Power, Divinity, and Eternity: The Ancient Mediterranean (3500 BCE–300 CE)

Hierarchy of Scale

A technique where the most important figure uses the largest space.

Votive Offering

An object given to a deity as an act of worship or thanks.

Ziggurat

A massive stepped tower on which a temple is built.

Cuneiform

The earliest form of writing, developed by Sumerians.

White Temple and its Ziggurat

A temple for the god Anu, elevated above the populace.

Statues of Votive Figures

Conceptual representations of devotion, symbolizing prayers.

The Standard of Ur

An artifact showing war and peace, illustrating the king's primacy.

The Code of Hammurabi

A black basalt stele depicting Hammurabi receiving the right to rule.

Lamassu

Colossal winged human-headed bulls serving as guardians.

Audience Hall (Apadana) of Darius and Xerxes

A hypostyle hall showcasing reliefs that promote imperial propaganda.

Canon of Proportions

A grid system ensuring idealized, not realistic, depictions of figures.

Composite View

A technique of depicting human figures with different perspectives.

Palette of King Narmer

Commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Great Pyramids

Tombs designed to transform pharaohs into solar light.

King Menkaura and Queen

Timeless, idealized figures depicting the high status of the queen.

The Seated Scribe

A realistic depiction highlighting the lower social status of the scribe.

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

A temple carved into a cliffside, harmonizing with nature.

Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and Three Daughters

Art showcasing curvilinear forms and intimate family interaction.

Tutankhamun’s Tomb

Returned to orthodox styles after Akhenaton's reign.

Last Judgment of Hunefer

A guidebook for the soul involving the weighing of the heart.

Humanism

The belief that 'man is the measure of all things'.

Archaic Period (Greek)

Characterized by stiff figures and the 'Archaic Smile'.

Classical Period (Greek)

Idealized proportions and calm expressions with contrapposto.

Hellenistic Period (Greek)

Art that exhibits dramatic emotion and dynamic movement.

Niobides Krater

A krater illustrating depth through figures on different levels.

The Parthenon

A Doric temple demonstrating mathematical perfection and optical corrections.

Temple of Athena Nike

A small Ionic temple showcasing expressive figures in everyday actions.

Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon

Depicts the victory of gods over giants with high relief.

Seated Boxer

A sculpture that evokes pathos through realism and defeat.

Temple of Minerva (Veii)

An Etruscan temple built with wood and mud-brick.

Sarcophagus of the Spouses

Etruscan artwork highlighting the equality of men and women.

Tomb of the Triclinium

Frescoes depicting joyful death celebrations.

Head of a Roman Patrician

A hyper-realistic portrayal emphasizing experience and wisdom.

House of Vettii (Pompeii)

An elite Roman home exhibiting Fourth Style frescoes.

Alexander Mosaic

A depiction of Alexander the Great's bravery against Darius.

Augustus of Prima Porta

A statue portraying Augustus as an idealized, god-like figure.

The Colosseum

An engineering marvel utilizing concrete for large-scale construction.

The Pantheon

A temple with a unique dome design symbolizing the gods.

Forum of Trajan

A civic center symbolizing Roman power and building achievements.

Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus

Art reflecting chaotic times with a rejection of Classical space.

Pantheon vs. Parthenon

Pantheon is Roman; Parthenon is Greek, differing in structure.

Verism vs. Idealism

Verism shows age; Idealism depicts youth and divinity.

Amarna Period

The brief shift in Egyptian art towards more curvy and intimate forms.

Islamic Art Context

Islamic art does not begin until after 7th Century CE.