Starting from two seal impressions from Tell Mozan, ancient Urkeš (Syria), this paper presents and discusses some Near Eastern seals from Syria and Mesopotamia whose iconography is related to war or warlike scenes. The figurative theme resembles the narrative representations of war in major monuments (such as bas-reliefs on wall panels and steles) – or vice versa? – with a clear selection of culminating moments due to the restricted surface that the seal can offer. Because of the similarity with major visual monuments, what is the meaning of and reason for carving scenes of warfare on ancient seals? The question of visibility and circulation of the theme of war and victory in ancient Near Eastern societies, with all implications of the political and religious ideology of war, will be considered.

Miniatures of war. Fights, skirmishes and conflicts in Ancient Near Easter seals / Nadali, Davide. - (2019), pp. 317-322. - STUDIES ON THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND THE MEDITERRANEAN.

Miniatures of war. Fights, skirmishes and conflicts in Ancient Near Easter seals

Davide Nadali
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
2019

Abstract

Starting from two seal impressions from Tell Mozan, ancient Urkeš (Syria), this paper presents and discusses some Near Eastern seals from Syria and Mesopotamia whose iconography is related to war or warlike scenes. The figurative theme resembles the narrative representations of war in major monuments (such as bas-reliefs on wall panels and steles) – or vice versa? – with a clear selection of culminating moments due to the restricted surface that the seal can offer. Because of the similarity with major visual monuments, what is the meaning of and reason for carving scenes of warfare on ancient seals? The question of visibility and circulation of the theme of war and victory in ancient Near Eastern societies, with all implications of the political and religious ideology of war, will be considered.
2019
Between Syria and the highlands. Studies in honor of Giorgio Buccellati & Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati
978-88-31341-01-1
syria; cylinder seals; warfare; iconography; ancient near east
02 Pubblicazione su volume::02a Capitolo o Articolo
Miniatures of war. Fights, skirmishes and conflicts in Ancient Near Easter seals / Nadali, Davide. - (2019), pp. 317-322. - STUDIES ON THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND THE MEDITERRANEAN.
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
Nadali_Miniatures_2019.pdf

solo gestori archivio

Note: articolo principale
Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Tutti i diritti riservati (All rights reserved)
Dimensione 2.48 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.48 MB Adobe PDF   Contatta l'autore

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1349419
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact