Activity 1

From its origins in the Sumerian city-states to its culmination in the Persian Empire, Mesopotamian civilization left a rich artistic legacy. Take a look at few examples drawn from several of the major Near Eastern civilizations: Standing Male Worshipper (Sumerian), King Gudea of Lagash (Sumerian), Winged Bull (Assyrian), King and Eunuch Attendant (Assyrian), Striding Lion (Chaldean/Neo-Babylonian), servants bearing food and drink (Persian), and the Archers of Darius (Persian).

How do these objects resemble and differ from each other? These objects span several centuries, from about 2000 B.C. to about 600 B.C.: how might you account for the resemblances among them? How do some of all of them represent the Mesopotamian worldview as you have studied it?

Activity 2

No doubt the best-known ancient Egyptian sculptures are images of pharaohs, queens, and aristocrats. Take a look at Amenophis III, Ramses II, and Ti Hunting a Hippopotamus. How would you describe the faces, bodies, and proportions of these figures? How do you think these people wish to viewed by others?

Now examine the Face of Senwosret III, a pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom. Then take a look at Seated Scribe, Seated Scribe II, Haremhab as a Scribe, and statue of a potter. How are these pieces different from the first three pieces you studied? What do they suggest about the Egyptian capacity for representing the human body and mind? Note that three of these sculptures depict scribes. What role do you think scribes played in Egyptian society? What position do you think they occupied in the social scale between pharaohs like Amenophis and Ramses and craftsmen like the potter?