1. What is a ziggurat? What is the symbolic function of a ziggurat?
The Ziggurat of Ur
c BCE in Modern Iraq
What is a ziggurat? What is the symbolic function of a ziggurat?
What is the political purpose of a ziggurat?
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.

2. Stele of Naramsin c. 2254-2218 BCE Akkad This stele is meant to commemorate an important victory.
Things to think about:
Why is Naramsin so much bigger than the other figures in the relief? Do you remember the term “hieratic scale”? Where do all the soldiers—both the vanquished mountain people as well as Naramsin’s soldiers—gaze? What do the three suns at the top of the stele symbolize?
What does Narasim’s horned helmet symbolize?
What is the wavy line meant to indicate?
Can you tell the difference between Naramsin’s soldiers and the vanquished?
Can you find the vanquished soldier who is fleeing? Can you find the vanquished soldier that Narasim crushes with his foot?
Stele of Naramsin c BCE Akkad
Why is Naramsin so much bigger than the other figures in the relief?
What is hieratic scale?

3. Stele of Hammurabi c
The two men at the top of the stele are Hammurabi and Shamash (the sun god and god of justice).
Hammurabi created the most important set of legal codes from the Ancient Near East. These legal codes predate the biblical Ten Commandments and may be the source of these laws.
This image on the stele argues powerfully that Hammurabi’s code was given directly to him by god—by Shamash. Notice the rays of light which emanate from Shamash’s shoulders. He is seated on a throne which is “seated” at the top of a mountain.
Notice too that Hammurabi is almost as large as Shamash; Hammurabi addresses Shamash directly. The idea represented here is that the laws are somehow immutable and divine--the laws are given to man by god.
Stele of Hammurabi c
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.

4. Human-Headed Winged Lion Lamassu (plural: lamassus) 883-859 Assyrian
The entire purpose of a lamassu is to inspire civic pride and to inspire fear.
A lamassu is a guardian-protector of an Assyrian palace or throne room. Usually a lamassu is twice a man’s height to symbolize the strength of the ruler the lamassu defends.
Why does the lamassu have five legs?
Hint: How is the viewer meant to interact with this sculpture?
Human-Headed Winged Lion
Lamassu (plural: lamassus)
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

5. Ishtar Gate and Throne Room Wall
Neo-Babylonia c. 575 BCE
There were eight double gates that surrounded the city of Babylon. N, ascended to the throne and proceeded to rebuild the ancient city of Babylon. This gate and the wall are the remnants of N. building program.
He fortified and strengthened eleven miles of wall around the city; he reconstructed the Great Ziggurat of Babylon, he created palaces and hanging gardens.
The lions represent Ishtar.