Mesopotamian Civilization Flashcards
cradle of civilization. (Modern Iraq)
Mesopotamian
- contributed the cuneiform
- ziggurat architecture
- invented writing and produced the world’s first literature
- Epic of Gilgamesh
Sumerian
Used for business transactions. Beer was the first sale on the record
Cylinder Seal
Usage of picture symbols for writing
Glyph
Comes from the latin word cuneus meaning wedge
Cuneiform
3D statuettes made of marble. For crops and bringing fertility to women
Tell Asmar Figures
Stylistic method to make everything standard to be approves as beautiful
Convention
- Male figures should be upright, rigid and have beard
- Female has particular attire
- Both have very large eyes
- Hierarchy: the larger the statue, the more important the figure
Conventions of Sumerian figures
Paintings combined with shell and lapiz lazuli inlay
Has 3 levels of register
1- Bottom: people and animals in a parade
2- Middle: soldiers with their conquered prisoners
3- Top: prisoners presented to the king
Standard of Ur
A Sumerian temple with 6-7 stories high. Usually situated at the town center. Town planning radiates from it.
Ziggurat
Semitic- speaking Mesopotamian who lived to the north of Sumer.
Akkadians
- 12” tall and is made of bronze
- made through Lost wax method
- sculpture is presumably the head of Sargon 1
Head of an Akkadian Ruler
A method of metal casting in which
a molten metal is poured into a
mold that has been created by
means of a wax model. The
sculpture is hollow on the inside.
Lost wax method or cire-perdue
It is a law code that provides a
unique glimpse into the social and
legal structure of ancient
Mesopotamia. comprises 300
statues written in Akkadian in 51
cuneiform columns.
Code of Hammurabi
Dedicated to the wife of
Nebuchadnezzar.
It is one of the 7 wonders of the
ancient world.
The Hanging Gardens
Measures 300 ft high with a temple
at the apex.
The Tower of Babel
- Dedicated to the Babylonian
goddess Ishtar. - It was meant to be the entrance to the city.
- They used blue
glazed tiles which represents a
sacred color.
Gate of Ishtar
A human headed winged lion
Lamassu
- goldsmiths from the early
kingdom of Iran in Southwest Asia.
Persian
The belief of polar opposites.
The teachings belive that the
world’s 2 central forces are light and
dark.
Zoroastrianism
Persians introduced the use of
columns and was fond of using this.
The bull represents power, fertility
and a metaphor for the position of
the king as the head of state
Bull Capital
Monumental gateway
Propylaeum
Audience Hall. Contains 36 massive columns
Apadana
First arcaded construction built in the Persian empire
Palace of Shapur I
