Ancient Near East Notes

Ancient Near East

Map of the Ancient Near East

  • The region known as the "Fertile Crescent" includes Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).

  • Mesopotamia encompassed Sumerian, Babylonian, Akkadian, and Neo-Babylonian cultures.

Fertile Soil and Development

  • Fertile soil allowed for relative ease of agriculture.

  • Fewer people needed to work as farmers, leading to the development of cities and a division of labor.

Uruk

  • Uruk was a major Sumerian city.

  • Very little of Uruk has survived due to numerous military conflicts throughout history that resulted in the destruction of many monuments, even as recently as this century.

Anu Ziggurat & White Temple in Uruk

  • Artist: Anonymous

  • Date: ca. 3200-3000 BCE

  • Period: Sumerian

  • Location: Uruk (modern Iraq)

Understanding Ziggurats

  • Ziggurat = Sumerian temple, resembling a pyramid with its top cut off.

  • "Regular citizens" typically did not enter the temple; ancient temples were generally non-congregational.

  • Worship occurred outside the temple.

  • Remains of sacrifices and fires have been found at the top of ziggurats.

  • Theocracy: the temple projected the power of gods and the king.

Votive Sculptures

  • Artist: Anonymous

  • Date: ca. 2700 BCE

  • Period: Sumerian

  • Votive = consisting of or expressing a vow (typically in a religious context).

  • Votive sculptures were placed in temples on behalf of their donors.

  • They represent individuals perpetually praying and attentive in the presence of gods.

Standard of Ur

  • Artist: Anonymous

  • Date: ca. 2600-2400 BCE

  • Dimensions: 8” x 1’7” (21 x 49cm)

  • Period: Sumerian

  • Register = horizontal section of an artwork.

  • The object's function is unknown.

  • Decoration tells a story of war campaigns, military defeats of Sumer’s enemies, and the celebration of Sumer’s victory.

  • The most important figure is depicted as the largest.

Standard of Ur: Depiction of War

  • Artist: Anonymous

  • Date: ca. 2600-2400 BCE

  • Dimensions: 8" x 1'7" (21 x 49cm)

  • Period: Sumerian

  • Shows the war.

Standard of Ur: Depiction of Peace

  • Artist: Anonymous

  • Date: ca. 2600-2400 BCE

  • Dimensions: 8" x 1'7" (21 x 49cm)

  • Period: Sumerian

  • Shows depiction of peace (celebration).

Stele with the Laws of Hammurabi

  • Artist: Anonymous

  • Date: ca. 1780 BCE

  • Height: 7’4”

  • Period: Babylonian

  • Stele = an upright stone slab or pillar bearing an inscription or serving as a monument.

  • The stele depicts the god of justice, Shamash (seated), and Hammurabi standing in front of him.

  • The laws and rule of Hammurabi are presented as god-given.

  • Text includes:

    • Historical prologue (accomplishments of Hammurabi).

    • Lyrical epilogue (praise of Hammurabi).

    • Laws.

Hammurabi's Laws: Protector of the Weak

  • Hammurabi is called the ”protector of the weak and oppressed".

  • Law structure: a conditional phrase sets out a problem, followed by a response in the future tense, indicating the sanction for the guilty party or the settlement of a situation.

  • Example: "Should an individual do such and such a thing, such and such a thing will happen to him or her."

  • Main subjects covered:

    • Family law (engagement, marriage, divorce, adultery and incest, children, adoption, and inheritance).

    • Slavery.

    • Professional, commercial, agricultural, and administrative law.

    • The longest chapter concerns the family.

Ishtar Gate

  • Artist: Anonymous

  • Date: ca. 575 BCE

  • Period: Neo-Babylonian

  • A digital recreation of the gate exists. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2iZ830IZHO)