Unit 2.1: Ancient Mesopotamia

The White Temple and the Anu Ziggurat  

3,500-3,000 BCE 

Uruk (Iraq) 

Mud Brick 

Anu Ziggurat: pyramid stepped tower

Statues of Votive Figures

2,700 BCE 

Square Temple Eshnunna (Iraq)

Gypsum, shell, black limestone 

Fine tool incsing 

Purpose: humility, attentiveness to their god, surrogates to worship in afterlife

The White Temple and the Anu Ziggurat  

3,500-3,000 BCE 

Uruk (Iraq) 

Mud Brick 

Anu Ziggurat: pyramid stepped tower

Statues of Votive Figures

2,700 BCE 

Square Temple Eshnunna (Iraq)

Gypsum, shell, black limestone 

Fine tool incsing 

Purpose: humility, attentiveness to their god, surrogates to worship in afterlife

The Standard of Ur

2,600-2,400 BCE 

The Royal Tomb of Ur (Iraq) 

Wood inlaid w/ shell, limestone, red limestone, etc. (mixed media) 

Mosaic inlay 

One side shows war, while other shows peace

NARRATIVE DEVICES: registers, sequential ordering, hierarchy of size 

Code of Hammurabi

1790-1750 BCE

Babylonia (Iran) 

Basalt 

High relief

Code w/ list of rulings: inscribed cuneiform 

King Hammurabi: left 

God/Shamash: right 

Shamash s giving Hammarabi the right to rule

Lamassu from the Citadel of Sargon II

720-705 BCE 

Dur Sharrukin (Iraq) 

Alabaster (stone) 

Winged bull with human heads, used for intimidation

Subtractive

Cuneiform inscriptions

Audience Hall (apandana) of Darius and Xerxes

520-465 BCE 

Persepolis (Iran) 

Limestone

Artisans from Greece, Egyptians, and Babylonans helped build 

Ceremonial space meant to intimidate, impress 

Hypostyle Halls (room full of decorative columns)