Mesopotamian Art

Art of the Ancient Near East
Mesopotamia


Use the following questions as a guide to discerning some of the important aspects of the art in this region through your reading. Hand in your typed responses to the questions by Tuesday, Sept.2

1. Why was Mesopotamia vulnerable to political upheaval?
2. What types of arts flourished in early cities?
3. What are some of the important “firsts” developed by the Sumerians?
4. How was the ziggurat constructed and what purpose did it serve?
5. What story does the Stele of Naram-Sin tell?
6. How did Assurnasirpal II improve his empire?
7. What was the geographical expanse of Cyrus II’s empire at the time of his death in 530 BCE?
8. How did Persian sculpture and architecture emphasize the expanse of the empire and its economic prosperity? Give a specific example.

also be familiar with the following artworks and terms:

a. Lamassu
b. Cuneiform
c. Votive Figures
d. Great Lyre with Bull's Head
e. Cylinder Seals
f. Statue of Gudea
g. Stele of Hammurabi
h. Lion Gate
i. Palace Complex of Sargon
j. Ishtar Gate
k. Ceremonial Complex at Persepolis