A piece of art can leave distinct impressions with the viewer. The Assyrian Winged Protective Deity provides a plethora of stimulants for the eye. The relief emulates brute strength and power through the overall stature of the figure. The cuneiform writing above the relief greatly influenced the impression a viewer can receive through its narration about the figure. Other than Gilgamesh and the Assyrian Winged Protective Deity both being from Mesopotamia, they have numerous similarities.
The Assyrian Winged Protective Deity is a very imposing figure. It measures around seven and a half feet tall (Relief of a Winged Genius). This shows the figure's importance, even if the viewer did not know it protected the king from harm. Originally, it was placed next to the throne, which also makes it an important image. The muscles are extremely striking on the figure's arms and legs. The Assyrian Winged Protective Deity is shown in the composite view, so the viewer can see all of the important parts of the figure. The figure appears to be a man, but it has distinct wings coming out of its back. This could show its divinity, or the gods have an influence over this creature.
The Assyrian Winged Protective Deity is a low relief sculpture, so it does not stand out as much against the stone it was carved out off, but the viewer can easily distinguish the outline of the figure portrayed. One foot of the figure is stepping forward, which could symbolize a continuation with life even after death to protect the king. The stance of this figure greatly resembles Egyptian reliefs, since they would often have their statues have one foot forward. They did this because it symbolized eternity through the afterlife, which the ka of the person needed. The ka ...
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... Gilgamesh and the king from the relief both emulate brute strength and prowess in battle. For Gilgamesh, prowess was demonstrated when he combated beings like the demon Huwawa and the Bull of Heaven, while the cuneiform writing of the Assyrian Winged Protective Deity displays his reign over many people.
A viewer can easily revel in the sensations given by the Assyrian Winged Protective Deity. The relief shows divinity through its wings, and power through its clearly defined muscles. The cuneiform writing showcases the achievements of the king, which is emulated on the relief. Gilgamesh and the Assyrian Winged Protective Deity have abundant similarities, regardless of their different cultures.
Works Cited
“Relief of a Winged Genius.” Museum of Fine Arts Boston. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/relief-of-a-winged-genius-198765.
N.K. Sanders, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is one of the most well-known stories in literature. The story beings with Gilgamesh, one-third human and two-thirds God. He ruled the greatest city with strong walls in Urnk to save his people from dangerous attacks. He is described as the most beautiful, strong, and wise ruler of Mesopotamia. He then goes on a quest with Enkidu. When they arrive at Ceder Forest Enkidu dreams that killing the Bull of Heaven had some consequences. Either Enkidu or Gilgamesh must die. Enkidu was chosen and suffered a severe illness. Enkidu did not make it, he was deeply sadden and decide to continue his quest to find immortality. He showed fear towards death because of his friend and now risking everything in hopes that Utnapishtim
Immortality, monstrosity, infamy, catastrophe, might, and courage are all aspects of the epic legends of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Though they subsisted in two utterly different historical eras, these epic heroes have numerous similarities and differences. For example, while they were booth deemed epic heroes, their mortalities were not equal. Beowulf had superhuman qualities such as having the strength of thirty men, but was born a mortal man. On the contrary, Gilgamesh was a demigod as he was born two-thirds god and one-third human by Ninsun, the goddess of dreams and cows. This is only one of the various instances of similarities and differences of these two epic idols.
There are three main characteristics that make The Epic of Gilgamesh an epic. The first be...
Odysseus and Gilgamesh are described in the two tales from different periods of time. Both characters are heroic representations of two ordinary men who are searching for the meaning of life. The two literary works portray them as men with certain special strengths even though they both make mistakes and experience the hardships of life. One is said to have metal strength while the other one has physical strength and this special trait helps them to find their own meaning of life through the trials and tribulations that they experience differently. This essay makes a comparison of these two tales using them as mirrors for each other.
Another work of art that is important to the history of Ancient Mesopotamia is the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh was found inscribed upon 12 incomplete Akkadian-language stone tablets found in the mid-19th century by the Turkish Assyriologist Hormuzd Rassam (Britannica, n.d.). In addition to those tablets parts of ...
The soldiers appear to be very disciplined, organized, upright, and proud, they never break their ranks and are marching in a continuous straight line. The soldiers are meant to symbolize behaviour and attitudes of the Akkadian people. To the right of and beneath Naram-Sin are the Lullubi people who give the impression of being trampled on by Naram-Sin, fallen and wounded. They represent people that are in a state of chaos, the Akkadians are under Naram-Sin’s feet, begging as they flee and being thrown off the mountain headlong. The relief carving is dominated by Naram-Sin who is the sole figure carved in the top of the stele. In the carving, Naram-Sin portrays godlike divinity and this is understood through many accoutrements of the carving, one of which being his size. Naram-Sin is the largest figure on the stele, towering over the others; this denotes his dominance as a deific ruler. He wears a horned helmet signifying divinity--- the first time a king appears as a god in Mesopotamian art. He ascends towards the heavens above him which are represented by what are understood to be three stars (which are partly damaged) these symbolize the gods shining down on him. The inclusion of these deities suggests that the gods have sanctioned Naram-Sin’s military triumph,
part of the story. Gilgamesh appears very impressive because of his great size and stately
The ancient Mesopotamian writing, The Epic of Gilgamesh, gives readers insight into the traditions and customs of the people who wrote it. Like all epics, The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story of a heroic national figure: this epic gives the story of the life of Gilgamesh from his birth as two-thirds god, one-third man to his death. Throughout the epic the importance of loyalty is addressed. In The Epic of Gilgamesh readers see that loyalty is the most important aspect of a Mesopotamian relationship and that there are always consequences for violating trust.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to the Bible, especially in Genesis and it’s not just that the both begin with the letter “g”’! One major similarity being the flood story that is told in both works. The two stories are very similar but also very different. Another being the use of serpents in both works and how they represent the same thing. A third similarity being the power of God or gods and the influence they have on the people of the stories. Within these similarities there are also differences that need to be pointed out as well.
Ancient world literature and early civilization stories are mostly centered on human’s relationship with higher beings. Ancient civilizations were extremely religious, holding the belief that their very lives were in the hands of their almighty god or goddess. This holds true for both the people of biblical times as well as those of the epic era. However, their stories have some differences according to cultural variation but the main structure, ideas, and themes are generally found correlative. It is hard to believe that one work did not affect the others. The first great heroic epic poem of Gilgamesh and the Old Testament are parts of two cultures that are hundreds of years apart. Whereas Gilgamesh is a myth and the book of Genesis is the basis of many religions, they both have notably similar accounts of symbols, motifs, meaningful events according to the relationship between the divine and humans in literature.
The Nike of Samothrace captures the essence of the goddess in a dramatic pose. Her body leans forward as her robust wings heave upwards, creating a magnificent balance and sense of motion. Recovered in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods by a French explorer in 1863, the statue stands 8 feet tall. The deep lines and contrasting textures of the feathers, fabric, and skin allude to the elegance of past Greek style. Of all similar remains from ancient Greek art, this famous Hellenistic sculpture best reflects the sense of pride, honor, and victory associated with the goddess.
The shield that rests by Athena is highly decorated and given its immense size, the work that went into this project is unimaginable. The inside part shows the gods against the giants, depicted the giants storming Mount Olympus. The amazons are sculpted on the outside of the shield. Even Athena’s sandals have figurative sculpture, this time of Lapiths and Centaurs fighting. Along the base of the statue, golden images of Pandora and witnesses to her birth contrast strongly against a white background.
Throughout time, people of all cultures have told stories of heroes and kings. The most ancient story we have on record is the tale of King Gilgamesh. This story is an account of the King's journeys and accomplishments. Although it was written over four thousand years ago, many comparisons can be made between the society in which the story was written and our own modern society. In this essay, differences and similarities between the two societies will be examined.
The “Sacred Tree,” (fig. 1) was originally positioned behind the king’s throne. The scene shows two genii, sometimes with birds’ heads and sometimes with men’s heads and the horned hats of gods. Each of the winged figures holds a bucket and reaches out with an oval object toward a stylized “tree.” The composition has been read as being based on bilateral symmetry, with the vertical stalk-like structure crowned by a palmette. A meticulous examination reveals that although balanced, it has many discrepancies on both sides that deviate from perfect mirror symmetry. Ashurnasirpal appears twice, shown from two sides, dressed in ceremonial robes and holding a mace connoting his authority. The figure of the king on the right makes an invocative gesture a god in a winged disk in the top center of the relief. Ashur, the national god or Shamash, the god of the sun and justice, may be identified as the god who confers the king divine right. On the left, the king holds a ring, an ancient Mesopotamian symbol of divine kingship, in one...
One common use of the eagle as a symbol is to represent gods or divine figures. Seen in Mesopotamian religion and art, the eagle represents an animal with the ability to carry one to heaven and meet with the gods1. A cylinder seal (Fig.1) shows this by depicting the story of a king, Etana, who rides an eagle to the land of the gods to obtain the Plant of Birth. The Mesopotamians also regarded the eagle of a bird of storms. The Greeks and Romans also use the eagle to represent divine figures. To the Greeks and Romans the eagle represented Zeus or Jupiter while also acting his armor bearer2. The Roman copy of a Greek statue called ZEUS, shows Zeus seated next to an eagle thus showing the bird connection to the king of the gods. (Fig. 2) Also like the Mesopotamians, the Romans believed that eagles could fly to heaven. However, the Romans thought that eagles would carry the souls of the dead emporers3. A scene which is depicted on the arch of Titus (Fig. 3) which, included a carving of Titus riding an eagle representing the travel of Titus’ soul to heaven. In addition, during the Middle Ages in Judeo-Christian art the eagle represents St. John as shown in The Book of Kells. (Fig. 4)