History #2: Mesopotamian Civilization

Mesopotamian civilization

4300-331BC

Mesopotamian civilization

Known as the "cradle of civilizations" because of its enormous advances and contributions including domestication of animals, trade and coinage, legal government, potter's wheel, wagon wheel, alphabet, architecture, mathematics and astronomy, monotheism and monogamy

1.sumerian 2. akkadians 3.neo-sumerian 4.babylonian/chaldean 5. assyrian 6.persian

Historical periods of mesopotamian civilization

SUMERIAN

6,000-4,000BC

SUMERIAN

contributed the CUNEIFORM and ZIGGURAT; invented WRITING and world's first literature

THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

the WORLD'S FIRST LITERATURE

AKKADIANS

First mesopotamian rulers to call themselves kings; first to CAST HOLLOW LIFE-SIZE BRONZE SCULPTURES

Neo-Sumerian

Constructed one of the largest ziggurats in Mesopotamia at Ur

Babylonian/chaldean

4000-700BC

Babylonian/Chaldean

where they formulated wide ranging laws immortalized

HAMMURABI

babylon's greatest king

Code of Hammurabi

a written code of rules that guided the ancient society of Babylon; dates back to 1772 B.C.

Neo-babylonian

where nebuchadnezzar II captured Jerusalem and has been associated w architectural wonders of babylon

NEBUCHADNEZZAR II

builds ishtar gate

ASSYRIAN

700-500BC

Assyrian

Palaces were fortified citadels with lamassu guardians

PERSIAN

539-331 BC

Persian

where CYRUS THE GREAT defeated babylonian and achieved an enormous empire

persepolis

Capital of Persian Empire, built by DARIUS I

Persian

where xerxes built a palace complex w an audience hall that can accomodate 10,000guests

CUNEIFORM

a system of writing by the use of characters formed by the arrangement of Small wedge shaped elements

Mesopotamian Civilization

art:sculptures with large circular eyes and curly hair and beard

LAMASSU

Great stone statue of a human headed winged bull that preceded the Palace of Ishtar

Law Code of Hammurabi

THE TEXT OF HAMMURABI'S CODE COMPRISING OF 300 STATUES WRITTEN IN AKKADIAN ON 51 COLUMNS.

Mesopotamian Civilization

architectural characteristics: used arches and corbel roof,inlay and glazed tiles for decoration, crennelations or battlement, no temples, rituals were held outdoors

Mesopotamian Civilization

use of columns using the bull capital; low relief decorations

ZIGGURAT

artificial mountains made of tiered rectangular layers which rose from num 1 to 7

PALACES

where polychrome ornamental brickwork was introduced; where high plinths and dadoes made of great stone slabs are places on edges; carved with low relief sculpture

assyrians

introduced polychrome ornamental brickwork

CITY OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

where ishtar gate, tower of babel, hanging gardens of babylon is found

ISHTAR GATE

entrance gate to the PALACE OF SARGON; faced w glazed bricks w rows of bull and dragons, flanked w great towers, lamassu figures carved in stone in which it is supported a semi circular arch covered with brilliantly colored tile

ISHTAR

goddess of love and war, fertility

TOWER OF BABEL

a 7 TIERED ZIGGURAT; rising 297 sq ft; ruins lay in baghdad

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

A great palace built by Nebuchadnezzar for his wife

AMYTIS

wife of Nebuchanezzar

PALACE COMPLEX AT PERSEPOLIS

built on stone platform, consists of MULTI COLUMNED BLDGS

Apadana or Audience Hall

Large HYPOSTYLE HALL begun by DARIUS and ended by XERXES; used mainly for great receptions by the kings, contains 72 COLUMNS and 2 monumental stairways