Purpose and Audience in Ancient Mediterranean Art
Grace Lewis
11 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers purpose and audience in ancient Mediterranean art, focusing on the Code of Hammurabi, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun's Tomb (including his innermost coffin and death mask), the Apadana at Persepolis, the Acropolis of Athens, the House of the Vettii, Head of a Roman Patrician, Forum of Trajan (including the Basilica Ulpia and Column of Trajan). It emphasizes understanding the historical context, intended audience, and function of each artwork. The guide also includes practice questions and exam tips.
#AP Art History: Purpose and Audience in Ancient Mediterranean Art 🏛️
Hey there, future art historian! Let's get you prepped for the exam with a super-focused review of how ancient Mediterranean art served its purpose and who it was made for. We'll break down each piece, making sure you're not just memorizing but understanding.
Remember, this unit is all about understanding the context behind the art. Think about who made it, why, and for whom. This is crucial for both multiple-choice and free-response questions.
# The Code of Hammurabi 📜
#Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi, basalt, Babylonian, 1792–50 B.C.E. (Musée du Louvre, Paris)
- What It Is: A massive basalt stele (stone slab) inscribed with one of the oldest known legal codes.
- Purpose: To establish and communicate the laws of Babylon under King Hammurabi.
- Audience: Intended for the public, especially those who needed to know the rules and consequences of breaking them. Also, to reinforce Hammurabi's authority as a just ruler.
- Key Features:
- 282 laws covering various aspects of life.
- The principle of "an eye for an eye" (lex talionis).
- Written in Akkadian using cuneiform script.
Think of the Code of Hammurabi as a public announcement of the king's power and the legal structure of his kingdom. It's not just a list of rules; it's a statement of authority.
# Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut 👑
#Mortuary Temple and Large Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut, c. 1479-58 B.C.E., New Kingdom, Egypt.
- What It Is: A grand temple complex dedicated to the female pharaoh Hatshepsut.
- Purpose: To honor Hatshepsut, commemorate her reign, and provide a place for her cult worship after her death.
- Audience: Intended for religious officials, the royal family, and the public, to witness her power and divinity.
- Key Features:
- Terraced architecture that blends into the landscape.
- Intricate carvings and reliefs depicting Hatshepsut's achievements.
- Located in the Valley of the Kings, on the west bank of the Nile.
Remember Hatshepsut's Holy Hills. The temple's terraced design blends into the landscape, making it a visually powerful statement of her reign.
# Tutankhamun's Tomb ⚱️
#Harry Burton, View of tomb interior, 1922 (Tutankhamun Archive, Griffith Institute, University of Oxford)
#George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, Fifth Earl of Carnarvon, with Howard Carter during his initial visit to the tomb, 1922, 7 5/8 x 9 5/8 inches (National Portrait Gallery, London; photo: Keystone Press Agency Ltd.)
- What It Is: The tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun.
- Purpose: To provide everything Tutankhamun needed for the afterlife, ensuring his successful transition.
- Audience: Primarily intended for the deceased pharaoh, but also for the gods and spirits.
- Key Features:
- Discovered largely intact in 1922 by Howard Carter.
- Contains a wealth of artifacts, including the golden death mask and nested coffins.
- Filled with items for daily life and religious ceremonies.
# Innermost Coffin of Tutankhamun ⚰️
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