- Warfare for Wealth
- Vedic life in India
- Vedic Age
- Varna system
- Vajji
- Upanishads
- Trade and traders
- The Wise Beggar- Upanishad
- The Value of Paper
- The system of Ashrams
- The study of skeletons
- Gautama Buddha
- The story of Kisagotami
- The Story of Baryga
- The spread of Buddhism
- The Silk Route
- The Second Urbanisation
- The sangha
- The iron pillar
- The beginning of Bhakti
- The “achievements” of Nagabhata
- Six Schools of Indian Philosophy
- Samudragupta the warrior
- Oracle bones
- New Social and Political Groups traces from history
- New kingdoms along the coasts
- New and Old Terminologies used in History
- Monasteries
- Men as RULERS and KINGS
- Literature, art and books
- Legacy and Decline of the Gupta Empire
- Janapadas, Mahajanapadas
- Jainism
- Irrigation and villages during Ashoka
- Iron tools and agriculture in ancient India
- Inamgaon
- Harshavardhana and the Harshacharita
- Graves and Burials
- Early humans in INDIA (Locate)
- Ashoka’s war in Kalinga
- Ashoka’s inscription describing the Kalinga war
- Ashoka’s dhamma?
- Ashoka (a unique ruler)
- Arikamedu
- Archaeological evidences ?
- An Empire, Dynasty, and Kingdom
- Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari
- A poem about trade (class 6 NCERT)
- A description from the Silappadikaram
Mediveal Indian History
- Rise of Sultanate
- Zabt and Zamindars
- Who were the Tribal people?
- Who were the Mughals?
- The Watan Jagirs
- The tradition of Miniatures
- The three orders of Society
- The Rulers of Delhi
- The Reformation and Martin Luther
- The Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century
- The Maratha Kingdom-Shivaji
- The Jats (1680)
- The Idea of Supreme God in Ancient India
- The Gonds- A Closer Look
- The circle of justice: What Minhaj–Siraj thought about Raziyya
- The Ahoms from Brahmaputra Valley
- The “lost wax” technique
- Temple towns and Pilgrimage centres (Thanjavur)
- Taxes on markets, Traders Big and Small
- Religion in India After the 13th Century
- Provincial Kingdoms of Medieval India
- PIRS and temples
- Sultan Muhammad Tughluq
- Officers’ List in Mughal Empire
- Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis - the religious groups
- Mughal Relations with Other Rulers
- Mughal Military Campaigns
- Mughal marriages with the Rajputs
- Mughal Empire [Babur, Humayun] & Sur Dynasty
- Mughal Empire – Babur
- Mughal Emperors, Mughal Traditions of Succession
- Mansabdars and Jagirdars
- Mamluk Dynasty
- List of Officers in Delhi Sultanate
- Later Mughals & Decline of Mughal Empire
- Khilji Dynasty
- Kathak- Heroic tradition
- Jagannatha Cult-Indian Tradition
- Islam and Sufism
- India under the Mughals
- Humayun (1530-1556)
- Heroism and Rajputs
- Gardens, tombs and forts during the Mughals
- From Garrison Town to Empire: The Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate
- FISH as food
- Early Medieval Southern India (Imperial Cholas)
- Early Medieval Northern India
- Chieftains and their fortifications
- Cheras and Malayalam Language
- Bhakti Movement (8th to 18th Century)
- Baba Guru Nanak
- Arab and Turkish Invasions
- Akbar Successors
- Akbar (1556-1605)
- Administration under the Delhi Sultanate
- A Closer Look: The Cholas
- A Closer Look: Administration and Consolidation under the Khaljis and Tughluqs
Modern India History
- What Happened to the Court Artists?
- Freedom is our Birth Right
- Classical dances in India
- Why the Demand for Indian Indigo?
- What Happened to the Local Schools?
- Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
- Tipu Sultan- The Tiger of Mysore
- The sword of Tipu Sultan and Wootz steel
- The Emergence of Nationalism
- Social Customs in the early 19th century
- The Rise of Gandhi in Indian Freedom Struggle
- The Regulating Act of 1773
- The Permanent Settlement of Bengal
- The Lucknow Pact, 1916
- The Government of India Act 1919
- The Charter Act 1853
- Subsidiary Alliance
- Revolutionaries in the Indian Freedom Movement
- Revolt of 1857 – First War of Independence Against British
- Popular Uprisings in the 18th and 19th Centuries -Politico-Religious Movements
- Popular uprisings against the British by deposed Chieftains and Landlords
- Poona Pact
- Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- Peasant Movements in the 19th Century – Rangpur Dhing
- Peasant Movements in the 19th Century – Indigo Rebellion
- Peasant Movements in the 19th Century – Deccan Riots of 1875
- Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan – Early Years, Partition, Arrest and Exile
- Indian National Movement – Extremist Period
- Indian National Congress Sessions
- Indian National Army (INA)/Azad Hind Fauj
- Indian Independence Act 1947
- Indian Councils Act 1892
- Indian Councils Act 1861
- India’s Struggle for Independence – Nana Saheb
- Important Indian Freedom Fighters - Lala Lajpat Rai
- Home Rule Movement
- Government of India Act 1935
- Government of India Act 1858
- Gandhi-Irwin Pact
- Dr. B R Ambedkar
- The Doctrine of Lapse
- Charter Act of 1833
- Charter Act of 1813
- Charter Act of 1793
- Causes of the Rise of the Indian National Movement
- Cabinet Mission
- C R Formula or Rajaji Formula (1944)
- Bhagat Singh – Background, Contributions, Execution
- Battle of Plassey
- Battle of Buxar
- Bardoli Satyagraha
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- August Offer
World History
- Athanaric
- Atahualpa
- Asuka Period
- Astarte
- Aspasia of Miletus
- Artemisia I of Caria
- Artemis
- Artaxiad Dynasty
- Artaxerxes I
- Artashat
- Arslan Tash Amulet
- French Anti Slavery Pamphlet
- Apartheid- Elaborate on the end of the system.
- Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre.
- Great Wall of China and its convict-built protection.
- Ancient Egypt-Concept of life and death
- Nuclear Arms Race-Post World War II
- Witch hunts and the Catholic Church.
- Communities of the Caribbean and Brazil
- Korean Democracy and IMF Crisis
- Korean War
- Establishing Democracy in China: 1949-65
- Rise of the Communist Party of China
- Civil wars of China
- Opium Wars
- The Meiji Restoration
- The Political System of Japan
- Ancient civilization and the use of weapons.
- Spain and Britain-Battle of the sea
- The Nagasaki Events and Hiroshima.
- Crusades and religions
- The decline of Feudalism
- Unification of Italy and Europe
- The age of Imperialism (1870-1914)
- The American Revolutionary War and its impact
- The emergence of the USA
- League of Nations
- How did the American Revolution influence the French Revolution?
- Post-Lenin Russia
- Soviet Union (USSR)
- Rise of Fascism in Italy & Nazism in Germany
- Decolonization Phase After World War II
- Aftermath & Analysis of World War II
- Causes & Course of World War II
- Democratic reforms in the Middle East
- Arab nationalism
- Israel and Palestine
- Cold War: Impact on India
- Integration of Europe post-Cold War
- Rise of global Islamic terrorism
- Rise of China
- Marxian Communism
- Communism (concept, types, example)
- Criticisms of Capitalism
- History of Capitalism
- Capitalism (concept, types, and example)
- The attitude towards women during the early 19th Century
- The agenda for national education
- Reign of Mongols
- The Changing World of Visual arts
- Age of Social Change in Europe
- Urbanism in Mesopotamian Civilization
- The Umayyads
- The Rise of Islam in Arabia
- The Caliphate system
- The Abolition of Slavery in French Colonies
- The Abbasid Revolution
- Socialism in Europe
- Russian Society before the revolution
- Roman Empire
- Women, Caste and Reform
- Prehistory
- Pastoralists in the Plateaus, Plains and Deserts
- Pastoralists in the mountain ranges
- Pastoralism in Africa
- Modernization in Korea
- Modernisation in Japan
- Modernization in China
- Mesopotamia and its Geography
- Industrial revolution in Britain
- Importance of History
- Hunter-Gatherers in Africa
- Humanism
- Genghis Khan
- French society in the 18th century
- French revolution
- France becomes a republic
- Feudalism
- Features of Mesopotamian Civilization
- Evolution of man
- Evolution of human beings
- Effects of colonial rule
- Early humans and their lifestyle
- Early humans and the making of tools
- Cultural changes in Europe
- Chronology BC and CE
- Cave paintings (France)
- Administration in France after the revolution
Civics
- Role of the Government in Health : Healthcare in India
- Urban Livelihoods
- Rural Livelihoods
- Rural Administration
- Panchayati Raj
- Elements of a Democratic Government
- The Government
- Diversity and discrimination
Anthropology
- Reflexivity
- Shamanism
- Ethnography
- Marriage payments : bride wealth and dowry
- Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive)
- Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy, hypogamy, incest taboo)
- Marriage: Definition and universality
- Social stratification
- Ethnocentrism
- Rhodesian man
- Neanderthal Man- La-Chapelle-aux-saints (Classical type), Mt. Carmel (Progressive type).
- Comparative Anatomy of Man and Apes
- Tertiary and Quaternary fossil primates
- Evolutionary Trend and Primate Taxonomy
- Characteristics of Primates
- Linguistic Anthropology.
- Archaeological Anthropology
- Biological Anthropology
- Social-cultural Anthropology
Sociology
- Sociological Network
- Objectivity and Reflexivity in Social Science
- Indian Sociological Thinkers
- Post Modernism, Post Structuralism and Post Colonialism
- Hermeneutic and Interpretative Traditions
- Parenting in LGBT families
- Intergenerational marriage
- Mass media harassment
- Character representation in Kids’ cartoons
- Online dating; the positive and negative effects
- How the social media aided the “black lives matter” campaign
- Eco feminism
- Tribal communities in India
- The idea of Indian village and village studies.
- Modernization of Indian tradition.
- Education and social change.
- Agents of social change.
- Sociological theories of social change.
- Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
- Systems of Kinship
- Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults
- Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
- Labour and society
- Formal and informal organization of work
- Social organization
- Social mobility
- Theories of social stratification
Performing Arts
- Odissi Dance
- Indian Classical Music – Hindustani
- Dhvani Siddhanta’ of Anandavardhanacharya
- Rasa and its constituent elements
- Sri Shankuka
- Bhatta Lollata
- Rasa Sutra of Bharata
- Nayaka–Nayika Bheda
- Natya, nritta and nritya
- Indian Classical Theatre
- Bharata’s Natyashastra
- Shilappadikaram: In terms of content, characters, and relevance to Indian Theatrical Practice
- Mahabharata: In terms of content, characters, and relevance to Indian Theatrical Practice
- Ramayana: In terms of content, characters, and relevance to Indian Theatrical Practice
- Cultural History of India
Biographies
- Benjamin Franklin
- Benazir Bhutto (1953 – 2007) Prime Minister of Pakistan 1993 – 1996
- Oprah Winfrey (1954 – ) American TV presenter, actress, entrepreneur
- Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) German composer
- Lyndon Johnson (1908 – 1973) US President 1963 – 1969
- Rosa Parks (1913 – 2005) American civil rights activist
- Pope Francis (1936 – ) First pope from the Americas
- Queen Victoria ( 1819 – 1901) British monarch 1837 – 1901
- Paul McCartney (1942 – ) British musician, member of Beatles
- Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) British Prime Minister during WWII
- Muhammad Ali (1942 – 2016) American Boxer and civil rights campaigner
- Bill Gates (1955 – ) American businessman, founder of Microsoft
- Donald Trump (1946 – ) Businessman, US President
- John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) US President 1961 – 1963
- Marilyn Monroe (1926 – 1962) American actress, singer, model
- Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) Italian, painter, scientist, polymath
- Walt Disney
- Lata Mangeshkar
- Indira Gandhi
- Jawahar Lal Nehru
- Babur
- Aristotle
- Galileo Galilei
- Enid Blyton
- Christopher Columbus
- Simon Bolivar
- Stephen Hawking
- Sir Isaac Newton
- Alfred Nobel
- Marie Curie
- Alexander Fleming
- Charles Darwin
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- M.K. Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi)
- Socrates
- George Washington
- Benito Mussolini
- Adolf Hitler
- Abraham Lincoln
- Martin Luther King
- William Shakespeare
- Mikhail Gorbachev
- Thomas Jefferson
- Margaret Mead
- Robert K. Merton
- Talcott Parsons
- Emile Durkheim
- Karl Marx
History of Art
- Mycenaean Culture & Art: History & Influence:
- Amarna Period: Definition & Art:
- The Luxor Temple in Egypt: Facts & Overview
- Queen Hatshepsut: Facts, Accomplishments & Death
- Ancient Egyptian Sculptures & Paintings: Innovation & Examples
- Egyptian Pyramids: Definition, Facts & Structure:
- Funerary Beliefs, Practices & Temples in Ancient Egypt:
- The Pharaohs as Patrons of the Arts
- Ancient Egyptian Art & Architecture: History, Politics & Culture:
- Assyrian Art and Architecture
- Art of the Babylonians: Style, Examples & Achievements
- Mesopotamian Art During the Akkadian Dynasty & Neo-Sumerian Period
- Sumerian Art and Architecture
- Human & Animal Forms in the Art of the Ancient Near East:
- Representation of Spiritual Beliefs in the Art of the Ancient Near East
- Artworks of the Ancient Near East: Materials, Forms & Functions
- Use of Naturalism & Stylization in Mesopotamian Art
- Art of the Ancient Near East: Periods & Characteristics:
- Mesopotamia: Culture, Facts & History:
- Art in the Neolithic Era: Innovations, Characteristics & Examples
- Cave Painting: History & Pictures:
- Art in the Upper Paleolithic Era: Examples & Style
- What Is a Medium in Art: Definition & Terms
- What is Western Civilization? - Definition & Overview
- Why do Humans Make Art? - History & Value
- What is Art History? - Definition & Overview
Introduction
The art of ancient Mesopotamia is renowned for its rich and varied forms, depicting not only the gods and goddesses of the time but also the people and animals that populated the land. The art of the ancient Near East, specifically Mesopotamia, often depicted humans and animals in various forms and styles. These depictions can provide insight into the bepefs, values, and daily pves of the people who created them.
Fivelegged Assyrian mesopotamian centauroid
Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Mesopotamia was a civipzation located in the eastern Mediterranean and was home to some of the world s earpest known cities.
Mesopotamia was home to several prominent ancient cultures including Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylonia.
The art of ancient Mesopotamia was highly advanced and spanerse, including sculptures, repefs, and cypnder seals.
Sculptures were created in various materials such as stone, metal, and clay, depicting various gods, goddesses, and other figures.
Repefs were carvings in stone or other materials, often depicting scenes of everyday pfe, repgious rituals, and battles.
Cypnder seals were small, cypndrical objects with intricate designs and were used as signatures, or to mark ownership of property.
The art of ancient Mesopotamia also included intricate mosaics, metalwork, and jewellery, all of which reflect the skill and creativity of the ancient Mesopotamian artisans.
The art of ancient Mesopotamia was not only used for decorative purposes; it also had a repgious, poptical, and social significance.
Humans and Animals in Art
Humans and animals were often depicted together in Mesopotamian art, such as in scenes of hunting, farming, and everyday pfe, reflecting the close relationship between humans and animals in ancient Mesopotamian society.
Animals such as pons, bulls, and other wild beasts were frequently depicted in their natural environments, highpghting the importance of hunting and the role of wild animals in ancient Mesopotamian culture.
Many Mesopotamian gods and goddesses were also depicted with animal attributes, such as the god Pazuzu with the head of a pon and wings of an eagle, showcasing the bepef that gods and goddesses possessed both human and animal characteristics.
The representation of animals in art also had a repgious significance, depicting them as powerful and sacred creatures, with some animals being associated with specific gods and goddesses.
The depiction of animals in art also reflects the importance of the animal in the daily pfe of the Mesopotamian people, such as the bull being a symbol of strength and power, and the pon being associated with royalty and spaninity.
The art of ancient Mesopotamia also depicted humans and animals in a variety of styles and techniques, from detailed and reapstic to stypzed and abstract, showcasing the skill and creativity of the ancient Mesopotamian artists.
Anthropomorphism in Art
Anthropomorphism in ancient Mesopotamian art is the attribution of human characteristics and emotions to non-human entities, such as animals and gods.
This concept is often seen in the depiction of gods and goddesses in human form with animal features, such as the god Pazuzu with the head of a pon and wings of an eagle. This is used to convey the idea that gods and goddesses possess both human and animal characteristics, making them more relatable and understandable for the viewer.
Anthropomorphic animals and monsters were also common in Mesopotamian art, such as the lamassu, a winged bull with a human head, which were used to convey the power and strength of the gods and other supernatural beings.
The use of anthropomorphism in art also reflects the bepef in the continuity between humans and animals, gods and nature.
The anthropomorphic figures were also used to convey a message, such as a warning or a protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the art of ancient Mesopotamia provides a fascinating gpmpse into the bepefs, values, and daily pves of the people who created it. The representation of humans and animals in the art, as well as the use of anthropomorphism, give us a unique understanding of the culture and society of the time.
The depiction of gods and goddesses in human form with animal features and the use of anthropomorphic animals and monsters, highpght the bepef in the power and strength of the supernatural beings. The art of ancient Mesopotamia serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Near East and the enduring legacy of its people. It is a testament to the enduring power of art to convey the bepefs and values of a culture, even across the centuries.
FAQs
Q1. What is the significance of cypnder seals in ancient Mesopotamian art?
Ans. Cypnder seals were small, cypndrical objects with intricate designs that were used as signatures or to mark ownership of property. They were used by the epte and officials to mark ownership of property and to serve as a form of identification.
Q2. What are some common forms of anthropomorphism in Mesopotamian art?
Ans. Common forms of anthropomorphism in Mesopotamian art include the depiction of gods and goddesses in human form with animal features, such as the god Pazuzu with the head of a pon and the wings of an eagle. Additionally, anthropomorphic animals and monsters, such as the lamassu, which is a winged bull with a human head, were also common in Mesopotamian art. These forms of anthropomorphism were used to convey the power and strength of the gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings.
Q3. What other forms of art were common in ancient Mesopotamia?
Ans. Other forms of art that were common in ancient Mesopotamia included sculptures, repefs, and cypnder seals. Sculptures were created in various materials such as stone, metal, and clay and depicted various gods, goddesses, and other figures. Repefs were carvings in stone or other materials, often depicting scenes of everyday pfe, repgious rituals, and battles.