Exam #1

1. Explain/describe what is happening on each register, starting with #1 on the

bottom (3 pts)

Subject Matter description should be LITERAL and DESCRIPTIVE. Describe what is actually Happening

1. Army goes into battle

2. Soldiers are killing prisoners

3. King executes prisoners

WEAK RESPONSE

Shows very little evidence

of what was learned

1. Army goes into battle. Describe what is actually happening

2. Soldiers are killing prisoners Not actually true

3. King executes prisoners Not actually true

WEAK RESPONSE

IMPROVED RESPONSE – BUT STILL “MINIMAL”

1. Soldiers riding horse-drawn chariots trample enemy soldiers

2. Soldiers lead prisoners to king

3. King receives prisoners

Shows some

evidence of what

was learned

MORE DESCRIPTIVE RESPONSE

1. Soldiers riding horse-drawn chariots trample enemy soldiers; the number of

enemy dead increases as you move left to right, implying a sequence of time

2. Uniformed soldiers march in disciplined order as they lead prisoners to the

king; the defeated enemy is depicted naked, literally “stripped of rank,” and

appear disorderly to show their defeat

3. In the upper register, the King or Ensi receives the prisoners; he is

identifiable by his size (hierarchic scale), and he is accompanied by his

generals, whose rank is indicted by descending size

Shows mastery of what was

learned, and sophisticated

understanding of how to “describe”

persuasively, and with detail

1. People carrying stuff

2. Middle classes working

3. Ruler/elites enjoying good life

WEAK RESPONSE

Shows very little evidence

of what was learned

IMPROVED RESPONSE – BUT STILL “MINIMAL”

1. Laborers carrying heavy loads

2. Farmers and fishermen bringing supplies to king

3. King and elites enjoy a feast

Shows some evidence of

what was learned

MORE DESCRIPTIVE RESPONSE

1. On the bottom register, laborers (probably prisoners of war) carry heavy

bundles of supplies for the king’s victory banquet

2. Farmers and fishermen bringing supplies to king, illustrating the hierarchical

organization of Sumerian society

3. On the top register the Ensi or king and his priests, wearing kanauke skirts

that indicate their rank, toast their victory. They are seated on chairs, while

they are waited on by servants, and entertained by musicians. The image

illustrates how the people were expected to “serve” the elites

Shows mastery of what was

learned, and sophisticated

understanding of how to “describe”

persuasively, and with detail

3. Using complete sentences, describe the specific ways

in which the king’s power is communicated in this relief (5

pts)

Analysis should do more than just “list” a few things; it should be a thorough analysis that not only explores multiple ways in which the king’s power is communicated, but does so in a convincing and persuasive argument

WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IN AN A RESPONSE:

1. Hierarchic scale – the king is the largest

2. The king is the focal point: top, center – all eyes on

him

3. First time a king is depicted as a god in art:

1. Wears the horned crown, worn only by gods

2. Ascends the mountain to the stars, symbolizing

the gods

4. His godly power is also communicated through his

bold and noble stance, and his idealized musculature

5. He is also heavily armed, and tramples his enemy

underfoot

6. His army expresses admiration by imitating his pose

as they follow him up the mountain

7. While Naramsin’s army is disciplined and orderly, the

enemy army is clearly in disarray as they cower in fear,

and fall headlong down the mountain

4. Explain the different function/purpose of these two

statue groups. (3 pts)

Be sure to read the question! The question is asking about the FUCTION/PURPOSE of Votive statues versus Ka statues

WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IN AN A RESPONSE :

1. Votive statues: these statues were placed in temples

to pray constantly on behalf of their owners

2. They are not realistic portraits – instead, they are

highly abstract representations of the “idea” of a

person

3. Their large eyes, upward gaze, and humble gesture

reflects their purpose to “serve” the gods

4. Ka statues: these statues were placed in tombs,

rather than temples – and instead of serving the gods,

their purpose was to provide the Pharaoh with a

permanent body for their “Ka” to live in for eternity

5. The statues were made of durable materials so they

would last forever, and there was no negative space so

that nothing would “break”

6. Since the Pharaoh was believed to be an immortal

god, they are typically portrayed as ageless, perfect –

and with no movement, to represent an unchanging

eternity

6. Describe the difference between Royal and non-royal

statues in this society. In what specific ways are they

different, and what can account for this difference? (3 pts)

WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IN AN A RESPONSE :

1. Royal Ka statues were made of durable materials,

and with no negative space so they would last forever

2. Pharaohs were typically depicted wearing attributes of

royalty (Nemes headdress and false beard), and were

idealized: youthful physically fit, with no blemishes or

signs of age, to convey their their divine/immortal

status

3. Ka statues of non-royals, were very different, as

illustrated by the Seated Scribe

4. They were made of less durable materials, and

sometimes did have negative space

5. They were also depicted more realistically: this scribe

has a sagging belly and shows signs of age

6. Why: This is because non-royals were not considered

immortal gods

7. Fig 1 is an example of a Ka statue.

8. These statues were placed in a sealed chamber called a serdab

9. What was the purpose of these statues? Ka statues provided a “body” for the Ka, or life force of 10. the deceased individual to inhabit for eternity

10. Fig 2 is an architectural feature of an Egyptian tomb called a False door (I accepted “mastaba” as the grammar was mis-leading)

11. Fig 3 is an example of an Egyptian “offering scene.” What was the purpose of this image?The offering scene depicts the deceased seated at a table laden with food. Its purpose was so that The tomb owner would have an endless supply of food and drink in the afterlife

Fig 1. Fig 2. Fig 3.

7. Describe the distinct way in which the figure in Fig 3 is depicted. What specific conventions are used, and why did Egyptian artists choose to portray the figure in this way? (5 pts)

1. The figure was created using the Egyptian Canon of Proportions, which was a formula that was used to plot the figure out on a grid

2. The figure is shown in the composite pose – which means that while his legs are seen from the side, his shoulders are twisted frontally. This was to ensure that the figure was “complete” with no part missing, so that the Ka could “inhabit” the image for eternity

3. The items on the table are shown in vertical perspective: instead of being shown in depth, the items are stacked up vertically so they can be seen clearly

Fig 1. Fig 2. Fig 3.