Exploring Ancient Near Eastern Art and Architecture

Art History

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Quizzes Created: 7387 | Total Attempts: 9,527,791

| Questions: 15 | Updated: Nov 3, 2025

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1. What is the lost wax casting process?

A method of baking bread with a special wax coating for a unique texture.

The process by which a brass or bronze sculpture is cast from an artist's sculpture. Other metals such as silver... The process by which a brass or bronze sculpture is cast from an artist's sculpture. Other metals such as silver and gold are also cast. Intricate works can be achieved by this method, primarily depending on the carver's skills. In industrial uses, the modern process is called investment casting. An ancient practice, the process today varies from foundry to foundry, but the steps which are usually used in casting small bronze sculptures in a modern bronze foundry are generally quite st

A process of creating sculptures using papier-mâché instead of metal.

A technique used in glassblowing to create intricate patterns.

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About This Quiz

Exploring Ancient Near Eastern Art And Architecture - Quiz

Explore the rich tapestry of Ancient Near Eastern art with this focused study module. Dive into the historical context and artistic developments of the region, enhancing your understanding of its cultural significance and artistic contributions.

2. What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

You may optionally provide this to label your report, leaderboard, or certificate.

2. What is the Guardian Figure from the entrance to the throne room, palace of Sargon II?

A statue from the Mayan civilization representing a noble warrior.

Guardian Figure from the entrance to the throne room, palace of Sargon II c 720 BCELimestoneheight 16'The Oriental Institue of... Guardian Figure from the entrance to the throne room, palace of Sargon II c 720 BCELimestoneheight 16'The Oriental Institue of the University of ChicagoA lot of these are in the collections of American College Musuemshuman headed winged lions guarding the throne roomhave four legs if you look in the front but five legs if you are looking at the side (effect to see always four legs

A painting from the Renaissance period showcasing religious themes.

A sculpture from ancient Greece depicting Zeus.

The Guardian Figure from the entrance to the throne room, palace of Sargon II is a specific artwork depicting human-headed winged lions guarding the throne room, not related to ancient Greece, the Renaissance period, or the Mayan civilization.

Explanation

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3. What is depicted in the Relief of Assumasirpal and his Queen in the Garden from the palace of Ninevah?

Marble bust of Cleopatra.

Wood carving of King Arthur pulling Excalibur from the stone.

Relief of Assumasirpal and his Queen in the Garden from the palace of Ninevah (modern Kuyunikik, Iraq) c. 647 BCEAlabasterHeight... Relief of Assumasirpal and his Queen in the Garden from the palace of Ninevah (modern Kuyunikik, Iraq) c. 647 BCEAlabasterHeight approx 21"The British Museumthis is a low relief and can't stand on its own or bas releif

Bronze statue of Julius Caesar riding a horse.

The correct answer describes a specific alabaster relief sculpture from ancient Iraq, not a bronze statue, marble bust, or wood carving from different historical or mythical contexts.

Explanation

The correct answer describes a specific alabaster relief sculpture from ancient Iraq, not a bronze statue, marble bust, or wood carving from different historical or mythical contexts.

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4. What are votive?

Statues that represented the people's souls. Often left in the ziggurat and represented the people.

Religious scriptures inscribed on walls for guidance.

A type of ceremonial dance performed during religious rituals.

Offerings of food made to ancestors during annual festivals.

Votive are statues that were symbolic representations of the people's souls, often left in religious temples like ziggurats as offerings.

Explanation

Votive are statues that were symbolic representations of the people's souls, often left in religious temples like ziggurats as offerings.

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5. What were ziggurats?

Stone circles constructed by the ancient Celts for astronomical purposes.

A type of ancient Greek vessel used for storing olive oil.

Man-made hills built by the ancient Egyptians to serve as tombs for pharaohs.

Were massive structures built in the ancient Mesopotamian valley and western Iranian plateau, having the form of a terraced step... Were massive structures built in the ancient Mesopotamian valley and western Iranian plateau, having the form of a terraced step pyramid of successively receding stories or levels.

Ziggurats were massive structures found in ancient Mesopotamia and western Iran, characterized by a terraced step pyramid design. They served as religious temples and were not related to Greek vessels, Celtic stone circles, or Egyptian tombs.

Explanation

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6. What is the purpose of a ziggurat?

A marketplace for trading goods.

A school for religious scholars.

A burial site for kings and queens.

Ziggurat, Ur, Iraq, ca 2100 BCE, Sumerianlooks like a tomb but is a shrine/temple with a gigantic platformabout 5 stories... Ziggurat, Ur, Iraq, ca 2100 BCE, Sumerianlooks like a tomb but is a shrine/temple with a gigantic platformabout 5 stories high - 190 x 130 feet basecore of solid mud brick and the outside/facade is smaller mud brick with bitumen (a tar like substance)this ziggurat is dedicated to Nana is the moon godziggurats are places for people to interact with God

Ziggurats were not used as burial sites or marketplaces, but rather as religious structures for worship and communication with deities.

Explanation

Ziggurats were not used as burial sites or marketplaces, but rather as religious structures for worship and communication with deities.

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7. What are the Two Worshippers from Temple of Eshnunna, Iraq?

A sculpture by Michelangelo

A mosaic from ancient Greece

Two Worshippers from Temple of Eshnunna, Iraq, Sumerian, ca 2700 BCEa series of these figures (approx 30) votive statue is... Two Worshippers from Temple of Eshnunna, Iraq, Sumerian, ca 2700 BCEa series of these figures (approx 30) votive statue is there to provide continual worship to a deitylarge eyes--alabaster

A painting by Leonardo da Vinci

The correct answer describes a specific pair of Sumerian worshipper statues from Iraq, dating back to 2700 BCE and made of alabaster. These statues were part of a larger group of votive figures placed in a temple for continual worship.

Explanation

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8. What artifact is described as the Bull-headed Lyre from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery, Ur, Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE?

Chinese calligraphy scroll from the Ming Dynasty, circa 1400 AD

Bull-headed Lyre from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery, Ur, Iraq, ca. 2600 BCEFormed over wood and covered in Gold with details... Bull-headed Lyre from Tomb 789, Royal Cemetery, Ur, Iraq, ca. 2600 BCEFormed over wood and covered in Gold with details in Lapis Lazulionly two Lapis mines in the world -- still functioning in Afghanistanlot of impurities in Lapis -- you would have to grind very fine but the finer you grind it the less saturated the color.Front inlay includes four horizontel registerslowest-scorpion-man holding two objects followed by a billy goat standing on hind legs with two cupsnext layer - donkey upright playing lyre and a bear-like figure holding it up with a Dog on hind legs presenting a feast followed by a lion carrying a glass of winetop layer a man holding two bulls with human headsbecause the animals are transmorgified the scholors believe this is a depictions of the world of the dead (also was found in grave)

Mayan ceramic vessel found in a temple, dated around 1200 CE

Spearhead from a Viking burial site in Norway, dated around 900 AD

The correct answer describes a specific artifact found in Tomb 789 in Iraq dating back to around 2600 BCE, while the incorrect answers are from different time periods and regions with distinct features.

Explanation

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9. What is depicted in the seated statue of Gudea?

A painting of a landscape

An abstract modern art piece

A sculpture of a famous warrior

Seated statue of Gudea holding temple plan, Girsu, Iraq, ca 21000Lagash was a left-over city/statemade from diaritehad 30 or 40... Seated statue of Gudea holding temple plan, Girsu, Iraq, ca 21000Lagash was a left-over city/statemade from diaritehad 30 or 40 of these forms (votives) created for himCuneiform inscription dedicating himself and the form to the goddess of dream readers

The seated statue of Gudea is specifically depicted holding a temple plan in Girsu, Iraq, dating back to around 2100 BC. It is a votive statue created for the ruler Gudea, with a cuneiform inscription dedicated to the goddess of dream readers.

Explanation

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10. What ancient artifact is known as the Stele of Hammarabi?

Rosetta Stone from Egypt dating back to 196 BCE.

Stonehenge in England believed to have been constructed around 3000 BCE.

The Terracotta Army in China, created to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife.

Stele of HammarabiHammarabi and ShamashLaw Stele from Susa, Iran, Babylonian ca. 1780 BCE Hammarabi reunites Sumer and the capital city... Stele of HammarabiHammarabi and ShamashLaw Stele from Susa, Iran, Babylonian ca. 1780 BCE Hammarabi reunites Sumer and the capital city becomes BabylonHammarabi is famous for building the code/law that is on stele in cuneiformHammarabi faces shamash in a very confident way in the Louvre now

The Stele of Hammarabi is an ancient Babylonian artifact containing the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest written legal codes in history. It depicts King Hammurabi receiving the law from the Babylonian god Shamash.

Explanation

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11. What is the significance of the Warka Vase?

Warka Vase -- presentation of offerings to Inanna, from Uruk, Iraq, Sumerian, CA 3200-3000alabasterapprox 3.5 feetshows registers Inanna is the... Warka Vase -- presentation of offerings to Inanna, from Uruk, Iraq, Sumerian, CA 3200-3000alabasterapprox 3.5 feetshows registers Inanna is the most important female diety (godess of love and war) and transforms into Ishtardivided vase in low relief

The Warka Vase depicts a battle scene between two Sumerian gods.

The Warka Vase is a musical instrument used in ancient Sumerian rituals.

The Warka Vase is a symbol of trade between ancient civilizations.

The Warka Vase is significant as it is a representation of offering to the goddess Inanna, showcasing its importance in Sumerian culture and religious practices.

Explanation

The Warka Vase is significant as it is a representation of offering to the goddess Inanna, showcasing its importance in Sumerian culture and religious practices.

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12. What is meant by Hieratic Scaling?

Representing the sizes of things according to their importance, rather than how they would appear in the real world

Creating icons of varying sizes based on their actual physical dimensions.

Using a scale to measure hieroglyphic symbols in ancient Egyptian writing.

The process of creating a hierarchy of importance within a painting or piece of art.

Hieratic Scaling in art involves depicting objects or figures in a way that emphasizes their relative importance rather than their true physical size.

Explanation

Hieratic Scaling in art involves depicting objects or figures in a way that emphasizes their relative importance rather than their true physical size.

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13. What is register?

To officially place someone's or something's information on an official list or record.

A type of musical instrument typically played with a keyboard.

A type of mechanical device used to keep track of time.

Bands - provides an organization that you can read and understand as opposed to cave paintings which had no organizations... Bands - provides an organization that you can read and understand as opposed to cave paintings which had no organizations to understand the importance of each element in the piece.

The correct answer refers to register in the context of organizing bands for better understanding, as opposed to the other incorrect answers which represent different meanings of the word.

Explanation

The correct answer refers to register in the context of organizing bands for better understanding, as opposed to the other incorrect answers which represent different meanings of the word.

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14. What is low relief?

High relief

Sculpture

Shallow carving

Engraving

Low relief, also known as bas-relief, is a form of sculpture where the figures project slightly from the background.

Explanation

Low relief, also known as bas-relief, is a form of sculpture where the figures project slightly from the background.

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15. What artifact is described as 'Head of a ruler from Nineveh, Iraq, Akkadian, copper CA 2250-2200head of a man (separated from body)huge variation of texture -- '?

Chinese Terracotta Army in Xi'an

Head of a ruler from Nineveh, Iraq, Akkadian, copper CA 2250-2200head of a man (separated from body)huge variation of texture... Head of a ruler from Nineveh, Iraq, Akkadian, copper CA 2250-2200head of a man (separated from body)huge variation of texture --

Egyptian Pyramid of Giza

Roman Colosseum in Italy

The correct answer describes a specific artifact from Nineveh, Iraq, while the incorrect answers are famous landmarks or artifacts from different cultures and regions.

Explanation

The correct answer describes a specific artifact from Nineveh, Iraq, while the incorrect answers are famous landmarks or artifacts from different cultures and regions.

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