Overview
The lecture explores how art from ancient Sumeria and early Aegean cultures reveals insights into religious practices, daily life, social hierarchy, and trade.
Sumerian Devotional Figurines
- Statuettes from Eshnunna (north of Sumeria) were left in temples to represent regular people's devotion to the gods.
- Figurines feature oversized, inlaid eyes symbolizing constant, unblinking devotion.
- They often hold small cups representing offerings and are inscribed with the owner's name and prayers.
- These are not portraits but reflect aspects of contemporary Sumerian clothing, hairstyles, and social roles.
- Figurines vary in size, and families could purchase as elaborate a version as they could afford.
Religious Practices and Social Structure
- Devotional figurines allowed ordinary people to participate in religious rituals, not just the elite or priests.
- Different city-states (like Eshnunna and Uruk) shared religious customs despite not being unified politically.
Royal Burials in Ur
- Elaborate burial grounds in Ur suggest social stratification, with graves for aristocrats, priests, and possibly kings and queens.
- Some attendants were buried with the king, possibly by ingesting poison, reflecting a belief in the king's divine power.
- Palatial life was privileged but came with the expectation of ritual burial alongside rulers.
Artifacts and Trade
- The "Standard of Ur" features elaborate inlay of lapis lazuli (from Afghanistan), indicating long-distance trade.
- Scenes depict registers showing the king, warfare (with chariots), banquets, musicians, and offerings.
- Hierarchy of scale is used, with kings shown larger than others to indicate importance.
Symbolism and Mythology
- Sumerian art includes hybrid creatures (part man, part beast), likely tied to mythology and religious beliefs.
- Bulls frequently appear as symbols of power across many ancient cultures.
Early Aegean (Cycladic) Art
- Cycladic civilization (Aegean islands) developed abstract sculptures, often female with emphasized reproductive features.
- No writing system exists, so the function of these figures in burials is speculative—possibly religious or symbolic.
- The Cyclades had less developed settlements compared to Sumer and Egypt at the time.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Devotional Figurine — Small statue left in temples to represent a person's ongoing prayer or presence.
- Hierarchy of Scale — Artistic convention where the most important figure is shown larger than others.
- Lapis Lazuli — Semi-precious blue stone used in art, imported from Afghanistan.
- Cycladic Art — Prehistoric art from the Aegean islands, notable for abstract sculptures.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review images of the Eshnunna statuettes and the "Standard of Ur."
- Compare Sumerian artifacts to Egyptian art for similarities in religious and social symbolism.
- Read about the Cycladic civilization and its connection to later Greek cultures.