The Art of the Ancient Middle East

One of the earliest civilizations in born c. 9000 B.C. . This area is modern day: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey etc.. Some of the empires located here were: Mesopotamia Babylon, Sumeria, and Persia.

The Bronze Age begins here. Metal provided advances in art, agriculture, warfare, transportation and cooking. Copper had been worked since 7000 B.C. but it is a soft metal. Bronze is a combination of copper and tin which makes it stronger. Bronze began to be melted into shapes in a process called “lost wax” casting c. 2800 B.C.

ARCHITECTURE

A ziggurat is a stepped pyramid with no peak and a temple on top. They show wealth and stability to glorify god. They symbolize the connection between heaven and earth.

Nanna Ziggurat, Ur, c. 2100-2050 B.C.

A mosaic is an image made by small colored pieces attached to another surface. Early mosaics were earth tone colors as early as 3000 BC.

Ishtar Gate from Babylon, modern day Iraq c. 575 B.C.

Islamic Art Islam began in 610 AD/CE when an Arab merchant named Muhammad has a vision in Mecca , Saudi Arabia now recognized as a prophet. This message was written in the Koran after Muhammad’s death. People who follow Islam are called Muslims share much of the old testament with the Jews and Christians. Allah is the Arabic word for God.

Mohammed at the Kaaba. Manuscript, Turkey, 1595 CE. It is against the Muslim religion to show the face of Mohammed.

Banner of Las Navas de Tolosa, Spain, 1212-1250 CE. Rugs are an important part of Muslim faith to pray on and use as portable floor coverings

Islamic Arches & Domes

Horseshoe Arch

Islamic builders invented the Horseshoe Arch and the Pointed Arch. Arches are much stronger than rectangles and made it possible to

build bigger building with windows. When Muslims invaded southern Europe the arch was adopted there and cathedrals became possible.

Dome of the Mihrab, Great Mosque, Cordoba Spain, 965

Pointed Arch

Islamic Architecture

Al-Haram Masque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, built 1564, home to Ka’ba an ancient cube shaped stone believed to be the house that Abraham built for God rebuilt in 683 CE. This is the most sacred site in Islam.

Dome of the Rock of Jerusalem, 692 CE. Jerusalem is one of the holiest sites in Islam. Muslim Caliphs ruled this region from 661-1258. Jerusalem is holy to Jewish and Christian faiths. This is said to be the original site of the Jewish temple which housed the 10 commandments.

Quiz: Art of the Middle East 1. What modern day countries make-up ancient Mesopotamia?

2. List 2 things Middle Easterners invented (were1st to do).

3. What is the name of “an image made by small colored pieces stuck onto another surface”?

4. What is the name of an especially Mesopotamian type of building with a flat top and a temple on it?

5. People from the “Middle East” were the “Asian invaders” that conquered Egypt during the middle kingdom. What invention made that possible?

Quiz: Art of the Middle East 1. What modern day countries make-up ancient Mesopotamia?

2. List 2 things that Mesopotamians invented (were the 1st to do).

3. What is the name of “an image made by small colored pieces stuck onto another surface”?

4. What is the name of an especially Mesopotamian type of building with a flat top and a temple on it?

5. People from the “Middle East” were the “Asian invaders” that conquered Egypt during the middle kingdom. What invention made that possible?

4 pt.

2 pt.

1 pt.

1 pt.

1 pt.

+______

10 Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey

bronze casting, Cuneiform, or written language

Mosaic

Ziggurat

bronze casting