11. Akkad
• From north of Uruk (specific city
undiscovered)
• Sargon I, ruled Mesopotamia: 2332-2279 BCE
• Spoke a Semitic language
12. Head of an
Akkadian Ruler:
2300-2200 BCE
• Earliest known major
work of hollow-cast
copper sculpture in
the Ancient Near East
13. The Stele of Naram-Sin: 2200-2184
BCE
• 6’ 6” high, limestone.
Found at Susa.
• Celebrates Sargon’s
grandson’s military
victory
• Hieratic scale
• Wavy registers
14. Notable Historical Details: Babylon
• Mesopotamian region reunited under the
Amorites, with ruler Hammurabi (reigned
1792-1750 BCE).
• WRITTEN LEGAL CODE
16. Notable Historical Details: Assyria
• 1400BCE-600BCE – by end of 9th century, they
controlled most of Mesopotamia
• Huge palaces on high platforms in the capitals
• Mud bricks with alabaster or limestone
veneers
• Good irrigation
• Three notable kings:
– Assurnasirpal II (883-859 BCE)
– Sargon II (721-706 BCE)
– Assurbanipal (669-627 BCE)
17. Assyria: Art from Assurnasirpal’s reign
• Assurnasirpal II Killing Lions, 850 BCE
18. Assyria: Art from Sargon II
• Citadel and Palace Complex of Sargon II (721-706 BCE)
19. Assyria: Art from Assurbanipal’s Reign
• Assurbanipal and his Queen in the Garden
(647 BCE). Palace at Nineveh (Kuyunjik, Iraq).
20. Notable Historical Details:
Neo-Babylonian
• 612 BCE: Medes (western Iran), Scythians
(nomadic people from northern Asia,) and
Babylonians captured Nineveh.
• Nebuchadnezzar II (ruled 605-562 BCE) –
transformed Babylon (2 sections straddling
the Euphrates river by a bridge!)
• Huge empire from Mesopotamia to the
Mediterranean
• Glazed bricks used
22. Notable Historical Details: Persia
• 559BCE – Cyrus II the Great (ruled until 530 BCE)
• Darius I (ruled 521-486 BCE) – “I am Darius, great King, King of
Kings, King of countries, King of this earth.” (Only the Greeks
stood against them.)
• Organized government; local/native leaders/customs left in
place.
• 515 BCE: Parsa/Persepolis constructed; new style reflective of
many cultures
Daric Coin minted under Darius I, 4th century.
23. Persia: Apadana of Darius and Xerxes
(518-460 BCE)
• Grid of 1500 x 900 feet (total palace complex)
on 40’ raised platform.
24. Persia: Apadana of Darius and Xerxes
(518-460 BCE) – Receiving Tribute
• Detail