The Rise of Civilization: The Art of the Ancient Near East

In 2334 B.C., Sumeria came under the domination of the Semitic ruler Sargon, whose city, Akkad, gave its name to the language and the culture. The art of this time focuses on exhibiting the status and power of male rulers. Their victories in war and laws are recorded on upright stone slabs.

Imperial majesty in copper:

A life-size, hollow-cast copper head with inlaid eyes (now lost) and a curly beard show a high level of skill in metalworking.

2-12 Head of an Akkadian ruler, from Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 2250-2200 B.C. COPPER, 1' 2 3/8" HIGH. IRAQ MUSEUM, BAGHDAD.

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A god-king crushes an enemy:

A stone marker carved in relief commemorates the victory of a king and his army in the wooded Iranian mountains.

2-13 Victory stele of Naram-Sin, from Susa, Iran, 2254-2218 B.C. PINK SANDSTONE, APPROX. 6' 7" HIGH. LOUVRE, PARIS.

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The resurgence of Sumer:

When Akkadian domination ended, Sumerian culture was revived. The new Sumerian kings built a huge stepped ziggurat with long ramp-like stairways at the royal city of Ur. The Neo-Sumerian ruler Gudea had numerous statues carved in his image.

2-14 Ziggurat (northeastern façade with restored stairs), Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2100 B.C.

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The most conspicuous, preserved sculptural monuments of the Neo-Sumerian age portray the ensi of Lagash, Gudea.

2-15 Seated statue of Gudea holding temple plan, from Girsu (modern Telloh), Iraq, ca. 2100 B.C. DIORITE, APPROX. 2' 5" HIGH. LOUVRE, PARIS. Hammurabi and the rise of Babylon:

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A stone pillar features a relief carving at the top and text inscribed below.

2-16 Stele with law code of Hammurabi (upper part), from Susa, Iran, ca. 1780 B.C. BASALT. LOUVRE, APPROX. 7'4" HIGH, PARIS.

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Ishtar grants power to a new king:

A mural survived from a royal palace destroyed by Hammurabi in 1757 B.C.

2-17 Investitureof Zimri-Lim, facsimile of a mural painting, from court 106 of the palace at Mari, (modern Tell Hariri), Syria, ca. 1775-1760 B.C. LOUVRE, PARIS.

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A hittite fortress in Turkey:

The Hittites in Anatolia built a city fortified with stone walls and towers with a pair of carved stone lions at the main gateway.

2-18 Lion Gate, Boghazköy, Turkey, ca. 1400 B.C. LIMESTONE, APPROX. 7' HIGH.

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2. Lion Gate
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