1. And… the role of art in the ancient world
Sumerian Art
And… the role of art in the ancient world

2. What do cities temples and palaces have in common?
They provide **rulers with the means to give physical, objective expression to power… sort of an architectural language
Remember the symbolism of the ziggurat?
What kind of rulers were around in ancient Sumeria?

3. Eridu Temple Complex

4. Citadel of Sargon

5. Art Objects
Not art like we think of today- Ancient art was more of a symbolic language that sought to communicate
Meaning of significant events
Symbolic relationships between humans and gods
Publically proclaim power of gods and rulers
Lots of ancient art in surprising forms- cylinder seals, wall murals, royal standards, religious icons

6. Standing Male Figure with Clasped Hands
Limestone
Gypsum and Shell
Abstracted human figure
Where is your focus?
What is the theme in this statue?

7. WTH is it?

8. Jasper Cylinder Seal 4100-3000 B.C.E

9. Royal Standard of Ur 2550-2400 B.C.E. Mosaic on wood-shell/ lapis
Sounding box of a musical instrument
Paneled on 4 sides with images of war
Simplification – abstraction – repetition
Found in royal grave

11. Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions
circa B.C.E.
Depicted in bas relief - Sculptural form in which figures are carved in a flat surface and project only slightly from the background rather than standing freely. Depending on the degree of projection, reliefs may also be classified as high or medium relief.

12. Archetypes Notice their prevalence in Sumerian art
Keep an eye out for similar gods, the divine child, the virgin mother, the “big man” (political or military ruler)
Psychologists suggest that there may be a human “collective unconscious” that explains the vital mythological similarities of human mythology and art

13. Sumerian Religion
Watch it!

14. Whoa!

15. Sumerian Music
The Sumerians loved to dance- poetry and art speaks of the love of dance and the importance of music
Remember the “royal standard”- dancing and music played a role in religious and civic life
How do we know that?

16. Symbolism
full-scale Sumerian Gold Lyre replica site and date: Ur, c (BCE)
discovered at the ancient site of Ur in 1927
Why is this in the shape of a bull?
What does that suggest of its uses?

17. Sumerian Silver Lyre
Ur, c (BCE)
In the shape of a boat?
Symbolism and meaning?

18. 3200 BCE Writing! Yeah… called cuneiform
Cuneus “wedge” in Latin
The Sumerians brought us myths, laments, songs and proverbs
And libraries and scribes (and probably the first literature teachers… Read “Daily Lives”)
200,000 lines preserved in the library of Ashurbanipal- deciphered in 1850s

19. Read “Epic of Gilgamesh” as homework