The document summarizes art from the Ancient Near East region stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf between 9000 BCE to 500 BCE. It describes accomplishments of the early Sumerian civilization like the invention of writing and cities. It highlights artistic works found in the region like votive statues, the Warka Vase, ziggurats, and the Bull Lyre. It then discusses the Akkadian, Neo-Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Persian empires and includes artistic examples from each era like the Stele of Hammurabi and the Ishtar Gate.

1. Art of the Ancient Near East

2. Mesopotamia “Land between the rivers” The Ancient Near East stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf (Modern Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, central Turkey, Iran, and Iraq)

3. Mesopotamia was ideal for agriculture , and farming communities arose around 9000 BCE Major city-states include Elam, Sumer, Akkad, Lagash, Babylonia, Anatolia, and Assyria Near East traded with Egypt People worshipped numerous Gods and Goddesses

4. Sumerian Art

5. Accomplishments of the Sumerians invention of writing (cuneiform) cities laws architecture pottery (invention of potter’s wheel) weaving metalwork

6. Votive Statues of Worshippers

7. Votive Statues of Worshippers 2900 – 2350 BCE gypsum, shell, black limestone various heights (tallest 30 in. high) Statues possibly commissioned by regular people for the afterlife Hundreds of these sculptures have been found Figures are praying with hands together, sometimes holding a cup or vegetation Found in groups in excavated temples

8. Warka Vase

9. Warka Vase From Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq Relief Sculpture (Vase) Reliefs depict Inanna (Sumerian Goddess of love, beauty, and war – also known as Ishtar in other parts of Mesopotamia) Tiered registers with firm ground lines Hierarchy of scale (level of importance of figures) Warka Vase 3200 – 3000 BCE Alabaster (mineral) 3 feet high

10. Reconstruction Drawing of Anu Ziggurat Architecture (Temple) 3100 BCE Located in Ancient Uruk (modern Warka, Iraq)

11. Anu Ziggurat Sumer , one of the Ancient Near East City-States built Ziggurats, a type of temple Temple raised up closer to the Gods (and to protect from floods) The buildings used a stepped pyramid shape Ziggurats showed the wealth and power of the Sumerians

12. Bull Lyre

13. Musical Instrument Found in Tomb Bull is important in Ancient Near East (symbol of strength and power) Wood, Shell Inlay, Lapis Lazuli, Gold Leaf Sound box contains mythological figures (funeral banquet?) Bull Lyre 2600 BCE 2 meters high

14. Akkadian Art

15. Head of an Akkadian Ruler

16. Portrait of an Unknown Ruler Dignity and Authority Earliest hollow cast metal sculpture Stylized beard, hair, and clothing Head of an Akkadian Ruler Copper 2250 – 2200 BCE 14 in. high

17. Neo-Sumerian Art

18. Votive Statue of Gudea Sculpture (Carved Stone) 73.7 cm Tall 2120 BCE

19. Votive Statue of Gudea Votive – Type of Offering to the Gods Statue – Sculpture usually of a Human Figure Gudea was the leader of Lagash (modern Telloh, Iraq) Strong, Peaceful Leader

20. Babylonian Art

21. Stele of Hammurabi Sculpture (carved stone / relief) 2.13 Meters Tall 1792 – 1750 BCE

22. Hammurabi – King of Ancient Babylon Stele – Vertical Upright Monument Contains early set of written laws Written in Cuneiform writing (writing developed in Near East) Conversation between Hammurabi and Shamash , the sun God (God given laws) Stele of Hammurabi

23. Stele of Hammurabi

24. Assyrian Art

25. Lamassu

26. Human-headed winged lion and bull From the citadel of Sargon II , Dar Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq Served to ward off enemies and to guard Kings Partly “in the round” and part relief Front view at rest / side view in movement Lamassu Assyrian, 883 – 859 BCE, Carved Limestone, 13’10” high.

27. Reconstruction Drawing of citadel of Sargon II , Khorsabad, 720 BCE

28. Assurnasirpal II Killing Lions Relief (carved Stone) 99.1 cm Tall 850 BCE

29. Assurnasirpal II Killing Lions Lion hunting scene (Theme of Man and Nature) Assurnasirpal II was the leader of Assyria Assyrian ruler built huge palaces – these palaces were decorated with relief carvings

30. Neo-Babylonian Art

31. Ishtar Gate From Babylon Architecture (Glazed Brick) 575 BCE

32. reconstruction drawing

33. Ishtar Gate Ishtar Gate From Babylon Architecture (Glazed Brick) 575 BCE Entrance to the Ancient city of Babylon Lions – Symbols of Goddess Ishtar Crenellated Towers Glazed Bricks used to make the gate are long lasting and strong

34. Persian Art

35. Persepolis

36. Persepolis

37. Persepolis Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I Persepolis, Iran 500 BCE Buildings separated by streets and open spaces Columned hall was dominant structure Standing on a rock cut platform Stone used throughout the palace Forms of figures derived from Egyptian style (Persians traded with the Egyptians) Destroyed by Alexander the Great (leader of Macedon – Northern Greece)

38. Plan of Persepolis