Historical Context
The Neolithic Revolution first occurred in Mesopotamia. This means...
Agriculture arrived, which led to permanent settlements and thriving culture.
1st era of Mesopotamian Art
Sumerian (3500-2340 BC)
What is a Ziggurat?
Pyramid-like building whose stories indent as building progresses upward
The imagery engraved at the top of Hammurabi's Code serves these 2 purposes.
1. To attract the attention of non-literate people
2. To glorify Hammurabi by making him appear submissive to the Gods yet powerful to man.
Shows influence from _______ art that flooded into Persian via trade
Greek
The Standard of Ur was used as...
A battle flag
True or False
Ancient Mesopotamian art supported the state and religion
True
Last era of Mesopotamia?
Persian (559-331 BC)
True or False Ziggurats were places of burial.
False.
The Code of Hammurabi is significant because...
It was the Earliest law code ever written
Used for receptions, festivals, and banquets by the king. This hall's underlying purpose was to...
Show his might and power through the sheer opulence and majesty of the hall.
The standard of Ur has 2 sides depicting....
and in both the ______ are at the top while ______ are shown at the bottom.
war and peace
wealthy ; commoners
Mud/dirt was the popular building material of choice because....
stone was expensive, wood was scarce
What does the prefix "Neo" mean
"new" or "revival" If an era has Neo in the name it is referring back to a previous era of art.
Define Buttress
channels spaced across the surface to create a light and shadow pattern; helps rainwater to wash down pre-designed channels; helps to strengthen the building; gives the building an exterior pattern
Lamassu of Sargon II guarded the citadel meaning the...
fortress protecting the city
Apadana (in this case) means
hypostyle hall - a "forest" of columns
What was the purpose of a votive motif?
To pray to the gods for them at the temple, so the Gods would be appeased with constant prayer and worship.
Mesopotamians believed that animistic gods were temperamental and punishing due to the turbulent behavior of these 2 rivers.
Tigris and Euphrates
BOMB
-1000 POINTS
Define Animistic
belief in multiple gods that are bound with natural elements- (water, fire, agriculture, etc).
The Lamassu from the Citadel of Sargon II were apotropaic meaning...
They ward off enemies, real and invisible
Center of enormous empire from ____ to_______
Greece to Persia
What is a (semi-comedic) common characteristic among the votif motifs? Why?
Extremely large, wide eyes to appear alert and amazed at the Gods.
Hands and position in a state of prayer.
Almost all mesopotamian artworks depicting a king could be considered ________. Why?
Propaganda, because they were usually depicted as very strong, idealized versions of themselves. Usually conquering an enemy or controlling a powerful beast.
(1000 - 612 BC) ?
Assyrian Era
Whites Temple Ziggurat was dedicated to the god Anu, what artistic design features are meant to honor him.
1. The white stone to relfect sunlight
2. The height to be closer to the sky, aka closer to the gods
3. Interior of the temple was extremely dark
because...
Display Sargon’s power over nature.
Because if Sargon can control nature he "deserves to control/rule man".
This hypostyle hall had ____ columns with _____ capitals and a ______ roof
72 ; bull-headed ; wooden
Why did people think the use of votif motifs was necessary?
They believed any natural disaster or even bad weather was a result of angry gods. They believed constant worship of the gods would appease them and make their lives better.