AP®︎/College Art History
Course: AP®︎/College Art History > Unit 4
Lesson 1: Ancient Near East- Introduction to the Ancient Near East
- White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk
- Standing Male Worshipper from Tell Asmar
- The Standard of Ur
- Standard of Ur and other objects from the Royal Graves
- The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi
- Hammurabi: The king who made the four quarters of the earth obedient
- Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II
- Persian art, an introduction
- Persepolis: The Audience Hall of Darius and Xerxes
- Capital of a column from the audience hall of the palace of Darius I, Susa
Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II
Lamassu (winged human-headed bulls possibly lamassu or shedu) from the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (now Khorsabad, Iraq), Neo-Assyrian, c. 720-705 B.C.E., gypseous alabaster, 4.20 x 4.36 x 0.97 m, excavated by P.-E. Botta 1843-44 (Musée du Louvre) Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
IN THE NEWS: Irreplaceable Lamassu sculpture, Assyrian architecture and whole archaeological sites have recently been destroyed by militants that control large areas of Iraq and Syria. This tragedy cannot be undone and is an attack on our shared history and cultural heritage. To learn more: February 27, 2015 New York Times article
. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.Want to join the conversation?
- How are we blessed to be so lucky and have these Lamassu in such good condition and as a complete set? Have they been restored? They hardly look scratched given that they date to around 720-705 B.C.E. and this has hardly been a really peaceful region over the millennia...(12 votes)
- Given recent news, this statement breaks the heart.(5 votes)
- Are these the actual sculptures? If so, why are so many of these magnificent pieces in museums and not in their country of origin?(4 votes)
- Yes, these are the actual sculptures. This is a complex subject. Museums study and care for objects that are put on display for the public. They may be far from their place of origin but they are safe. Of greatest concern are the recent reports of the destruction of ancient art and architecture in and around Nineveh and the black market in antiquities.(11 votes)
- what does B.C.E stand for(4 votes)
- The letters B.C.E. stand for "Before the Common Era," referring to an event (or series of events) that happened prior to the time of Christ.(2 votes)
- Would the Lamassus have been painted and if so what colours they have used?(3 votes)
- If you look at this illustration in the next video, they are shown as having been painted.
http://youtu.be/J5iEY4hapMQ?t=4m11s(2 votes)
- Who was this created for? And who was that person(s) name?(2 votes)
- It was created by and for the Assyrian emperor, Sargon II(2 votes)
- What is the most common medium for the Lamasu? The video only refers to it as "A megalith stone" but what stone exactly? I'm assuming Limestone, is that correct?(1 vote)
- The lamassu from Nimrud now in the Metropolitan Museum in NYC is made from alabaster (gypsum).(3 votes)
- Is there anyone kown about the inscription near the lamassu's belly?(2 votes)
- At, what does 'cuneiform' mean? 3:25(1 vote)
- From the author:Cuneiform is a script that was used to write several languages in the Ancient Near East.(3 votes)
- Are these Lamassu sculptures still safe and sound in the Louvre?(1 vote)
- There's also a larger one with its head turned to the side at the Oriental Institute in Chicago.
http://oi.uchicago.edu/museum-exhibits/khorsabad-court-gallery(2 votes)
- Were the Lamassu shown atplaced for worship or more to display to people entering the area? Or maybe both? 1:40(0 votes)
- Lamassu were used as political propaganda for the Kings of Assyria. Their eyes follow whoever walks past them really neat!(4 votes)