Ancient Near East Art (Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, or Persian)

Ancient Near East Art Principles

• Clay, mudbrick, stone reliefs, metalwork

• Cuneiform

• Monumental stone sculptures (lamassu), and Assyrian palaces

• Celebrates military victories, laws, divine legitimacy (Hammurabi’s code)

• More narrative, depicts rulers & battles

• Registers to show events

• Stylized but more human and animal figures

• Monumental architecture

Law Stele of Hammurabi, Babylonian

The Burney relief “queen of the night”

Eflatun Sacred Pool Complex

Gold Bowl from Ugarit

Chariot Scene from the Long Wall of Sculpture

Orthostat from the Throne Room of Ashurnasirpal

Colossus Winged Lion (lamassu)

Lion Hunt of King Ashurbanipal

Ishtar Gate of Babylon

Bisotun rock relief

The Apanda Building at Persepolis