5. CL103 PPT5
Introduction to Classical and Mediterranean Archaeology
Focus on Mesopotamia, specifically Assyria and Neo-Babylonia.
Page 1: Overview
Topic: Mesopotamia: Assyria and Neo-Babylonia
Reference: Kleiner, Chapter 2, part 3, pp. 46-50.
Page 2: Historical Context
Iron Age in the Near East: Begins around the 10th century BCE.
Assyrian Empire: 1000 - 612 BCE.
Key rulers:
Assurnasirpal II (reigned 883–859 BCE)
Sargon II (reigned 721–705 BCE)
Assurbanipal (reigned 668–627 BCE)
Fall of the Assyrian Empire: Destroyed by the Medes in 612 BCE; Babylonians gain control of central and southern Mesopotamia.
Neo-Babylonian Empire: 612 - 539 BCE.
Notable ruler: Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned 605–562 BCE).
Ended when the Persians conquered in 539 BCE.
Page 3: Naming and Expansion of Assyria
Assyrians: Named after Assur, the original capital of Assyria, derived from the god Ashur.
Territorial Expansion: Spanned from around 1500 BCE to 627 BCE.
Page 4: Major Cities of Assyria
Kalhu (Nimrud): Capital under Assurnasirpal II (reigned 883–859 BCE).
Dur Sharrukin (Khorsabad): Capital under Sargon II (reigned 721–705 BCE).
Nineveh: Capital under Assurbanipal (reigned 668–627 BCE).
Page 5: Kalhu - Citadel Overview
City Plan: Rectangular layout, approximately 900 acres.
Structure: Surrounded by a 5-mile long mudbrick wall; features a raised citadel that houses palaces and temples.
Page 6: Kalhu - Architectural Features
Construction: Primarily mudbrick with large open courtyards.
Northwest Palace of Assurnasirpal II: Designed around these courtyards.
Page 7: Throne Room Details
Throne Room Size: Long and narrow, dimensions 10 x 47 meters.
Entrances: Main entrance from the large open courtyard to the north.
Page 8: Entrance Features of Throne Room
Reconstruction: Visual representation of the throne room entrance.
Lamassu: Human-headed winged bulls, significant in Assyrian culture.
Page 9: Entrance Decoration
Material Usage: Gypsum slabs line the entrance to the throne room, standing nearly 7 feet tall, embellished with reliefs.
Page 10: Reliefs Depicting Warfare
Throne Room Reliefs: Show Assyrian archers attacking fleeing enemies, made from gypsum, height 2 ft. 10 5/8 in.
Interpretation: Reflects Assyrian military power; questions about perspective and scale in artistic representation.
Page 11: Urban Design of Dur Sharrukin
City Plan: Similar structure to Kalhu and Nineveh; rectangular shape, fortified with a protective wall, and has a separate citadel for the palace.
Page 12: Palace of Sargon II
Structure: Raised on a brick platform; rooms organized around open courtyards.
Gateway Features: Lamassu guarding the entrances to the palace and throne room.
Page 13: Gateway Lamassu
Constructions: Lamassu statue featured prominently at the gateway to the palace of Sargon II.
Page 14: Size of Lamassu
Material: Limestone; height approximately 13 ft. 10 in.
Page 15: Lamassu in Modern Display
Location: Now displayed in the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, U. Chicago.
Page 16: Nineveh’s Significance
Sennacherib's Capital: Established Nineveh as the Assyrian capital roughly rectangular with significant structures.
Population: Over 100,000, largest city of its time in the Near East.
Enclosure Walls: Totaling a length of 7.5 miles.
Page 17: Nineveh's Walls
Wall Specifications: Outer wall made of cut stone at a height of 39.4 ft; inner wall of mudbrick at 82 ft. high, with total thickness of 82 ft.
Page 18: Assurbanipal’s Lion Hunt
Relief Representation: Depicts royal lion hunting, made from gypsum with a height of 5 ft. 4 in.
Page 19: Hunting Message
Interpretation: Assyrian perspectives on power and dominance depicted in royal lion hunts; encourages reflection on the viewer's response.
Page 20: Dying Lions Reliefs
Artistic Focus: Expresses themes of suffering and the brutality of the hunt.
Page 21: Lioness Relief
Symbolism: Further exploration of themes of vulnerability and power in the Assyrian legacy.
Page 22: Historical Overview of Babylon Empire
Hammurabi Era: Babylon under Hammurabi (reigned 1792–1750 BCE), later became part of the Assyrian Empire (fell ca. 612 BCE).
Page 23: Neo-Babylonian Empire
Reestablishment: Following the fall of Assyria, Babylonians regained control with the Neo-Babylonian Empire from 612 - 539 BCE.
Page 24: Babylon City Plan
City Size: Largest in ancient Mesopotamia at 2100 acres, population ~80,000.
Geography: Features the Euphrates River flowing through its center, fortified with triple walls and moat.
Page 25: Inner City Layout
Design: Streets arranged in a grid pattern (unusual for the time); shows positioning of religious buildings and palaces.
Processional Way: Routes leading to the religious center via the Ishtar Gate.
Page 26: Ishtar Gate Reconstruction
Construction Period: Final design completed during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign; features significant architectural traits.
Page 27: Ishtar Gate Materials
Brick Characteristics: Study the physical aspects of the gate's decorative bricks.
Page 28: Glazed Brick Animal Reliefs
Symbolic Animals: Bull representing Adad and dragon symbolizing Marduk and Nabu; raises questions on overall gate naming.
Page 29: Decorative Lions
Reliefs Techniques: Showcases intricate artistic styles present in Babylon architecture, particularly at the Ishtar Gate.
Page 30: Ziggurat of Marduk
Historical Significance: Identified as the Tower of Babel from biblical texts; built and extensively rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar.
Page 31: Herodotus’ Description
Ziggurat Structure: Elaborate description of the ziggurat’s design, ascent pathways, and temple functionalities per Herodotus (6th c BCE).
Page 32: Ziggurat Construction Debates
Architectural Discussions: Ongoing debates about reconstruction versus original construction techniques.
Page 33: Comparisons with Other Ziggurats
Design Comparisons: Analyzes differing styles with Ur Ziggurat from ca. 3200-3000 BCE.
Page 34: Palace Features of Nebuchadnezzar
Layout: Buildings organized around open courts, aligning with Assyrian architectural precedents but differing in decoration styles.
Page 35: Architectural Comparisons
Comparative Architecture: Juxtaposition with Assyrian palatial designs, focusing on crucial structural elements.
Page 36: Assyrian Decorative Traits
Cultural Continuity: Insights into the motifs and decorations typical of Assyrian palatial environments.
Page 37: Southern Palace Wall Decoration
Design Features: The exterior walls adorned with decorative glazed bricks and depictions of trees and lions.
Page 38: Architectural Influences
Lion Gate Comparison: Draw comparisons with the Hittite Lion Gate and Assyrian Lamassu designs.
Page 39: Babylon's Hanging Gardens
Wonders of the World: Recognized as one of the Seven Wonders; legend of being constructed for Nebuchadnezzar's wife.
Page 40: List of Ancient Wonders
Link to Other Wonders: Includes the Great Pyramid, Colossus of Rhodes, etc.
Page 41: Gardening Techniques
Ancient Irrigation: Strabo’s account of garden irrigation techniques, citing a chaining pump.
Location Theories: Discussions around possible locations for the gardens based on historical accounts.
Page 42: Location Ambiguities
Inconsistencies in Descriptions: Notes on disagreements regarding garden locations and structures compared to historical records.