Art History Exam 1
In about 3000 BCE, the conventions for representing the human figure that dominated Egyptian art until end of the New Kingdom can be found in which of the following?
Palette of King Narmer
Which of the following cultures could have been influential in the Predynastic tomb painting, People, Boats, and Animals?
Sumer
Which region provided the necessary preconditions for the development of agriculture?
The grassy uplands bordering the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia.
The Elamite statue of Queen Napir-Asu shows its Mesopotamian heritage. Which phrase supports this assertion?
cylindrical volume and strict frontality
Statuettes of worshipers (Figure 2-6) represent
deep commitment to religion and service
Persepolis (royal audience hall) (figure2-25) and Palace of Shapur I, Ctesiphon (Figure 2-27).
each palace complex defines its period
The many-columned hall found in an Egyptian temple is called a(n) _____________?
hypostyle hall
One of the suggested purposes for the cave paintings at Altamira is thought to have been:
insurance for the survival of the herd
What is a lamassu and where was it placed?
A winged man-headed bull as a guardian at the gate of the palace.
The White Temple, Uruk is oriented to the _________________________.
Cardinal points of the compass
The Palette of King Narmer established the convention for state policy represented in art, a policy proclaiming the pharaoh a divine ruler. Which of the following supports this idea?
larger than life representation of pharaoh
Which of the following plants was commonly used to symbolize Upper Egypt?
lotus
In ancient Mesopotamia the hierarchy of scale was a convention, which indicated:
order of importance
How does the kneeling statue of Hatshepsut indicate her status as pharaoh?
she is wearing the royal male nemes headdress
Jean Champollion deduced that hieroglyphs were more than just pictographs; he proposed that they were which of the following?
signs of a once-spoken language
What is the Rosetta Stone and why was its discovery so important?
A stone containing inscriptions in Greek, demotic, and hieroglyphics. It enabled scholars to decipher the meanings of the hieroglyphic symbols and subsequently read the language of the ancient Egyptians.
Use of glazed brickwork is most characteristic of the city of __________.
Babylon
What Anatolian people constructed two huge lions that adorn the gateway to the citadel of Boghazköy?
Hittites
Which of the following is depicted as a hawk or falcon and protector of pharaoh?
Horus
How is this figure unique?
Human figure (Figure 1-15). It marks the beginnings of monumental sculpture in the Ancient Near East and it also appeared to be ritually buried.
The god who is symbolic of the river Nile and who dies and is reborn each year is ______________?
Osiris
What is bitumen?
a tar-like substance
What story is told on these reliefs?
King and queen of Punt (Figure 3-20A). The relief illustrated here is one of those documenting Hatshepsut's successful expedition to Punt, a rich kingdom on the Red Sea to the south, famed for its gold, myrrh, frankincense trees, and other exotic natural resources. The reliefs record the sea journey, the precious cargo of gold ingots and incense trees the Egyptians brought back with them, and the people, animals, and houses the Egyptians found in Punt.
What is a mastaba?
An ancient Egyptian tomb in the shape of a bench or truncated pyramid.
What epic poem recounts the exploits of a legendary king of Uruk and slayer of the monster Huwawa?
Epic of Gilgamesh
The most significant transformation of the human condition was a result of
the agricultural revolution
Which of the following provided the principal information regarding the reconstruction of ancient Egyptian civilization?
tomb interiors
Tomb interiors always had scenes of hunting. This was associated with the idea of providing provisions for the ka, and it is also a metaphor for which of the following?
triumph over evil
What are hieiroglyphics?
A system of writing that uses symbols or pictographs.
What does this work describe?
Hall of the Bulls (Figure 1-11). Although the animals are portrayed in profile the work is descriptive and can be fully understood visually.
A magnificent mortuary temple was built at Deir el Bahri for which of the following pharaohs?
Hatshepsut
Why is the Hittite Lion Gate at Boghazköy significant?
It demonstrates a theme that was echoed throughout the Ancient Near East. The gate presents the idea of protection; the lions protect the city.
What is the most importance archaeological source of knowledge regarding Persian architecture?
Persepolis
What is the importance of the Lascaux caves and the wall paintings?
Side by side the two basic approaches to painting and drawing are found.
The statement, "measuring rods and coiled rope," which connotes the ruler's capacity to build social order and render judgments, is best depicted on the ________________________.
Stele of Hammurabi
What is diorite? What is diorite?
rare and costly dark stone
How does the painting from the tomb of Nebamun differ from the relief on the tomb of Ti when both portray the same type of scene, a hunt?
The portrayal of Ti is stiff and still, and he does not interact with the scene, while Nebamun vigorously engages in the activity. Also Nebamun's wife and daughter are enjoying the activity with him.
Explain the importance of human and animal representation during the Paleolithic period.
This representation went beyond the mere recognition of animals but literally presented them again in different and substitute forms
Why is the Egyptian invention of a clerestory significant?
This structural element raised the roof level and allowed for interior light. This device allowed for light to penetrate the interiors and was subsequently used in Roman basilicas and medieval church design as well.
How are these images similar?
Two bison (Figure 1-7) and Hall of the Bulls (Figure 1-11). Both show profile views. This was important as this view allowed the animal to be fully realized and visualized.
Victory stele of Naram-Sin (Figure 2-13) and Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian (Figure 2-28)
both represent a military victory
What is an iwan?
a brick audience hall covered by a barrel vault.
What are bucrania?
bovine skulls
In the last phase of the Mesolithic period what animal was domesticated?
dog
Which of the following best describes the Standard of Ur?
early example of historical narrative
Tomb paintings were created in which of the following techniques?
fresco secco
How does this work conform to the ideal of permanency?
"Fowling" scene from the tomb of Nebamun (Figure 3-28). The scene shows Nebamun enjoying the hunt with his family in the afterlife. It is serves a dual purpose, reminding the returning spirit of the joys of life which can be repeated in death, also becoming a metaphor for the deceased's journey from life into the hereafter. This scene is repeated in tomb interiors from any period.
Which column type was not used by the Egyptians?
geometric with lion-shaped capital
Evaluate the importance of Jericho to urban development.
It was the first fortified town with a stone tower and wide rock-cut ditch and surrounding wall.
Why is Hatshepsut significant? What is unique about her mortuary temple?
A New Kingdom Egyptian royal daughter and wife who served as regent for Thutmose III, she then took power herself and ruled as Pharaoh. Her Mortuary Temple at Deir el-Bahri stands as a monument to her greatness; the painted reliefs on the mortuary temple are documents which record her place in history and represent the first ever such effort to acknowledge the accomplishments of a woman.
Why is Ain Ghazal important to art history?
A recently discovered cache of plaster statuettes mark the beginning of monumental sculpture in the Ancient Near East.
What was the canon that was so profoundly important to ancient Egyptian art?
A system of proportions that was used throughout the history of ancient Egypt with the exception of the Amarna period. The canon created the ideal of permanence and enduring timelessness, which was very important to the conceptual and perceptual aesthetics of Egypt. The canon allowed repetition to become permanence. It echoed the changelessness that was reiterated in the visual vocabulary of the ancient Egyptians
How does this work differ from the conventional Egyptian depiction of figures?
Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and three daughters (Figure 3-33). We see an informal, intimate pose of the couple as husband and wife and mother and father. The scene is a tender depiction of the royal family, contrasting with the formality traditionally used in presenting the royal family. The Amarna Period sought a more relaxed format for portraying royalty and their lifestyles as seen here.
In the Neolithic period, agriculture and raising stock became humankind's major food sources. Which area transitioned to these activities first?
Ancient Near East
Historical narrative relief can be found at the Assyrian palace of ___________ at Nimrud.
Ashurnasirpal II
How is Ashurnasirpal identified in this relief?
Ashurnasirpal II (Figure 2-22A). The Kalhu panel shows the king, taller than everyone else as befits his rank, delicately holding a cup. The king and the attendant behind him are in consistent profile view, but the painter adhered to the rule of showing the eye from the front in a profile head.
Why is this image unique?
Aurochs, horses, and rhinoceroses, Chauvet Cave (Figure 1-12). It represents a change in the analysis of Prehistoric or Paleolithic painting. The aurochs are represented naturalistically and this has shifted assumptions. It supports the theory of a varied approach to conceiving and depicting animals. Twisted perspective, a convention used to represent animal horns, was a norm in cave paintings, but not the universal format for representation.
Which Paleolithic site used radiocarbon dating to establish its age?
Chauvet Cave
Which of the following works of art was created first?
Chauvet Cave
Why is this image unique?
Deer hunt (Figure 1-17). It represents a coherent group of human figures depicted in various styles of motion and movement.
Who discovered the cave paintings at Altamira in Spain?
Don Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola
An important series of caves with paintings from the Paleolithic period is located in
France
The Human with Feline Head was found in _________.
Germany
What makes this depiction of Gudea significant?
Gudea (Figure 2-16A). The overflowing water jar that Gudea holds symbolizes the prosperity the ruler of Lagash brings to his people. In Mesopotamian art, normally only gods and goddesses are the sources of life-giving water.
The Mesopotamian king who codified the law and prescribed penalties for infractions was _________.
Hammurabi
What was the importance of the Code of Hammurabi?
He developed a codified series of laws that brought unity to the conflicting and often unwritten laws of Mesopotamia and probably influenced the Law of Moses, which had such a profound effect on Western civilization.
How does the portrait of Khafre seated on his throne represent the godlike nature of pharaoh?
He sits on his throne with a body of flawless perfection and a face of serenity and majesty. The ancient Egyptian did not need to see a facsimile of the man, this work was not meant as a portrait but rather the summation of the divinity of pharaoh, the brother of the gods and the ruler of ancient Egypt.
How are these images different?
Human with Feline Head (Figure 1-4) and Well Scene (Figure 1-13). They represent three-dimensional and two-dimensional works. Art historians recognize that the Human with Feline Head was important to its creating group. The time and care taken to carve such a work indicates this was an important object for the community. That same importance is also expressed in the well scene. However, the clear differences in execution point to the differences in identities and the possible interpretations.
Explain the significance of the Neolithic period.
Humans began to settle in fixed abodes and began to domesticate plants and animals.
Evaluate the Makapansgat pebble as an "artwork".
In order for the label "artwork" to apply, the work must be modified by human intervention beyond merely being noticed as reflecting human characteristics
The Elamite Empire was strong enough to plunder Babylon and carry off the stele of Naram-Sin and Hammurabi, then re-erect them in their capital city of Susa. Why is this event significant?
It demonstrated their political and military superiority as the leading power during this time.
Discuss the importance of the Paleolithic female figures.
It has been suggested that these figures represent the female form whose childbearing capabilities insured the survival of the species rather than specific individuals.
Çatal Höyük has a most remarkable mural, a landscape. Which statement best defines the term landscape?
It is a picture of a natural setting in its own right without any narrative content
Which of the following describes the Venus of Willendorf?
It is a small Paleolithic figurine of a woman
How do the pyramids of the Old Kingdom represent the sun and rebirth?
It is speculated that the powerful cult of Ra from Heliopolis figured in the design of the pyramid structure. The pyramid itself is a symbol for the sun and according to the Pyramid Texts it is the sun's rays, which provide the ramp pharaoh uses to ascend to the heavens. It is in the pyramids that the Old Kingdom pharaohs were reborn, just as the sun is reborn every day at dawn.
What is the purpose of a votive figure?
It offers constant prayers to the gods on behalf of the donor
How does the Palette of King Narmer describe the unification of ancient Egypt?
It presents Narmer larger than life on both sides of the palette. He is depicted wearing both crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt. On the back of the palette he is represented in the high, white crown of Upper Egypt and on the front he is depicted in the red crown of Lower Egypt. The entwined necks of the two feline creatures perhaps represent the unification of Egypt itself under the order of Narmer.
How does the chest of Tutankhamen exemplify the standards of Egyptian art?
It presents Tutankhamen as the conqueror and successful hunter. The chest reiterates the perception of Pharaoh as seen in the Palette of Narmer. He is larger than life and he alone controls all from animals to enemies. Even though the theme is traditional the depiction is reminiscent of the Amarna period: fluid, curvilinear line.
Describe the importance the Nile played in ancient Egyptian society.
It was the backbone of ancient Egypt (and still is today). The annual flooding provided rich nutrients for the soil on either side of the river, and this supported all life in ancient Egypt by providing an abundance in crop growth. The Nile figured in all aspects of ancient Egyptian life. It provided access to the sea and to international trade and a means of transport and communication throughout the empire.
How do these two figures reflect the political and religious climates of their times?
Khafre, Gizeh (Figure 3-12) and. Akhenaton, Temple of Aton (Figure 3-30). Khafre's divinity and eternal stillness define the nature of the ruler—vigilance for Egypt. It becomes an icon for the enduring power of pharaoh, a statement for eternity and Egypt's place as a significant power and imposing majesty. While Akhenaton still retains the standard frontal pose of canonical pharaonic portraits, the sculptor has deviated by presenting a long, curving body rather than the heroically proportioned body of pharaoh. This change reflects the aesthetic developed at this time by Akhenaton (Amarna Period), who broke with the traditional gods and established Aton as the only or universal god of Egypt.
In the Old Kingdom this structure adjoined the pyramid and was the site where offerings were made to the dead king and ceremonies were performed. Which of the following does this describe?
Mortuary temple
Pyramids were most popular during which of the following periods?
Old Kingdom
Explain the importance of the profile view in representing animals in Paleolithic art.
Only the profile view is completely informative of the animals' shapes.
The ancient Egyptians believed the unification of Egypt took place in a single great event. Which of the following is a record of that great event?
Palette of Narmer
Discuss the historical importance of these two works and describe the scenes represented on each.
Palette of Narmer (Figures 3-3) and chest of Tutankhamen (Figure 3-1). The Palette of Narmer becomes a political document recording the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. It also presents an early blueprint for the canon or system of proportions in Egyptian figural representation. The Chest presents the royal power of Pharaoh not only as hunter but also as conquering warrior. The Chest was painted when Tutankhamen was too young to actively participate in the events the chest recorded but it does represent a return to the traditional after the death of Akhenaton and the end of the Amarna period.
Bull-headed capitals would most likely be found in
Persia
The use of elongated heads and necks and intimate, relaxed poses describes which of the following periods?
Post Empire, Ptolemaic Period
Whose mortuary temple was located in Abu Simbel until it was moved in 1968 to save it from the Aswan Dam Reservoir?
Ramses II
Explain the significance of the design and function of this vessel.
Rhyton (Figure 2-26A). The Persian kings were famous for their luxurious tableware of gold and silver. A rhyton (pouring vessel) said to have been found at Hamadan in Iran provides a hint of the magnificent items that graced the tables of the Achaemenid aristocracy. Its shape is typical of these elaborate service pieces: a conical, trumpetlike container for wine hammered from a thin sheet of gold inserted at a right angle into an animal protome also crafted in repoussé.
What was discovered during Napoleon's expedition to Egypt in 1799 that was of immense importance in understanding and interpreting Egyptian hieroglyphics?
Rosetta Stone
Who was Hemiunu and how did he qualify to be immortalized in stone?
Seated statue of Hemiunu (Figure 3-14A). Hemiunu, as the hieroglyphic inscription on the base of his seated portrait statue informs the viewer, was the vizier and seal bearer of Khufu and overseer of the royal scribes. He also held several priesthoods and was the king's chief builder—that is, Hemiunu supervised the construction of Khufu's pyramid (FIG. 3-8, top). Befitting his influential position, Hemiunu's tomb—a solid rubble mastaba with a handsome stone facing—was one of the largest in the cemetery immediately to the west of Khufu's pyramid, where dozens of mastabas were laid out in neat rows.
How is this stone portrait different in mood from others of the Middle Kingdom?
Seated statue of Lady Sennuwy (Figure 3-17A). It stands in vivid contrast to the brooding portraits of some Middle Kingdom pharaohs (FIG. 3-17) and instead presents Sennuwy as a young, beautiful, and elegant woman in the tradition of Old Kingdom portraits of royal women (FIGS. 3-12A and 3-13).
Explain the impact that developed village farming had in the Ancient Near East.
Settlers attracted by greater soil fertility and rapidly growing populations moved into the river valleys and deltas of the Tigris and Euphrates. They began to farm and settle into villages, which established the beginnings of civilization.
Why is this image significant?
Spotted horses and negative handprints (Figure 1-10). There is no doubt these images had significance for the artists. One speculation is these signs are some form of writing or shorthand identifiers of the creating group. The handprint could represent the signature of a cult or community.
How does this image represent urban design?
Stone tower, Jericho (Figure 1-14). It is a coherent grouping of buildings. The fortifications indicate a structured society. It also represents construction in several phases over the centuries.
Describe three stylistic conventions found in Sumerian sculpture.
Sumerian relief sculpture uses the convention of showing figures in profile with shoulders full frontal, and the poses are regularized and repeated. An oval shape is used for full round sculpture; eyes are large, and hands are often clasped.
What does this structure say about Ramses II?
Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel (Figure 3-22). Ramses II proclaims his greatness and his achievements as a military pharaoh (he restored Egypt's empire) with the overwhelming size of his monument. This structure defines his role and status as pharaoh and brother to the gods.
What assumption has been nullified by the Chauvet cave paintings?
That Paleolithic art "evolved" from simple to more sophisticated representations.
Evaluate the difference between the Paleolithic period and the Neolithic period.
The Paleolithic period corresponds roughly to the age of food gathering. The Neolithic period saw the foundation of agriculture and domesticated stock. No longer did the people have to wander the landscape in search of food. Agriculture and domesticated stock provided the principal food sources.
What was the importance of Akhetaton to the development of Egyptian art?
The Pharaoh Akhenaton established the new Amarna artistic style which was relaxed, less rigid. This style depicted the royal family in intimate scenes, unprecedented in Egyptian art.
Explain the significance of the Lisbon Congress of Archaeology of 1880.
The professional archaeologists dismissed the cave paintings of Altamira as forgeries. However, later in the century, these skeptics were persuaded that these works were indeed older than they had originally thought.
How do the reliefs on the Palace of Darius at Persepolis reflect the purpose of the building?
The relief of subject nations bringing tribute to the Persian ruler and the complex palace ceremonials echoed the purpose of the great palace which was intended to symbolize Persian power.
Describe the Ain Ghazal statuettes.
They are plaster over a core of reeds and twine with bitumen pupils delineating the cowrie shell eyes. The figures also had orange and black hair, clothing, and sometimes, body paint and tattooing.
Which of the following works of art was created first?
Warka Vase
How are the structures of these two buildings similar, and what architectural features distinguish them? How were the structural differences related to the function of the buildings?
White Temple, Uruk (Iraq) c.3200 BCE (Figure 2-2) and Stepped Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara c.2630 BCE (Figure 3-5). The White Temple is a pyramidal shape and constructed of mud brick, a monumental setting for the worship of a god or deities. It is constructed as a stepped platform or ziggurat, with stairs leading to its top but not directly to the sanctuary; it has a bent axis approach. The Djoser complex is the first royal monumental tomb of the ruler or pharaoh, also pyramidal shaped. This complex has a funerary temple attached for daily rituals or ceremonies and becomes a shrine to the deified pharaoh (after his death). Its linear approach is oriented to only one cardinal point; this is a tomb and not a temple platform.
As currently interpreted, Paleolithic animal paintings could not be described as
abstract
The Head of an Akkadian ruler (Figure 2-12) represents
an official and ruler
What is terracotta?
baked clay
What is a lintel?
beam used to span an opening
Which of the following animals appears less frequently in the Lascaux cave paintings?
bear
Evidence of the swamp-plant origin of stone columns can be seen in columns at Karnak. Which of the following descriptions supports this?
capitals are shaped as lotus or papyrus
Describe an architectural feature used at Persepolis that seems to have been uniquely Persian.
capitals with the foreparts of lions or bulls
Which of the following describes one of the drawbacks of the fresco secco technique?
colors do not fuse to the wall surface
Why is the Palette of King Narmer unique among surviving Egyptian artworks?
commemorative rather than funerary.
Egyptian art-- with the exception of the Amarna period --can be described as which of the following?
conservative and formulaic
Which of the following is the best explanation for the portrayal of Akhenaton's body type?
deliberate artistic reaction against the established canon
The Elamite statue of Queen Napir-Asu represents the ideal queen; in addition there is an allusion to fertility, as it relates to being queen. Which motif supports this allusion?
hands crossed over the belly
Megalithic monuments are found throughout Europe, but which monument type is almost entirely limited to Britain?
huge stones arranged in a circle
What is the significance of cuneiform?
marked the beginning of writing, as historians strictly define it and led to more, sophisticated, complex grammatical constructions
A tomb that resembles a truncated pyramid is called a __________?
mastaba
Which of the following describes a building technique commonly used in Egyptian temples?
post-and-lintel
Mastaba-tomb interiors became quite large and accommodated a number of storage rooms and compartments. What was the function of the tomb shaft that connected the burial chamber with the outside?
provided access for the Ka
Egyptian architects were quite innovative in solving problems. An invention that was seen in its primitive form in the valley temple of the Pyramid of Khafre, the clerestory, became a fully realized architectural element at Karnak. Which of the following describes the functional element?
raised central roof permitting light to filter into the interior
Discuss the focus of Sumerian city planning.
reflected the importance of religion in daily life; the city's nucleus was the temple that also served as the administrative and economic center for the city, thus representing both religious and secular functionalities.
Soundbox of the lyre from tomb 789 (Figure 2-10)
represents heraldic composition and burlesquing a regal feast
Statue of Queen Napir-Asu (Figure 2-19)
represents ideal queen and serves as a votive figure
How does the pyramid reflect the influence of the city of Heliopolis?
seat of the power cult of Re whose emblem was the pyramidal stone or ben-ben
Which of the following describes a function of the pyramids?
served as a reminder of the absolute power of the pharaoh
Why was the concept of the city-state an important innovation?
the community rather than the family assumes the function of defense. Other activities such as manufacturing or trade or administration become institutionalized thus gaining a unique and permanent identity.
What do the reliefs of the palace of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh depict?
the glory and power of the king as the triumphant ruler.
{Ishtar Gate, with its relief decorations of a dragon, lion and bull, comes from the city of}
{Babylon Which of the following would attest to the sophistication of ancient Egyptian society in 3500 BCE? - tomb remains
What is a ground line?
It is the baseline in which figures appear to stand
Why is the ivory statuette found at the Hohlenstein-Stadel cave in Germany significant?
It represented something important because the process of manufacturing an ivory figure was a complicated task.
Agriculture became established in three Near Eastern regions: ancient Palestine, Iran, and Anatolia. By 8000 BCE, Jericho had undergone spectacular development as its wealth grew. Which argument appears most valid for the fortification of Jericho?
It was a promotion of a powerful merchant class
Why is Stonehenge significant?
It was developed as a kind of astronomical observatory and was a remarkably accurate solar calendar. It attests to the rapidly developing intellectual powers of Neolithic humans.
Describe the differences between Jericho and Çatal Höyük as urban centers and evaluate their respective plans.
Jericho was a fortified and walled city whereas Çatal Höyük had no streets. Its defense was adjoining houses and no street doors; if enemies breached the exterior wall the defenders had the advantage of a roof top defense.
Almost all theories regarding Paleolithic animal images have been discredited. Which of the following statements explains this fact?
before the invention of writing, no contemporary explanations could be recorded
Statuettes of worshipers (Figure 2-6) and Seated Gudea holding temple plan (Figure 2-16)
both represent the deep commitment to religion and the gods
The stylistic conventions of rigidly frontal symmetry, abnormally large eyes, and tightly clasped hands are most characteristic of the early art of ________.
Sumer
The Ziggurat at Ur can best be described as a:
Sumerian temple base
What is a megalith?
It is a great stone
Excavations in central Anatolia have shown a flourishing Neolithic culture existed between 7000 and 5000 BCE. Which of the following sites support this statement?
Çatal Höyük and Hacilar
How are these images different?
Namibia animal painting (Figure 1-3) and Makapansgat pebble (figure 1-2). Namibia animal painting represents carefully rendered forms. The artist has initiated and changed the surface of the work. He or she has introduced a modification to the surface and this conforms to the definition of "artwork." The Makapansgat pebble has had no such change or modification. The appearance of the stone resembles a face, but it was not intentionally modified or changed. [The new concept of godlike sovereignty can be described by the representations of _________, the king who appeared as a god in Mesopotamian Akkadian art.] - [Naram-Sin]
Alexander the Great razed Persepolis in 330 BCE. What prior event suggests that this was an act of revenge?
Persian sack of the Athenian Acropolis
Bull's horns, widely thought to be a symbol of masculine potency, were common motifs found in rooms nominally titled "shrines" even though their functions are uncertain. Where were these rooms located?
Çatal Höyük
What is one of the suggested functions of this figure?
Venus of Willendorf (Figure 1-5). It is thought to represent possibly a fertility figure. This assumption is based upon the exaggerated sexuality of the figurine.
Victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures) (Figure 2-7) and Victory stele of Naram-Sin (Figure 2-13)
Victory stele of Naram-Sin shows daring innovation by breaking with the compositional formula of story telling via horizontal registers
The oldest planned town excavated so far is located at which of the following areas?
Çatal Höyük
Explain the importance of the mural painting found at Çatal Höyük.
What is strikingly new is the appearance of the human figure, not only singly but also in large coherent groups in a variety of poses.
The Victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures) is an extraordinary monument because it provides information about warfare techniques and insight into the special nature of the ruler. Which statement provides the most valid justification for this assertion?
words and pictures are combined
The convention of representing animals' horns in twisted perspective in cave paintings or allowing the viewer to see the head in profile and the horns from the front is termed __________.
descriptive
The open-eyed stares of the votive statues of ancient Sumer are thought to represent:
eternal wakefulness and duty
Persian relief figure sculpture can be distinguished from earlier Mesopotamian styles by:
forms are more rounded
Figures sculpted in the round can be defined as ___________.
freestanding
What is a composite view of human representation?
frontal torso, profile head, legs and arms
One of the suggested purposes of Assyrian narrative relief is to:
glorify the king
How does the lamassu provide a conceptual picture and all of its important parts?
it presents a front view of the animal at rest and a side view of it in motion, thus showing the creature with all its important parts.
In Assyrian relief, such as Assyrian archers pursuing enemies, the artists combine different viewpoints in the same frame and other adjustments for clarity. Which of the following phrases best describes the artists' primary goal?
legible retelling of a decisive moment in king's deeds
The Sumerians may have been the first to use pictures to tell coherent stories. What argument makes this a valid assertion?
narrative presented in registers or bands
Explain the importance of cylinder seals.
prized possessions indicating status and served as devices to identify ownership and prevent unauthorized use as well as a "signature".
Assyrian archers pursuing enemies (Figure 2-22) and Ashurbanipal hunting lions (Figure 2-23)
sculptors have shown the conceptual view of both events
How did the destruction of Persepolis change the balance of power within the Ancient Near East?
symbolized the destruction of imperial Persian power and its end as a significant political power in the Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds. The focus of power now rested in the hands of Alexander the Great and later Imperial Rome. In the 3rd century CE, a new dynasty rose and challenged Rome for supremacy of the area, the Sasanians.
Stele with law code of Hammurabi (figure 2-17) represents
the gods granting the right to rule
The monumental gateway to the citadel of Persepolis is a reference to ___________________.
the harmony of the peoples of the Persian empire
In style and concept the mural of the Deer Hunt from Çatal Höyük is a world apart from the wall paintings of the Paleolithic period. Which of the following statements best supports this assertion?
the regular appearance of the human figure and the coherent groupings
Whatever their purpose, the Ain Ghazal human figure statuettes are different from Paleolithic figures. Which of the following provides the most valid justification for this assertion?
their size and sophisticated technique
The rock-cut relief at Bishapur depicts:
triumph of Shapur I over Valerian
A predominant theme or themes found in the narrative reliefs of the Assyrians was or were:
war and hunting