AP Art History: White Temple and Ziggurat-- #12

 




White Temple and Ziggurat

    This ancient site is in Uruk, modern Warka in Iraq. The first image is a re-imagination of what archeologist suspect the temple looked like originally. Click here for what a ziggurat is!!

Bio of the work: 

Title: White Temple and Ziggurat 
Date: 3500-3000 BCE
Medium: Mud bricks
Location: Uruk, modern Warka, Iraq

Analysis: 

    The Sumerian city state of Uruk was, like Sumer at large, a theocracy, meaning the leader was also a religious figure or god. Because of the large ziggurat, the temple has no direct access and only the king or religious leaders would be allowed on the platform. The White Temple is a prime example of bent access, meaning that the corners are on the cardinal directions. Due to bent-access and the large ziggurat, while a ceremony was taking place, the figures could be seen from the city below circling the temple. Many other ancient temples and ziggurats, especially Mesopotamian ones, were to the sky god, Anu. 


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