Exam 1 Questions - History PDF

Exam 1 Questions 1. Discuss the role of fertility in prehistoric, Near Eastern, and Egyptian art. Why was fertility such an important concern for these peoples (namely, prehistoric, Sumerian, Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, and Egyptian peoples)? How was a concern for fertility manifest in their religions...

Exam 1 Questions 1. Discuss the role of fertility in prehistoric, Near Eastern, and Egyptian art. Why was fertility such an important concern for these peoples (namely, prehistoric, Sumerian, Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, and Egyptian peoples)? How was a concern for fertility manifest in their religions? How did they represent fertility visually? Be sure to refer to specific works of art in your discussion. -​ Venus of Willendorf - The focus of fertility of women is so important because the peoples of this time were focused on the survival of the human race Fertility was KEY to the human growth Big proportions for women would be a sign of being well fed and food is power, so the large proportions for women would be symbolic of possible strong and healthy offspring -​ Bulls represented power and fertility for the men back in the Prehistoric Period -​ LION MAN - made from mammoth tusk, 200 hours put into It, Could be symbolic of strength, leadership Female Head of Innanna from Uruk -​ found in the temple -​ Marble made -​ Unibrow -​ Missing eyes -​ Middle indentation that could be a middle part or a missing piece for a headdress or crown -​ Sculpture of the God of fertility -​ Her face is super symmetrical that could possibly hint to deity Warka Vase from Uruk (offerings to Inanna) ​ Wealth comes from a reliable water source ​ Then to the sustaining plants that regulate our food ​ Moving then to animals ( a meat source ) ​ Followed by people that farm the animals, plants and resources ​ Top level of wealth and power is the ruler with power, enjoying the food -​ -​ Ishtar Gate (restored), Babylon, Iraq, c. 575 BC- Related to the fertility gods of Ishtar and Marduk. ______________________________________________________________________________  -​ When they saw the nile have the patterns and seasons of flooding that really represented fertility -​ Khafre, Giza, Egypt, Dynasty IV, c. 2520-2494 BC- Statue of the Pharoh sitting on a chair of a lotus which symbolizes fertility of the nile river. 2. Discuss what role architecture played in prehistoric, Near Eastern, and Egyptian art. How is the culture of these peoples (namely, prehistoric, Sumerian, Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, and Egyptian peoples) revealed in the buildings they create? What does architecture say about their beliefs in fertility, in an afterlife, about nature, or about religion in general? Be sure to refer to specific works of art in your discussion. -​ Catal Hayuk - settlement in Turkey 6k-5900 -​ No doors or windows to stay safe -​ Entries were from the roof to ensure safety -​ Bodies of loved ones are buried in the walls and floors -​ The replastering is linked to the recycle of life -​ Stonehenge - Possible grave site with burial sites Made at different periods of time that have accumulated the entire piece Stage4 burial right and a linked to a belief in the afterlife Woodhenge several miles away from Stonehenge Walls and Tower, Jericho, c. 8000-7000 B.C. - during this period we see the domestication of animals and agriculture of this time ​ Tower needed to see human or animal enemies White temple and ziggurat, Uruk ​ made from surrounding mounts ​ Made to look high for possible worship or to respect for burials ​ Doesn't seem like its a place similar to a home or dining space but more as a burial site or a religious site of the sort with some importance or significance towards beliefs ​ Desired to be shaped after a mountain to be more elevated towards God -​ -​ Lion Gate, Bohazhoy, Turkey, c. 1400 B.C. The Gate is shaped like a lion, a protective animal that represents control and power. -​ Reconstruction drawing of the citadel and palace complex of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad), Iraq, c. 721-706 BC. - It was built for militaristic protection from  enemies. They used psychological use of torture to provide fear for the people. The exteriors were heavily protected, and the interiors had beautiful art. -​ Assyrian archers pursuing enemies, relief from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Kalhu (modern Nimrud), Iraq, c. 875-860 BC. -​ Imhotep, The Step Pyramid, Funerary Complex of Djoser, Saqqara, Egypt, c. 2630-2575 BC - Where the dead people were layed and it is their resting place. -​ Great pyramids, Giza, Egypt, Dynasty IV. c. 2575-2450 Pyramids of Menkaure, Khafre, and Khufu - Where they buried important Pharohs. They provided these tombs with Gold and precious things to prepare the important people for the afterlife. -​ Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel, Egypt, Dynasty XIX, c. 1279-1213 BC - It was build in the purpose of the relationship between Egypt and Nubia. -​ The temple of Amen-Re and The temple of Horus represent fertility through the example of the pillars representing the reeds in the Nile River. The moving through the temple is representation of moving through the creation of the world. 3. Discuss the relationship between man and nature in prehistoric, Near Eastern, and Egyptian art. How did nature fuel what these peoples (namely prehistoric, Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Egyptian peoples) believed? When there was a ruler over these peoples, what was the role of that leader in controlling nature and the cultural environment? Be sure to refer to specific works of art in your discussion. -​ Animals are a primary subject matter for prehistoric people -​ According the caves found they believed in the importance of animals and cared about the abundance of animals. -​ Sumerians have this conncetion to nature because their beliefs in natural phenomenons being connected to the Gods. God of Sun, God of Storm ETC -​ Sacrifices in the Zigerausts for the Gods to provide food and recources -​ Ishtar Gate (restored), Babylon, Iraq, c. 575 BC- Related to the fertility gods of Ishtar and Marduk. -​ Votive statue of Gudea, Girsu (modern Telloh), Iraq, c. 2090 BC. - Has a vase of water symbolizing power and crops -​ Stele of Hammurabi, from Susa, Iran, c. 1792-1750 BC. - The Guy sitting in the carving with a beard and a huge bull hat represents a humongous amount of power. -​ Human-headed winged lion (Lamassu), Kalhu (modern Nimrud), Iraq, c. 883-859 BC. - Has a bullhorn helmet and a huge beard shaped like a horse with a human head. It also has wings. The Assyrians used the strong bull, falcon wings, and the human face to demonstrate power.  -​ The Nile was a huge part of Egyptian human history. -​ Great Sphinx (with Pyramid of Khafre in the background at left), Giza, Egypt, Dynasty IV, c. 2520-2494 BC - Used to protect the tomb of the pharaoh and is a statue of a lion with a human head connecting it to nature. -​ Ti watching a hippopotamus hunt, tomb of Tii, Saqqara, Egypt, Dynasty V. C. 2450-2325 BC - The picture symbolizes Ti being in control of the most dangerous animal in the Nile which is the Hippo. -​ Akhenaten, colossal figure c. 1353-1336 BC - Akhenaten was the leader to worship Autin, the sun god, and said that he would be the only connection. -​ The color blue and gold represents the rule of the sky and heavens. -​ The temple of Amen-Re and The temple of Horus represent fertility through the example of the pillars representing the reeds in the Nile River. The moving through the temple is representation of moving through the creation of the world. 4. Discuss the belief in an afterlife in prehistoric, Near Eastern, and Egyptian art. First, explain how the belief in an afterlife affected relief sculpture, statuary, and architecture in Egypt. Then discuss whether you believe prehistoric and near eastern cultures believed in an afterlife. Defend your position by referring to specific works of art. -​ Stonehenge - Possible grave site with burial sites Made at different periods of time that have accumulated the entire piece Stage4 burial right and a linked to a belief in afterlife Woodhenge several miles away from Stonehenge Tombs of Sameria ______________________________________________________________________________ -​ In Egyptian art it usually show of people in boats representing their right of passage and their mature in life for the afterlife -​ The coffins were created in order to ensure that the dead body has a good after life after they die. -​ Judgment of Hunefer before Osiris, from his tomb at Thebes, Egypt, Dynasty XIX, c. 1285 BC - Osiris is known as the Lord of the dead and Isis is also known as the Protector of the dead. -​ Ka is the soal of the dead that the Egyptians believe in -​ Fowling scene, from the tomb of Nebamun, Thebes, Egypt, Dynasty XVIII, c. 1400-1350 BC - The picture describes what the Egyptians thought of what the afterlife would look like. -​ The Falsedoor is a carved doorway in an ancient Egyptian tomb that represented a passageway between the living and the dead  -​ Judgment of Hunefer before Osiris, from his tomb at Thebes, Egypt, Dynasty XIX, c. 1285 BC - tells of the process of the judgment for the afterlife. Middle Kingdom - More expression in the art