A history of art in Chaldæa & Assyria, Vol. 1 (of 2)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28072

Title

A history of art in Chaldæa & Assyria, Vol. 1 (of 2)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This scholarly volume explores the art and civilization of ancient Chaldea and Assyria, focusing on their unique architectural innovations, religious symbolism, and decorative mastery. With vivid descriptions of ziggurats, glazed brickwork, and bas-reliefs, the text offers an authoritative guide to Mesopotamian aesthetics and history.

Summary up to 500 words

In *A History of Art in Chaldæa & Assyria, Vol. 1*, Georges Perrot and Charles Chipiez offer a comprehensive examination of Mesopotamian civilization, tracing its evolution from the fertile alluvial plains of the Euphrates and Tigris to its imperial zenith. The authors contrast the region's rich agricultural potential with the surrounding deserts, noting that while Egyptian culture developed from north to south, Chaldean civilization advanced from the seaboard toward the river springs. The text details the distinct architectural principles of the ziggurat, a stepped temple platform fundamentally different from the Egyptian pyramid. Unlike the solid, lifeless tomb of the pyramid, the ziggurat was a functional sanctuary with ramps, terraces, and chapels, serving as an astronomical observatory and a place of worship. The volume extensively analyzes construction materials, primarily mud brick and limestone, and the sophisticated techniques used to create durable, colorful decorations. A central theme is the mastery of enamelled tiles; Perrot and Chipiez describe how artisans painted designs on individual bricks before firing, using a cartoon-like grid to ensure precision. The dominant color was a deep blue, often featuring winged genii, rosettes, and protective lions. The book investigates religious architecture, including temple plans, altars, and the symbolic roles of winged bulls. It also explores funerary practices and the continuity of artistic traditions from ancient Babylon to later Persian mosques. Richly illustrated with over 450 engravings, the volume serves as both a historical record and an aesthetic appreciation of one of antiquity's most influential cultures, highlighting how industrial habits and artistic tastes persisted across centuries despite political revolutions.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28072.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg28072.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-01 09:28 UTC

Categories

• History
• Art