ancient near east. ancient near east sumerian accomplishments 3500 bce – invention of the wheel...
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Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Sumerian AccomplishmentsSumerian Accomplishments
3500 BCE – Invention of the Wheel3500 BCE – Invention of the Wheel
3400 BCE – Invention of pottery wheel3400 BCE – Invention of pottery wheel
3300 BCE – Invention of writing 3300 BCE – Invention of writing (cuneiform)(cuneiform)
3000 BCE – Epic of Gilgamesh written – 3000 BCE – Epic of Gilgamesh written – 11stst literary work literary work
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Other developments in Ancient Near EastOther developments in Ancient Near East
2300 – 2150 BCE - Akkadian Dynasty and 2300 – 2150 BCE - Akkadian Dynasty and Empire – conquest of SumeriaEmpire – conquest of Sumeria
2150 – 1760 BCE - Neo-Sumerian Dynasty 2150 – 1760 BCE - Neo-Sumerian Dynasty
1760 – 1600 BCE – Babylonian Empire: 1760 – 1600 BCE – Babylonian Empire: develops advanced mathematics develops advanced mathematics
1600 – 1000 BCE – Splintering of Empire into 3 1600 – 1000 BCE – Splintering of Empire into 3 areas: Hittites in north (develop iron weapons); areas: Hittites in north (develop iron weapons); Kassites in center and Elamites in south.Kassites in center and Elamites in south.
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
1350 – 612 BCE – Assyrian Empire : most brutal 1350 – 612 BCE – Assyrian Empire : most brutal and feared warriors of A.N.E. and feared warriors of A.N.E. 669 – 627 BCE – Ashurbanipal rules Assyria669 – 627 BCE – Ashurbanipal rules Assyria612 – 538 BCE – Neo-Babylonian (Chaldaean) 612 – 538 BCE – Neo-Babylonian (Chaldaean) Empire : conquer Egypt in 605 BCE and Empire : conquer Egypt in 605 BCE and Jerusalem in 586 BCE under Nebuchadnezzar II Jerusalem in 586 BCE under Nebuchadnezzar II (Babylonian Captivity – Destruction of Temple of (Babylonian Captivity – Destruction of Temple of Solomon)Solomon)538 – 330 BCE – Persian Empire : largest 538 – 330 BCE – Persian Empire : largest empire then known stretching from modern day empire then known stretching from modern day Iran to EgyptIran to Egypt
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were nearly Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were nearly all polytheistic. all polytheistic. PolytheismPolytheism – belief in more than – belief in more than one god. (Only exception was the Jews who one god. (Only exception was the Jews who later developed later developed monotheismmonotheism – a belief in one – a belief in one god). god).
All Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were All Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were theocratic. theocratic. TheocracyTheocracy – government which is led – government which is led by religious rulers that were in charge of both by religious rulers that were in charge of both the political and religious aspects of their the political and religious aspects of their culturescultures
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Sumerian PantheonSumerian PantheonAnu- sky god/king of Anu- sky god/king of godsgodsIshtar – fertility Ishtar – fertility goddess/ queen of goddess/ queen of godsgodsAbu – god of plantsAbu – god of plantsEnlil – god of earth Enlil – god of earth /wind/windEnki – god of wisdomEnki – god of wisdom
Persian GodsPersian Gods Ahura Mazda – god of Ahura Mazda – god of lightlightAhriman – god of Ahriman – god of darknessdarknessDualistic religion Dualistic religion where both gods were where both gods were equal and oppositeequal and opposite
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Characteristics of Sumerian ArtCharacteristics of Sumerian ArtProminent EyesProminent EyesArched eyebrowsArched eyebrowsCylindrical body shapeCylindrical body shapeConceptual approach to human figuresConceptual approach to human figuresOffers homage to the godsOffers homage to the godsHighly stylized/even abstract at timesHighly stylized/even abstract at timesFocus on the spiritual worldFocus on the spiritual world
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Akkadian and Assyrian Art CharacteristicsAkkadian and Assyrian Art Characteristics
Art to commemorate warriors and rulersArt to commemorate warriors and rulers
More naturalistic than SumerianMore naturalistic than Sumerian
Portrayal of violencePortrayal of violence
Illustrates and glorifies the military power Illustrates and glorifies the military power of the people and their king and his of the people and their king and his accomplishmentsaccomplishments
SumeriansSumerians
White Temple and ziggurat
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.
Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
Architecturemud brickOldest temple structure in Mesopotamia
Female head (possibly Inanna)
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.
Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
Sculpturemarbleapproximately 8 in. high
RECOVERED
Warka Vase
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.
Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
Potteryalabasterapproximately 3 ft. highConsidered masterpiece of Mesopotamian pottery
RECOVERED
Sumerian- ArtSumerian- Art
Votive Statues from Votive Statues from Abu TempleAbu Temple
2600 BCE2600 BCE
Tell Asmar, SumeriaTell Asmar, Sumeria
SculptureSculpture
Votive statues had Votive statues had prayers inscribed upon prayers inscribed upon them and were offered them and were offered to the gods to the gods
VotiveVotive means offering means offering
Sumerian- ArtSumerian- Art
Standard of UrStandard of Ur2700 - 2600 BCE2700 - 2600 BCEUr, SumeriaUr, SumeriaRelief sculpture,craftworkRelief sculpture,craftworkWood with inlaid shells, Wood with inlaid shells, limestone and lapis lazulilimestone and lapis lazuliConsidered masterpiece Considered masterpiece of Sumerian artof Sumerian artTwo sided one side is war Two sided one side is war one is peaceone is peaceKing is largest figure on King is largest figure on both sidesboth sides
Sumerian- ArtSumerian- Art
Bull’s Head LyreBull’s Head Lyre
2600 BCE2600 BCE
Ur, SumeriaUr, Sumeria
SculptureSculpture
Found in Queen Paubi’s Found in Queen Paubi’s tombtomb
Never used so signifies Never used so signifies possible use in afterlifepossible use in afterlife
Wood with inlaid shell, Wood with inlaid shell, gold and lapis lazuligold and lapis lazuli
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. highSumerian mythology included many magical animals
AkkadiansAkkadians
Head of an Akkadian ruler
ca. 2,250-2,200 B.C.E.
Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
Sculpture
14 3/8 in. highPossibly Sargon or Naram-Sin 2 signs of power - beard and crown
MISSING
Akkadian- ArtAkkadian- Art
Victory Stele of Naram-Victory Stele of Naram-SimSim2300 – 2200 BCE2300 – 2200 BCEAkkadAkkadRelief SculptureRelief SculptureShows king on top of Shows king on top of mountain triumphing over mountain triumphing over his enemieshis enemiesSize of king dramatically Size of king dramatically larger than those around larger than those around himhimIt was a public monument It was a public monument showing king’s powershowing king’s power
Neo-SumeriansNeo-Sumerians
Neo-Sumerian- ArtNeo-Sumerian- Art
Ziggurat of Ur-NammuZiggurat of Ur-Nammu
2500 – 2050 BCE 2500 – 2050 BCE
Ur, Sumeria (Iraq)Ur, Sumeria (Iraq)
ArchitectureArchitecture
Priest was only one Priest was only one allowed to visit the home of allowed to visit the home of the god at the top of the the god at the top of the templetemple
Ur-Nammu writes first code Ur-Nammu writes first code of laws (incomplete)of laws (incomplete)
Neo-Sumerians not original Neo-Sumerians not original SumeriansSumerians
Neo-Sumerian- ArtNeo-Sumerian- Art
Gudea of LagashGudea of Lagash
2144 – 2124 BCE2144 – 2124 BCE
Lagash, SumeriaLagash, Sumeria
SculptureSculpture
Priest-king – first statue Priest-king – first statue of non-hero of non-hero
Made of Diorite – Made of Diorite – because stone was because stone was strong and long lastingstrong and long lasting
No attempt at reality – but No attempt at reality – but regalregal
BabyloniansBabylonians
Babylonian- ArtBabylonian- Art
Law Code of HammurabiLaw Code of Hammurabi
1760 BCE1760 BCE
BabylonBabylon
Relief SculptureRelief Sculpture
Made of DioriteMade of Diorite
First complete written First complete written code of lawscode of laws
Sun god Shamash hands Sun god Shamash hands laws directly to laws directly to Hammurabi making it clear Hammurabi making it clear that all must follow themthat all must follow them
HittitesHittites
Hittite ArtHittite Art
Lion GateLion Gate
1343-1200 BCE1343-1200 BCE
Hattusha, TurkeyHattusha, Turkey
Architecture/Relief Architecture/Relief SculptureSculpture
Capital of Hittite Capital of Hittite EmpireEmpire
Hittites are first to Hittites are first to use iron weaponsuse iron weapons
AssyriansAssyrians
Assyrian- ArtAssyrian- Art
Lamassu from Citadel Lamassu from Citadel of Sargonof Sargon883 – 859 BCE883 – 859 BCENimrud, AssyriaNimrud, AssyriaRelief SculptureRelief SculptureLamassu were Lamassu were protector gods protector gods assumed by the assumed by the Assyrians to come to Assyrians to come to life to protect themlife to protect themNote 5 legsNote 5 legs
Assyrian archers pursuing enemies from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II
ca. 875-860 B.C.E.
Kalhu (modern Nimrud), Iraq
Relief Sculpture2 ft. 10 3/8 in. highPerspective is not even considered – larger figures are the important ones
Assyrian- ArtAssyrian- Art
Ashurnasirpal II Killing Ashurnasirpal II Killing LionsLions
850 BCE850 BCE
Nimrud, AssyriaNimrud, Assyria
Relief SculptureRelief Sculpture
LimestoneLimestone
Part of the Hunting Reliefs Part of the Hunting Reliefs
The Hunting Reliefs are The Hunting Reliefs are considered the considered the masterpiece of Ancient masterpiece of Ancient Near Eastern ArtNear Eastern Art
Hunting Reliefs – Releasing Lion and Dying Lioness
Ancient Near EastAncient Near East
Sack of Hamanu by Sack of Hamanu by AshurbanipalAshurbanipal
650 BCE650 BCE
Nineveh, AssyriaNineveh, Assyria
Relief SculptureRelief Sculpture
Scale is all out of Scale is all out of proportionproportion
Narrative is what is Narrative is what is importantimportant
Power of king and his Power of king and his army’s technique are the army’s technique are the focusfocus
Neo-BabylonianNeo-Babylonian
Neo-Babylonian- ArtNeo-Babylonian- Art
Ishtar GateIshtar Gate575 BCE575 BCEBabylonBabylonArchitectureArchitectureFrom Neo-Babylonian period From Neo-Babylonian period made of glazed brickmade of glazed brickOne of over 30 entrances to One of over 30 entrances to city – used for defensive city – used for defensive purposes and to impress purposes and to impress visitorsvisitorsAnimals used for Animals used for ornamentationornamentationCrenellations on top for Crenellations on top for defensedefense
Ishtar Gate (restored)details of dragon (Marduk) and bull (Adad)
Ishtar Gate (restored)details of lion (Ishtar)
Persian ArtPersian Art
Persian- ArtPersian- ArtAchaemenid Palace / Achaemenid Palace / palace of Darius I and palace of Darius I and Xerxes IXerxes I518 – 460 BCE518 – 460 BCEPersepolis, PersiaPersepolis, PersiaArchitectureArchitecturePalace was destroyed Palace was destroyed by Alexander the Great by Alexander the Great in revenge for the in revenge for the destruction of the destruction of the Acropolis in Athens Acropolis in Athens Laid out in grid patternLaid out in grid pattern
Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I
.
Ancient Near East - ArtAncient Near East - Art
Winged Ibex Winged Ibex
44thth century BCE century BCE
PersiaPersia
Relief SculptureRelief Sculpture
This object was used This object was used as a jar handleas a jar handle
Gilded in gold over Gilded in gold over stonestone
Animal motif prevailed Animal motif prevailed in Ancient Near Eastin Ancient Near East
Sasanian ArtSasanian Art
Palace of Shapur I
ca. 250 C.E.
Ctesiphon, Iraq
Architecture
Roman artisans aided in the construction – hence the arch
Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian
ca. 260 C.E.
Bishapur, Iraqrock-cut relief sculptureThe Roman Emperor kneels in defeat before the Sasanian King
Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?)
ca. 350 C.E.
Bishapur, Iraq
Sculpturesilver with mercury gilding15 3/4 in. high
Ancient Near East - ArtAncient Near East - Art
The EndThe End
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