ARH 2050 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Mesopotamia, Cylinder Seal, Shamash
Document Summary
Ancient mesopotamia, c. 3500-605 bce: mesopotamia - modern day iraq, meso- between/middle; potamos- river; between rivers, cuneiform writing: web shaped markings, used by various cultures. Limestone cylinder seal and impression depicting the worship of shamash, mus e du louvre, paris. Used to stamp letters, homage to a god or symbols of a city-state. Sumerians: pantheistic, cuneiform writing, white temple and ziggurat (temple platform); symbol of hierarchy, gods, and priests. White temple was a focal point, in the center of the city, not isolated.
