Lamassu

c. 720-705 BCE

Assyrian Period

From the Citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin

Limestone

Commissioned by Sargon II

Designed to intimidate outsiders; show strength of Assyrian Empire

Standing guard from front view, escorting out from side view

Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions

645-640 BCE

Assyrian Period

Gypsum

North Palace, Neneveh

Assyrian kings would hunt lions to show dominance

Can tell which figure is Ashurbanipal because of hieratic scale (he's bigger) and crown

Palette of Narmer

c. 3150-3125 BCE

Egyptian

Late Predynastic Period

Slate

Used to mix eye liner, divided into registers, tells a story (Narmer conquering Lower Egypt and uniting the two regions: Upper and Lower)

Utilizes idealization (portrays important people--Narmer--as having the "perfect" physique and physical characteristics)

Pyramids of Giza

c. 2601-2515 BCE

Egyptian

Old Kingdom Period

Sandstone

Giza, Egypt

Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure (all from same dynasty)

Sacred tombs of pharoahs

Pyramid Design

Has "false tomb chamber" so thieves don't steal king's supplies for afterlife

Relieving blocks support much of weight

"Queen's chamber" not actually where queen is laid to rest (has much smaller pyramid next to pharoah's)

Buried with everything he will need for afterlife (including food, riches, etc.)

Aerial View of Pyramid Plans

Khufu's biggest, then Khafre, then Menkaure (oldest to youngest)

"Causeway" (where procession is held) leads to "Funerary temple" where body is prepared for burial (very ceremonial)

Mastaba

How most tombs were built

"Chapel" to prepare body and offering table with statue of ka (spirit)

Long shaft going underground leading to burial chambers, probably to protect from thieves/scavengers

Step Pyramid of Djoser

c. 2630-2611 BCE

Egyptian

Old Kingdom Period

Limestone

First type of pyramid built by Egyptians

Constructed by basically stacking together mastabas