Unit Two: Ancient & Classical Art Developed by Cynthia Millis and Lisa Wildermuth for Online Model ARTS 1303 Course

Ancient Near East Please study the related Map and Timeline in the required text.

Chronology Neolithic 9000 – 3500 BCE Protoliterate Sumerian 3500 – 3000 BCE Early Dynastic Sumerian 3000 – 2350 BCE Akkadian 2350 – 2150 BCE NeoSumerian 2150 – 1900 BCE Old Babylonian 1900 – 1600 BCE Kassites, Mittani, Hittites, and Elamites 1600 – 1150 BCE Assyrian 1150 – 625 BCE NeoBabylonian 625 – 539 BCE Persian 539 – 331 BCE

Geography played a huge role in the Ancient Near East. According to the text, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, known as ___________ was agriculturally productive. So much so, it is sometimes referred to as the _______ _______. Surrounding this desirable land lay mountains and desert. This created power struggles from the start. With many different cultures occupying the region, why, aside from geography, do we discuss this as a unified civilization? The civilizations of the Ancient Near East practiced >polytheism = According to the text, British Museum, and University of Pennsylvania Museum,British MuseumPennsylvania Museum describe the religion including descriptions of the god Utu/Shamash and the goddess Inanna/Ishtar.

As you’ve discovered in your reading, >monumental works of architecture known as _________ were built for the gods and goddesses. According to the text and the Met, discuss the role of those buildings in the religion.Met Describe the materials used and architectural structure.

The writing of the Ancient Near East is called ___________. According to the text and the Met, for whatMet purpose was the writing invented? Describe the development of the writing, including the terms: >pictograph >phonogram

Trade and commerce were important in the Ancient Near East from an early date. Summarize Mesopotamian trade structure according to the University of Pennsylvania MuseumPennsylvania Museum. According to the same source, what type of evidence exists for this trade?

An important part of trade in Mesopotamia were >cylinder seals According to the West Semitic Research Project at the University of Southern California (USC), discuss the uses and themes found on cylinder seals.USC Describe the unique project involving undergraduate students from University of Southern California and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign linked above.

Sumer

The Royal Graves of Ur are a cluster of royal and non-royal graves that have told archaeologists and art historians a lot about the Sumerians. The site was first excavated by ____________. According to the text and the Penn Museum, whatPenn Museum types of items did he find at the site? What materials were they made from? What have the items told researchers about the Sumerians (particularly their religion and funerary rites)? What have the materials told scholars about the Sumerians?

One of the most amazing discoveries from the site is this lyre. Continuing to use your text and the Penn Museum website, what is a lyre and how was this one used? Describe the scene in each >register Scholars have linked some of the figures in these scenes with the Epic of Gilgamesh. Using your text and GWS, summarize the story of Gilgamesh.

TITLE: CULTURE/ARTIST: FORM & MEDIUM: WHEN: WHERE: HOW: WHAT: CONTEXT:

Akkad

According to the text and the Met, how did the Akkadians come to power?Met What did they have in common with the Sumerians and how were they different? Akkadian artists were skilled at aggrandizing their rulers. These works are excellent examples of that skill. According to the text and the Louvre, who is the “star” of the bottom image? How do you know he’s the most important figure?Louvre >stele >hierarchic scale

From the text and website on the previous slide, what event is being documented? What visual clues are given to this event? How does the arrangement of figures differ from tradition? Why did the artist choose this departure? Symbolism is important in this object. What do the “sun-like” objects at the top represent? What about the horns on the central figure’s helmet?

TITLE: CULTURE/ARTIST: FORM & MEDIUM: WHEN: WHERE: HOW: WHAT: CONTEXT:

Old Babylon

Just as the Sumerians, the Babylonians also had two periods of dominance. The first is referred to as the Old Babylonian or First Kingdom of Babylon. According to the text, the period is dominated by the historical figure ______________. This ruler is known for his crowing achievement documented on this stele. According to the text and the Louvre, describe the contents of the cuneiform text that covers the majority of the stone.Louvre Now describe the visual component of the stele. Who are the figures? What visual devices or standards are used? What symbols are used?

TITLE: CULTURE/ARTIST: FORM & MEDIUM: WHEN: WHERE: HOW: WHAT: CONTEXT:

Assyria

According to the text and British Museum (see websites in notes below), how did the Assyrians come to power? What qualities earn them the title, “Empire”? According to the text and University of Chicago, use Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) to list the typical parts of an Assyrian palace complex. University of Chicago

Carved relief panels are a major type of artwork found in Assyrian palace decoration. Not surprisingly, these are meant to honor the king, project his power and that of the empire. These panels can be broadly placed into three categories: 1.War or Battle Activities 2.Ceremonial or Ritual Activities 3.Hunting Activities According to the text and British Museum (see websites in notes below), how do the two Assyrian palace panels at the museum fit into these categories?

The third panel category is exemplified in this work from the British Museum. According to the text and British Museum, describe the Lion Hunt. Who are the participants and what are they doing?British Museum Were these common or is this panel showing an “isolated incident”? What was the symbolism and purpose in placing this scene in the palace complex?

TITLE: CULTURE/ARTIST: FORM & MEDIUM: WHEN: WHERE: HOW: WHAT: CONTEXT:

Neo-Babylon

According to the text, Met Museum, and British Museum, how did the BabyloniansMet MuseumBritish Museum come to power once more? This new reign of the Babylonians (thus “Neo” Babylonians) is also known as the Second Dynasty of Babylon. Why was Nebuchadnezzar II such an important ruler during this period?

The Neo-Babylonians have been credited with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. According to Dr. Stephanie Dalley of Oxford University the location might be wrong. Where does Dr. Dalley suggest the Hanging Gardens might have been?Dr. Dalley What was the reason for misattribution? What do you think? Is she convincing?

According to your text and Met Museum, describe the construction and materials used in the gate. Be sure to include the termsMet Museum >crenellated >glazed Now describe the decoration on the gate and the decoration’s symbolism. It is not disputed that the Neo-Babylonians built an incredible capital city, Babylon. The huge wall that surrounded the city had multiple, double gates. One of the smaller ones has been reconstructed and is on display in the Pergamon Museum in Germany.

TITLE: CULTURE/ARTIST: FORM & MEDIUM: WHEN: WHERE: HOW: WHAT: CONTEXT:

Persia

According to the text, Met Museum and British Museum, why is Persia and are Persians from this period called Achaemenid/s?Met Museum British Museum Who did they defeat and how did they come to power in the Near East? Why must we be careful about our knowledge of Achaemenid history? The Achaemenid Persians built their capital at Parsa, also known in Greek as ____________. Most of the construction at Parsa was ordered by __________ and his son ________. Why has the style of the city been called “multicultural”? Describe the layout and important parts of the city.

TITLE: CULTURE/ARTIST: FORM & MEDIUM: WHEN: WHERE: HOW: WHAT: CONTEXT: