Ancient Near East

Ancient Near East Sumerian Accomplishments 3500 BCE – Invention of the Wheel 3400 BCE – Invention of pottery wheel 3300 BCE – Invention of writing (cuneiform) 3000 BCE – Epic of Gilgamesh written – 1st literary work

Ancient Near East Other developments in Ancient Near East 2300 – 2150 BCE - Akkadian Dynasty and Empire – conquest of Sumeria 2150 – 1760 BCE - Neo-Sumerian Dynasty 1760 – 1600 BCE – Babylonian Empire: develops advanced mathematics 1600 – 1000 BCE – Splintering of Empire into 3 areas: Hittites in north (develop iron weapons); Kassites in center and Elamites in south.

Ancient Near East 1350 – 612 BCE – Assyrian Empire : most brutal and feared warriors of A.N.E. 669 – 627 BCE – Ashurbanipal rules Assyria 612 – 538 BCE – Neo-Babylonian (Chaldaean) Empire : conquer Egypt in 605 BCE and Jerusalem in 586 BCE under Nebuchadnezzar II (Babylonian Captivity – Destruction of Temple of Solomon) 538 – 330 BCE – Persian Empire : largest empire then known stretching from modern day Iran to Egypt

Ancient Near East Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were nearly all polytheistic. Polytheism – belief in more than one god. (Only exception was the Jews who later developed monotheism – a belief in one god). All Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were theocratic. Theocracy – government which is led by religious rulers that were in charge of both the political and religious aspects of their cultures

Ancient Near East Sumerian Pantheon Anu- sky god/king of gods Ishtar – fertility goddess/ queen of gods Abu – god of plants Enlil – god of earth /wind Enki – god of wisdom Persian Gods Ahura Mazda – god of light Ahriman – god of darkness Dualistic religion where both gods were equal and opposite

Ancient Near East Characteristics of Sumerian Art Prominent Eyes Arched eyebrows Cylindrical body shape Conceptual approach to human figures Offers homage to the gods Highly stylized/even abstract at times Focus on the spiritual world

Ancient Near East Akkadian and Assyrian Art Characteristics Art to commemorate warriors and rulers More naturalistic than Sumerian Portrayal of violence Illustrates and glorifies the military power of the people and their king and his accomplishments

Sumerians

White Temple and ziggurat Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. White Temple and ziggurat ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E. Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq Architecture mud brick Oldest temple structure in Mesopotamia

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Female head (possibly Inanna) RECOVERED Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Female head (possibly Inanna) ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E. Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq Sculpture marble approximately 8 in. high

Warka Vase RECOVERED ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E. Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq Pottery alabaster approximately 3 ft. high Considered masterpiece of Mesopotamian pottery RECOVERED Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Sumerian- Art Votive Statues from Abu Temple 2600 BCE Tell Asmar, Sumeria Sculpture Votive statues had prayers inscribed upon them and were offered to the gods Votive means offering

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Sumerian- Art Standard of Ur 2700 - 2600 BCE Ur, Sumeria Relief sculpture,craftwork Wood with inlaid shells, limestone and lapis lazuli Considered masterpiece of Sumerian art Two sided one side is war one is peace King is largest figure on both sides

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Sumerian- Art Bull’s Head Lyre 2600 BCE Ur, Sumeria Sculpture Found in Queen Paubi’s tomb Never used so signifies possible use in afterlife Wood with inlaid shell, gold and lapis lazuli

from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery Ram in a thicket from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery ca. 2,600 B.C.E. Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq Sculpture gold, silver, lapis lazuli, copper, shell, red limestone, bitumen 42.6 cm. high Sumerian mythology included many magical animals Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Akkadians

Head of an Akkadian ruler MISSING Head of an Akkadian ruler ca. 2,250-2,200 B.C.E. Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq Sculpture 14 3/8 in. high Possibly Sargon or Naram-Sin 2 signs of power - beard and crown Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Akkadian- Art Victory Stele of Naram-Sim 2300 – 2200 BCE Akkad Relief Sculpture Shows king on top of mountain triumphing over his enemies Size of king dramatically larger than those around him It was a public monument showing king’s power

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Neo-Sumerians

Neo-Sumerian- Art Ziggurat of Ur-Nammu 2500 – 2050 BCE Ur, Sumeria (Iraq) Architecture Priest was only one allowed to visit the home of the god at the top of the temple Ur-Nammu writes first code of laws (incomplete) Neo-Sumerians not original Sumerians

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Neo-Sumerian- Art Gudea of Lagash 2144 – 2124 BCE Lagash, Sumeria Sculpture Priest-king – first statue of non-hero Made of Diorite – because stone was strong and long lasting No attempt at reality – but regal

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Babylonians

Babylonian- Art Law Code of Hammurabi 1760 BCE Babylon Relief Sculpture Made of Diorite First complete written code of laws Sun god Shamash hands laws directly to Hammurabi making it clear that all must follow them

Hittites

Hittite Art Lion Gate 1343-1200 BCE Hattusha, Turkey Architecture/Relief Sculpture Capital of Hittite Empire Hittites are first to use iron weapons

Assyrians

Assyrian- Art Lamassu from Citadel of Sargon 883 – 859 BCE Nimrud, Assyria Relief Sculpture Lamassu were protector gods assumed by the Assyrians to come to life to protect them Note 5 legs

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Assyrian archers pursuing enemies from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II ca. 875-860 B.C.E. Kalhu (modern Nimrud), Iraq Relief Sculpture 2 ft. 10 3/8 in. high Perspective is not even considered – larger figures are the important ones Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Assyrian- Art Ashurnasirpal II Killing Lions 850 BCE Nimrud, Assyria Relief Sculpture Limestone Part of the Hunting Reliefs The Hunting Reliefs are considered the masterpiece of Ancient Near Eastern Art

Hunting Reliefs – Releasing Lion and Dying Lioness Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Hunting Reliefs – Releasing Lion and Dying Lioness

Ancient Near East Sack of Hamanu by Ashurbanipal 650 BCE Nineveh, Assyria Relief Sculpture Scale is all out of proportion Narrative is what is important Power of king and his army’s technique are the focus

Neo-Babylonian

Neo-Babylonian- Art Ishtar Gate 575 BCE Babylon Architecture From Neo-Babylonian period made of glazed brick One of over 30 entrances to city – used for defensive purposes and to impress visitors Animals used for ornamentation Crenellations on top for defense

Ishtar Gate (restored) details of dragon (Marduk) and bull (Adad) Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Ishtar Gate (restored) details of dragon (Marduk) and bull (Adad)

Ishtar Gate (restored) details of lion (Ishtar) Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Ishtar Gate (restored) details of lion (Ishtar)

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Persian Art

Persian- Art Achaemenid Palace / palace of Darius I and Xerxes I 518 – 460 BCE Persepolis, Persia Architecture Palace was destroyed by Alexander the Great in revenge for the destruction of the Acropolis in Athens Laid out in grid pattern

Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I

Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. .

Ancient Near East - Art Winged Ibex 4th century BCE Persia Relief Sculpture This object was used as a jar handle Gilded in gold over stone Animal motif prevailed in Ancient Near East

Sasanian Art

Palace of Shapur I ca. 250 C.E. Ctesiphon, Iraq Architecture Roman artisans aided in the construction – hence the arch Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian ca. 260 C.E. Bishapur, Iraq rock-cut relief sculpture The Roman Emperor kneels in defeat before the Sasanian King

Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?) Slide concept by Anthony D'Ascoli, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights. Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?) ca. 350 C.E. Bishapur, Iraq Sculpture silver with mercury gilding 15 3/4 in. high

Ancient Near East - Art The End Next Lecture: Ancient Egypt