Babylonian

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Introduction:
Babylon is an old and ancient city, built in 1792 BC by the Babylonian rulers who ruled the First
Dynasty of Babylon during the period when Babylon ruled Mesopotamia. 1750 BC comes from
Babylon, which means the land of wool or the gate of God mentioned by other sources, after
which in a short time the city became the capital of Mesopotamia with luxurious and a highly
developed civilization never experienced in history.

The Babylonian dynasty, currently known as the Amorites or Amorites, consisted of 11 kings
whose reign spanned three centuries from 1894 BC to 300 BC. and 1594 BC extension. In her
time, Babylon and the entire land reached the pinnacle of giving, prosperity, and stability. On an
unprecedented scale during these three centuries, the Babylonian language spread and became
the official language of the region in and around the region, the rule of the country turned to
centralization, during the famous reign of Hammurabi and the passage of modern laws and
Statutes imposed on this land and its environs and on everything after the first Babylonians, a
vast number of laws and regulations, 252 laws in total, are engraved on a stone tablet with an
engraving of King Hammurabi, who It was accepted that these laws came from a sun god named
Shamash, as believed and worshiped by the ancient Babylonian people.

(Jawarneh, 2015)

The last period of Babylonian rule, there were bloody and serious conflicts in the area, which
affected the Babylonian civilization and caused it to weaken until the Hittites invaded the capital
Babylon in 1595 BC, wreaked havoc and destroyed it in revenge for the Babylonians. Destroyed,
but the Basanites soon took over in 1517 BC. Seized control of the region, brought Babylon back
to life and lost it. The lands flourished, and the lands continued to expand until Babylon became
a great empire, and between 626 BC to 539 BC it reached the peak of its power. Includes the
Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.

Balinese society is divided into three classes: the upper class, the nobles known as the Lamilo,
the common class known as the Moshkino, which includes the poor working class, the slave
class, and the Tsmeh Wardom, who are prisoners of war and Balinese-born captivity.

(Jawarneh, 2015)

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Babylon is famous for its hanging gardens and unique counting system. In 600 BC, the Hanging
Gardens were built and today they are classified as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It was
Built by Nebuchadnezzar for Queen Amicia. Described in books and old drawings. As for the
numbering system, it's odd because it's a sexagesimal system.

(Morel, 2016)

The latest research also shows their progress in mathematics. The prevailing estimate is that
researchers from Oxford and Paris pioneered the use of complex geometry in the Middle Ages,
using the shape of curves to track the speed and position of moving objects. But scholars now see
the Babylonians using this method around 350 BC. application. Ossendriver studied five
Babylonian clay tablets unearthed in the 19th century and now held in the archives of the British
Museum in London. The Bible shows that the Babylonians used quadrilaterals such as trapezoids
to calculate when Jupiter appeared in the night sky, how fast it was, and how far it traveled.
Ossendrijver says there is evidence that the Greeks used a "more direct" geometric approach to
the distances between the Earth and other planets, rather than the principles of velocity and time.

(Morel, 2016)

The Most Famous Babylonian Kings and Their Most Important Works:

King Hammurabi is famous for his legislation written on one of the tablets. He placed them in
the most important areas of Babylon, on which Babylonian trade depended. Among the laws he
made, this god worked to unite the worshiped gods, among other things.

King Nebuchadnezzar II, this king is known to have carried out many expansions and conquests.
This is the one where he can attack the Jews. And he launched many attacks on Egypt. The era of
this king was marked by the prosperity of the Babylonian kingdom and the expansion of its
suburbs.

(Abdullah, 2021)

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Artwork Example 1: Babel's Lion

https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D9%84%D9%81:%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AF_
%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84_-_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84.jpg

Artwork Description:

 It is a very large basalt statue in the form of a lion standing before an unidentified figure,
believed to have been carved by the Hittites.
 Its length is about two meters.
 The length of the platform does not exceed one meter.
 It is a symbol of ancient Babylon built on the order of King Nebuchadnezzar II of the
Chaldeans.
 It is considered the national symbol of Iraq.

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Artwork Analysis:

Elements:

Lines: Sharp and straight lines at the base, and curves, straight lines in the lion's body.

Form: the entire lion’s statue is a form.

Texture: rough texture found at the base, smooth texture in the lion's body.

Principles:

Symmetrical balance as the two side of the statue is not the same.

Variety achieved by using different lines and texture.

Contrast achieved by using different layers of the sculptural surface and their tactile contrast.

Artwork Example 2: Hanging Gardens of Babylon

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 https://mawdoo3.com/%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%86_%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%AF_
%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%82_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84

Artwork Description:

 It covers an area of about 14,400 square meters.

 It is hilly and layered.
 Resembling a Greek theater.
 The highest platform reaching 50 cubits.
 The well-decorated walls of these gardens are about 22 feet thick.
 Three feet wide in diameter, and three layers of reeds and bitumen.
 A second layer of brick and a third layer of lead prevent moisture penetration.
 Cubic hollow columns.
 It was flowers and plants hang from a height of 22.86 meters like a waterfall between the
pillars and statues.


Artwork Analysis:
Elements:
Lines: straight lines in the walls.
Form: the entire gardens are forms.
Texture: rough and smooth textures found in the walls.
Principles:
Symmetrical balance as the two side of the statue is not the same.
Variety achieved by using different lines and texture.
Contrast achieved by using different lines and texture.

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Artwork Example 3: Code of Hammurabi

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https://www.marefa.org/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A9_%D8%AD
%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A#/media/
%D9%85%D9%84%D9%81:Hammurabi_stele_amnh_ny.JPG

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 Artwork Description:
 Obelisk of black diorite.
 2.25m high.
 1.90m in circumference at the base.
 Its upper part is narrow and crescent-shaped. Then there is a scene depicting King
Hammurabi standing before the sun god, the god of justice.
 King Hammurabi listening to the sun god seated on his throne, with a scribe under
Hammurabi who recorded the laws.
 The obelisk discovered in 1901.
 It is now displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Artwork Analysis:
Elements:
Lines: Straight lines on the throne of sun god and his clothes, as well as the clothes of the
King Hammurabi. Wavy lines on the sun god hat and beard, as well as the beard of King
Hammurabi.
Shape: found in the base of throne.
Form: the entire statue is a form.
Texture: Roughness of texture in the sculpture of the sun god and King Hammurabi, in
addition to the writings. Smooth texture behind the obelisk, as there are no writings.
Principles:
Symmetrical balance as the two side of the statue is not the same.
Variety achieved by using different lines and texture.
Contrast achieved by using different lines and texture.
Unity achieved by repeating shapes in throne and lines.

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Artwork Example 4: Ishtar Gate

https://arami.ahlamontada.com/t1986-topic

Artwork Description:

 30 meters high.
 48 meters long.
 The opening consists of two double cedar shutters, one on the inside and the other on the
outside.
 It is made of light blue bricks and is decorated with about 575 bulls and dragons, animals
chosen for their noble role and magical advantages.
 Symbols of the gods are Adad (God of the Storm) and the Guardian The god Marduk,
was the city before its external enemies.

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Artwork Analysis:

Elements:

Lines: Straight lines around the gate and curve line up the entrance.

Shape: found in the animals such as bulls and dragons. Circles in the entrance.

Colors: blue, yellow in the lines and white circles.

Form: the entire gate is a form.

Texture: Smooth texture in the wall.

Principles:

Asymmetrical balance as the two side of the gate is the same.

Variety achieved by using different lines, shapes and colors.

Contrast achieved by using different lines, shapes and colors.

Unity achieved by repeating lines, shapes and colors.

Conclusion:

I chose the Babylonians because they are a great empire with many achievements, whether in
terms of social, leadership, technical and other aspects. I loved their unique art style, especially
the carving, which is characterized by the uneven texture and levels of carving artwork. From my
point of view, the Babylonian works of art are unique and skillfully made by skilled craftsmen
and artists. Many details in all works.

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References:

Al Hiyari, E. (2018). Where are the gardens of Babylon located? mawdoo3.

https://mawdoo3.com/%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%86_%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%AF_
%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8 %A6%D9%82_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84

Abdullah, F. (2021). About the Babylonian civilization. Almanshorat.

https://almanshorat.com/%d9%86%d8%a8%d8%b0%d8%a9-%d8%b9%d9%86-
%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ad%d8%b6%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%a9-
%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%a8%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9/#
%D8%A3%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1_%D9%85%D9%84%D9%88%D9%83_
%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86_
%D9%88_%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%85_
%D8%A3%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%85

Jawarneh, M. (2015). Who are the Babylonians? mawdoo3.

https://mawdoo3.com/%D9%85%D9%86_%D9%87%D9%85_
%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86

Morel, R. (2016). The ancient Babylonians were "the first to use complex geometric principles".
bbc.https://www.bbc.com/arabic/scienceandtech/2016/01/160129_babylonians_geometry_astron
omy

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