Geography & Beginnings
This region means “land between rivers.”
What is Mesopotamia?
These massive, tiered structures were built to reach the gods.
What are ziggurats?
These statues represented worshippers and were placed in temples.
What are votive statues?
This Akkadian ruler united Mesopotamia around 2334 B.C.
Who is Sargon I?
This object shows a Sumerian battle on one side and peace on the other.
What is the Standard of Ur?
The southern region of Mesopotamia where many “firsts” occurred.
What is Sumer?
The primary building material used in Sumerian architecture.
What is mud brick?
A key feature of Sumerian statues showing devotion.
What are large/bulging eyes?
Under Sargon, art began serving this purpose.
What is propaganda?
This instrument featured a bull’s head and told visual stories.
What is Puabi’s Lyre?
This major religious figure was said to be born in Ur.
Who is Abraham?
Only this group of people could enter the temple at the top of a ziggurat.
Who are priests?
Sumerians believed their gods could live inside these.
What are statues?
This Babylonian king created one of the first written law codes.
Who is Hammurabi?
The Standard of Ur is read in this direction.
What is bottom to top?
The Sumerians are credited with inventing this system of communication.
What is writing?
Ziggurats are often compared to this modern celebratory dessert because of their shape.
What is a wedding cake?
This temple site is known for its famous votive statues.
What is the Abu Temple?
This empire created intimidating art like the lamassu.
What is the Assyrian Empire?
These winged creatures with human heads guarded Assyrian palaces.
What are lamassu?
This famous epic poem originated in Mesopotamia.
What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?
This biblical story is often associated with ziggurat-like structures.
What is the Tower of Babel?
This material, used in art like Puabi’s Lyre, had to be imported from far away.
What is lapis lazuli?
This ruler is associated with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Who is Nebuchadnezzar?
This type of artwork tells a story through images rather than words.
What is visual narrative (or narrative art)?