Defining “Civilized” Urban life: permanent constructions System of regulatory government Class...

Defining “Civilized”Defining “Civilized”

Urban life: permanent constructions Urban life: permanent constructions

System of regulatory governmentSystem of regulatory government

Class distinction Class distinction (through wealth and (through wealth and occupation)occupation)

Tools/skills --> production/tradeTools/skills --> production/trade

Written communicationWritten communication

Shared system of religious beliefShared system of religious belief

CivilizationCivilization

In pre-agricultural societies, as soon as there was In pre-agricultural societies, as soon as there was enough food for all, work stopped.enough food for all, work stopped.With agriculture, a field must be sown, tended, With agriculture, a field must be sown, tended, and later harvested all at once.and later harvested all at once.The harvest must be stored.The harvest must be stored.Domestic animals must be maintained as a herd Domestic animals must be maintained as a herd and be held in a contained area.and be held in a contained area.When all goes well, there will be a surplus of food When all goes well, there will be a surplus of food that is not immediately distributed.that is not immediately distributed.It is valuable, and must be managed and guarded.It is valuable, and must be managed and guarded.

civilizationcivilization

With the Agricultural Revolution comes:With the Agricultural Revolution comes:

––Government bureaucracyGovernment bureaucracy

––Standing armiesStanding armies

––A controlling social eliteA controlling social elite


Not all people had to farm. Some could Not all people had to farm. Some could become specialists in particular tasks:become specialists in particular tasks:

––PottersPotters

––Tool makersTool makers

––Metal workers (smiths)Metal workers (smiths)

––Bakers, butchers, etc.Bakers, butchers, etc.

––BureaucratsBureaucrats


Even if a farming society had begun to Even if a farming society had begun to flourish with relatively independent flourish with relatively independent farmers, once irrigation is introduced, farmers, once irrigation is introduced, infrastructure follows.infrastructure follows.

An irrigation ditch and water-raising An irrigation ditch and water-raising devices are large, expensive projects, devices are large, expensive projects, requiring government, taxation, a requiring government, taxation, a workforce, etc.workforce, etc.

Fertile crescentFertile crescent

The first area of The first area of the world to move the world to move to an agricultural to an agricultural way of life was way of life was near where Africa, near where Africa, Europe, and Asia Europe, and Asia meet.meet.

An area called the An area called the Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent

Fertile crescentFertile crescent

The “Fertile Crescent” is fertile, because The “Fertile Crescent” is fertile, because rivers from all three continents drain into it, rivers from all three continents drain into it, bringing rich nutrients to the soil as well as bringing rich nutrients to the soil as well as water.water.

It was also in an area of moderate climate, It was also in an area of moderate climate, perfect for growing crops.perfect for growing crops.

For those reasons it was also more heavily For those reasons it was also more heavily populated.populated.

Ancient Near EastAncient Near East

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

The world’s first great civilization arose in The world’s first great civilization arose in the Fertile Crescent.the Fertile Crescent.

––This happened in particular in an area This happened in particular in an area that is now part of Iraq.that is now part of Iraq.

––This area is bounded by the Tigris and This area is bounded by the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers.the Euphrates rivers.

––The Greeks called it Mesopotamia, The Greeks called it Mesopotamia, meaning “between the rivers.”meaning “between the rivers.”

SumerSumer

The first notable The first notable civilization in civilization in Mesopotamia was Mesopotamia was Sumer.Sumer.It was located in It was located in southern southern Mesopotamia, near Mesopotamia, near where the rivers where the rivers join.join.


Sumerian AccomplishmentsSumerian Accomplishments

3500 BCE – Invention of the Wheel3500 BCE – Invention of the Wheel

3400 BCE – Invention of pottery wheel3400 BCE – Invention of pottery wheel

3300 BCE – Invention of writing 3300 BCE – Invention of writing (cuneiform)(cuneiform)

3000 BCE – Epic of Gilgamesh written – 3000 BCE – Epic of Gilgamesh written – 11stst literary work – Quiz 1 – due next week! literary work – Quiz 1 – due next week!


Other developments in Ancient Near EastOther developments in Ancient Near East

2300 – 2150 BCE - Akkadian Dynasty and 2300 – 2150 BCE - Akkadian Dynasty and Empire – conquest of SumeriaEmpire – conquest of Sumeria

2150 – 1760 BCE - Neo-Sumerian Dynasty 2150 – 1760 BCE - Neo-Sumerian Dynasty

1760 – 1600 BCE – Babylonian Empire: 1760 – 1600 BCE – Babylonian Empire: develops advanced mathematics develops advanced mathematics

1600 – 1000 BCE – Splintering of Empire into 3 1600 – 1000 BCE – Splintering of Empire into 3 areas: Hittites in north (develop iron weapons); areas: Hittites in north (develop iron weapons); Kassites in center and Elamites in south.Kassites in center and Elamites in south.


1350 – 612 BCE – Assyrian Empire : most brutal 1350 – 612 BCE – Assyrian Empire : most brutal and feared warriors of A.N.E. and feared warriors of A.N.E. 669 – 627 BCE – Ashurbanipal rules Assyria669 – 627 BCE – Ashurbanipal rules Assyria612 – 538 BCE – Neo-Babylonian (Chaldaean) 612 – 538 BCE – Neo-Babylonian (Chaldaean) Empire : conquer Egypt in 605 BCE and Empire : conquer Egypt in 605 BCE and Jerusalem in 586 BCE under Nebuchadnezzar II Jerusalem in 586 BCE under Nebuchadnezzar II (Babylonian Captivity – Destruction of Temple of (Babylonian Captivity – Destruction of Temple of Solomon)Solomon)538 – 330 BCE – Persian Empire : largest 538 – 330 BCE – Persian Empire : largest empire then known stretching from modern day empire then known stretching from modern day Iran to EgyptIran to Egypt


Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were nearly Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were nearly all polytheistic. all polytheistic. PolytheismPolytheism – belief in more than – belief in more than one god. (Only exception was the Jews who one god. (Only exception was the Jews who later developed later developed monotheismmonotheism – a belief in one – a belief in one god). god).

All Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were All Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations were theocratic. theocratic. TheocracyTheocracy – government which is led – government which is led by religious rulers that were in charge of both by religious rulers that were in charge of both the political and religious aspects of their the political and religious aspects of their culturescultures

Ancient Near East - religionAncient Near East - religionSumerian GodsSumerian GodsAnnunaki – name for the Annunaki – name for the Sumerian godsSumerian godsAnu- sky god/king of godsAnu- sky god/king of godsInnana – fertility goddess/ Innana – fertility goddess/ queen of godsqueen of godsAbu – god of plantsAbu – god of plantsEnlil – god of earth /windEnlil – god of earth /windEnki – god of wisdomEnki – god of wisdomShamash – sun godShamash – sun godAssyrians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Akkadians, Hittites shared Akkadians, Hittites shared the same gods though the same gods though sometimes added new ones sometimes added new ones or changed the namesor changed the names

Persian GodsPersian Gods Ahura Mazda – god of Ahura Mazda – god of lightlightAhriman – god of Ahriman – god of darknessdarknessDualistic religion where Dualistic religion where both gods were equal both gods were equal and oppositeand oppositeZoroaster – chief Zoroaster – chief prophet of Persian prophet of Persian religionreligionZend-Avesta – Persian Zend-Avesta – Persian Holy BookHoly Book

Chart: Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses. ca. 2200–Chart: Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses. ca. 2200–2159 BCE.2159 BCE.

SumeriansSumerians


Characteristics of Sumerian ArtCharacteristics of Sumerian ArtProminent EyesProminent EyesArched eyebrowsArched eyebrowsCylindrical body shapeCylindrical body shapeConceptual approach to human figuresConceptual approach to human figuresOffers homage to the godsOffers homage to the godsHighly stylized/even abstract at timesHighly stylized/even abstract at timesFocus on the spiritual worldFocus on the spiritual world

White Temple and ziggurat

Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq

ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.mud brickOldest temple structure in Mesopotamia

Female head (possibly Inanna)

from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq

ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.marbleapproximately 8 in. high

RECOVERED

Warka Vase

from Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq

ca. 3,200-3,000 B.C.E.alabasterapproximately 3 ft. highConsidered masterpiece of Mesopotamian pottery

RECOVERED

Sumerian- ArtSumerian- Art

Votive Statues from Votive Statues from Abu TempleAbu Temple

2600 BCE2600 BCE

Tell Asmar, SumeriaTell Asmar, Sumeria

Votive statues had Votive statues had prayers inscribed prayers inscribed upon them and were upon them and were offered to the gods offered to the gods

VotiveVotive means offering means offering


Standard of UrStandard of Ur2700 - 2600 BCE2700 - 2600 BCEUr, SumeriaUr, SumeriaWood with inlaid shells, Wood with inlaid shells, limestone and lapis lazulilimestone and lapis lazuliConsidered masterpiece Considered masterpiece of Sumerian artof Sumerian artTwo sided one side is war Two sided one side is war one is peaceone is peaceKing is largest figure on King is largest figure on both sidesboth sides


Bull’s Head LyreBull’s Head Lyre

2600 BCE2600 BCE

Ur, SumeriaUr, Sumeria

Found in Queen Paubi’s Found in Queen Paubi’s tombtomb

Never used so signifies Never used so signifies possible use in afterlifepossible use in afterlife

Wood with inlaid shell, Wood with inlaid shell, gold and lapis lazuligold and lapis lazuli

Sumerian. Vessel in the shape of an ostrich egg, from Sumerian. Vessel in the shape of an ostrich egg, from the Royal Cemetery of Ur.the Royal Cemetery of Ur.

Height: 5-3/4".Height: 5-3/4".

Sumerian. Cuneiform writing in Sumer. Sumerian tablet Sumerian. Cuneiform writing in Sumer. Sumerian tablet

from Lagash, modern Tello, Iraq. ca. 2360 from Lagash, modern Tello, Iraq. ca. 2360 BCEBCE..

Ram in a thicket

from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq

ca. 2,600 B.C.E.

gold, silver, lapis lazuli, copper, shell, red limestone, bitumen 42.6 cm. highSumerian mythology included many magical animals

AkkadiansAkkadians


Akkadian and Assyrian Art CharacteristicsAkkadian and Assyrian Art Characteristics

Art to commemorate warriors and rulersArt to commemorate warriors and rulers

More naturalistic than SumerianMore naturalistic than Sumerian

Portrayal of violencePortrayal of violence

Illustrates and glorifies the military power Illustrates and glorifies the military power of the people and their king and his of the people and their king and his accomplishmentsaccomplishments

Head of an Akkadian ruler

from Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq

ca. 2,250-2,200 B.C.E.copper14 3/8 in. highPossibly Sargon or Naram-Sin – 2 signs of power - beard and crown

MISSING

Materials & Techniques: Lost-wax Casting Materials & Techniques: Lost-wax Casting (diagram).(diagram).

Akkadian- ArtAkkadian- Art

Victory Stele of Naram-Victory Stele of Naram-SimSim2300 – 2200 BCE2300 – 2200 BCEAkkadAkkadShows king on top of Shows king on top of mountain triumphing over mountain triumphing over his enemieshis enemiesSize of king dramatically Size of king dramatically larger than those around larger than those around himhimIt was a public monument It was a public monument showing king’s powershowing king’s power

Akkadian. Cylinder seal impression and the Seal of Akkadian. Cylinder seal impression and the Seal of Adda. ca. 2600 BCE.Adda. ca. 2600 BCE.

Height: 1-1/2".Height: 1-1/2".

Neo-SumeriansNeo-Sumerians

Neo-Sumerian- ArtNeo-Sumerian- Art

Ziggurat of Ur-NammuZiggurat of Ur-Nammu

2500 – 2050 BCE 2500 – 2050 BCE

Ur, Sumeria (Iraq)Ur, Sumeria (Iraq)

Priest was only one Priest was only one allowed to visit the home allowed to visit the home of the god at the top of of the god at the top of the templethe temple

Ur-Nammu writes first Ur-Nammu writes first code of laws (incomplete)code of laws (incomplete)

Neo-SumeriansNeo-Sumerians

Neo-Sumerian- ArtNeo-Sumerian- Art

Gudea of LagashGudea of Lagash

2144 – 2124 BCE2144 – 2124 BCE

Lagash, SumeriaLagash, Sumeria

Priest-king – first statue Priest-king – first statue of non-hero of non-hero

Made of Diorite – Made of Diorite – because stone was because stone was strong and long lastingstrong and long lasting

No attempt at reality – but No attempt at reality – but regalregal

BabyloniansBabylonians

Babylonian- ArtBabylonian- Art

Law Code of HammurabiLaw Code of Hammurabi

1760 BCE1760 BCE

BabylonBabylon

Made of DioriteMade of Diorite

First complete written First complete written code of lawscode of laws

Sun god Shamash hands Sun god Shamash hands laws directly to laws directly to Hammurabi making it clear Hammurabi making it clear that all must follow themthat all must follow them

Quiz 2 – Due Next Week!Quiz 2 – Due Next Week!

HittitesHittites

Hittite ArtHittite Art

Lion GateLion Gate

1343-1200 BCE1343-1200 BCE

Hattusha, TurkeyHattusha, Turkey

Capital of Hittite Capital of Hittite EmpireEmpire

Hittites are first to Hittites are first to use iron weaponsuse iron weapons

AssyriansAssyrians

Assyrian- ArtAssyrian- Art

Lamassu from Citadel Lamassu from Citadel of Sargonof Sargon883 – 859 BCE883 – 859 BCENimrud, AssyriaNimrud, AssyriaLamassu were Lamassu were protector gods protector gods assumed by the assumed by the Assyrians to come to Assyrians to come to life to protect themlife to protect themNote 5 legsNote 5 legs

Assyrian archers pursuing enemies

from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Kalhu (modern Nimrud)

ca. 875-860 B.C.E.gypsum2 ft. 10 3/8 in. highPerspective is not even considered – larger figures are the important ones


Ashurnasirpal II Killing Ashurnasirpal II Killing LionsLions

850 BCE850 BCE

Nimrud, AssyriaNimrud, Assyria

LimestoneLimestone

Part of the Hunting Part of the Hunting Reliefs Reliefs

The Hunting Reliefs are The Hunting Reliefs are considered the considered the masterpiece of Ancient masterpiece of Ancient Near Eastern ArtNear Eastern Art


Dying LionessDying Lioness850 BCE850 BCENimrud, AssyriaNimrud, AssyriaRelief SculptureRelief SculptureLimestoneLimestonePart of the Hunting Part of the Hunting Reliefs Reliefs The Hunting Reliefs are The Hunting Reliefs are considered the considered the masterpiece of Ancient masterpiece of Ancient Near Eastern ArtNear Eastern Art

Hunting Reliefs

Tablet 11 of the Epic of Gilgamesh (fragment), with the Tablet 11 of the Epic of Gilgamesh (fragment), with the Flood Story. From the Library of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh Flood Story. From the Library of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh

(modern Kuyunjik, Iraq). Second milennium BCE.(modern Kuyunjik, Iraq). Second milennium BCE.


Sack of Hamanu by Sack of Hamanu by AshurbanipalAshurbanipal

650 BCE650 BCE

Nineveh, AssyriaNineveh, Assyria

Scale is all out of Scale is all out of proportionproportion

Narrative is what is Narrative is what is importantimportant

Power of king and his Power of king and his army’s technique are the army’s technique are the focusfocus

Assyrian. Assyrian. Exile of the IsraelitesExile of the Israelites, from the Palace of , from the Palace of Sennacherib, Nineveh, Assyria. Late 8th century BCE.Sennacherib, Nineveh, Assyria. Late 8th century BCE.

Neo-BabylonianNeo-Babylonian

Neo-Babylonian- ArtNeo-Babylonian- Art

Ishtar GateIshtar Gate575 BCE575 BCEBabylonBabylonFrom Neo-Babylonian From Neo-Babylonian period made of glazed brickperiod made of glazed brickOne of over 30 entrances One of over 30 entrances to city – used for defensive to city – used for defensive purposes and to impress purposes and to impress visitorsvisitorsAnimals used for Animals used for ornamentationornamentationCrenellations on top for Crenellations on top for defensedefense

Ishtar Gate (restored)details of dragon (Marduk) and bull (Adad)

from Babylon, Iraq

ca. 575 B.C.E.glazed brick

Ishtar Gate (restored)details of lion (Ishtar)

from Babylon, Iraq

ca. 575 B.C.E.glazed brick

Babylonian. Reconstruction drawing: Babylon's Babylonian. Reconstruction drawing: Babylon's Processional Way & Ishtar Gate as they appeared in Processional Way & Ishtar Gate as they appeared in

the 6th century BCE.the 6th century BCE.

Persian ArtPersian Art

Anonymous. Beaker with ibex, dogs, and long-necked birds, from Anonymous. Beaker with ibex, dogs, and long-necked birds, from Susa, southwest Iran. ca. 5000–4000 BCE.Susa, southwest Iran. ca. 5000–4000 BCE.

Height: 11-1/4".Height: 11-1/4".

Persian- ArtPersian- Art

Achaemenid PalaceAchaemenid Palace518 – 460 BCE518 – 460 BCEPersepolis, PersiaPersepolis, PersiaPalace was destroyed Palace was destroyed by Alexander the by Alexander the Great in revenge for Great in revenge for the destruction of the the destruction of the Acropolis in Athens Acropolis in Athens Laid out in grid Laid out in grid patternpattern

Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I

Persepolis, Iran

ca. 521-465 B.C.E.

Persian. Persian. Darius and Xerxes Receiving TributeDarius and Xerxes Receiving Tribute. Detail, relief from a . Detail, relief from a stairway leading to the Apadana, ceremonial complex, Persepolis, stairway leading to the Apadana, ceremonial complex, Persepolis,

Iran.Iran.491-486 BCE.491-486 BCE.Height: 8' 4".Height: 8' 4".

Achaemenid. Achaemenid. RhytonRhyton. 5th-3rd centuries BCE.. 5th-3rd centuries BCE.

Ancient Near East - ArtAncient Near East - Art

Winged Ibex Winged Ibex

44thth century BCE century BCE

PersiaPersia

This object was used This object was used as a jar handleas a jar handle

Gilded in gold over Gilded in gold over stonestone

Animal motif prevailed Animal motif prevailed in Ancient Near Eastin Ancient Near East

Sasanian ArtSasanian Art

Palace of Shapur I

from Ctesiphon, Iraq

ca. 250 C.E.

Roman artisans aided in the construction – hence the arch

Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian

from Bishapur, Iraq

ca. 260 C.E.rock-cut reliefThe Roman Emperor kneels in defeat before the Sasanian King

Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?)

from Ctesiphon, Iraq

ca. 350 C.E.silver with mercury gilding15 3/4 in. highSculpture

Ancient Near East - ArtAncient Near East - Art

The EndThe End

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