The Rise of Civilization: The Art of the Ancient Near East

Things to Notice Cultural changes in the Neolithic Revolution as they relate to the art and architecture. The concept of civilization and the importance of Sumer in the ancient Near East. The artistic materials, techniques, subject matter, styles and conventions developed in the ancient Near East.

The Ancient Near East

Chatal Huyuk Why no entrances on the sides?

Sumerian Religion, Society, and Art Stylistic and formal visual aspects of Mesopotamian art and its iconography Identify cultures that ruled the Mesopotamian regions throughout early history Different media and materials used in Mesopotamian art Critically evaluate the role of art and power in different near eastern civilizations from this period

The Neolithic Revolution The birth of writing in ancient Sumer. The first city states, city planning, and organized religion are attributed to Sumer. Explore how art – and architecture – are effected.

Cuneiform

Banquet scene, cylinder seal (left) and its modern impression (right), from the tomb of Pu-abi (tomb 800), Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Lapis lazuli, approx. 2” high. British Museum, London.

Ziggurat = mound .eventually incorporated with temple Reconstruction drawing of the White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200–3000 BCE (after S. E. Piggott).

Sumerian Religion, Society, and Art(cont.) Stylistic and formal visual aspects of Mesopotamian art and its iconography Identify cultures that ruled the Mesopotamian regions throughout early history Different media and materials used in Mesopotamian art Critically evaluate the role of art and power in different near eastern civilizations from this period

Mesopotamian Religion, Mythology, Gods and Goddesses 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.

Akkadian, Neo-Sumerian, Babylonian Cultures Evaluate the stylistic and formal visual aspects of later Akkadian art and its iconography Critically evaluate the role of art and power in Akkadian civilizations from this period

Detail Naram-Sin defeating the Lullubi Hieratic Scale Detail Naram-Sin defeating the Lullubi © 2005 Saskia Cultural Documentation, Ltd.

What has changed about the Ziggurat form?

Divine Royalty Seated statue of Gudea holding temple plan, from Girsu (modern Telloh), Iraq, ca. 2100 BCE. Diorite, approx. 2’ 5” high. Louvre, Paris.

The Code of Hammurabi Explore the Code of Hammurabi, how it is expressed in art and why it contributes to cultural understanding in the ancient Near East.

Assyrian, and Neo-Babylonian Art Evaluate the stylistic and formal visual aspects of later Assyrian art and its iconography. Explore the ideas of power expressed in the art of the Assyrians. Examine the materials and techniques of Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian painting and low relief sculpture.

Mesopotamian Architecture Compare the architecture of the Neo-Sumerian ziggurat with the city of Babylon and the fabled “Tower of Babel.” Explore the different materials used.

Persian Power and Opulence Persian Empire had an impact on the art and culture of the ancient Near East. Hallmarks of Persian culture and style in art and architecture.

Persian Splendor Examine ruins of the great imperial palace at Persepolis. Explore how the Persian art is different from other art of Mesopotamia.