SANBAN
SANBAN is an acronym for Sumerian, Akkadian, Neosumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Neobabylonian. All of these are ancient civilizations that lived in Ancient Mesopotamia, or modern day Iraq. All of these differing civilizations had different art styles and forms, as well as different ways of representing power or expressing themselves through their art. The theme is centralized on remembering all the differing civilizations at this time, starting at the beginning of the theme, the Sumerians, and ending with the Babylonians, with Persians ending the Ancient East period.
Historical Context
The civilizations that lived in Mesopotamia were very civilized compared to most civilizations that came after them. They often had advanced mathematics for their time, they had astronomers who could predict eclipses and solstices. Mesopotamian astronomers even worked out a 12-month calender based on the cycles of the moon. Mesopotamian people wre some of the first bronze age people in the world. They developed from copper, bronze, gold on to iron. Palaces build by these people were decorated with hundreds of kilograms of these very expensive metals. Also these metals were used in spears, swords, daggers, and maces. Emphases on art at the time was on forms of sculpture in stone and clay, often painted.
Also Mesopotamian people were the first to construct truly gigantic works of architecture. These works of architecture are called ziggurats. They are large temples often with a staircase leading all the way to the top, with a large shine near the middle-top of the ziggurat where priests would perform religious ceremonies.
Mesopotamia had the ability to support large amounts of people living in large civilizations of cities and city states. This was one of the main reasons why is was so successful so early in its life. That is why Mesopotamia has often been called the cradle of civilization, able to support newly formed civilizations, and the reason why it could support large ones, such as one of the largest civilizations ever, the Persian civilization.
Also Mesopotamian people were the first to construct truly gigantic works of architecture. These works of architecture are called ziggurats. They are large temples often with a staircase leading all the way to the top, with a large shine near the middle-top of the ziggurat where priests would perform religious ceremonies.
Mesopotamia had the ability to support large amounts of people living in large civilizations of cities and city states. This was one of the main reasons why is was so successful so early in its life. That is why Mesopotamia has often been called the cradle of civilization, able to support newly formed civilizations, and the reason why it could support large ones, such as one of the largest civilizations ever, the Persian civilization.