Ancient Near Eastern Art

        
    The Stele of Naram-Sin is an example of Sumerian art from the Ancient Near East. The Stele or upright stone slab depicts a scene with many human figures involved in what seems to be a battle. Although the stele shows the scene in a rather rigid manner, the overall composition of the figures and detail in the figures suggest a sense of power and action.

            The composition of the figures fills the entire stele; in doing this the artist may have wanted the upmost attention from the viewer to this slab of stone. On the bottom half of the stele a lot of action is taking place. The figures are depicted with their legs spread giving the viewer the impression that they are walking. The rows of what seem to be soldiers are walking in a slanted direction indicating the soldiers are walking up a hill. On top of the stele is a much larger figure than the rest. He is alone in his background indicating that he is a more significant being than the lower figures. At the most top of the slab a series of suns are depicted casting a ray upon the figures below. The suns at the top could signify the skies where the gods of the figures dwell. This composition of the stars, the large ruler, and the soldiers beneath him show a sense of power. The soldiers are at foot level with the ruler showing how powerful and regal he is. The ruler is placed right in the middle of the stele indicating he is the most important powerful figure in the scene. The only thing more powerful than he is the suns in the sky, but the stele is signaling the viewer that even though the suns are above the ruler, the ruler is the one most revered for the importance of the scene. Power is emanating from the stele, the action of the soldiers marching up the hill provides insight as to what is happening.

            Not only does the composition of the figures signify power and action, but the details of the slab indicate it as well. At the top the suns are shown with rays of light coming from within the suns, this shows action because it shows that the suns are shining and could mean it is daylight. The ruler is seen in a glorified and powerful pose, he is holding his array of weapons signifying his power of all others as the rest of the figures only have one or two weapons. The ruler’s headgear also signifies power as it is the only one with horns, while the rest of the figures have simple headgear. The horns could represent godhood or royalty either way this indicates power. All the figures below the ruler are all tilting their heads upward in the ruler’s general direction showing they recognize his rule and distinguish that the ruler is above them. Under the left foot of the ruler there is a mass of bodies indicating that the bodies are the enemy, so they are inferior to the ruler. The figures on the right of the ruler portray an image of weakness because the ruler is much larger than they are and the actions the figures engage in conclude this assumption. The figure right of the ruler has stabbed himself and the figures behind and below him have their hands upward in a clasped manner giving the impression that they are pleading for mercy. They are at the ruler’s disposal as his proud and powerful pose crushes his opponents.

            The Stele of Naram-Sin portrays the energy of power and action in all kinds of ways. The composition of the figures shows the hierarchy of the scene giving the viewer a forceful and direct image of power; and the details within the stele further embody power as the actions are deliberate and bold. Given the use of a stone slab, which is strong, hard, and solid, the art carved on the slab blends well with the overall effect of the piece.