-
Sumerian Art being distinguish for its monumental architecture. Creating Sculptures often portraying gods, rulers, and mythological scenes.
-
a raised platform with four sloping sides. They were built with mud bricks, which were the preferred material in the Near East because stone were scarce. Not only were ziggurats a visual focus of the city, they were also a symbolic one. They were at the center of the theocratic political system, which is a sort of government where a deity is recognized as the ruler and state officials act on the god's behalf.
-
Dr. Senta German, "White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk," in Smarthistory, August 8, 2015, accessed September 19, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/white-temple-and-ziggurat-uruk/.
-
Five different civilizations that used art as propaganda to demonstrate their power and divine favor, represent the art of the Ancient Near East.
-
a more naturalistic style, especially in portraiture.
-
A monument that depicts the victory of Akkadian over the Lullubi Mountain people. It shows Naram-Sin the largest figure in the limestone, which has the attention of all figures present onto him. This is a symbolic story that tells us Naram-Sin is assuming importance and the status of a god due to him wearing a horned helmet something that was highly important for the Akkadians.
-
Cite this page as: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Victory Stele of Naram-Sin," in Smarthistory, November 24, 2015, accessed September 21, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/victory-stele-of-naram-sin/.
-
A headless figure’s with his hands clasped which has created a distinctive gesture that has been frequently seen on more than 30 recorded statues of the Mesopotamian ruler Gudea. Betwee
-
Statue of Gudea|url=https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1963.154|author=|year=c. 2144–2124 BCE|access-date=22 September 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
-
known mostly for the revival of the Sumerian stylistic qualities and was centered around royalty and divinity.
-
Best represented by the Ishtar Gate, which is decorated with blue-glazed brick and features reliefs of dragons and other symbols
-
recognized for its magnificent palaces with detailed wall reliefs that show mythological creatures, royal hunts, and battles.
-
Ashurbanipal, like other Assyrian monarchs decorated his palace's public walls with pictures of himself displaying extraordinary courage, power, and talent. In this one particular he is hunting a lion, where we watch him calmly aim at a lion in front of his charging chariot while his helpers try to get another lion that is attacking from behind.
-
Cite this page as: Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions," in Smarthistory, December 11, 2015, accessed September 22, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/ashurbanipal-hunting-lions/.
-
Dr. Senta German, "The Ishtar Gate and Neo-Babylonian art and architecture," in Smarthistory, August 8, 2015, accessed September 22, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/neo-babylonian/.
-
A gate covered in glazed bricks in which it said by the inscriptions that the bricks are made out of lapis lazuli . A row of lions and cattle can be seen marching in a relief procession across the gate. the lions that are visible represent Ishtar, one of Babylonian goddesses that is goddess of war, wisdom and sexuality
-
Known for its grand palaces and monumental sculptures. Often blending influences from various cultures, demonstrating the empire's vast reach and diversity.
-
Michalowski, Piotr. “cylinder.” British Museum, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1880-0617-1941. Accessed 19 September 2025.
-
There are gaps in the text. The last King of Babylon, Nabonidus, is described in Babylonian script and language as having corrupted the worship of the Babylonian gods, particularly Marduk, the city-god of Babylon, and forced its free people to work as slaves.