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Royal Ideology in Mesopotamian Iconography of the Third and Second Millennia BCE with Special Reference to Gestures

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Royal Ideology in Mesopotamian Iconography of the Third and Second Millennia BCE with Special Reference to Gestures Royal Ideology in Mesopotamian Iconography of the Third and Second Millennia BCE with Special Reference to Gestures by Jonathan Michael Westhead Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. Izak Cornelius March 2015 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. March 2015 Copyright © 2015 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za ABSTRACT This thesis aims to examine to what extent the visual representations of ancient Mesopotamia portrayed the royal ideology that was present during the time of their intended display. The iconographic method is used in this study and this allows for a better understanding of the meaning behind the work of art. This method allows the study to better attempt to comprehend the underlying ideology of the work of art. The eight images studied date between three thousand BCE and one thousand BCE and this provides a broad base for the study. By having such a broad base it enables the study to provide a brief understanding of how the ideology adapted over two thousand years. The broad base also enables the study to examine a variety of different gestures that are portrayed on the representations. This thereby provides the reader with a better understanding of why certain gestures were used and how the underlying ideology was communicated through these movements. The study concludes that while the gestures lend a life-like appearance to the representation they do not solely portray an underlying ideological message. Rather, they enhance the already inherent ideological message. i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za OPSOMMING Hierdie tesis ondersoek tot watter mate die visuele voorstellings van Ou Mesopotamië die koninklike ideologie — van die tyd toe hulle uitgestal is — uitgebeeld het. Die ikonografiese metode is in hierdie studie gebruik en maak dit moontlik om 'n beter begrip van die betekenis agter die kunswerk te verkry. Die metode stel die studie in staat om die onderliggende ideologie van die kunswerk beter te verstaan. Die agt bestudeerde beelde dateer tussen drieduisend v.C. en 'n duisend v.C. en bied 'n breë basis vir die studie. So ‘n breë basis stel die studie in staat om te verstaan hoe die ideologie oor meer as twee duisend jaar aangepas is. Die breë basis stel die studie ook in staat om 'n verskeidenheid verskillende gebare wat uitgebeeld word, te ondersoek. Hierdeur verskaf dit die leser met 'n beter begrip waarom sekere gebare gebruik is en hoe die onderliggende ideologie deur middel van hierdie bewegings gekommunikeer is. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat terwyl die gebare 'n lewensgetroue voorkoms aan die voorstelling gee, hulle nie uitsluitlik onderliggende ideologiese boodskappe uitbeeld nie. Inteendeel, hulle versterk die reeds onderliggende ideologiese boodskap. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Professor Izak Cornelius for his constant encouragement throughout the course of this project. His knowledge and support has enabled me to complete a thesis of which I am proud. To my parents, thank you for supporting my dream of studying and researching what I love. I express my utmost gratitude to Renate van Dijk for the support and suggestions made during the writing of this thesis. Lastly to Emma, I am greatly indebted for the constant questioning concerning the progress of this thesis – I would not have completed it without you. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za CONTENTS Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................... ii Contents ..................................................................................................................................... iv Table of Figures ....................................................................................................................... viii Chapter One ................................................................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Research Problem, Design and Questions ................................................................... 1 1.2. Methodological Outline ............................................................................................... 5 Chapter Two ............................................................................................................................. 10 2. Ideology – Introductory Remarks ..................................................................................... 10 2.1. Defining Ideology ...................................................................................................... 13 2.2. Characteristics of Mesopotamian Royal Ideology ..................................................... 19 2.2.1. The Pre-historic/Early and Late Uruk period (ca. 4000-2900 BCE) .................. 20 2.2.2. The Early Dynastic period (ca. 2900 – 2334 BCE) ............................................ 23 2.2.3. The Akkadian period (ca. 2334 – 2112 BCE) .................................................... 25 2.2.4. The Ur III and Isin-Larsa periods (ca. 2112 – 1800 BCE) ................................. 28 2.2.5. The Old Babylonian period (ca. 1894 – 1500 BCE) .......................................... 30 2.2.5.1. The Secularisation/Privatisation of the Old-Babylonian Period ................. 31 2.3. Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 32 iv Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Chapter Three ........................................................................................................................... 34 3. Understanding Gesture/Kinesic Codes or Nonverbal Behaviour ..................................... 34 3.1. Defining Gesture ........................................................................................................ 40 3.2. Gesture in Ancient Mesopotamian Sources ............................................................... 43 3.2.1. Micro Gesture ..................................................................................................... 43 3.2.1.1. Clasped Hands ............................................................................................. 43 3.2.1.2. Raised Hand ................................................................................................ 46 3.2.2. Macro Gesture .................................................................................................... 50 3.2.2.1. Bowing/Supplication/Prostration ................................................................ 51 3.2.2.2. Trampling .................................................................................................... 52 3.3. Summary .................................................................................................................... 57 Chapter Four ............................................................................................................................. 58 4. The Iconography of Micro-Gesture Forms ...................................................................... 58 4.1. Iconographic Type – Clasped Hands ......................................................................... 58 4.1.1. Limestone Relief of Ur-Nanše ........................................................................... 59 4.1.2. Seated Statue of Gudea: Architect with Plan ..................................................... 66 4.2. Iconographic Type – Raised Hands ........................................................................... 71 4.2.1. Stele of Hammurabi ............................................................................................ 71 4.2.2. The Lu-Nanna Votive Portrait ............................................................................ 82 4.3. Summary of Micro Gesture Forms ............................................................................ 87 v Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Chapter Five ............................................................................................................................. 88 5. The Iconography of Macro-Gesture Forms ...................................................................... 88 5.1. Iconographic Type – Kneeling .................................................................................. 88 5.1.1. Foundation Figure of a Kneeling God ................................................................ 88 5.1.2. Middle Assyrian Seal Impression ....................................................................... 93 5.2. Iconographic Type – Trampling .............................................................................
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