Art of the Ancient Near East

ReadingStokstad, 39-47

Range:1500-330 BCEAssyrian, Neo-Babylonian, and Persian

Terms/Concepts:Mesopotamia, Apadana, Hieratic Scale, Lamassu, Bent Axis, Tribute, Bas Relief,

Monument List 2-10, Assurnasirpal II Killing Lions,

Assyrian, 875-860 BCE. 2-11, Reconstruction of the Citadel

and Palace Complex of Sargon the II, Dur Sharrukin, Assyrian, 721-706 BCE

Pg. 41, Enemies Crossing the Euphrates to Escape Assyrian Archers from the Palace of Assurnasirpal II, 875-860 BCE

2-12, Lamassu Figures at Gate A of the Citadel of Sargon II, 721-706 BCE

2-14, Ishtar Gate, Neo-Babylonian, 6th Century BCE

2-17, Apadana of Darius and Xerxes, Achaemenid Persian, 518-460 BCE

2-18, Darius and Xerxes Receiving Tribute, Achaemenid Persian, 491-486 BCE

Stele of Naram Sin, Akkadian, 2254-2218 BCE

Stele of Naram Sin, Akkadian, 2254-2218 BCE

Cylinder Seal with Weather God, Akkadian, 2334-2154 BCE

Neo Sumerian: 2200-2100 BCE

Nanna Ziggurat, Uruk, Iraq, Neo-Sumerian, 2100-2050 BCE

Votive of Gudea, Neo-Sumerian, 2090 BCE

Old Babylonian: 1792-1750 BCE

Head of Old Babylonian Ruler (Possibly Hammurabi), Old Babylonian, 1900-1700 BCE

Stele of Hammurabi, Old Babylonian, 1792-1750 BCE

Timeline of the Ancient Near East

Major Powers in the Near East

Old Sumerian: 3000-2340 BCEAkkadian: 2340-2180 BCENeo-Sumerian: 2125-2025 BCEOld Babylonian: 2025-1594 BCEAssyrian: 1350-612 BCENeo-Babylonian: 612-539 BCEAchaemenid Persian: 539-331 BCE

Mesopotamia: “Land Between Two Rivers”

Assyrian 1350-612 BCE

2-11, Reconstruction of the Citadel and Palace Complex of Sargon the II, Dur Sharrukin, Assyrian, 721-706 BCE

2-12, Lamassu Figures at Gate A of the Citadel of Sargon II, 721-706 BCE

2-10, Assurnasirpal II Killing Lions, Assyrian, 875-860 BCE

Lion Hunt, from the throne room of Assurbanipal, Nineveh, 647 BCE

Lion Hunt, Palace of Assurbanipal, Assyrian, 647 BCE

Dying Lion, Throne Room of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, 647 BCE

Dead Lion, Throne Room of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, 647 BCE

Pg. 41, Enemies Crossing the Euphrates to Escape Assyrian Archers from the Palace of Assurnasirpal II, 875-860 BCE

Assurbanipal and his Queen in the Garden, Palace at Nineveh, 647 BCE

Neo-Babylonian: 612-539 BCE

2-14, Ishtar Gate, Neo-Babylonian, 6th Century BCE

Achaemenid Persian: 539-331 BCE

Reconstruction of Persepolis, c. 518-460 BCE

2-17, Apadana of Darius and Xerxes, Achaemenid Persian, 518-460 BCE

Lion attacking an Antelope, Apadana, Persepolis, Apadana, 518-460 BCE

Stairs and Processional Friezes, Apadana, Achaemenid Persian, 518-460 BCE

Stairs, Apadana, Achaemenid Persian, 518-460 BCE

Processional Friezes, Apadana, Achaemenid Persian, 518-460 BCE

Processional Friezes, Apadana, Achaemenid Persian, 518-460 BCE

2-18, Darius and Xerxes Receiving Tribute, Achaemenid Persian, 491-486 BCE

Alexander Mosaic, House of the Faun, Pompeii, c. 2nd Century BCE

Neo-SumerianAkkadian Old Babylonian

Faces of Kings

Size MattersAkkadian, 2254-2218 BCE

Old Babylonian,1792-1750 BCE

Old Sumerian,2900-2600 BCE

Neo-Sumerian,2100-2050 BCE

Material Matters

Material Matters

Power and City Planning

Assyrian, 721-706 BCE

Achemenid Persian,518-460 BCE

Neo-Babylonian,575 BCE

Kingly Deeds

Critical Questions

1. How are animals used to convey power and powerlessness in Near Eastern art?

2. How does the art/architecture of Assyrian palaces differ from the Apadana in Persepolis? What does this say about their respective cultures.

3. What is the function of the ziggurat in ancient Near Eastern religion?

4. What kind of image do the kings of the Near Eastern world cultivate? Think of both their physical representations and the representations of their lives.

5. What are some common artistic themes that link the art of the Near Eastern cultures?