Mesopotamia Male Worshipper 2750-26-- B.C - Essay Example

During the middle, of the fourth millennium BC, the beginning of civilization happened between the areas of river Tigris and Euphrates. The land was flat, and the climates changed from hot and dry, to extremely wet, and the place used to flood. Agriculture was the main activity, and the food required to feed the population, hence; they were affected during times of floods. When the floods controlled, they could plant largely in order to sustain the growing population. The flooding in Sumerians land was unpredictable, and the land was extremely affected.

However, they constructed canals, and ditches to curb this problem. Agriculture was made possible by irrigation and reclamation of land. They later discovered trade and could exchange their products, in order to cater for their needs and luxury. They were governed by religious leaders, and later on, the population accelerated, and conflicts emerged due to natural resources such as, water and land. The ruling by a King and Prince took over. Writing is another discovery that happened to Sumerians.

Their writing is known as cuneiform, and the people used clay to write. Formal education was introduced, and aimed at training priests and scribe. Then it went to a higher level of studying Law, Astrology and Medicine. The learning was mostly done in the temples. Mesopotamia is a region where art was valued and was related to god and goddess in the region. During the period between 2900-2350 B.C, people in Mesopotamia believed in gods and their lives and art revolved around this aspect. The gods were believed to dwell in the temples.

Not all people were allowed to enter the temple, and only priests were allowed, and prayed on behalf of the society. The sculptures were seen as holy, and some gods were believed to have existed physically in the materials used to make them. They were, therefore, respected, and not everybody was able to access them. Here, emphasis will be on the Mesopotamia male worshipper (2750-2600 BC). This was one of the arts in Mesopotamia, and it represented a ruler or a particular family. It was a sacred statue and was believed to be intercessor to the groups represented.

The way the sculpture is made depicts its holiness and its making shows the praying aspect. Findings show that the sculpture is placed in the Square Temple at Tell Asmar and is dedicated to the god Abu. The person represented by the statue was believed to be physically present in it (Metropolitan Museum of Art). It is a stone sculpture, and this clearly shows that one of the materials used in Mesopotamia is stone. The stones are natural resources, and therefore, readily available. Findings show that the sculptures are made from the gypsum and the limestone.

It looks strong and can survive for a long time. They are made of long lasting material stone (Metropolitan Museum of Art). The sculpture also has another element of the hands clasped over the chest, and this shows humility and attentiveness. Gods were respected, and when praying, one had to be attentive and listen to what the spirits want. The folding of hands also shows the humility of the person represented, and at the time of prayers, one has to forget all, and see the gods as supreme (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

The statue of the male worshipper also has its eye wide open. Going before the gods on behalf of others need someone who is brave enough both physically and spiritually and since the eyes guides the person and see dangers ahead, and