcard Ishtar Gate, Babylon

THE PERSIAN EMPIRE (559-330 BCE) Cyrus of Persia captures Babylon in the 6th century The Achaemenid dynasty By 480 BCE was the largest empire in the world

PERSEPOLIS Persepolis citadel built by Darius I and Xerxes between 521-465 BCE stands on high plateau Alexander the Great sacked the site royal audience hall (apadana) 60 ft. high and 217 ft. square, contained 36 colossal columns= thousands could stand in hall reliefs decorated walls of terrace and staircases Processional frieze (detail) on terrace of royal audience hall, Persepolis, Iran, ca. 521-465 BCE, Painted reliefs (project higher than Assyrian reliefs which are low) Subject: Persian nobles and dignitaries represent 23 subject nations bringing the king tribute (in national costume with regional gifts) Rounded forms/treatment of drapery folds= Greek influence Persian Art/Architecture

(2-30/1) The Audience Hall (apandana) of Darius and Xerxes – Apadana Persepolis, Iran Persian c. 520-465 B.C.E. Limestone Flashcard Built by Darius and Xerxes; destroyed by Alexander Built as place for spectacular receptions and festivals Built on artificial terraces Mud brick with stone facing Audience hall/apadana had 36 columns covered by a wooden roof Columns had bells shaped base, capitals are bulls or lions Everything seems built to dwarf the viewer

(2-30/2) The Audience Hall (apandana) of Darius and Xerxes – Apadana stairway Persepolis, Iran Persian c. 520-465 B.C.E. Limestone Flashcard Relief sculptures depict delegations from all parts of the empire bringing gifts to the treasury Darius selected the site of Persepolis in central region of Persia to ensure protection Carved onto the stair are the Immortals -> the King’s Guard which numbered 10,000 Orderly and harmonious world symbolized by static processions

Processional frieze

audience hall - apadana) Persepolis (royal audience hall - apadana) Reconstruction of apadana with bull capitals Bull Capitals