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

2. 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

3. 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 BCE)
Ishtar Gate, restored (575 BCE)
Blue- Glazed Bricks which were molded and glazed separately
profile figures of dragons and bulls alternate

4. Flashcard
Ishtar Gate, Babylon

5. 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

6. PERSEPOLIS
Persepolis citadel built by Darius I and Xerxes between 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 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

7. (2-30/1) The Audience Hall (apandana) of Darius and Xerxes – Apadana Persepolis, Iran Persian c 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

8. (2-30/2) The Audience Hall (apandana) of Darius and Xerxes – Apadana stairway Persepolis, Iran Persian c 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

9. Processional frieze

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