Standard of Ur

Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur (modern Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq). Sumerian. c. 2600–2400 B.C.E. Wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone.

  • CITY STATE UR 
  • MODERN DAY IRAQ
  • MESOPOTAMIA 
  • GREAT EARLY CITIES 
  • UNKNOWN PURPOSE 
  • INTENTIONALLY BURIED 
  • ELABORATE BURIAL RITUAL 
  • DISCOVERED IN 1920S, 1930S
  • ELABORATELY DECORATED 
  • CARRIED 
  • THREE REGISTERS 
  • SHELL (IRAQ)
  • LONG DISTANCE TRADE
  • LAPIS LAZULI (AFGHANISTAN) 
  • RED STONE (INDIA) 
  • AGRICULTURE SUCCESSFUL, BETWEEN TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES RIVER
  • SURPLUS OF FOOD
  • ORGANIZATION OF SOCIETY 
  • MORE TIME TO DEDICATE TO ARTS 
  • DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT ROLES POSSIBLE
  • THIS IS DEMONSTRATED IN THE PIECE 
  • WEALTHIEST, MOST POWERFUL FIGURES AT THE TOP
  • COMMON LABORERS IN THE BOTTOM
  • FIGURES BRINGING THINGS TO A DESTINATION; ON BACKS 
  • ANIMALS; SHEEPS, BULL
  • ANIMALS FOR SACRIFICE, TAXATION 
  • COLLECTION FOR THE KING
  • RULER LARGER; DIFFERENT CLOTHES
  • FESTIVITY, RELIGIOUS CEREMONY
  • HIERARCHY THAT SHOWS IMPORTANCE OF THREE LVLS OF SOCIETY
  • ONE PLAYING A HARP, ANOTHER SINGING
  • OTHER SIDE: TERRIBLE SCENES OF VIOLENCE, WARFARE, CHARIOTS
  • HORSES TRAMPLE MEN
  • SCENE MOVES NATURALLY, GOES GRADUALLY FASTER
  • LINE OF SOLDIERS; HELMETS; DISCIPLINE, STRUCTURE, DISCIPLINE 
  • SOLDIERS CAPTURED; SOLDIERS BRINGING KING PRISONERS OF WAR (NAKED, STRIPPED, WOUNDED, BLEEDING, ENSLAVED) HUMILIATED
  • KING IN CENTER 
  • EVERYONE SEEN IN PROFILE 
  • WAY WE ORGANIZE VISUAL INFORMATION, TELL A STORY
  • The main panels are known as "War" and "Peace." "War" shows one of the earliest representations of a Sumerian army. Chariots, each pulled by four donkeys, trample enemies; infantry with cloaks carry spears; enemy soldiers are killed with axes, others are paraded naked and presented to the king who holds a spear.
  • The "Peace" panel depicts animals, fish and other goods brought in procession to a banquet. Seated figures, wearing woolen fleeces or fringed skirts, drink to the accompaniment of a musician playing a lyre. 
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