{FREE} a History of the Ancient Near East: Ca. 3000-323 BC Pdf Free

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

{FREE} a History of the Ancient Near East: Ca. 3000-323 BC Pdf Free A HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST: CA. 3000-323 BC PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Marc Van De Mieroop | 368 pages | 01 Dec 2006 | John Wiley and Sons Ltd | 9781405149112 | English | Oxford, United Kingdom Christian Books on Ancient Near Eastern Histories | Best Commentaries Reviews However, all of the above owe a huge debt to Mesopotamia for giving us the first cities, the first laws and the first writing. The first wars too, of course, and there are some interesting boundary disputes dating to BC between the city states of Lagash and Umma in modern day Iraq. The gift of 18th century BC lawgiver Hammurabi was always ours to destroy. Van de Mieroop has crafted the ideal overview of three millennia complete with maps for each period from the first city, Uruk, to the enormous Persian empire that was halted at Marathon and Thermopylae. One extremely helpful map shows the ancient routes of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and thus the logic behind cities that are now buried in sand and dust. The timelines of dynasties and empires and their kings with their likely dates are also invaluable. But what exactly happened over those thousands of years and what can we learn? These factors explain the rise of key empires. But what about their decline? Ripe for the plucking by the remorseless Alexander of Macedon. Incorporating the most recent discoveries and scholarship, the book provides both an account of political and military events and a survey of the cultures and societies of the ancient Near East. The straightforward, accessible text is accompanied by plentiful maps and illustrations, and contains a selection of Near Eastern texts in translation. Each chapter includes a key research question or text, such as the use of the Bible as a historical source, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Assyrian royal annals. It is essential reading for anyone interested in this crucial period in world history. Basically, I'm finding it pretty boring; kind of like reading Deuteronomy Admittedly, Marc Athenaeum Boekhandel | A History of the Ancient Near East, ca. BC, Marc van de Mieroop Iraq Mesopotamia , — A. Iraq, — A. Cuneiform: Topic Page. Aramaic: Topic Page. Daily Life Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia by Karen Rhea Nemet-Nejat The ancient world of Mesopotamia from Sumer to the subsequent division into Babylonia and Assyria vividly comes alive in this portrayal of the time period from bce to the fall of Assyria bce and Babylon bce. Readers will discover fascinating details about the lives of these people from the society where writing began--taken from the ancients' own quotations and descriptions. A wealth of information is provided on such varied topics as: education; literature; mathematics and science; city vs. Similarities between daily life in ancient Mesopotamia and modern-day Iraq are also discussed. Beautifully illustrated, this easy-to-use reference contains a timeline and an historical overview to aid student research. Call Number: DS N46 Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia by Stephen Bertman Ancient Mesopotamia was the home of not one but a succession of glorious civilizations that together flourished more than three millennia. It was Sumerian mathematicians who devised the sixty-minute hour. Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia presents the glory and splendor of an area that was host to some of the world's greatest civilizations and their struggles to create civilized life in a fertile land racked by brutal conquest. This volume focuses on the civilizations of Mesopotamia that invented agriculture, cities, writing, law, and even beer. Known as the "Fertile Crescent," Mesopotamia is now the heart of modern-day Iraq, a war-torn land where people still struggle to eke out their daily lives as did their ancestors thousands of years ago. Organized in the classic Handbook to Life format, this comprehensive reference examines the everyday routines of Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian life from about to BCE by gathering in one comprehensive volume all that modern- day archaeologists and historians have unearthed about Mesopotamia's foods, homes, literature, arts, laws, wars, religions, political systems, class structures, economy, and more. A separate chapter explores the influence of Mesopotamia on the sacred scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Coverage includes: Geography, Archaeology, and History of Mesopotamia The land, dating the past, ancient narratives, and key rulers of Mesopotamia Government, Society, Religion, and Myth The structure of civilization, biographies of political leaders, and personal piety Language, Literature, Architecture, and Engineering Major languages, writing, techniques of construction, ziggurats, and city planning Sculpture, Arts, and Sacred Scripture The role of artists, pottery, painting, the Old Testament, and Mesopotamia and the Koran Economy, Transportation, and Trade Professions, wages and prices, transportation by water, trade, and weights and measures Military Affairs, Everyday Life, and More Weapons and equipment, the art of war, work, slavery, music, sports, and education. ISBN: Orlin Intended for readers seeking insight into the day-to-day life of some of the world's most ancient peoples, Life and Thought in the Ancient Near East presents brief, fascinating explorations of key aspects of the civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Asia Minor, and Iran. With vignettes on agriculture, architecture, crafts and industries, literature, religion, topography, and history, Orlin has created something refreshingly unique: a modern guidebook to an ancient world. The book also reaches out to students of the Ancient Near Eastern World with essays on decipherments, comparative cultural developments between Egypt and Mesopotamia, and language and literature. In addition to general readers, the book will be useful in the classroom as a text supplementing a more conventional introduction to Near Eastern Studies. This simplicity together with connecting contemporary to ancient experience makes the text ideal for freshmen and general readers. Orlin taught in the department of Ancient Near Eastern History and Literature at the University of Michigan for more than thirty years. Archaeology Archaeologies of the Middle East by Susan Pollock Editor ; Reinhard Bernbeck Editor Archaeologies of the Middle East provides an innovative introduction to the archaeology of this fascinating region and a window on both its past and present. Written by some of the top archaeologists of the Middle East: scholars from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests and intellectual approaches Coverage spans , years: from the Paleolithic to Hellenistic times Explores the connections between modern-day politics and the social context of archaeological practice and various underutilized approaches to archaeological interpretation Designed for student use ISBN: L History The Ancient East by D. Covers the civilizations of the Sumerians, Hittites, Babylonians, Assyrians, Israelites and Persians Places particular emphasis on social and cultural history Covers the legacy of the Ancient Near East in the medieval and modern worlds Provides a useful bibliographical guide to this field of study ISBN: Redford Covering the time span from the Paleolithic period to the destruction of Jerusalem in B. Call Number: DT P19R43 It comprises the civilizations of Sumer and Akkad third millennium B. Although the 'history' of Mesopotamia in the strict sense of the term only begins with the inscriptions of Sumerian rulers around the 27th century B. The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia defines concepts, customs, and notions peculiar to the civilization of ancient Mesopotamia, from adult adoption to ziggurats. This is accomplished through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, appendixes, and hundreds of cross-reference dictionary entries on religion, economy, society, geography, and important kings and rulers. A History of the Ancient near East, Ca. Integrates the most up-to-date research, and includes a richer selection of supplementary materials Addresses the wide variety of political, social, and cultural developments in the ancient Near East Updated features include new "Key Debate" boxes at the end of each chapter to engage students with various perspectives on a range of critical issues; a comprehensive timeline of events; and 46 new illustrations, including 12 color photos Features a new chapter addressing governance and continuity in the region during the Persian Empire Offers in-depth, accessible discussions of key texts and sources, including the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh. L48 In this collection of essays, the French scholar Jean Bottero attempts to go back to the moment which marks the very beginning of history. To give the reader some sense of how Mesopotamian civilization has been mediated and interpreted in its transmission through time, Bottero begins with an account of Assyriology, the discipline devoted to the ancient culture. Admittedly, Marc Marc Van De Mieroop. This book presents a clear, concise history of the extraordinarily multicultural civilizations of the ancient Near East. Beginning with the emergence of writing around bc, the narrative ranges from the origins of the first cities in Mesopotamia, through the growth of the Babylonian and Hittite kingdoms, to the Assyrian and Persian empires. Condition Brand New. Incorporating the latest scholarly research, the third edition of A History of the Ancient Near East ca. Integrates the most up-to-date research, and includes a richer
Recommended publications
  • Republic of Iraq
    Republic of Iraq Babylon Nomination Dossier for Inscription of the Property on the World Heritage List January 2018 stnel oC fobalbaT Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................... 1 State Party .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Province ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Name of property ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Geographical coordinates to the nearest second ................................................................................................. 1 Center ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 N 32° 32’ 31.09”, E 44° 25’ 15.00” ..................................................................................................................... 1 Textural description of the boundary .................................................................................................................. 1 Criteria under which the property is nominated .................................................................................................. 4 Draft statement
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of Fragility: Setting the Terms
    McDONALD INSTITUTE CONVERSATIONS The Evolution of Fragility: Setting the Terms Edited by Norman Yoffee The Evolution of Fragility: Setting the Terms McDONALD INSTITUTE CONVERSATIONS The Evolution of Fragility: Setting the Terms Edited by Norman Yoffee with contributions from Tom D. Dillehay, Li Min, Patricia A. McAnany, Ellen Morris, Timothy R. Pauketat, Cameron A. Petrie, Peter Robertshaw, Andrea Seri, Miriam T. Stark, Steven A. Wernke & Norman Yoffee Published by: McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research University of Cambridge Downing Street Cambridge, UK CB2 3ER (0)(1223) 339327 [email protected] www.mcdonald.cam.ac.uk McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, 2019 © 2019 McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. The Evolution of Fragility: Setting the Terms is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- NoDerivatives 4.0 (International) Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ISBN: 978-1-902937-88-5 Cover design by Dora Kemp and Ben Plumridge. Typesetting and layout by Ben Plumridge. Cover image: Ta Prohm temple, Angkor. Photo: Dr Charlotte Minh Ha Pham. Used by permission. Edited for the Institute by James Barrett (Series Editor). Contents Contributors vii Figures viii Tables ix Acknowledgements x Chapter 1 Introducing the Conference: There Are No Innocent Terms 1 Norman Yoffee Mapping the chapters 3 The challenges of fragility 6 Chapter 2 Fragility of Vulnerable Social Institutions in Andean States 9 Tom D. Dillehay & Steven A. Wernke Vulnerability and the fragile state
    [Show full text]
  • Oman Corals Suggest That a Stronger Winter Shamal Season Caused the Akkadian Empire (Mesopotamia) Collapse Takaaki K
    https://doi.org/10.1130/G46604.1 Manuscript received 6 June 2019 Revised manuscript received 22 August 2019 Manuscript accepted 2 September 2019 © 2019 Geological Society of America. For permission to copy, contact [email protected]. Oman corals suggest that a stronger winter shamal season caused the Akkadian Empire (Mesopotamia) collapse Takaaki K. Watanabe1, Tsuyoshi Watanabe1,2, Atsuko Yamazaki1,2,3 and Miriam Pfeiffer4 1 Department of Natural History Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan 2 KIKAI Institute for Coral Reef Sciences, Kikai Town, Kagoshima 891-6151, Japan 3 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kyusyu University, Fukuoka 813-8581, Japan 4 Institut für Geowissenschaften, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Ludewig-Meyn-Strasse 10, 24118 Kiel, Germany ABSTRACT MATERIALS AND METHOD The Akkadian Empire was the first united empire in Mesopotamia and was established We collected fossil Porites colonies from at 4.6 kyr B.P. (where present is A.D. 1950). The empire abruptly collapsed in 4.2 ± 0.2 kyr coastal tsunami deposits on the northeast- B.P. Seasonal-scale climatic dynamics behind this collapse have not yet been resolved. Here, ern coast of Oman (city of Fins: 22°54.08′N, we present monthly climatic parameters (temperature and hydrology) inferred from fossil 59°13.37′E; Hoffmann et al., 2013; Fig. 1). The Omani corals that lived between 4.5 and 2.9 kyr B.P. Winter temperatures derived from a coral samples were sliced into 5-mm-thick slabs, modern Omani coral correlate with winter shamal (western Asian dust storm) frequency.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Sumerians
    Ancient Sumerians Reviving a civilization from the past Megan Frisella, Joy Lim, Sriya Pidatala, Tony Vuolo Who were the Sumerians? ➔ A civilization that populated land in southern Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq and Kuwait) ➔ The Sumerians are known for the first cities and innovation in writing, governance, and technology. ➔ Sumer existed from around 4000 BCE to 2000 BCE. Origin of the Sumerians ➔ 4500-4000 BCE (in Mesopotamia) ◆ Ubaid people - civilization built around farming communities ➔ 3000 BCE - Sumerians took over the region and controlled it until 2000 BCE Sumerian City-States ➔ Sumerian city-states were walled in communities surrounded by agricultural villages ➔ Governed by a king/priest who serves as a political and religious leader ◆ Each city is dedicated to a Sumerian deity who is worshiped by the city’s inhabitants ➔ The first cities in the world were in the Sumerian civilization ◆ Uruk : The first city in the world and the capital of the Sumerian empire Government ➔ Government could levy taxes; allowed them to have public works like large canals and monuments ➔ A record of kings was found inscribed on a tablet ➔ Lugalzagesi was the last ruler before Sumer came under the control of another nation ➔ Captured by the Akkadians Language ➔ One of the first writing systems was cuneiform ◆ Cuneiform uses pictographs, written with a reed stylus on a wet clay tile ➔ Employed scribes to keep records in government or religious settings ◆ Stamps with symbols that indicate what is being traded ◆ Detailed trade reports (for taxes, etc.) Social Structure 1. King/Priest 2. Subordinate Priests (religious leaders and healers) 3. Upper Class (self-employed, high in the military, scribes) 4.
    [Show full text]
  • The Appearance of Bricks in Ancient Mesopotamia
    Athens Journal of History - Volume 6, Issue 1, January 2020 – Pages 73-96 The Appearance of Bricks in Ancient Mesopotamia By Kadim Hasson Hnaihen Mesopotamia is a region in the Middle East, situated in a basin between two big rivers- the Tigris and the Euphrates. About 5,500 years ago, much earlier than in Egypt, ancient civilization began, one of the oldest in the world. Continuous development was an important factor of everyday life. A warm climate, fertile soil, mixed with the sediment of flowing rivers and perhaps even the first oak all. A deficit of stone for building shelter was an impediment that the Sumerians faced, but from this shortage they found the perfect solution for their construction-brick. Shelter, homes and other buildings were built from material available in the area, such as clay, cane, soil, mule. Sumerians mastered the art of civic construction perfectly. They raised great buildings, made of bricks (Ziggurats, temples, and palaces) richly decorated with sculptures and mosaics. In this article I will focus on the most interesting time period in my opinion- when brick appeared, I will comment upon the process of production and the types of the brick used in Mesopotamia. It should be noted that the form we know today has been shaped by the cultural and social influences of many peoples who have successively settled these lands, continuing to a large extent the cultural heritage of the former. Introduction The ancient population of Iraq (from the Stone Age, 150,000 BC to 8,000 BC) inhabiting Mesopotamia is one of the oldest civilizations to be discovered.
    [Show full text]
  • Abraham and the Chronology of Ancient Mesopotamia
    Answers Research Journal 5 (2012):141–150. www.answersingenesis.org/arj/v5/abraham-chronology-ancient-mesopotamia.pdf Abraham and the Chronology of Ancient Mesopotamia Matt McClellan, [email protected] Abstract Mesopotamia, the land that is today part of Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, is home to one of the oldest civilizations to have ever been discovered. It is here that the civilizations of Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria existed. This land is noteworthy in the Bible because it was here that the exiles were taken captive after the destruction of Jerusalem. It was also here that Abraham had lived before he set out to the Promised Land. For many years, Abraham was believed to have lived at the same time as Hammurabi, king of Babylon. Later scholars would date Abraham to the period shortly before the reign of Hammurabi. However, the result of recent research is that the chronology of the ancient world is being redated. Hammurabi now appears to be a near contemporary of Moses instead of Abraham. In Egyptian chronological studies, the patriarchs are dated earlier than ever before. In spite of this, there has been little research conducted on the relationship between Abraham and Mesopotamia in this new chronological revolution. This article will look at the current trends in chronological studies and how they relate to the life of Abraham. It will come to the conclusion that Abraham lived much earlier in Mesopotamian history than what most have realized. Keywords: Abraham, Mesopotamia, Ebla, Ancient Chronology, Sodom and Gomorrah Introduction overlap considerably. A Bible-believing Christian will, Mesopotamia was one of the earliest regions to of course, reject the dating of the oldest periods but, be inhabited after the great Flood, and it was here as mentioned in the introduction, this paper will not that Abraham lived his early life.
    [Show full text]
  • Style of Architecture, Consisting of Hard Backed Bricks, Molded in Such a Shape As to Fit Regularly to Each Other”
    Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol.10, No.3, 2020, 87-111 ISSN: 1792-9040 (print version), 1792-9660 (online) Scientific Press International Limited Babylon in a New Era: The Chaldean and Achaemenid Empires (330-612 BC) Nasrat Adamo1 and Nadhir Al-Ansari2 Abstract The new rise of Babylon is reported and its domination of the old world is described; when two dynasties ruled Neo- Babylonia from 612 BC to 330 BC. First, the Chaldeans had taken over from the Assyrians whom they had defeated and established their empire, which lasted for 77 years followed by the Achaemenid dynasty, which was to rule Babylonia for the remaining period as part of their empire. Out of the 77 years of the Chaldean period king, Nebuchadnezzar II ruled for 43 years, which were full of military achievements and construction works and organization. Apart from extending the borders of the empire, he had managed to construct large-scale hydraulic works which were intended for irrigation, navigation and even for defensive purposes. He excavated, re-excavated, and maintained four large feeder canals taking off from the Euphrates, which served the agriculture in the whole area between the Euphrates and the Tigris in the middle and lower Euphrates regions. Moreover, he was concerned with flood protection and so he constructed one large reservoir near Sippar at 60 km north of Babylon to be filled by the Euphrates excess water during floods and to be returned back to the river during low flow season in summer. His works involved river training projects, so he trained the Euphrates by digging artificial meanders to reduce the velocity of the flow and improving navigation and allow the construction of the canal intakes in a less turbulent flows.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Ancient Egypt, 2Nd Edition Marc Van De Mieroop
    To purchase this product, please visit https://www.wiley.com/en-us/9781119620877 A History of Ancient Egypt, 2nd Edition Marc Van De Mieroop E-Book 978-1-119-62089-1 January 2021 $40.00 Paperback 978-1-119-62087-7 January 2021 $50.00 DESCRIPTION Explore the entire history of the ancient Egyptian state from 3000 B.C. to 400 A.D. with this authoritative volume The newly revised Second Edition of A History of Ancient Egypt delivers an up-to-date survey of ancient Egypt's history from its origins to the Roman Empire's banning of hieroglyphics in the fourth century A.D. The book covers developments in all aspects of Egypt's history and their historical sources, considering the social and economic life and the rich culture of ancient Egypt. Freshly updated to take into account recent discoveries, the book makes the latest scholarship accessible to a wide audience, including introductory undergraduate students. A History of Ancient Egypt outlines major political and cultural events and places Egypt's history within its regional context and detailing interactions with western Asia and Africa. Each period of history receives equal attention and a discussion of the problems scholars face in its study. The book offers a foundation for all students interested in Egyptian culture by providing coverage of topics like: • A thorough introduction to the formation of the Egyptian state between the years of 3400 B.C. and 2686 B.C. • An exploration of the end of the Old Kingdom and First Intermediate period, from 2345 B.C. to 2055 B.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Decoding the Medinet Habu Inscriptions: the Ideological Subtext of Ramesses III’S War Accounts
    Peters 1 Decoding the Medinet Habu Inscriptions: The Ideological Subtext of Ramesses III’s War Accounts Abstract: The temple of Medinet Habu in Thebes stands as Ramesses III‘s lasting legacy to Ancient Egyptian history. This monumental structure not only contained luxury goods within, but also a goldmine of information inscribed on its outside walls. Here, Ramesses adorned the temple with stories of military campaigns he led against enemies in the north who hoped to gain control of Egypt. These war accounts have posed a series of problems to modern scholars. Today, the debate still rages over how the inscriptions should be interpreted. This work analyzes Ramesses‘s records through the lens of socioeconomic decline that occurred during his rule in order to demonstrate the role ideology—namely ma‘at—played in his self-representation and his methodology to ensure and legitimize his rule during these precarious times. Scott M. Peters Senior Thesis, Department of History Columbia College, Columbia University April 2011 Advisors: Professor Marc Van De Mieroop and Professor Martha Howell Word Count: 17,070 (with footnotes + bibliography included) Peters 2 Figure 1: Map of Ancient Egypt with key sites. Image reproduced from Marc Van De Mieroop, A History of Ancient Egypt (Malden: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011), 28. Peters 3 Introduction When describing his victory over invading forces in the north of Egypt, Ramesses III, ruler at the time, wrote: …Those who came on land were overthrown and slaughtered…Amon-Re was after them destroying them. Those who entered the river mouths were like birds ensnared in the net…their leaders were carried off and slain.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mortal Kings of Ur: a Short Century of Divine
    3 THE MORTAL KINGS OF UR: A SHORT CENTURY OF DIVINE RULE IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA PIOTR MICHALOWSKI, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Assyriologists are at a disadvantage whenever the subject of divine kingship comes up. The issue is not an old one, but it has its lingering ghosts, James Frazer and Edward Evans­ Prichard, and it has its favorite haunting ground, the continent of Africa and the island of Mad­ agascar. Ever since Frazer delineated the problem in 1890, the focus of investigation has been on Africa, and the definition has encompassed three central components: duality, regicide, and the mediating role of the king. Of the three, regicide has been the most contentious issue, but it is one that is hardly important outside of the Africanist debates. Moreover, as Kasja Ekholm Friedman (1985: 250) has written, some have viewed divine kingship as "an autonomous sym­ bolic structure that can only be understood in terms of its own internal symbolic structure." Writing about the Lower Congo (Friedman 1985: 251), she undertook to demonstrate that "it is a historical product which has undergone transformations connected to the general structural change that has turned Africa into an underdeveloped periphery of the West." Here, I follow her example and attempt to locate the eruptions of early Mesopotamian divine kingship as historically defined phenomena, rather than as moments in a developmental trajectory of an autonomous symbolic structure. Most studies of the early history of Mesopotamian kingship concentrate on the develop­ ment of a specific figure in text and art; the underlying notions are social evolutionary, and the methodology is philological, often relying on etymology and the study of the occurrence and history of lexical labels, as summarized well in a recent article by Nicole Brisch (forth­ coming).
    [Show full text]
  • THE KUSHITE ORIGINS of SU~Ier and ELAM by Runoko Rashidi Ancient Sumer, the Biblical Land of Shinar, Modern Lower Mesopotamia, F
    THE KUSHITE ORIGINS OF SU~iER AND ELAM By Runoko Rashidi And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel ••. in the land of Shinar. 1 Ancient Sumer, the biblical land of Shinar, modern lower Mesopotamia, flourished in the third millenium B.C. covering the territorial expanse of the Tigris/Euphrates River Valley. Embracing the shores of the Persian Gulf, Sumer extended north to Akkad, a distance of about 320 miles, thus constituting Southern Babylonia. The appellation Chaldea, frequently applied to the region, appears to have been introduced by the Assyrians in the ninth century B.c.2 The designations Babylon, Babylonia and Chaldea have been used extensively, particularly by nine­ teenth century scholars, in reference to the area now almost exclusively known as Sumer. Sumer appears to be the first major high-culture of western Asia. She bequeathed to her successor states a tradi­ tion of great achievement. Her many contributions to civili­ zation are well known. Brilliant agriculturalists, the Sumerians built very sophisticated canals and reservoirs to irrigate their fields. They possessed both an advanced legal system and a well developed knowledge of medicine and were perhaps the ancient world's greatest astronomers.3 While these salient facts regarding Sumer's obvious cultural genius are well known, the important question of the racial composition of its population is generally glossed over. This apparent cloud concerning race, however, is very thin and there is a substantial body of evidence in support of the position that the civilization of Sumer was the product of Black migrations from Africa's Nile Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • Architecture and the City in the Ancient Near East CGS Course / Department of the History of Art/ Fall 2004
    ARTH 224. Architecture and the City in the Ancient Near East CGS Course / Department of the History of Art/ Fall 2004 Instructor : Ömür Harmanşah Depatment of the History of Art University of Pennsylvania Syllabus Class schedule: Wednesdays 5:30 ‐ 8: 30 pm. at Meyerson Hall B6 Office hours: Fridays 10‐12 pm. Jaffe building (by appointment, please e‐mail). E‐mail: [email protected] Blackboard site: https://courseweb.library.upenn.edu/ (Log‐in with your Pennkey) Course web page: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/˜harmansa/arth224.html Course Definition This course is an attempt to provide a selective and analytical survey of the architectural history in the Ancient Near East. Lectures and discussions will particularly focus on the development of urban and architectural traditions in their socio‐cultural and economical context. The extensive geography of the Near Eastern world and the variety of its archaeological landscapes from prehistory into the Hellenistic period will be explored, with particular emphasis on Southern and Northern Mesopotamia, Syria and the Central Anatolian plateau. In the ancient world, unlike the built environments of modernity, monuments were considered as bearers of both textual and pictorial representations. These texts and visual narratives were effective tools in the construction of social identity and historical consciousness among the public. Especially throughout the history of the Near Eastern world, the construction of buildings coincided precisely with the writing of history, a fundamental challange to their makers and their audience alike. This course intends to see the production of architectural space in this light, as a social enterprise, a festive event where the economic and socio‐cultural resources of a society are diverted into a productive undertaking.
    [Show full text]