week 4 Flashcards
(12 cards)
Book of the Dead
c. 1300 BCE
Thebes, painted papyrus
Spellbook - guide to getting to the afterlife. Path to the afterlife. How to deal with obstacles on that path.
14ft long scroll
Religious text
Anubis weighs the heart against Maat’s feather (goddess of truth). If heart is good, weighs less than feather, proceeds to afterlife. If not, lion/croc/hippo composite creature eats it
Akhenaten, Colossal Statue of
c. 1350 BCE
Thebes, limestone
Change in artistic conventions
Went with monotheistic religion - Akhen the god of the sun when there is no pantheon of gods.
More naturalized. Belly is shown. More defined/distinct face. Thinner face especially compared with false beard. Curvacious figure, believed he looked like this
Akhenaten and His Family
c. 1350 BCE
Temple to Aten, Thebes, limestone
At top, Akhen shown as sun disk. Sun rays shown kissing face of pharaoh and family
Pharoah and queen shown almost as equals
Sunken relief - carve into the surface. content carved into walls
Bust of Nefertiti
c. 1350 BCE
Painted limestone
Model/study piece an artist would use to make other artworks
Idealized a little bit
Could be a fake
Inner coffin of Tutankhamen’s Sarcophagus
c. 1330 BCE
Thebes, Gold and semiprecious stones
Died at age 19 from an accident. Wasn’t around too long and didn’t do anything significant
240lbs of gold for outer sarcophagus. Vulture represents royalty. Amun-Re returns, replacing monotheism
Temple of Ramses II
c. 1250 BCE
Abu Simbel, Sandstone
Pharoah born as commoner. Became an administrative advisor and later a pharaoh. Insecure about his legitimacy in eyes of the people.
Cutout pylon
Statues follow traditional pharaoh style. 60’ tall. Each leg has a statue of his queen.
Smaller temple nearby dedicated to his favorite wife.
Seated Harp Player
ca. 2700-2500 BCE
Cyclades, marble
Frequently found in tombs but sometimes found other places
Men always shown in seated position playing an instrument. Women always shown in crouched position
Subtle indications of body part. Reduced faces
Knossos Palace Complex
2000-1375 BCE (Old Palace Period to Mycenaean Occupation)
Crete
Discovered by Sir Arthur Evans. Rebuilt based on Evans belief. May not be accurate.
One of several sites on the island. Occupied for 1000 years
Open on almost all sides. No strong fortifications
Zones for different purposes. Central Courtyard for social activities. 1/3-1/4 of site used for storage.
Woman or Goddess with Snakes
ca. 1700-1550 BCE
Knossos, Crete, faience
Possible religious figure
Small figurine. 6-8”
Found in variety of places
Exposed breast. Explicity exposed. Probably to represent nurturing/fertility
Snake in each hands and cat on head. Supernatural ability to control animals
Octopus Flask
ca. 1500-1450 BCE
Crete
Near perfect sphere shape. To show movements of the octopus
Sea-faring people w/ livelihood dependent on sea
Young Girl Gathering Saffron Crocus Flowers
ca. 1650 BCE
Thera, fresco
Wearing flounced skirt similar to goddess, belt, top w/ breast exposed
Shaved head w/ pony tail. Indicates she’s a youth
Picking Saffron flowers. Medicinal purposes for menstral cramps. Transitioning from girlhood to womanhood.
Citadel at Tiryns
ca. 1400-1200
Greece
Citadel/fortress
Magaron/throne room - Includes throne and hearth
Cyclopian masonry - Corboling with very large stones
