Ancient Mesopotamia and Assyrian Civilization

The Cradle of Civilization

• Ancient Mesopotamia is known as the cradle of civilization.
• Beginnings of farming and cities.
• Series of civilizations that conquered each other.

Assyrian Civilization

• Controlled the ancient Near East from 1000 BCE to 500 BCE.
• Notable for their sculpture and architecture.

Assyrian Sculptures

• Located in the Louvre, from the Palace of Sargon II.
• Carved in the 8th century BCE, in modern-day Khorsabad, Iraq.
• Assyrian kings established palaces in various cities:
  • Nimrud
  • Assur
  • Nineveh

Guardian Figures - Lamassu

• Impressive sculptures that protected city and citadel gates.
• Winged bulls with human heads, known as Lamassu.
• Expression of the Assyrian king's power.
• Monolithic stone carvings, indicating a sophisticated process of transport and installation.

Features of Lamassu

• Enormous in size, positioned between large arches.
• Decorated with intricate designs:
  • Rosette-adorned crown with double horns.
  • Ring of feathers on top.
  • Incised wavy hair below the crown.
  • Elaborate earrings on bull's ears.
  • Decorative beards with ringlets and spirals.
  • Wings create a decorative pattern.
  • Inscribed with cuneiform writing on the body.
    • Declaring the king's power and warning against threats.

Visual Perspective

• Viewable from both frontal and profile perspectives.
• Five legs to create dynamic visual movement:
  • Front legs stationary.
  • Profile view shows movement.

Symbolism and Cultural Context

• Combination of naturalistic and imaginative elements.
• Represents the power and authority of the king.
• Reflective of the architectural fortifications and the cultural imagination of Assyria.
• Designed to awe and intimidate those approaching the citadel.