By Bilal Haider
The Mesopotamian Civilization, was one that had created amazing architecture and artwork throughout its existence and time period. Each piece of artwork, and ancient skyscraper, was made with purpose beyond the aspect of visual appeal, and was a key characteristic in seeing the cultural side to the empires living throughout the land of Mesopotamia.
Architecture
Various forms of architecture had been constructed throughout Mesopotamia, each made for a specific reason, ranging from religious purpose to protection from outsiders.
Materials such as mud brick, stone, wood, and red brick has been a common use when constructing any form of architecture. Many of these constructed building didn't just come into existence over night. Due to many discovers founded by archeologist, it is presumed that some Mesopotamian structures took upon 3-5 years for completion, with a near 2,000 men.
One form of Architecture constructed was the Ziggurat, tall tower constructed for religious purposes. These towers were one of the first forms of architecture created by the mesopotamians, and were also home to the priest and high status officials and usually dedicated to a specific god in Mesopotamian religion. The towers were constructed at such a large elevation, for protection from floods, and to practice religious ceremony on the shrines located at the very top. Each Ziggurat was interconnected with other buildings to form a "complex" like form of building, a court yard usually resided in the center of these complexes.
Materials such as mud brick, stone, wood, and red brick has been a common use when constructing any form of architecture. Many of these constructed building didn't just come into existence over night. Due to many discovers founded by archeologist, it is presumed that some Mesopotamian structures took upon 3-5 years for completion, with a near 2,000 men.
One form of Architecture constructed was the Ziggurat, tall tower constructed for religious purposes. These towers were one of the first forms of architecture created by the mesopotamians, and were also home to the priest and high status officials and usually dedicated to a specific god in Mesopotamian religion. The towers were constructed at such a large elevation, for protection from floods, and to practice religious ceremony on the shrines located at the very top. Each Ziggurat was interconnected with other buildings to form a "complex" like form of building, a court yard usually resided in the center of these complexes.
The Ziggurat of Ur, a remake of an ancient Ziggurat from Mesopotamia
Homes in the Mesopotamian civilization were constructed with a very basic architecture. These buildings were small, mainly consisting of a centered square living areas, and added on rooms surrounding the center living area.
A basic model of a Mesopotamian House
Another form of housing architecture in Mesopotamia were palaces. These forms of housing were made for the most important citizens in Mesopotamian cities, representing how much power the owner held to its name. These large homes had beautiful decoration, and were some of the tallest buildings in the city. These much like the Ziggurats, also were considered complexes due to how large and interconnected the building was. The image to the left is concept art of how the courtyard of these palaces looked, giving a view of the beautiful decorations present in these buildings.
The Final form of architecture present in Babylonian cities, were its defensive walls. With the geological location of the mesopotamians allowing for common attacks from outsiders, city protections was needed. These walls stood tall above the ground, and had many defensive towers connected within it.
The surrounding circle enclosing the maize like city, is an example of Mesopotamia's city walls
Mesopotamian Art
Art played a key role in Mesopotamian culture. Many forms of art had been crafted by the most skilled, all lending a hand to help better understand the Mesopotamian people.
Religion was one key influence present in near all Mesopotamian artwork. Statues of gods were crafted from stone had been present throughout the rooms of the Ziggurat temples.
Religion was one key influence present in near all Mesopotamian artwork. Statues of gods were crafted from stone had been present throughout the rooms of the Ziggurat temples.
Marduk is one example of the many gods portrayed in Mesopotamian art.
Another important form of art, had been the mosaics painted by the Mesopotamians. Frescoes had detailed the walls of Ziggurat temples, depicting many religious gods. PIctures of daily life and achievements in battle had been painted by the Assyrian people, showing pride in this form of art.
Example of an Assyrian mural
The last but most economically effective form of art produced by Mesopotamians, were their miscellaneous items such as chairs, pottery, and jewelry produced. The Sumerian people impacted Mesopotamian culture by there craftsman ship producing beautiful crafts such as pottery. Items such as these became very popular within the towns people, and became useful for trade with others.
Mesopotamian architecture and artwork are what define the term "culture" for the Mesopotamian people. Nothing has enabled us to view the ancient peoples way of life and beliefs as up close, then the various works of man made art created by the hands of the Mesopotamians. It had should how smart and through these people were reaching towards perfection for there civilization.
Bilal Haider - Period 5