1. 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 BCE Akkad
Duccio’s Maesta Entry into Jerusalem

2. Art of the Ancient Near East
Neo-Assyrian Reliefs

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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?

6. 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
Babylonia

7. 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

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

9. Killing Lions

10. Killing Lions

11. Killing Lions

12. Killing Lions

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

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

17. The Flood Tablet, relating part of the Epic of Gilgamesh
The Flood Tablet, relating part of the Epic of Gilgamesh

18.
Gold Coin of Croesus

19. Daric coin, first minted under Darius I of Persia, 4th century BCE
Daric coin, first minted under Darius I of Persia, 4th century BCE