Chapter 2 Reading Guide
NOTE: If a True and False question is False, rewrite it on the line below to make it true.
Begin on Page 27
THE ART OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
1. Read the clues in the Stele of Naram-Sin that symbolize his religious and political authority. Tell 2
of each: Religious:______________________ Political: _____________________
2. Which was NOT a major shift in the Ancient Near East that occurred between 4000 and 3000 bce?
A. The goddess was the major deity B. Specialized skills beyond agriculture emerged C. Social
hierarchies developed D. Cities joined into city-states E. Increased trade with other cultures
developed.
SUMER
3. Among Sumerian “firsts” were writing, wheels and the plow. Find 2 other Sumerian “firsts”
_____________________________________ _________________________________________
4. In the Epic of Gilgamesh the legendary Sumerian king of Uruk goes on a quest for eternal life but
ultimately recognizes that A. The city of Uruk is his lasting accomplishment B. There was a great
flood C. He is mortal and must accept it D. The Bible is true E. A and C only
5. In pictographic cuneiform, how would you show a bull eating? Use the square below.
6. Your text describes the Alabaster Vase from Warka that came from the temple
of Inanna. What ritual may be depicted here?
_________________________________________________________________
Who is dominant in the ritual?
_________________________________________________________________
7. Some conventions of Sumerian sculpture include all EXCEPT A. Arched
eyebrows inlaid with dark shell or stone B. Emphasis on the cylindrical shape C. Solemn, respectful
poses D. Wide-open eyes for an attentive gaze. E. All of these are conventions
8. The clue to widespread trade on the Sumerian Lyre with Bull’s Head is A. The lapis lazuli in the
beard B. The gold leaf on the bull’s head C. The bull motif D. A and B only E. None of these
Go to Pg. 34:
9. We can understand that lyres like the one with a Bull’s Head were associated with funerary rites
because A. Animals shown are traditional guardians of the gateway of death B. The food may
represent a funeral banquet C. We know lyres were used in funerary rites D. Priests and singers
sang songs of mourning D. All of these
Go to Pg. 32:
10. In what way was or wasn’t the French archaeologist who brought the Stele of Naram-Sin and
Law Code of Hammurabi to the Louvre different from the Elamite King of Susa? Write your answer in
the class website’s Discussion Forum.
AKKAD Go to Pgs. 33 and 36:
11. What is the definition of Semitic? ___________________________________________________
12. Read the symbolism of these features in the Head of an Akkadian Ruler:
A. Enormous curling beard and braided hair _____________________________________________
B. Damage to the left side of the face __________________________________________________
C. Removed ears and eyes __________________________________________________________
13. Which is an innovation found in the Stele of Naram-Sin? A. First celebration of an achievement
by an individual ruler B. Horned helmet to signify he made himself divine C. Hieratic scale D. All of
these E. A and B only
NEO-SUMERIAN (Ur and Lagash)
14. The Guti who conquered the Akkadians were themselves conquered by King _______________
who reintroduced the Sumerian language and built a ziggurat to the god ___________ or ________.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
-215. What power centers of the human body are emphasized in the Votive Statue of Gudea of Lagash
from the Neo-Sumerian period? A. Head, eyes and hands B. Eyes, head and muscled chest and
arms C. Head, hand and heart D. Head, arms and body E.None of these is correct
16. Briefly tell how Gudea’s face is similar to those on the Tel Asmar Votive Figures.
________________________________________________________________________________
BABYLONIAN Go to Pg. 3
17. T F The Stele of Hammurabi is not only an artwork, it is also a historical document recording a
conversation about justice between god and man.
________________________________________________________________________________
18. List 3 things that show Shamash the sun god’s divinity:
________________________ ________________________ ____________________________
19. T F The Law Code of Hammurabi stele shows Hammurabi’s ground-breaking attempt to create a
society based on wealth, class and gender.
________________________________________________________________________________
ASSYRIAN
20. Which would NOT have been a favored subject on Assyrian wall panels? A. Battles B. Tribute to
the king C. Religious imagery D. Hunting E. Mythological creation scenes
21. Do research: The Assyrian capital of Assurnasirpal II has been called by different names:
Nimrud, Kalhu, and __________________.
22. T F Most of the buildings in Assyrian Nimrud were made from limestone and alabaster because
they were more durable.
________________________________________________________________________________
23. The immediacy of the Lion Hunt scene is created by A. The traditional scene of a hunt B. The
register on which the figures are situated C. The emotions of the animals D. The drama of the scene
E. C and D only
24. Tell how was Sargon II’s citadel at Khorsabad (Dur Sharrukin) demonstrated art used as political
propaganda.___________________________________________________________________
25. Give 2 clues why the scene of Assurbanipal and his queen in the garden is not a tranquil
domestic scene. A. ___________________________ B. ______________________________
NEO-BABYLONIAN
26. Using figure 2-14, Reconstruction drawing of Babylon, locate these:
☐ A. Processional Way ☐ B.Ishtar Gate ☐ C. Hanging Gardens ☐ D. Ziggurat of Marduk
27. Do research: What is the Mushhushshu of Marduk? Find it in Figure 2-15
PERSIAN
28. Persian art is termed “eclectic” because it combined many different cultural traditions. Where did
these ideas come from? Put A for Assyrians, E. for Egyptians, G. for Greeks, M. for Mesopotamia
_____Persepolis was placed on a raised platform
_____Reliefs of animal combat, gift bearers
_____Elegant drawing, sleek figures
_____Laid out on a rectangular grid
29. Which of the following people put an end to the Achaemenid dynasty and prevented the Persians
from entering Europe? A. Neo-Sumerians B. Medes C. Egyptians D. Greeks E. Minoans
30. Go to Pg. 43: Of the various methods for creating textiles discussed in your text, which was not
made by spinning, weaving or knitting? ____________________