MESOPOTAMIAN ARTMESOPOTAMIAN ART

Near Eastern ArtNear Eastern Art

Where was Mesopotamia?Where was Mesopotamia?

Mesopotamia was known Mesopotamia was known as "The land between the as "The land between the rivers“rivers“

This name was given to This name was given to the lands lying between the lands lying between the Tigris and the the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers.Euphrates rivers.

The space we call The space we call Mesopotamia is roughly Mesopotamia is roughly the same as that of the the same as that of the modern country of Iraq. modern country of Iraq.

TimelineTimeline

9000 – 5000 BC Early Farming Communities9000 – 5000 BC Early Farming Communities 5000 – 3500 BC Pre-Sumerians5000 – 3500 BC Pre-Sumerians 3500 – 1900 BC Sumerians3500 – 1900 BC Sumerians 1900 – 500 BC Babylonians and Assyrians1900 – 500 BC Babylonians and Assyrians

An area in conflictAn area in conflict

Unlike their southern neighbors, the Unlike their southern neighbors, the Mesopotamian area was in conflict between Mesopotamian area was in conflict between warring nations very frequently.   warring nations very frequently.  

This area also required much more This area also required much more maintenance of their agriculture systems.  maintenance of their agriculture systems. 

Because of these and other factors, this area Because of these and other factors, this area had a more limited development of art as had a more limited development of art as compared to Egypt.compared to Egypt.

Mythical creaturesMythical creatures

Mesopotamian sculptures Mesopotamian sculptures included mythical creatures included mythical creatures at times.at times.

The figure to the right is an The figure to the right is an Assyrian genie.Assyrian genie.

A genie is an Islamic A genie is an Islamic ´jinn´´jinn´ a spirit capable of a spirit capable of appearing in human and appearing in human and animal form to influence animal form to influence humans for good OR evil. humans for good OR evil.

Human FiguresHuman Figures Sculptures in this area Sculptures in this area

often showed long often showed long beards on the peoples beards on the peoples faces.  faces. 

The long beard The long beard represented power in represented power in their society.  their society. 

Most reliefs and Most reliefs and paintings would tell paintings would tell stories of battles or stories of battles or proclaimed the power of proclaimed the power of the ruler. the ruler. 

ZigguratsZiggurats In Sumerian cities they built ziggurats for their In Sumerian cities they built ziggurats for their

worship.  A ziggurat is a step pyramid with a temple worship.  A ziggurat is a step pyramid with a temple at the top.  at the top. 

Normally each city would have one main ziggurat Normally each city would have one main ziggurat dedicated to the city´s special god.dedicated to the city´s special god.

Lion leading to Ishtar's Gate Lion leading to Ishtar's Gate

Persian Bull Persian Bull

Human-Headed Lions Human-Headed Lions

Hunting scene, 2250–2150 B.C.Hunting scene, 2250–2150 B.C.

Eye idol, 3500–3100 B.C Eye idol, 3500–3100 B.C This figurine is made of stone This figurine is made of stone

and having incised eyes.and having incised eyes. It It waswas excavated at Tell Brak, excavated at Tell Brak,

where thousands were found in where thousands were found in a building now called the Eye a building now called the Eye Temple. Temple.

The idols are thought to be The idols are thought to be offerings—wide eyes offerings—wide eyes demonstrate attentiveness to the demonstrate attentiveness to the gods in much Mesopotamian gods in much Mesopotamian artart. .