A joy of my college education is that I get to take additional classes to my major that have become more and more enjoyable as I approach the end of the undergraduate journey. A seed was planted as I walked through the halls of museums and cathedrals while in Europe during the fall of 2010. I now have within me a growing passion for Art and the deep-rooted history that encompasses all of it. I am currently in an Art History course and have decided to make my Theme Journal in blog form. The blog will save me some typing because you know what they say, "An image is worth 1,000 words." The underlying theme that I have chosen to pull out of art from different time periods is deity. Deity in religious context is the ultimate goal and curiosity. Engulf yourself entirely in the artwork and somehow make your personal connection, as will I.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Ancient Near Eastern

Hummurabi and Shamash 
Susa, Iran 
1780 BCE 


The Near Eastern region gave birth to three of the world's greatest modern faiths- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Sumerians and their successors in the ancient Near East worshipped numerous deities, mostly nature Gods. The Mesopotamian God depicted in this Babylonian stele was that of Shamash, the Sun God. Shamash, the Sun God, is depicted with flames radiating from his shoulders. The Sumerian idea that the Gods reside above the world of humans is central to most of the world's religions. This Babylonian stele is unique because it shows a man in the presence of a God.  
Hammurabi was the king of Babylon in the early 18th Century. He was Babylon's most powerful king that reestablished a centralized government and is widely known for his specific law code. The Sumerian rulers were esteemed as the gods' representatives on earth and the stewards of their earthly treasures. 
The Babylonian stele shows the direct relationship between King and God. The Sun God, Shamash, is extending to Hammurabi the symbols of his authority to govern and enact laws. The symbols were a ring and a rod, both derive from builder's tools- measuring rods and coiled rope- the ruler's capacity to build the social order and to measure people's lives, that is, to render judgements and enforce the laws spelled out on the stele. 
The focus on the unique relationship between Deity and Kingship of this time period is fascinating. What I like most about this tablet is the condescension of God down to man- it showing the sacred relationship between the two. I couldn't help but to relate Hummurabi to Moses, both given laws from God to give unto the people. 
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