4.

605x: A GLOBAL HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

LECTURE 6 HANDOUT

CITIES AND TEMPLES CA. 2500 BCE

ABSTRACT
This lecture discusses the emergence of the first cities in Mesopotamia and contextualizes this event in
the context of an extreme landscape of marshes that needed to be managed and controlled in order for it
to be productive. It required new and more powerful deities leading to the novel building type known as
the ziggurat. The lecture also discusses Mari as one of the first great entrept cities in the world, designed
exclusively around trade.

KEY PEOPLES AND DEITIES

Ezina/Ashnan (Demeter) Grain goddess

Nanna and Ningal
Sumerians

KEY CONCEPTS

Sumer (ca. 4,000 2,300 BCE)

The Akkadian Empire (ca. 2,000 - 2300 BCE)
Indus Valley Civilization
Temple Institution
Foundation Peg
Statue of Gudea
Temple Drums
Copper Age (beginning around 5,000 BCE)
Interaction Zone

KEY PLACES

Eridu (Village: 5000 BCE city c. 2900 BC)

Ur (city: 2500 BCE important city 2000 BCE)
Mehrgarh (7000 BCE to c. 2500 BCE)
Mari Palace: (2900 BCE 1759 BCE)
Harappa (ca. 2600-1900 BCE)
BMAC (The BactriaMargiana Archaeological Complex)
Gonur (2500 1500 BCE)

Prepared by Caroline Alexander

1/1/2015 18:53 a1/p1