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Questions and Answers
What architectural feature characterizes the Apādana's roof structure?
What architectural feature characterizes the Apādana's roof structure?
Which king was known for expanding the Persian Empire and overthrowing other Middle Eastern empires?
Which king was known for expanding the Persian Empire and overthrowing other Middle Eastern empires?
What was the primary function of the Hall of Hundred Columns?
What was the primary function of the Hall of Hundred Columns?
Which two kings are credited with battling the Greeks during their rule over the Persian Empire?
Which two kings are credited with battling the Greeks during their rule over the Persian Empire?
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How many columns originally supported the roof of the Apādana, and how many remain standing today?
How many columns originally supported the roof of the Apādana, and how many remain standing today?
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What material was primarily used in the construction of Babylon's important buildings?
What material was primarily used in the construction of Babylon's important buildings?
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What was the primary function of the city of Khorsabad?
What was the primary function of the city of Khorsabad?
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What is the primary function of the platforms located on top of a Ziggurat?
What is the primary function of the platforms located on top of a Ziggurat?
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Which king is associated with the construction of the palace in Khorsabad?
Which king is associated with the construction of the palace in Khorsabad?
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What notable legal artifact is associated with the Babylonian Empire?
What notable legal artifact is associated with the Babylonian Empire?
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What architectural feature is described in relation to how the masonry was constructed?
What architectural feature is described in relation to how the masonry was constructed?
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How many Ziggurats were reportedly built, with most located in which two modern-day countries?
How many Ziggurats were reportedly built, with most located in which two modern-day countries?
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Which of the following best describes the shape and structure of Ziggurats?
Which of the following best describes the shape and structure of Ziggurats?
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Which type of scenes were depicted in the reliefs of the palace?
Which type of scenes were depicted in the reliefs of the palace?
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What aspect of the plinth is highlighted in the content?
What aspect of the plinth is highlighted in the content?
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What is a Lamassu?
What is a Lamassu?
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Who captured Jerusalem in 597 BCE?
Who captured Jerusalem in 597 BCE?
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In which century did the Assyrian conquest of the northern Kingdom of Israel occur?
In which century did the Assyrian conquest of the northern Kingdom of Israel occur?
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What was one of Sennacherib's most famous achievements?
What was one of Sennacherib's most famous achievements?
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What distinguishes the palace of Sargon II in Khorsabad?
What distinguishes the palace of Sargon II in Khorsabad?
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What was a prominent characteristic of the artistic designs in Khorsabad?
What was a prominent characteristic of the artistic designs in Khorsabad?
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What type of activities were particularly highlighted in the palace's reliefs?
What type of activities were particularly highlighted in the palace's reliefs?
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What significant event resulted from the Assyrian conquest of Israel?
What significant event resulted from the Assyrian conquest of Israel?
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Which empire was established after the Assyrian civilization?
Which empire was established after the Assyrian civilization?
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Why were Lamassu statues placed at the entrances of important buildings?
Why were Lamassu statues placed at the entrances of important buildings?
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What is the Apādana palace primarily thought to have been used for?
What is the Apādana palace primarily thought to have been used for?
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Who is credited with founding the Persian Empire?
Who is credited with founding the Persian Empire?
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During which period did the Achaemenid dynasty rule?
During which period did the Achaemenid dynasty rule?
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What was the role of local laws within the Persian Empire?
What was the role of local laws within the Persian Empire?
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The term 'Lamassu' originates from which language?
The term 'Lamassu' originates from which language?
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What was one of the strategies Darius used to manage the Persian Empire?
What was one of the strategies Darius used to manage the Persian Empire?
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Which empire did Cyrus conquer to establish the foundations of the Persian Empire?
Which empire did Cyrus conquer to establish the foundations of the Persian Empire?
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Which animal symbols were commonly represented in the architecture of the Persian Empire?
Which animal symbols were commonly represented in the architecture of the Persian Empire?
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What characterized the governance style of Darius in the Persian Empire?
What characterized the governance style of Darius in the Persian Empire?
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Study Notes
The Babylonian Empire
- The Babylonian Empire was a powerful ancient Mesopotamian civilization centered in the city of Babylon, located in modern-day Iraq.
- The empire had several prominent phases in its history but the most notable periods are the Old Babylonian Empire and the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
Buildings of the Babylonian Empire
- Babylon was built of mud bricks, while the important buildings were faced with glazed bricks.
- Ziggurats were a chief building structure during the Babylonian Period.
Characteristics of Ziggurats
- Ziggurats or holy mountains were square or rectangular in plan with steeply battered sides and had an open flatform on top containing a “fire altar”.
- Ziggurats were built on sun-dried brick.
- They were a symbolic representation of the union of heaven and earth.
- There were 32 ziggurats, most located in Iraq and Iran.
Types of Ziggurats
- Archaic Ziggurat: Usually had a flat top rectangular mound with a temple on top.
- White Temple of Uruk: Ornamentation of the plinth may indicate the importance of the structure or the occupants.
- Code of Hammurabi: A Babylonian law code inscribed on a stone pillar in the city of Babylon. It was considered a legal document for over 2000 years and contained 282 laws.
- Corbel Arch: Masonry built over an opening by advancing courses until they meet.
- Lamassu: Human-headed winged bull statue that is a mythical creature from ancient Mesopotamian mythology and art. Lamassu were considered protective guardian spirits and were typically placed at entrances to important buildings.
The City of Khorsabad
- Built by Sargon II and contained the palace of Sargon II.
- Khorsabad was an ancient Assyrian city that served as the capital of the Assyrian Empire during the reign of King Sargon II.
- The most prominent structure in Khorsabad was the palace of King Sargon II, which was a magnificent architectural and artistic masterpiece.
- The palace featured grand halls, courtyards, and intricate reliefs that depicted scenes of royal life, hunting, religious rituals, and warfare.
The City of Nineveh
- One of Sennacherib's most famous achievements was the construction of a magnificent palace in Nineveh known as the Southwest Palace.
- This palace was adorned with intricate stone reliefs and sculptures that depicted scenes of royal life, military campaigns, and mythological subjects.
- The entrances of palaces were approached by two huge human-headed winged bull statues.
The Assyrian Conquest of Israel
- The Assyrian conquest of Israel refers to the military campaigns and eventual destruction of the northern Kingdom of Israel by the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the 8th century BCE.
- This event had a significant impact on the history of the ancient Near East and led to the exile of many Israelites.
The Neo-Babylonian Empire
- The Neo-Babylonian Empire followed the Assyrian civilization.
- During the reign of the Babylonian empire, they conquered Judaea in 597 BCE when King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon captured Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.
- Cyrus established the foundations of the Persian Empire by conquering the Median Empire and the Neo-Babylonian Empire through a series of military campaigns.
Persia
- Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire.
- Darius divided the empire into provinces that are parallel to the homelands of the different people within the empire. These people lived by their own laws within the Persian Empire.
- The people lived by their own laws within the Persian Empire.
Achaemenid Dynasty (553-330 BCE)
- The Achaemenid Dynasty, also known as the First Persian Empire, was ruled by the three kings, Cyrus the Great, Darius, and Xerxes.
- Darius and Xerxes also tried to conquer the Greeks.
Cyrus the Great (r. 557-530 BCE)
- Cyrus expanded the influence of the Persian people throughout the middle east.
- Cyrus adopted some customs of conquered peoples.
Darius I (r. 522-485 BCE)
- Darius and Xerxes battled the Greeks to expand the empire.
Persian Architecture
- Flat timber roofs were used instead of arches and vaults.
- Columns were abundant in their buildings.
- The column capitals assumed the form of either twin-headed bulls, eagles, or lions, all animals that represented royal authority and kingship.
Apadana Palace
- The Apādana palace was a large ceremonial building, likely an audience hall.
- The audience hall itself was hypostyle in its plan, meaning the roof was supported by columns.
- The Apādana had 72 columns, each standing to a height of 24 meters supporting its roof – only 14 columns remain standing today.
Hall of Hundred Columns
- The Hall construction was started by Xerxes and finished by his son and successor, Artaxerxes.
- It was the second largest building in the city, measuring more than 4500 square meters.
- It was built as a throne room, but its function changed with time.
- The entrance pointed towards the north with the porch decorated by two large bulls.
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Description
This quiz explores the Babylonian Empire, focusing on its significant structures, particularly ziggurats. Learn about the phases of the empire and the architectural characteristics that define its monumental buildings. Delve into the cultural significance of ziggurats as symbols of the connection between heaven and earth.
