TICE ART 1010 Ancient Near Eastern and Ancient Egyptian Art

Summary

Explore the cradle of civilization with Arturo Ptoy in 'Explorations in Art History.' Journey 5,000 years back to Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and discover its contributions to art and writing, including the Ishtar gate's lion decorations and cuniform script. Shift to Egypt, where the Nile River nurtured a civilization for over 3,000 years, marked by artistic styles that changed little over millennia. Delve into the Amarna period's artistic revolution under Akhenaten and the enduring portrayal of Pharaohs as living gods. Observe the afterlife's artistic depictions and the impact of Alexander the Great's conquest, leading to Egypt's eventual fall to Rome.

Takeaways

• 📜 The script discusses the art history of Mesopotamia and Egypt, two ancient civilizations with rich artistic traditions.
• 🏛️ Mesopotamia, meaning 'land between the rivers,' was home to various ruling groups like the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.
• 🦁 Mesopotamian artists were known for their realistic animal art but stylized human figures in their artwork.
• 💬 The first written language, cuniform, was invented in Mesopotamia, evolving from pictographs to abstract symbols.
• 🏙️ The ziggurat was a massive, temple-like structure central to Mesopotamian cities and dedicated to their gods.
• 🌊 Egypt's civilization was sustained by the Nile River and lasted over 3,000 years, with periods like the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.
• 🎨 Egyptian art maintained a consistent style over millennia, with artists often copying classic styles to honor tradition.
• 🔮 The Amarna period introduced a brief deviation in Egyptian art and religion under Pharaoh Akhenaten, characterized by elongated figures.
• 👑 The Egyptian pantheon included a variety of animal-headed gods, reflecting their rich mythology and cultural beliefs.
• 👥 Egyptian art portrayed the Pharaohs as living gods, with specific rules emphasizing their divine and unchanging nature.
• 🖌️ Egyptian tomb paintings depicted the journey of the Ba or soul through the afterlife, showcasing their obsession with death and the afterlife.
• 🏛️ The Ptolemaic dynasty, influenced by Greek culture, ruled Egypt and included famous figures like Cleopatra, before its conquest by Rome in 30 BC.

Q & A

What does Mesopotamia mean and what geographical feature is it associated with?

Mesopotamia means 'land between the rivers' and is associated with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which formed a fertile crescent known as the cradle of civilization.

Which ancient civilizations ruled Mesopotamia at different times?

At different times, Mesopotamia was ruled by the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians.

What was the first written language invented by Mesopotamians and how did it evolve?

The first written language invented by Mesopotamians was cuneiform. It started with pictographs and over time evolved into more abstract symbols.

What is a ziggurat and why was it significant in Mesopotamian cities?

A ziggurat was a massive temple tower with a series of terraced levels, often built to honor the gods. It was the center of the city and a significant architectural and religious feature.

How did Egypt's reliance on the Nile River contribute to its civilization?

Egypt's reliance on the Nile River provided a stable source of water for agriculture, which contributed to the development and longevity of its civilization that lasted over 3,000 years.

What are the different periods of Egyptian rule as classified by egyptologists?

The different periods of Egyptian rule include the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom, and the Later Kingdom.

What was unique about the Amarna Period in Egyptian art and religion?

The Amarna Period was unique because it introduced a new artistic style and religion under Pharaoh Akhenaten, which included elongated faces and streamlined, lengthened bodies, deviating from the traditional styles.

How were the Egyptian gods typically depicted and what does this reflect about their culture?

Egyptian gods were depicted with animal heads, such as jackal, hawk, lion, hippopotamus, crocodile, ibis, and cat, reflecting a rich and imaginative pantheon that was integral to their culture.

What were the portrayal rules for Pharaohs in Egyptian art, and why were they significant?

Pharaohs were portrayed according to specific rules to emphasize their divine and unchanging nature, often including symbols of authority like the Royal headdress, crook and flail, and a false beard, signifying their status as living gods.

What was the significance of the afterlife in ancient Egyptian culture, and how was it depicted in art?

The afterlife was of great significance in ancient Egyptian culture, and it was depicted in tomb paintings showing the ba or soul's journey through the afterlife, reflecting their belief in life after death.

How did Egyptian artists represent the human body in their paintings, and what does this artistic style indicate?

Egyptian artists painted the human body in a way that each body part was shown from its most recognizable angle, known as 'frontality', indicating a focus on clarity and symbolism rather than realism.

What was the impact of Alexander the Great's conquest of Egypt on its culture and leadership?

Alexander the Great's conquest led to the introduction of Greek elements into Egyptian culture and the establishment of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which lasted for 275 years and included rulers like Ptolemy and Cleopatra.