1. Ancient Near Eastern Art
Theme: SANBAN
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
William V. Ganis, PhD

2. Goals
Understand the cultural changes in the Neolithic Revolution as they relate to the art and architecture.
Understand the concept of civilization and the importance of Sumer in the ancient Near East.
Examine the artistic materials, techniques, subject matter, styles and conventions developed in the ancient Near East.

3. 2.1 Sumerian Religion, Society, and Art
Understand the cultural changes in the Neolithic Revolution as they relate to the art and architecture.
Understand the development of a counting system that leads to an evolution of writing and reading in Sumer
Define Neolithic Revolution and how they relate to art and architecture of this region.

4. The first city states, city planning, and organized religion are attributed to Sumer. Explore how the art – and architecture – are effected.
Evaluate the stylistic and formal visual aspects of Mesopotamian art and its iconography
Identify cultures that ruled the Mesopotamian regions throughout early history
Relate different media and materials used in Mesopotamian art
Evaluate architecture in different civilizations in Near Eastern cultures
Critically evaluate the role of art and power in different near eastern civilizations from this period.

5. Circle the Fertile Crescent.
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
How are ancient Near Eastern ideas about religion different from Paleolithic and earlier Neolithic ideas?
Explore how these ideas are depicted in Sumerian sculpture, seals, and funerary objects.

6. White Temple and ziggurat Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
White Temple and ziggurat
Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.
mud brick

7. White Temple and ziggurat Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
White Temple and ziggurat
Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.
mud brick

8. Female head (possibly Inanna) from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
RECOVERED
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Female head (possibly Inanna)
from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.
marble
approximately 8 in. high

9. Identify the subjects and locate.
Define and find:
Registers
Hierarchy of scale
Composite view
Identify the subjects and locate.
Possible content…
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Warka Vase
from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq
ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.
alabaster
approximately 3 ft. high

10. abstract, idealized, stylized, realistic?
Describe the pose and possible purpose.
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Statuettes of worhippers
from Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar) Iraq
ca. 2,700 B.C.E.
gypsum, shell, black limestone
tallest 30 in. high

11. Standard of Ur (war side)
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
First example of …
content-
Standard of Ur (war side)
from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.
wood, shell, lapis lazuli, red limestone
approximately 8 x 19 in.

12. Why? Found by… Standard of Ur (peace side)
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Standard of Ur (peace side)
from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.
wood, shell, lapis lazuli, red limestone
approximately 8 x 19 in.
Why?
Found by…

13. What is that?! Bull-headed lyre
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Bull-headed lyre
from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar)
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.
wood, gold leaf, lapis lazuli
approximately 65 in. high
And that?

14. What’s the recurring theme?
Define
Composite creatures
Heraldic composition
Possible content?
What’s the recurring theme?
Whose?
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Bull-headed lyre
from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar)
ca. 2,600 B.C.E.
wood, gold leaf, lapis lazuli
approximately 65 in. high

15. Define Cylinder Seals Purpose/function- MANY MISSING Cylinder seals
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
MANY MISSING
Cylinder seals
ca. 2,600-2,000 B.C.E.
approximately 2 in. high

16. Slide concept by William V
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Cylinder seal from the tomb of Pu-abi Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq ca. 2,600 B.C.E.
approximately 2 in. high

17. Abstract, realistic, stylized, idealized?
What happened to his eyes?!
Explore how art is used to express political ideas of kingship and territory in the ancient Akkadian and Neo-Sumerian cultures.
Possibly_____________ (name)
MISSING
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Which means…
Head of an Akkadian ruler
from Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
ca. 2,250-2,200 B.C.E.
copper
14 3/8 in. high
Abstract, realistic, stylized, idealized?

18. What’s going on? (a.k.a. content)
Who’s that?
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Victory stele of Naram-Sin
from Susa, Iran
ca. 2,254-2,218 B.C.E.
sandstone
79 in. high

19. at Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Ziggurat
at Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,100 B.C.E.
mud brick

20. Compare the architecture of the Neo-Sumerian ziggurat with the city of Babylon and the fabled “Tower of Babel.” Explore the different materials used.
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Ziggurat (restored)
at Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq
ca. 2,100 B.C.E.
mud brick

21. Compare and contrast with Head of an Akkadian ruler.
What’s he holding?
Who’s that?
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Seated statue of Gudea holding temple plan
from Girsu (modern Telloh) Iraq
ca. 2,100 B.C.E.
diorite
29 in. high

22. Slide concept by William V
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

23. Explain what this is? - function Who? Stele with code of Hammurabi
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Stele with code of Hammurabi
from Susa, Iran
ca. 1,780 B.C.E.
basalt
88 in. high

24. Stele with code of Hammurabi from Susa, Iran
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Stele with code of Hammurabi
from Susa, Iran
ca. 1,780 B.C.E.
basalt
88 in. high

25. Reconstruction drawing
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Reconstruction drawing
of the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq
ca B.C.E.

26. Slide concept by William V
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.

27. Assyrian archers pursuing enemies
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Assyrian archers pursuing enemies
from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Kalhu (modern Nimrud)
ca B.C.E.
gypsum
2 ft. 10 3/8 in. high

28. Ashurbanipal hunting lions
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Ashurbanipal hunting lions
from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
ca B.C.E.
gypsum
approximately 5 ft. high

29. Ashurbanipal hunting lions
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Ashurbanipal hunting lions
from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq
ca B.C.E.
gypsum
approximately 5 ft. high

30. Ishtar Gate (restored) from Babylon, Iraq
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Ishtar Gate (restored)
from Babylon, Iraq
ca. 575 B.C.E.
glazed brick

31. Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I Persepolis, Iran
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I
Persepolis, Iran
ca B.C.E.

32. Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I Persepolis, Iran
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I
Persepolis, Iran
ca B.C.E.

33. Palace of Shapur I from Ctesiphon, Iraq ca. 250 C.E.
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Palace of Shapur I
from Ctesiphon, Iraq
ca. 250 C.E.

34. Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian from Bishapur, Iraq
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian
from Bishapur, Iraq
ca. 260 C.E.
rock-cut relief

35. Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?) from Ctesiphon, Iraq
Slide concept by William V. Ganis, PhD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY For publication, reproduction or transmission of images, please contact individual artists, estates, photographers and exhibiting institutions for permissions and rights.
Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?)
from Ctesiphon, Iraq
ca. 350 C.E.
silver with mercury gilding
15 3/4 in. high