Editing Ancient art (section)

=== Mesopotamian ===
{{main|Art of Mesopotamia}}
[[Mesopotamia]] (from the Greek Μεσοποταμία "[land] between the rivers", in Syriac called ܒܝܬ ܢܗܪܝܢ pronounced "Beth Nahrain", "Land of rivers", rendered in Arabic as بلاد الرافدين bilād al-rāfidayn) is a toponym for the area of the [[Tigris]]-[[Euphrates]] river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, as well as some parts of northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and southwestern Iran. Within its boundaries, some of the most ancient civilizations known first developed [[writing]] and [[agriculture]]. Many civilizations flourished there, leaving behind a rich legacy of ancient art.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Bronze Age Mesopotamian civilizations included the Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian empires, and Sumer. In the Iron Age, Mesopotamia was ruled by the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian empires. The indigenous Sumerians and Akkadians (including Assyrians & Babylonians) dominated Mesopotamia from the beginning of written history (c. 3100 BC) to the fall of Babylon in 539 BC, when it was conquered by the Achaemenid Empire. It fell to Alexander the Great in 332 BC and after his death, it became part of the Greek Seleucid Empire.

Around 150 BC, Mesopotamia was under the control of the Parthians. Mesopotamia became a battleground between the Romans and Parthians, with parts of Mesopotamia (particularly Assyria) coming under periodic Roman control. In 226 AD, it fell to the Sassanid Persians and remained under Persian rule until the 7th-century Arab Islamic conquest of the Sassanid Empire. A number of primarily Christian native Mesopotamian states existed between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD, including Adiabene, Oshroene, and Hatra.

==== Assyrian ====
{{main|Art and architecture of Assyria}}
[[File:Cylinder seal and modern impression- scorpion-man, deities, one on winged lion MET DP-13006-001 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Cylinder seal with deities, one of them being on a winged lion; 8th–7th century BC; [[cryptocrystalline]] [[quartz]]; 4.09 cm; [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] (New York City)]]
When Babylon began to decline, it was conquered by [[Assyria]], one of its former colonies. Assyria inherited its arts as well as its empire.

At first, Assyrian [[architect]]s and artists copied Babylonian styles and materials. Later, Assyrians began to shake themselves free of Babylonian influences. The walls of the Assyrian palaces were lined with slabs of stone instead of brick and were colored instead of painted as in [[Chaldea]]. In place of the [[bas relief]], we have [[sculpture|sculpted figures]], the earliest examples being the statues from [[Girsu]].

No remarkable specimens of metallurgic art from early Assyria have been found, but at a later epoch, great excellence was attained in the manufacture of such [[jewellery]] as earrings and bracelets of [[gold]]. They also had skilled works using copper.

Assyrian pottery and [[porcelain]] were graceful. Transparent glass seems to have been first introduced in the reign of [[Sargon II]], like the [[glass]] discovered in the palaces of [[Nineveh]] – derived from [[Egypt]]ian originals. Stone, as well as clay and glass, were employed in the manufacture of vases. Vases of hard stone have been disinterred at Tello, similar to those of the early dynastic period of Egypt.

Ashurbanipal promoted art and culture and had a vast library of cuneiform tablets at Nineveh.

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File:Shalmaneser III (relief detail).jpg|[[Shalmaneser III]], on the ''Throne Dais of Shalmaneser III'' at the [[Iraq Museum]].
File:Ashur god.jpg|A [[Neo-Assyrian]] relief of Ashur as a [[feather robed archer]] holding a bow instead of a ring (9th–8th century BC)
File:The Assyrian king Shalmaneser III receives tribute from Sua, king of Gilzanu, The Black Obelisk..JPG|The [[Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III]]. The king, surrounded by his royal attendants and a high-ranking official, receives a tribute from Sua, king of Gilzanu (north-west Iran), who bows and prostrates before the king. From [[Nimrud]], northern Mesopotamia (Iraq). [[Neo-Assyrian Empire|Neo-Assyrian period]], 825 BC. The British Museum, London.
File:Ashurbanipal in a chariot, wall relief, 7th century BC, from Nineveh, the British Museum.jpg|7th-century BC relief depicting [[Ashurbanipal]] (r. 669–631 BC) and three royal attendants in a [[chariot]]. From the North Palace at [[Nineveh]]
File:A glazed terracotta tile from Nimrud, Iraq, depicting a court scene, currently housed in the British Museum, London.jpg|Glazed terracotta tile from [[Nimrud]], with a court scene; 875–850 BC; fired and glazed clay; height (without base): 30.6&nbsp;cm, height (with base): 38.3&nbsp;cm; British Museum
File:Iraqi Museum.jpg|Lammasu, an [[Assyrian people|Assyrian]] protective deity. Initially depicted as a goddess in Sumerian times, when it was called ''Lamma'', it was later depicted in Assyrian times as a hybrid of a human, bird, and either a bull or lion—specifically having a human head, the body of a bull or a lion, and bird wings, under the name ''Lamassu.'' [[Iraq Museum]]
File:Genie benisseur (3565923284).jpg|Relief with a [[winged genie]] with [[bucket and cone]]; 713–706 BC; height: 3.3 m; Louvre
File:Lion-shaped weight-Sb 2718-P5280901-gradient (cropped).jpg|[[Assyrian lion weights|Lion weight]]; 6th–4th century BC; bronze; height: 29.5&nbsp;cm; [[Louvre]]
File:Ancient Egyptian, Assyrian, and Persian costumes and decorations (1920) (14741970056).jpg|Assyrian ornaments and patterns, illustrated in a book from 1920
File:Halle in einem assyrischen Palast.jpg|Illustration of a hall in the [[Assyria]]n Palace of Ashurnasrirpal II by [[Austen Henry Layard]] (1854) 
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==== Babylonian ====
The conquest of [[Sumer]] and [[Akkadian Empire|Akkad]] by [[Babylon]] marks a turning point in the artistic and political history of the region.

The Babylonians took advantage of the abundance of [[clay]] in [[Mesopotamia]] to create [[brick]]s. The use of brick led to the early development of the [[pilaster]] and [[column]], as well as of [[fresco]]es and enameled tiles. The walls were brilliantly colored, and sometimes plated with [[bronze]] or [[gold]] as well as with tiles. Painted [[terra-cotta]] cones were also embedded in the plaster.

The Babylonians often worked with [[metal]]. They created functional tools with [[copper]]. It is possible that Babylonia was the original home of copperworking, which then spread westward. In addition, the want of stone in Babylonia made every pebble precious and led to a high perfection of the art of [[engraved gem|gem]]-cutting. The arts of Babylon also included [[tapestries]], and Babylonian civilization was famous for its tapestries and rugs.

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File:Detail, Nebuchadnezzar II's Building Inscription plaque of the Ishtar Gate, from Babylon, Iraq. 6th century BCE. Pergamon Museum.jpg|Detail of [[Nebuchadnezzar II]]'s Building Inscription plaque of the [[Ishtar Gate]], from [[Babylon]], [[Iraq]]. 6th century BC. Pergamon Museum
File:Head of a female MET DP-12499-003.jpg|Female head; circa 2000–1600 BC; ceramic; 18 x 12.7&nbsp;cm; [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] (New York City)
File:Plaque with a nude female between two bearded males wearing kilts MET CT 33791.jpg|Plaque with a nude female between two bearded males wearing kilts; circa 2000–1600 BC; bronze; 9.7 x 9.7&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Cylinder seal,ca. 18th–17th century B.C. Babylonian.jpg|Cylinder seal with an impression; circa 18th–17th century BC; [[hematite]]; 2.39&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Head MET ME1979 398.jpg|Male head; circa late 8th–early 7th century; ceramic; 12.5&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Pergamonmuseum Ishtartor 07.jpg|Facade of the Throne Room. [[Babylon]], coloured, glazed bricks. 604–562 BC. The Throne-Room was situated in the third courtyard complex of the royal palace. 
File:Ancient Remains in Babylon.jpg|Remains of brick structures in [[Babylon]]
File:History of babylon.jpg|Contemporary artwork depicting [[Babylon]] at the height of its stature.
File:Pergamonmuseum Ishtartor 05.jpg|The [[Ishtar Gate]] was the eighth gate to the inner city of [[Babylon]]. It was constructed circa 575 BC by order of King [[Nebuchadnezzar II]] on the north side of the city.
File:F0182 Louvre Code Hammourabi Bas-relief Sb8 rwk.jpg|Hammurabi (left), depicted as receiving his royal insignia from [[Shamash]] (or possibly [[Marduk]]). Hammurabi holds his hands over his mouth as a sign of prayer (relief on the upper part of the stele of [[Code of Hammurabi|Hammurabi's code of laws]]).
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==== Sumerian ====

Archaeological evidence attests to their existence during the [[5th millennium BC]]. The Sumerians decorated their [[pottery]] with [[cedar oil]] [[paint]]s. The Sumerians also developed [[jewelry]].

A notable example of surviving Sumerian art is the ''[[Standard of Ur]],'' dated to approximately 2500 BC. The Standard is a wooden box inlaid with shells and [[lapis lazuli]] depicting [[soldiers]] presenting their [[monarch|king]] with prisoners on one side and [[peasant]]s presenting him with gifts on the other.
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File:Cuneiform tablet- administrative account of barley distribution with cylinder seal impression of a male figure, hunting dogs, and boars MET DT847.jpg|[[Cuneiform]] tablet; 3100–2900 BC; clay; 5.5 x 6 x 4.15&nbsp;cm; [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] (New York City)
File:Standing male worshiper MET DT850.jpg|Standing male worshiper, one of the twelve statues in the [[Tell Asmar Hoard]]; 2900–2600 BC; gypsum alabaster, shell, black limestone and bitumen; 29.5 x 12.9 x 10&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Headdress MET DP226592 (cropped).jpg|Headdress; 2600–2500 BC; gold (the leaves), [[lapis lazuli]] (the blue beads) and [[carnelian]] (the orange beads); length: 38.5&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Raminathicket2.jpg|''[[Ram in a Thicket]]''; 2600–2400 BC; gold, copper, shell, lapis lazuli and limestone; height: 45.7&nbsp;cm; from the [[Royal Cemetery at Ur]] ([[Dhi Qar Governorate]], Iraq); [[British Museum]] (London)
File:Denis Bourez - British Museum, London (8747049029) (2).jpg|''[[Standard of Ur]]''; 2600–2400 BC; shell, red limestone and lapis lazuli on wood; length: 49.5&nbsp;cm; from the Royal Cemetery at Ur; British Museum
File:Bull's head ornament for a lyre MET DP260070.jpg|Bull's head ornament from a lyre; 2600–2350 BC; bronze inlaid with shell and [[lapis lazuli]]; height: 13.3&nbsp;cm, width: 10.5&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Meskalamdug helmet British Museum electrotype copy original is in the Iraq Museum, Bagdad.jpg|Golden helmet of [[Meskalamdug]], possible founder of the [[First Dynasty of Ur]], 26th century BC.
File:Votive figure MET DP147188.jpg|Votive figure; 2600–2350 BC; stone; height: 41.3&nbsp;cm, width: 14.5&nbsp;cm, depth: 13.5&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Vase with overlapping pattern and three bands of palm trees MET DT855.jpg|Vase with overlapping pattern and three bands of palm trees; mid- to late 3rd millennium BC; chlorite; height: 23.5&nbsp;cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art
File:Ebih-Il Louvre AO17551 n01.jpg|The ''[[Statue of Ebih-Il]]''; {{circa|2400 BC}}; gypsum, schist, shells and lapis lazuli; height: 52.5&nbsp;cm, width: 20.6&nbsp;cm; discovered by [[André Parrot]] at the Temple of Ishtar ([[Mari, Syria|Mari]], Syria); [[Louvre]]
File:Bas-relief of Ninsun-AO 2761-IMG 7786-gradient.jpg|Fragment of a bas-relief with goddess [[Ninsun]]; 2255–2040 BC; steatite; height: 14&nbsp;cm; Louvre
File:Portrait statuette of Gudea, priest-king of the Neo-Sumerian city-state of Lagash 01 (cropped).jpg|[[Statues of Gudea|Statue of Gudea]] O; circa 2100 BC; [[steatite]]; height: 0.63&nbsp;m; [[Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek]] ([[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]])
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