Art History Slide Test 1

1. What is depicted in this image?

Cylinder seal of priest-king feeding sacred sheep, ca. 3300 BCE

- appears to show the feeding of a temple herd, which provides a significant portion of the temple's wealth, while the human figure's distinctive costume and hat may identify him as a priest-king
- would decorate the seals because they were crucial for food storage and keeping things fresh

Family gathering around a fire in the Bronze Age

Hunting scene from the Neolithic period

Ancient battle scene from 2000 BCE

The correct answer depicts a priest-king feeding sacred sheep, as evidenced by the distinctive costume and the ritualistic nature of the scene. The other options are incorrect as they do not align with the specific details shown in the image.

Explanation

The correct answer depicts a priest-king feeding sacred sheep, as evidenced by the distinctive costume and the ritualistic nature of the scene. The other options are incorrect as they do not align with the specific details shown in the image.

2. What ancient artifact is depicted in this image?

Chinese calligraphy scroll from the Ming Dynasty

Egyptian hieroglyphics on a pyramid wall

Roman mosaic floor depicting a battle scene

Babylonian deed of sale, written in cuneiform, ca. 1750 BCE

- the impressions here were made by a stylus in soft clay, people believe it may be the first work of writing

The correct answer is a Babylonian deed of sale, written in cuneiform, ca. 1750 BCE. The impressions on the artifact were made by a stylus in soft clay, making it one of the earliest known works of writing.

Explanation

The correct answer is a Babylonian deed of sale, written in cuneiform, ca. 1750 BCE. The impressions on the artifact were made by a stylus in soft clay, making it one of the earliest known works of writing.

3. What is depicted in the image?

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

The Great Wall of China in Beijing, China

Remains of the “White Temple” on its ziggurat, ca. 3500-3000 BCE Uruk, Iraq

- had an indirect approach to the altar in which the stairs and ramps led around so that the viewer could admire the technical accomplishments of the area

The correct answer describes the remains of the 'White Temple' in Uruk, Iraq, known for its indirect approach to the altar using stairs and ramps. The incorrect answers do not match the historical and architectural details of the image.

Explanation

The correct answer describes the remains of the 'White Temple' in Uruk, Iraq, known for its indirect approach to the altar using stairs and ramps. The incorrect answers do not match the historical and architectural details of the image.

4. What is depicted in this image?

Stone carvings from an Egyptian pyramid

Statues from Abu Temple, Tell Asmar, ca. 2700-2500 BCE

- seeing was a major channel of communication with gods and the sculptures may have been responding to the god's awe-inspiring nature with eyes wide open in admiration

An ancient city wall from Mesopotamia

A scene from a Roman gladiator arena

The correct answer refers to sculptures from the Abu Temple in Tell Asmar dating back to 2700-2500 BCE. The statues were likely used for communication with gods, hence the striking eye expressions. The other options are incorrect as they do not match the historical context or location of the depicted image.

Explanation

The correct answer refers to sculptures from the Abu Temple in Tell Asmar dating back to 2700-2500 BCE. The statues were likely used for communication with gods, hence the striking eye expressions. The other options are incorrect as they do not match the historical context or location of the depicted image.

5. What is depicted in this image?

Royal Standard of Ur, ca. 2600 BCE

- contains panels of red limestone, shell, and lapuis lazuli inlay set in bitumen
- the panels all together show the king as warrior, priest, and meditator with the gods (dual aspects of kinship)

Ancient Egyptian Pyramid

Roman Colosseum

Ancient Greek Temple

The image depicts the Royal Standard of Ur, ca. 2600 BCE, which contains panels of red limestone, shell, and lapuis lazuli inlay set in bitumen. The panels depict the king in dual aspects of kinship - as a warrior, priest, and mediator with the gods.

Explanation

The image depicts the Royal Standard of Ur, ca. 2600 BCE, which contains panels of red limestone, shell, and lapuis lazuli inlay set in bitumen. The panels depict the king in dual aspects of kinship - as a warrior, priest, and mediator with the gods.

6. What is depicted in this image?

Greek philosopher

Ancient Egyptian pharaoh

Roman gladiator

Head of an Akkadian ruler, ca. 2250-2200 BCE

- statue was treated as though it were the living king himself, they gouged out the eyes, cut off the nose, etc.
- beard is like armour, stylized, and is very controlled making him seem eternal rather than in the moment

The image depicts the head of an Akkadian ruler from around 2250-2200 BCE. The statue was treated as a representation of the living king himself, with specific features that conveyed power and eternity.

Explanation

The image depicts the head of an Akkadian ruler from around 2250-2200 BCE. The statue was treated as a representation of the living king himself, with specific features that conveyed power and eternity.

7. What is this image?

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Machu Picchu, Peru

Great Ziggurat of King Urnammu, Ur, ca. 2100 BCE

- used huge staircases for a dramatic ascent into the temple so that those who were able to go inside felt the importance of the building and recognized its power

The Great Ziggurat of King Urnammu is a historical structure with a unique design and purpose, distinct from the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu.

Explanation

The Great Ziggurat of King Urnammu is a historical structure with a unique design and purpose, distinct from the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu.

8. What is depicted in this image?

Stele with the Law Code of Hammurabi, ca. 1760 BCE

- king is standing while the god is seated and is receiving the rights of ruleship directly from a god which shows that he is worthy and righteous

An ancient Greek temple

A sculpture of Cleopatra

A medieval European castle

The image is of Stele with the Law Code of Hammurabi, depicting the king standing while the god is seated and is receiving the rights of ruleship directly from a god, showing his worthiness and righteousness.

Explanation

The image is of Stele with the Law Code of Hammurabi, depicting the king standing while the god is seated and is receiving the rights of ruleship directly from a god, showing his worthiness and righteousness.

9. What is depicted in the image?

Egyptian Pyramids

Medieval Castle in Europe

Ancient Greek Temple

Reconstruction of the Citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin, ca. 721-705 BCE

- to reach the palace, visitors had to cross the open plazas and climb broad ramps
- the citadel revealed the privileged relationship between the king and the gods

The image represents a reconstruction of the Citadel of Sargon II in Dur Sharrukin, from the Assyrian Empire. This citadel was built between 721-705 BCE and served as a palace for the king. Its architecture featured open plazas and ramps, highlighting the close connection between the king and the gods.

Explanation

The image represents a reconstruction of the Citadel of Sargon II in Dur Sharrukin, from the Assyrian Empire. This citadel was built between 721-705 BCE and served as a palace for the king. Its architecture featured open plazas and ramps, highlighting the close connection between the king and the gods.

10. What is depicted in the image?

Iconic Roman Colosseum in 1st century AD

Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, dedicated on October 28, 1886

Ancient Egyptian Pyramid of Giza, built circa 2580–2560 BCE

Gate of Citadel of Sargon II, with lamassu, 742-706 BCE (photo taken during excavation)

- the figures are lamassu, winged, human-headed bulls, that were made to demonstrate power to whomever entered

11. What is depicted in this image?

Medieval knights jousting in a tournament

A family picnicking in a park

Fugitives crossing a river, ca. 883-859 BCE

- the archer's faces are shown here as tense and concentrated, you can see this because the bowstrings are pulled behind their heads as a way to make this clear

Farmers harvesting crops in a field

The image depicts fugitives crossing a river, as evidenced by the tense and concentrated faces of the archers pulling their bowstrings behind their heads.

Explanation

The image depicts fugitives crossing a river, as evidenced by the tense and concentrated faces of the archers pulling their bowstrings behind their heads.

12. What historical event does this image depict?

Roman chariot race, 100 CE

Samurai battle, 1600 CE

Viking invasion of England, 793 CE

Lion hunt, ca. 645 BCE

- can't see the lion that the king is attacking but the servants are keeping one lion who is lunging at bay so that the king may finish him off
- lion is in a sense a king and they are shown fallen and beaten, displaying that the king is victorious over other equal opponents

The image depicts a lion hunt from around 645 BCE where the king is shown attacking a lion with servants keeping another lion at bay. The fallen lions symbolize the king's victory over opponents.

Explanation

The image depicts a lion hunt from around 645 BCE where the king is shown attacking a lion with servants keeping another lion at bay. The fallen lions symbolize the king's victory over opponents.