Ancient Near Eastern Art - Neo-Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian

Neo-Sumerian Period

  • Resurgence of Sumer:

    • Following the fall of the Akkadian dynasty around 2100 BC.

    • King of Ur represents the Third Dynasty, also referred to as the Neo-Sumerian period.

  • Ziggurat at Ur:

    • Known as the "Great Ziggurat;" extensively restored in the 1980s.

    • Original temple at the top no longer survives; it featured four levels where offerings could be made.

    • Buttressing supports building as ziggurats gained height over time.

    • Style included wide stairways suggesting processions.

    • Current location: modern-day Iraq.

  • Seated Statue of Gudea:

    • Dates to about 2100 BCE; made of diorite, a rare import.

    • Represents Gudea's power and connection to the divine.

    • Blueprint features on his statue

      • Destination is a temple for the god Ningirsu.

      • Depicted in a prayerful position demonstrating his piety.

  • Role of Temples on Ziggurats:

    • Serves as waiting rooms for gods; sculptures act as proxies for worshippers.

Babylonian Period

  • Rise of Babylon:

    • Following the fall of Ur, Hammurabi becomes the prominent ruler.

    • Known for the law code depicted on his stele, outlining crime and punishment, extending Babylon's influence by 1750 BC.

  • Hammurabi's Stele:

    • Art placed in public locations to affirm authority.

    • Depicts Hammurabi receiving law from Shamash, the sun god.

    • Cuneiform laws detail various offenses and punishments (e.g., "an eye for an eye").

    • Relationship shown without intercessors, indicating Hammurabi's closeness with the divine.

Assyrian Period

  • Expansion of the Assyrian Empire:

    • Dominated wide regions, including parts of Egypt.

    • Named after their god, Ashur.

  • Citadel of Sargon II:

    • Located in modern-day Khorsabad, previously known as Dur Sharrukin.

    • Features extensive fortifications, bureaucratic offices, audience halls, and ziggurats.

  • Lamassu Figures:

    • Guardian figures at the citadel gates; human face, bull’s body, and stylized features.

    • Designed to intimidate with their imposing presence and symbolic protection.

  • Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions Relief:

    • Represents Ashurbanipal as a powerful ruler, emphasizing elite hunting practices.

    • Scenes depict organized hunts, demonstrating his martial prowess and protective nature.

Achaemenid Persian Period

  • Pre-Empire Expansion:

    • Dominated the region until Alexander the Great; included territories from India to Greece.

  • Persepolis:

    • Ceremonial capital, known for its architectural grandeur, sacked by Alexander the Great.

    • Features a grand audience hall (Apadana) and similar gateways to Assyrian structures.

  • Reliefs Depicting Harmony:

    • Reliefs showed diverse subjects interacting peacefully, illustrating political stability under the Achaemenid rule.

  • Darius I Relief:

    • Iconography depicts Darius atop a throne in a position of power, ready to pass the mantle to Xerxes.

    • Represents strength and effective governance with religious tolerance.

    • Contrasts sharply with Greek representations of Persian rulers.