ancient near east. ancient near east sumerian accomplishments 3500 bce – invention of the wheel...

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


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.


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 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


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


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


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.


Sculpturemarbleapproximately 8 in. high

RECOVERED

Warka Vase

ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.


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


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


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


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


Sack of Hamanu by Sack of Hamanu by AshurbanipalAshurbanipal

650 BCE650 BCE

Nineveh, AssyriaNineveh, Assyria


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


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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