Humanity has always been interested in its past. Special attention is given to things that are thousands of years old. Some inhabitants do not believe that ordinary people could create them. The article will focus on one of these artifacts - the stele of Naramsin. Where is this masterpiece of the Akkadian period and why was it created?
Who is Naramsin?
In Akkad, the king was ruled, whose name was Naram-Suen, which in translation from Akkadian means "favorite of Sina." In local mythology, Sin was the god of the moon. Ruled Naramsin around 2237-2200 BC.
The king’s activities are known from literary monuments that were written in Sumerian, Hittite, Akkadian. The inscriptions of Naramsin himself were also preserved, for example, in the temple of Lagash.
The history contains data on the campaigns of the ruler against the following peoples:
- Didanum tribe - the king defeated the Western Semitic cattle-breeding tribe;
- the kingdom of Ebla - was known as a commercial city-state, which was located on the lands of ancient Syria, was completely destroyed by the Akkadian ruler;
- Apisal - Naramsin stormed the city, capturing the local ruler and his vizier;
- state of Magan - the ruler was able to capture the local king;
- Dilmun - the modern island of Bahrain, it is believed that the Akkadian king conquered it;
- the country of Subatra - was located on the Tigris River, was conquered by the Akkadians even under Tsar Sargon, and then again - under Naramsin;
- Namar is a Hurrian state in whose territory the Akkadian king built a palace of impressive size;
- Simurrum - the country was located on the Lower Zab River, was captured along with local rulers;
- Elam - an ancient state that was located on the territory of modern Iran, under the agreement was to coordinate its actions with the Akkadian king.
There are sources that narrate about the defeats of Naramsin. So, he sent people three times against the troops of Manda, which were located in the area of Lake Urmia. He was puzzled and discouraged by several defeats, but as a result he was still able to defeat the enemy.
Under the reign of Naramsin, the Akkadian kingdom was able to achieve the greatest power. The king ruled all the occupied territories with the help of his sons and officials, whom he appointed to the position of ensi. His daughters were priestesses, therefore, too, could influence political life.
The end of the reign of Naramsin is associated with the invasion of the Gutiev hill tribes. This led to the fact that famine began in the kingdom, epidemics, multiple deaths among the population.
One of the significant victories of the king is dedicated to the stele of Naramsin. What is known about this historical monument?
Stele Information
It is not known who was the author of the stele of Naramsin. It was created from sandstone. Its height is approximately two meters. The stela is still considered a masterpiece of Mesopotamian art.
Reason for creating
The stele of Naramsin was made in the years 2300-2100 BC. It is dedicated to the campaign of the Akkadian king against the powerful Lullubeys. That was the name of the ancient people who lived in the upper reaches of the Diyala River. The name of the tribe translates as “strangers,” although this information is not accurate.
The people were distinguished by their militancy, but Naramsin managed to subjugate the Lullubeys. It was this event that was immortalized on the stele. However, Akkad could not long keep the warlike tribe in subjection. Soon they again became independent and were able to continue attacks on the territory of the southern Mesopotamia.
Artifact moving
Originally, the Stela of King Naramsin was established in Sippar. Translated from the Sumerian language, this name means "city of birds." The state existed on the territory of modern Iraq, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are closest to each other. The city was engaged in trade and did not seek to strengthen its political power. There, the stele stood for a thousand years.
After she was moved to Susa. This was done after a successful campaign on the Babylonia of the Elamite king Jutruk-Nahhunte I. Susa were located on the territory of modern Iran (Khuzestan province). During the existence of the kingdom, Elam Susa was its capital. It was in this city that the researchers discovered the Naramsin stela. Photos of this masterpiece can now be made not in Susa. Then where?
Today, the stele is one of the most valuable exhibits of the Louvre. As you know, the museum is located in the capital of France. What is a masterpiece of ancient art?
Description of the historical monument
The victorious stele of Tsar Naramsin has a spiral-like construction of figures on a plane. In this, it differs significantly from the Sumerian composition creation technique. For the plot, military actions in the mountains were chosen. The stele itself resembles the top of a mountain, tapering to the top.
Creation consists of three compositional lines. They go almost parallel from the bottom up. This made it possible to show the path of Naramsin’s troops, his ascent to the top of the mountain. Warriors of the king ascend the parallel slopes. This practically does not happen in life, usually people climb the winding spiral roads.
Also, the place of transition from the slope to the slope is not indicated. Spectators can only guess how the king was on top. There are also violations in proportions in the image. For example, the warriors who climb the hillside look smaller than the figure of Naramsin, who stands on top.
Description of the figure of Naramsin
The central figure of the stele of Naramsin, the description of which is given in this article, is the Akkadian ruler. It is distinguished by size, as well as compositional construction.
A man stands on top as a hero who defeated the Lullubeys. The remaining characters of the stele are shown not so significant, so their bodies are smaller. Mountain terraces serve as a pedestal, on which the victory of the king.
There are no images of gods in the composition. Only the signs of the divine bodies are shown, which are located above the figure of the victor of Naramsin.
The whole composition was created to show the triumph of the human God, by whom Naramsin positioned himself. The Akkadian relief was able to convey the dynamic and targeted movement of the warriors, while time stops around the king. The creators of creation have achieved this main thing - they recorded an ever-lasting triumph.
Other monuments of the reign of Naramsin
The stele of Naramsin is not the only monument from the time of the Akkadian kingdom. The ruins of the palace, which were found in Tell Braque, remind of his rule.
Famous artifacts of the reign of Naramsin:
- the king’s agreement with Elam - the document is written in cuneiform on stone;
- the inscription of the ruler, which tells about the erection of the temple in Marada - a stone tablet is stored in the Louvre;
- the top of the mace - according to the inscription on it, it becomes known that the king dedicated it to the goddess Ishtar, is kept at the Chicago Art Institute.
Many monuments of the Ancient East were scattered around the world. Thanks to modern technologies, they can be accessed remotely, although nothing beats their live inspection.