Stele of Naramsin c. 2254-2218 BCE Akkad Why is Naramsin so much bigger than the other figures in the relief? What is hieratic scale? Stele of Naramsin c. 2254-2218 BCE Akkad Duccio’s Maesta Entry into Jerusalem

Art of the Ancient Near East http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/t/the_flood_tablet.aspx http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/7cEz771FSeOLptGIElaquA http://www.metmuseum.org/metmedia/audio/collections/014-college-intern-talk-neoassyrian-reliefs?chanID=15b8bd86-7b44-4cd9-ab24-324ec762b0f5 Neo-Assyrian Reliefs http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=04&region=wam#/Works-of-Art

Votive State of Gudea c. 2120 BCE Lagash Why do the votive figures have proportionally enormous eyes? Supplicants to the gods were supposed to keep an attentive gaze with the deity; to offer the god perpetual attention Votive States c. 2900-2600

What is a ziggurat? A stepped pyramid structure with a temple or shrine on top What is the symbolic function of a ziggurat? To act as a bridge between heaven and earth What is the political purpose of a ziggurat? To proclaim the wealth, prestige, and stability of a city’s rules and to glorify the gods that protect that city.

Stele of Naramsin c. 2254-2218 BCE Akkad Why is Naramsin so much bigger than the other figures in the relief? What is hieratic scale?

Stele of Hammurabi c. 1792-1750 Babylonia Babylonia, Mari Who are the two men at the top of the stele? Hammurabi and Shamash (the sun god and god of justice) What is the significance of this stele? It was intended to ensure the uniform treatment of people throughout the kingdom; wealth, class, and gender determine rights and punishments What was the king’s role? To act as an intermediary between his citizens and the gods. Stele of Hammurabi c. 1792-1750 Babylonia

Human-Headed Winged Lion Lamassu (plural: lamassus) 883-859 Assyrian What is a lamassu? A guardian-protector of an Assyrian palace or throne room Why is a lamassu large—usually twice a man’s height? To symbolize the strength of the ruler the lamassu defends. What is the purpose of the lamassu? To inspire civic pride and fear

Ashurnasirpal II Killing Lions Assyria What does lion killing symbolize? How does the image of a king killing a lion help that king?

Killing Lions

Killing Lions

Killing Lions

Killing Lions

Ishtar Gate and Throne Room Wall Neo-Babylonia c. 575 BCE

The Ishtar Gate was built around Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II (604- 562 B.C.).

The Flood Tablet, relating part of the Epic of Gilgamesh http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/t/the_flood_tablet.aspx http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qg5my The Flood Tablet, relating part of the Epic of Gilgamesh

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/7cEz771FSeOLptGIElaquA Gold Coin of Croesus

Daric coin, first minted under Darius I of Persia, 4th century BCE http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/g/gold_daric_coin.aspx Daric coin, first minted under Darius I of Persia, 4th century BCE