EXPLORING MESOPOTAMIAN ART

Reveche, Arnel
Salvia, Gay Eunice
Quijano, Louis
Ramos, Patrick
Villarta, Randolf
I. INTRODUCTION

Mesopotamian art encompasses art and architecture from the ancient Near East

beginning in 3500 BCE and lasting until 331 BCE. Mesopotamia was an area that

stretched across the areas now known as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine,

Syria, Jordan, and Cypress. Mesopotamian art was influenced by religion, patron god

or goddesses and the king.

Art and architecture of the ancient Near East or Mesopotamia was created in

regions that are today known as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria,

Jordan, and Cypress. It was influenced by religion, patron god or goddesses and the

king. Political power changed continually. The many groups in power provided

aesthetic and cultural interchanges which furthered Mesopotamian art.

Mesopotamian art has a great impact on the art that we experience, see, and feel

today. Being one of the richest periods of art history, this essay tackles the relevance

and influence of Mesopotamian art and how it evolved to art in the modern world.

Diving into the details of how Mesopotamian art was highly representative of the

hierarchy of people and objects. For example, the size of people or objects reflected

their standing. More specifically, pharaohs, kings, and gods were made larger than the

other characters present to draw the eye and to signify importance and dominance.

The cultures of Mesopotamia are considered civilizations because their people

had writing, had settled communities in the form of villages, planted their own food,

had domesticated animals, and had different orders of workers. In this essay we will

find out how people of Mesopotamia endured and introduced art through their

everyday life.
II. FOUNDATIONS OF CIVILIZATION

Mesopotamian art often depicted its rulers and the glories of their lives. Also created

around 2500 B.C. in Ur is the intricate Standard of Ur, a shell and limestone structure

that features an early example of complex pictorial narrative, depicting a history of

war and peace.

Mesopotamia refers to the land between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, both of

which flow down from the Taurus Mountains. The climate of the region is semi-arid

with a vast desert in the north which gives way to a 5,800 square mile region of

marshes, lagoons, mud flats, and reed banks in the south. In the extreme south, the

Euphrates and the Tigris unite and empty into the Persian Gulf.

In ancient times, the annual flooding of the rivers was unpredictable. This level of

unpredictability could cause flooding that could destroy crops or even cause a drought

that could dry the crops out.

By 6000 BCE, irrigation canals brought water from rivers to the fields where

workers unclogged canals and built dams to hold back flood water.The irrigation is aid

ed by the melting snow from the high peaks of the northern Zagros Mountains and

from the Armenian Highlands. The usefulness of irrigation depends upon the ability to

organize a sufficient labor force for the construction and maintenance of the canals.

Since the earliest periods, this has assisted in the development of urban settlements

and centralized systems of government.

The arid climate means that there are not large areas of wooded forests or jungle.

This means that wooded structures could not be constructed. In place of wood,
 buildings were made of clay and rock. Long-distance trade from outlying areas has

helped to provide resources that were not available. Agriculture throughout the region

had been supplemented by nomadic pastoralism. This is the process in which tent-

dwelling nomads herd sheep and goats from the river pastures in the dry summer

months, out into the seasonal grazing lands on the desert fringe in the wet winter

season.

In the marshlands to the south of the area, a complex water-borne fishing culture

had existed since prehistoric times and has also been added to the cultural mix.

Mesopotamia has also been called the Fertile Crescent and the "cradle of civilization."

Through clearing and modification of vegetation, it is here where settled farming first

emerged, helping to create urban centers and cities.

Early human civilizations such as Sumer in Mesopotamia were able to flourish as

a result. Technological advances in the Mesopotamia region included the development

of agriculture and the use of irrigation, writing, the wheel, and glass.

III. KEY CHARACTERISTICS

century BCE, reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the region. Characterized by its

utilitarian focus, intricate symbolism, and religious significance, Mesopotamian art

serves as a window into the society's beliefs and daily life.

Artistic Features:

1. Cuneiform Writing:

- One of the most distinctive features is cuneiform writing, an early system of

wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets. Used for recording various aspects of

a testament to the region's advanced intellectual and administrative capabilities.

2. Ziggurats:

- Ziggurats, massive stepped structures, were prominent architectural features.

Serving as temples dedicated to specific deities, these towering structures symbolized

the connection between the mortal and divine realms. The ziggurat at Ur is a notable

example.

3. Cylinder Seals:

- Cylinder seals were small, intricately carved cylinders used to impress images onto

clay or other soft materials. These seals served both practical and symbolic purposes,

often depicting scenes of worship, mythology, or daily life. They were also used to

authenticate documents.

4. Relief Sculptures:

- Mesopotamian art incorporated relief sculptures on palace walls and steles. These

sculptures depicted narratives of victories in battle, religious ceremonies, and royal

imagery. The Assyrian reliefs, for instance, showcase detailed scenes of military

campaigns and the prowess of the king.

Recurring Themes:

1. Religious Motifs:

- Mesopotamian art is replete with religious symbols and motifs. Depictions of gods,

goddesses, and religious ceremonies abound, emphasizing the centrality of religion in

Mesopotamian life. The human-headed winged bull figures prominently, representing

protective deities.
 2. Deities and Mythology:

- Art frequently featured representations of Mesopotamian deities, such as Enlil,

Ishtar, and Marduk. Myths and epic tales, like the "Epic of Gilgamesh," were visually

conveyed in art, underscoring the importance of storytelling and mythology in the

culture.

3. Royal Iconography:

- The glorification of rulers was a common theme. Kings were depicted in victorious

poses, often receiving divine blessings or participating in religious rituals. Royal

tombs, such as those in Ur, contained elaborate treasures and art attesting to the

monarch's status.

4. Daily Life and Rituals:**

- Scenes of daily life, agricultural activities, and communal rituals were also

prevalent. These depictions provided insights into the societal structure, economic

practices, and the importance of communal ceremonies in Mesopotamian culture.

In summary, Mesopotamian art, with its distinctive features like cuneiform writing and

ziggurats, and recurring themes of religious motifs, deities, mythology, and royal

iconography, serves as a visual chronicle of a civilization deeply rooted in its spiritual

beliefs and societal structures.

IV. ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Mesopotamian civilizations such as the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and

Assyrians had tremendous creative achievements that represented their rich cultural

and historical legacy.

In the era of Sumerians (4500-1900 BCE) the creative achievements they come up

with were the Ziggurats, Cylinder Seals, Cuneiform Writing. The ziggurats’ purpose

was to serve in temples with carvings and statues. While the cylinder seals were used

for religious purposes. Lastly Cuneiform Writing is an artform on clay tablets.

The Akkadians (2334-2154 BCE):

- The Code of Hammurabi, one of the first and most comprehensive written legal laws,

was etched on a massive stele. The stele also has a relief sculpture showing

Hammurabi receiving the rules from Shamash, the sun deity.

- Bronze Sculptures: Akkadian artisans created significant bronze sculptures, such as

the famous "Head of an Akkadian Ruler," displaying realism and attention to detail.

The Babylonians (1894-1595 BCE):

- Ishtar Gate: As part of the walls of Babylon, the Babylonians erected the spectacular

Ishtar Gate. It was embellished with vivid blue glazed tiles depicting dragons and

gods.

- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are typically credited to Nebuchadnezzar II, and if

they were genuine, they would have been an astonishing feat of engineering and a

masterpiece of landscape design.

- Palace Reliefs: Large-scale stone reliefs representing themes of war, hunting, and

court life graced Assyrian palaces. The reliefs were extremely detailed and reflected

the might and strength of the Assyrian monarchs.

- Assyrian Cylinder Seals: The Assyrians, like the Sumerians, utilized cylinder seals for

a variety of reasons, and they frequently portrayed images of regal events, religious

ceremonies, and mythology.

- Assyrian artisans made complex ivory carvings, which were frequently utilized as

ornamental components on furniture and personal objects. These sculptures portrayed

legendary as well as daily scenes.

Examples of Notable Artworks:

Sumerians:

The Stele of Hammurabi is a well-known Sumerian artifact. While it is most often

linked with the later Babylonian culture, it was created during the Sumerian period

and has a fine relief sculpture depicting Hammurabi receiving the rules from the sun

deity Shamash.

The Ziggurat of Ur is a magnificent example of Sumerian architecture. This large,

tiered pyramid served as a religious center, including a temple at the top. The ziggurat

was built in honor of the moon deity Nanna.

The Sumerians were excellent at cuneiform writing, which used wedge-shaped

markings on clay tablets. This early type of writing was a great breakthrough in

communication and record-keeping.

The Head of an Akkadian Ruler is a bronze sculpture regarded to be a masterpiece of

Akkadian art. It is said to portray either Sargon of Akkad or his grandson Naram-Sin

and has a high level of realism.

The Stele of Hammurabi is not just a legal law, but also a magnificent work of art and

construction. The stele is made of black diorite and features a fine relief sculpture of

Hammurabi and the sun deity Shamash.

Akkadian artisans were noted for their sophisticated metalworking talents, especially

in bronze. The head of an Akkadian ruler demonstrates their mastery of the art.

Babylonians:

The Ishtar Gate is a magnificent example of Babylonian art. It was one of the city's

gateways, and it was embellished with brilliant blue glazed tiles representing dragons

and goddesses, including Ishtar, the goddess of love and war.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, if they ever existed, would have been an incredible

achievement of engineering and gardening. The gardens, which included tiered levels

and a variety of flora, were claimed to have been erected by Nebuchadnezzar II for his

wife.

Babylonians were excellent in mudbrick construction, employing kiln-fired bricks to

build constructions such as the Ishtar Gate. This approach enabled the production of

long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing architectural features.

Reliefs from Ashurnasirpal II's Northwest Palace at Nimrud, depicting the king's

military successes and regal rituals, are notable examples.

Nineveh was a great Assyrian metropolis with stunning architecture.

V. CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

Art in Mesopotamia was used to convey their religious beliefs, rituals and the

structures of the different societies that were established in the region. Mesopotamians

used art as a way to express religious devotion, political authority and the

interconnectedness of the realms of the earth and the heavens. Mesopotamians were

polytheistic which meant that they believed in several deities rather than one God and

unlike the common beliefs of modern monotheistic religions, the gods in

Mesopotamian religions could have flaws and had emotions like humans do but the

only difference being that they are immortal. Each city-state in Mesopotamia had their

own unique pantheon with the gods of these pantheons being associated with certain

aspects of nature, life and the universe. Temples, more specifically Ziggurats, were an

important aspect of Mesopotamian religions as they were used to worship their gods

and for priests to perform rituals that honored their gods, each temple was crafted and

constructed with the dedication to different specific gods in mind. The architecture of

these temples and the art found in them depicted scenes of religious worship and the

interaction between the gods and humans. The artworks found in tombs also show the

link between religion and art due to Mesopotamian beliefs about the afterlife being

heavily influenced by their religion, the artworks depicted how Mesopotamians

the dead as Mesopotamians believed that the spirits of the dead lingered in dust and

mud.

Cylinder seals were also another aspect of Mesopotamian art that showed the

influence of religion on both the art and culture of Mesopotamia. Cylinder seals

featured artwork that also depicted religious rituals, divine actions and sceneries of

Mesopotamian gods. Cylinder seals also featured Mesopotamian rulers in divine

contexts, showing divine power and interacting with gods. These reflected the political

culture and landscape of Mesopotamia as it was believed in their time that kings had

divine abilities and that they were able to communicate with the gods, acting as the

bridge between human and gods. This reinforced their authority and rule over the

divine people and prevented uprisings and rebellions as the common citizens were

afraid of backlash from the wrath of their gods.

VI. TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS

Mesopotamian art includes a variety of artistic techniques, such as the ancient

application of abstract painting on ceramics, the construction of religious purposes in

sculpture, and the application of architectural styles to create temples and royal gates.

The first available art tools were clay tablets and carving tools. Mesopotamians began

to create larger-scale art, generally in spectacular buildings and metalworking.

Mesopotamia is generally separated into three separate cultural periods since it

covered such a long period and contained so many rulers: the Sumerian, Babylonian,

and Assyrian.
Sumerian Art

Sumerian art, which was first developed approximately 3500 BCE in southern

Mesopotamia, is one of human history's first forms of visual expression. Sumerian

sculptures included cuneiform-etched cylinder seals that were rolled along clay tablets.

Seals were often made of metal or rock, such as obsidian or lapis lazuli, and were just

a few inches long, while larger ones were occasionally made of clay.

Sumerians were also skilled craftspeople who worked with stone and metal to create

statues and reliefs that expressed their religious beliefs and social hierarchy.

Limestone, a common material, was commonly utilized for carving statues of gods,

goddesses, and emperors.

Babylonian art

The Babylonian art style began with clay, the most frequently available substance in

that Middle Eastern region. The artists of Babylon could manufacture excellent pottery

and structures made of clay, such as ziggurats, which were tall earthen temples

designed to bring their priests closer to the gods.

The use of bronze was distinctive in Babylonian metalwork. Artists used this solid

and flexible substance to create various artifacts, including tools, swords, and

ceremonial items. Pigments derived from natural sources were also employed for

painting sculptures and reliefs, enhancing the visual appeal of Babylonian art. Using
colors such as blue, red, and yellow added vibrancy to the depictions of deities and

scenes from daily life.

Assyrian Art

Around 1500 BCE, an Assyrian artistic style first appeared. Finely detailed narrative

relief sculpture in stone or alabaster was highlighted. Themes of war and hunting are

common in Assyrian art carvings, and many carving panels will typically show a story

or narrative art. The carvings are stone, and the massive stone slabs are called

orthostats.

The building was enhanced with polychrome glazed brickwork and wall paintings.

Massive stone statues of winged, human-headed bulls and lions guarded the entrance.

The palaces' most important chambers were decorated with reliefs carved from

gypsum or limestone and painted in vibrant colors. Lastly, they also relied upon

bronze and wooden technology.

Babylonian art displays a rich blend of materials and methods that flourished in

ancient Mesopotamia. The mastery of clay for reliefs, the use of glazed bricks in

buildings, the cutting of stone for statues and steles, and the deft manipulation of

copper for diverse artifacts are examples of the Babylonians' artistic triumphs. We

better grasp this great civilization's cultural, religious, and technological

accomplishments through its art, which has left an enduring legacy in the annals of

human history.
VII. CHALLENGES AND LEGACY

The preservation and study of Mesopotamian art faces many challenges such as the

fragility of the materials used, the impact of the environment and climate change and

the violent political instability in the region. Many of the Mesopotamian artifacts and

artworks are made of fragile materials that are prone to breaking and deterioration

either due to wear and tear over time or its exposure to other elements meaning that

researchers and preservers need to be careful in the handling of these pieces of art.

Another aspect that could lead to the destruction and deterioration of these artifacts is

the rise of climate change, harsher weather and environmental conditions could lead to

the damage of these artifacts. The modern-day Mesopotamian region is also currently

experienced violent instability as war and conflict has become rampant in the region,

the damage caused by such could also affect pieces of Mesopotamian work in the

crossfire and affect the safety of would-be researchers and preservers especially as

certain violent groups like ISIS specifically targeted these thousand-year-old relics.

These are important obstructions that need to be overcome as Mesopotamian

art and culture are hugely significant in both our modern society and the course of our

history, as it not only played a huge role in early Mesopotamian societies but also in

the following subsequent civilizations. Mesopotamian art laid the foundations for the

culture and art for the rest of the civilizations of what is called the Near East, as we

can find many influences of Mesopotamian art in theirs and influences of their art in

the future civilizations that followed. Mesopotamians innovated writings systems,

large architectural structures, religious iconography and symbolism, and different

techniques in art-making such as relief sculpture and the use of precious metals. All of
 these would also be found in future civilizations established years, decades, and

centuries after Mesopotamia.

VIII. CONCLUSION

Mesopotamian civilizations are the earliest known recorded civilizations in history and

as such they play an important role in influencing and shaping the art of all other

known civilizations throughout human history. We see in Mesopotamian art the

earliest example of how a society’s art reflected its culture in how Mesopotamian art

reflected its religious beliefs, day-to-day life and its political landscape. We also see in

Mesopotamian art, the earliest innovations in architectural wonders as they

constructed and built large and wondrous temples and ziggurats with the purpose of

religious worship, these showed the capability of human ability when it came to

creativity, practical construction and religious devotion. We also see in Mesopotamian

art, the first known instances of innovative use of their natural resources as we see

how they used precious metals for detailed ornamentation, relief sculpting, and

delicate carvings. What we can find in Mesopotamian art we can eventually also find

in the art of other subsequent civilizations that appeared later, which shows the

similarities we humans have with each other despite our differences culturally,

physically and differences in eras. Humans then have the same creative propensity and

ability as we have now and the importance of studying earlier art and cultures is the

fact that we can also use it as a study of who we are, as we look onto these early

civilizations, we are looking at ourselves or rather what we came from.

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