Introduction to

Ancient
Mediterranean
Art
This unit covers:
01 Art from the Ancient Near East
(Sumerian/Babylonian/Assyrian)

02 Egyptian Art

03 Greek Art

04 Etruscan Art

05 Roman Art
 Key Historical Timelines for this unit:
Having a concise historical timeline for the Ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Etruscans
from 3500 BCE to 300 CE will provide you with a clearer perspective of the concurrent developments in
these distinct but sometimes interacting regions.
Ancient Near East (3500 BCE–539 BCE) Egypt (3500 BCE–30 BCE)
3500–2334 BCE: Early Dynastic Period in Sumer. 3100 BCE: Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt
under the first Pharaoh.
Development of cuneiform writing.
2686–2181 BCE: Old Kingdom. Age of the
2334–2154 BCE: Akkadian Empire, first ancient
Pyramids.
empire of Mesopotamia. 2055–1650 BCE: Middle Kingdom. Reunification
2112–2004 BCE: Third Dynasty of Ur. Sumerian and stability.
renaissance. 1550–1070 BCE: New Kingdom. Expansion and
power; reigns of pharaohs like Ramses II.
2000–539 BCE: Successive powers like the
332 BCE: Alexander the Great of Macedonia
Babylonian and Assyrian empires dominate,
conquers Egypt.
culminating in the Neo-Babylonian Empire. 30 BCE: Conquest by Rome; end of the Ptolemaic
539 BCE: Fall of Babylon to the Persians. rule after Cleopatra VII.
 Key Historical Timelines for this unit:
Rome (753 BCE–300 CE)
Greece (2000 BCE–146 BCE) 753 BCE: Legendary founding of Rome.
2000–1400 BCE: Minoan civilization on Crete, 509 BCE: Establishment of the Roman Republic.
known for the palace at Knossos. 27 BCE: Beginning of the Roman Empire with
1600–1100 BCE: Mycenaean civilization, linked to Augustus Caesar.
Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. 1st and 2nd Centuries CE: Pax Romana, the peak
800–500 BCE: Archaic Period. Development of of Roman economic and territorial power.
city-states (polis) like Athens and Sparta. 3rd Century CE: Period of military anarchy and
500–323 BCE: Classical Period. Flourishing of crises.
arts, philosophy, and democracy. Etruscans (900 BCE–27 BCE)
336–146 BCE: Hellenistic Period. Spread of Greek 900–500 BCE: Growth of Etruscan cities in
culture following the conquests of Alexander the northern and central Italy.
Great. 509 BCE: Traditional date for the overthrow of
146 BCE: Greece is absorbed into the Roman the Etruscan kings in Rome.
Republic. 3rd Century BCE: Beginning of Roman dominance
over Etruscan territories.
27 BCE: Final absorption of the Etruscan
heartland into the Roman Empire.
Pantheon Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon
 Throughout history, art has played a significant role in expressing political and
religious ideologies, serving as a powerful medium to convey beliefs, values, and
messages. In the Ancient Mediterranean and Ancient Near East, art served as a
reflection of the society's cultural, political, and religious identity. Whether through
monumental architecture, intricate sculptures, vibrant paintings, or detailed reliefs,
artists of these ancient civilizations were able to capture the essence of their beliefs
and ideologies.

In the Ancient Mediterranean, civilizations such as Ancient Greece and Rome used
art to depict their gods and goddesses, mythological stories, and important
historical events. These artworks not only served as a form of entertainment but
also as a way to communicate religious beliefs and political power. The intricate
details and symbolism in these artworks provided viewers with a deeper
understanding of the values and ideologies of these ancient societies.
Similarly, in the Ancient Near East, civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt used art
to showcase their religious beliefs, glorify their rulers, and commemorate important
events. From colossal statues of pharaohs to elaborate temple carvings depicting
gods and rituals, art in the Ancient Near East was a tool for expressing and
reinforcing religious and political ideologies.

Overall, the art of the Ancient Mediterranean and Ancient Near East serves as a
window into the past, allowing us to understand the complex interplay between art,
politics, and religion in these ancient civilizations. By studying and analyzing these
artworks, we can gain valuable insights into the significance of art in expressing
political and religious ideologies in the ancient world.
 Statues of votive figures, from
Lamassu from the Citadel 1. King Menkaura and
the Square Temple at Eshnunna
of Sargon II - Assyrian queen - Egyptian
- Sumerian/Babylonian
 Distinctive art characteristics and styles
Art from the Ancient Near East (Sumerian/Babylonian/Assyrian)

Sumerian Art (circa 3500-2334 BCE)

Development of cuneiform writing which appears in many art forms.
Notable for cylindrical seals used for rolling an impression onto clay.
Ziggurats, large stepped platforms with a temple on top, typify religious architecture.
Akkadian Art (circa 2334-2154 BCE)
More naturalistic sculptures and relief carvings than earlier Sumerian work.
Use of bronze casting techniques, exemplified by the statue of King Naram-Sin.
Babylonian Art (circa 1894-539 BCE)
Famous for the Ishtar Gate and the relief decorations of lions, dragons, and bulls.
Use of glazed bricks for vibrant color in their architectural decorations.
Assyrian Art (circa 911-609 BCE)
Dominated by monumental stone reliefs depicting royal hunting scenes and battles.
Palatial decorations often included massive, winged bull statues (lamassu) guarding
entrances.
 Distinctive art characteristics and styles
Egyptian Art Greek Art
Period: circa 3100 BCE – 30 BCE Periods: Archaic (circa 800-480 BCE), Classical
Key Features: (circa 480-323 BCE), Hellenistic (323-31 BCE)
Art was highly symbolic and used for religious or Key Features:
funerary contexts. Development from rigid, stylized forms (kouroi
Consistent use of hierarchical proportions where and korai statues) to more naturalistic and
the size of figures indicates their importance. idealized figures during the Classical period.
Figures are typically shown in an idealized Emphasis on humanism, proportion, balance,
manner with pharaohs often depicted as god- and symmetry.
like. Innovations in architectural orders (Doric,
Extensive use of both relief carving and Ionic, Corinthian).
freestanding sculpture. Extensive use of bronze and marble for
Prominent use of hieroglyphs, which are both an sculpture.
art form and a writing system. Pottery styles such as black-figure and red-
Temples and tombs are significant architectural figure techniques provide insight into daily life
achievements, e.g., the pyramids at Giza and the and mythology.
temple complexes at Luxor and Karnak.
 Distinctive art characteristics and styles
Roman Art Etruscan Art
Period span: circa 509 BCE – 476 CE Period span: circa 900-27 BCE
Key Features: Key Features:
Heavily influenced by Greek art, especially Etruscan art is less known than that of the
after the Roman conquest of Greece. Romans and Greeks, but they were excellent
Development of architectural forms such as metalworkers, particularly in bronze.
the arch, vault, and dome (e.g., the Pantheon). Produced vibrant wall paintings, often in
Extensive use of concrete as a building tombs, which depicted lively scenes from daily
material. life and the afterlife, reflecting both native and
Mastery of relief sculpture and portraiture; foreign influences.
portraits often emphasized veristic qualities Use of terracotta in sculpture, especially in
reflecting the age and character of the architectural sculptures like those found on
subject. temples.
Innovations in urban planning and the Jewelry and other decorative objects display
construction of functional infrastructure intricate craftsmanship and detailed work.
including roads, aqueducts, and public baths.