Ancient Near East Flashcards
Often referred to as cradle of civilization
Mesopotamia
Fertile cresecent
Few natural anvatages aside from water and soil
Has important materials like hardwood and metals.
GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
System of writing
Earliest Form of writing
Most significant cultural contributions of the Sumerians.
Cuneiform
World’s largest city during reign ok King Nebuchadnezzar II
BABYLONIAN
Ancient name for the northeastern part of modern Iraq. named after its orig capital, Assur.
ASSYRIAN
Now known as Iran, was once a major empire on par with superpowers.
PERSIAN
Each citEach city-state worshipped its own god for protection
People aimed to make peace with their wrathfu
RELIGION
Bricks were made from clay mixed with chpped straw to improve cohesion and bonding.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
TYPES OF BRICKS
Sun Dried
Kiln dried
Colored glazed
ordinary finish
Sun Dried
for facing important buildings
Kiln dried
for decorative purposes
Colored glazed
“Holy Mountains”
A chief building structure, square or rectangle in plan.
ZIGGURATS
to stand out among other structures/ to appear more important
to get the temple closer to the sky
The Grand Height
Usually have one flat top rectangular mould, carrying the upper temple
Bc 3500 - 3000
Two or more stages ziggurat – rectangular in plan designed with several tiers or stages
Bc2125
Seven stages square base ziggurat
Bc 2125
Kings celebrated their victories, wealth and power by building large palaces.
PALACES
IMPORTANT PARTS OF PALACE
Seraglio
Harem
Khan
Palace proper, kings residence, men’s apartment and reception courts.
Seraglio
Private fam apartment or women’s quarter.
Harem
service chambers,”inn” for travelers prototype.
Khan
Gleaming temple built atop a mud brick
White temple of Uruk
Also known as cella
Served as the meeting place
The central hall
Ziggurat of ur-nammu
Has a solid core of mud brick and faced w/ burnt brickwork
Was given special sanctity by being dug down to virgin soil
Temple oval, Khafaje
Square-planned with defensive parameter and covered nearly one square mile.
Palace of sargon, Khorsabad
Plants grew on the roof and terrace
Hanging Gardens of babylon
Dedicated to goddess Ishtar. Bas relief of lions in blue glazed tile.
Ishtar gate
Biblical literature, Land of Shinar (Babylonia)
Tower of Babel
Showcase for the empire, began by Darius I executed by Xerxes I finished by Artaxerxes I.
Palace of Persopolis
to separate people accoring to their social importance.
Gate of All Nations
Grand Audience Hall
The Adapana
finest quality stone and the smallest of the palce buildings.
Tachara Palace of harius and Xerxes, Persopolis
Reception chamber & Guard Room
Tripylon
Built by Xerxes as his private residence. stood on a platform hewn 18m, was ascended by for staircases.
Hadish Palace
“Hall of Hundred Columns”
Throne Hall
served as armory and storehouse
Treasury
