Overview
This lecture covers the power, art, and propaganda of the Assyrian Empire, focusing on its kings, palaces, and visual culture.
The Assyrian Empire
- Assyria was the greatest empire of the ancient world, thriving from 900-600 BC.
- The empire covered ancient Iraq and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran.
- Assyrian kings emphasized displays of power and dominance over their subjects and enemies.
Palace Architecture and Art
- Palaces featured extensive wall reliefs, sometimes stretching up to six miles.
- Reliefs depicted the King’s conquests, victories, and enemies killed or defeated.
- The artwork used bright colors like blues, yellows, and reds, and appeared almost three-dimensional under torchlight.
Power and Propaganda
- Reliefs served to intimidate visitors and demonstrate the King’s authority.
- Scenes often showed brutal acts—slaughter, beheading, and impaling enemies.
- The King always appears victorious; enemies are always shown as defeated and humiliated.
- Humiliation included forcing conquered rulers to serve the Assyrian King and Queen.
- Example: Relief showing King Ashurbanipal reclining while the head of a defeated king hangs in a tree.
Lasting Legacy
- Assyrian art mainly conveyed royal power and propaganda.
- This use of art for political messaging continues in some form to the present day.
- Saddam Hussein viewed himself as a modern successor to the Assyrian and Babylonian kings.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Relief — a sculpted artwork where figures stand out from a flat background.
- Propaganda — information or imagery used to influence public perception and promote a specific political cause.
- Ashurbanipal — a famous Assyrian king known for his military campaigns and palace art.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review images of Assyrian palace reliefs for visual context.
- Read about Ashurbanipal and key Assyrian rulers for deeper understanding.