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| Cuneiform tablet, Louvre Marie-Lan Nguyen Creative Commons License |
Along the banks of the Tigres and Euphrates Rivers, city-states rose between 5000-4000 BCE in the region known as Sumer. Each city-state developed its own culture and government, but competition among the city-states resulted in the rise and fall of empires in this region with a regularity not seen in the other great river valley civilizations. The flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers allowed for the movement of armies and invaders. This was a major factor in cultural diffusion, the spread of culture throughout the region. Among the culture diffused among the various empires and peoples in the region were language, architecture and art.
A common sight in Mesopotamia were huge, stepped pyramids. These pyramids were called ziggurats and were the center of Mesopotamian religious life.
Within the temples in ziggurats could be found statuary, the earliest made from carved limestone. These statues were of individuals, most likely commissioned by wealthy city-dwellers and placed in the temples near larger statues of gods. The most distinguishing feature of these statues, known as votive figurines, were the large, round eyes, a testament to the piety offered by the worshipper. The votive figurines were used as a stand-in to the actual person and served as continual, respectful worship, as evidenced by the clasped hands and the attentive stare.
In southern Mesopotamia, Gudea ruled the city-state of Lagash c. 2144 BCE. Some twenty-seven statues have been found, most carved out of diorite, a very hard stone used throughout the ancient Middle East. Diorite was in high demand and often used for the most important statuary. In fact, there are recorded military expeditions for the sole purpose of acquiring diorite.
These statues were dedicated to the gods, with cuneiform inscriptions of prayers and supplications carved into his clothes.
Hammurabi's Code, carved out of diorite, is one of the most famous and important artifacts from Ancient Mesopotamia. Hammurabi ruled Babylon from c. 1792-1750 BCE. Standing over 7 feet tall, this pillar lists over 280 laws issued by Hammurabi and is technically a megalith. The laws inscribed on the column are actually the recorded dialogue between King Hammurabi and the god, Shamash.
The code is introduced with with words of Hammurabi: "Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land." At the top of the column is Hammurabi, standing with his hand over his mouth in prayer. Seated to the right is the god of justice, Shamash, his feet sitting on a platform so that they are raised above the mortal king. Below the figures are the laws written in cuneiform carved into columns.
The laws are harsh and retributive, many following the principle of an "eye for an eye." However, the punishments differ depending on social class. The higher the class, the lesser the punishment.
Government, religion and clearly defined social classes were characteristics of the complex civilizations that developed not only in Mesopotamia, but all over the ancient world. Throughout Mesopotamia, people were assigned a status based on a hierarchy that included royalty, priests, upper class and slaves. Warfare was constant in the region and art was often used to tell a historical narrative, as is seen in the Standard of Ur, a small rectangular box divided into bands that tell the story of war and peace. Dating from c. 2600, this is one of the oldest wooden artifacts ever discovered.
A common sight in Mesopotamia were huge, stepped pyramids. These pyramids were called ziggurats and were the center of Mesopotamian religious life.
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| The Great Ziggurat of Ur Public Domain |
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| Mesopotamian Worshipper Source: Xuan Che Creative Commons |
Within the temples in ziggurats could be found statuary, the earliest made from carved limestone. These statues were of individuals, most likely commissioned by wealthy city-dwellers and placed in the temples near larger statues of gods. The most distinguishing feature of these statues, known as votive figurines, were the large, round eyes, a testament to the piety offered by the worshipper. The votive figurines were used as a stand-in to the actual person and served as continual, respectful worship, as evidenced by the clasped hands and the attentive stare.
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| Gudea of Lagash © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons |
In southern Mesopotamia, Gudea ruled the city-state of Lagash c. 2144 BCE. Some twenty-seven statues have been found, most carved out of diorite, a very hard stone used throughout the ancient Middle East. Diorite was in high demand and often used for the most important statuary. In fact, there are recorded military expeditions for the sole purpose of acquiring diorite.
These statues were dedicated to the gods, with cuneiform inscriptions of prayers and supplications carved into his clothes.
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| Hammurabi's Code Source: Mbzt Creative Commons |
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| Detail of Hammurabi's Code Public Domain |
The code is introduced with with words of Hammurabi: "Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land." At the top of the column is Hammurabi, standing with his hand over his mouth in prayer. Seated to the right is the god of justice, Shamash, his feet sitting on a platform so that they are raised above the mortal king. Below the figures are the laws written in cuneiform carved into columns.
The laws are harsh and retributive, many following the principle of an "eye for an eye." However, the punishments differ depending on social class. The higher the class, the lesser the punishment.
Government, religion and clearly defined social classes were characteristics of the complex civilizations that developed not only in Mesopotamia, but all over the ancient world. Throughout Mesopotamia, people were assigned a status based on a hierarchy that included royalty, priests, upper class and slaves. Warfare was constant in the region and art was often used to tell a historical narrative, as is seen in the Standard of Ur, a small rectangular box divided into bands that tell the story of war and peace. Dating from c. 2600, this is one of the oldest wooden artifacts ever discovered.
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| Standard of Ur, "War" side Public Domain |
The "war" side features chariots engaged in battle, the bodies of the enemy being trampled under hoof. It also features soldiers rounding up prisoners, stripping them naked and then delivering them to the king, who is standing in the center of the top panel.
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| Standard of Ur, "Peace" side Public Domain |
The "peace" side features laborers and shepherds herding animals and delivering the goods in tribute to the king and dignitaries seated in the uppermost panel. This artistic piece is a fabulous example of social structure within the city-state of Ur.
Points to Remember
- The Sumerians founded the first city-states in Mesopotamia and built grand ziggurats to the gods. This style of architecture was diffused throughout the region.
- The world's first true writing system, called cuneiform, was developed in Mesopotamia.
- The art of Mesopotamia featured kings, gods and historical narratives.
- Religious statuary, known as votive figures, decorated the temples and were used for personalized, religious worship
Updated: August 14, 2014
© 2014 Bruce Janu
Bell, Book & Camera Productions
Bell, Book & Camera Productions
