Stele of Naram-Sin

Naram-Sin was a ruler of Akkadians in the Akkad territory from 2254 BCE to 2218 BCE. He was also the grandson of the founder of the Akkad Dynasty, and was also named the King of the Four Quarters, which translates to “Ruler of the World”. The Stele of Naram-Sin is a rather interesting piece of art due to what the piece of art stands for. The historic background is rather interesting, because with pieces of art such as this one, there could be potentially an infinite amount of stories or meanings that are expressed through this ancient piece, without knowing the historic background. Although the monument is an extraordinary piece of art because of the specific details, it does seem to have natural damaged done on the top as well as the bottom. Perhaps it was just a timely event. This monument stands approximately six feet and seven inches, and depicts the king who reigns over his victorious battle and people for which he protected, or who may have fought with him.

            The Stele of Naram-Sin is a solid brown color from top to bottom. Both the top and the bottom have abrupt edges perhaps the ends were just over time unintentionally trimmed. The monument has a triangular shape, made out of pink limestone, and fits the artwork inside perfectly. If you look at where the mountain stands, you will also notice that the stone has the shape as well. It might be able to stand on its own. At the angle that it is presented in the book and other resources, it is hard to tell because the book portrays the artwork from the front. However, the bottom is not flat, so I would think that it would not be able to do so. As for the composition, located at the bottom of the Stele of Naram-Sin, the surface of the art seems to be more rugged than compared to the top of the piece. This is possibly due to the amount of material that was sculpted, as well as the material of the stone itself. The picture of this piece located in the book, allows the art to appear dark on the bottom and light on the top. However, this perhaps is due to the way the angle of the light of this picture. The top of the piece shows as little of the sun and top of the mountain. Sometimes a piece of art does not appeal to our eyes because of the orientation and perspective among the people or objects within the art, however the amount of the material sculpted does look right in proportion to the size of the stone.

            The story of the Stele of Naram-Sin was showing the victory over the king who reigns in Lullibi, who he previously fought. Although they do have weaponry present in the soldiers hands, I think this victory expresses the feeling afterwards rather than the event or battle that took place. I believe the showing the war usually tells the story that is straightforward rather than the aftermath or the victory. This I believe leaves a lot to the imagination of someone who would look at this piece of art, without any knowledge of the historical background.

            Stele of Naram-Sin is a low relief sculpture, where some of the figures seem to have a distinct and clean carved region. For example, Naram-Sin seems to be clearly distinct person and his whole body is seen clearly, whereas the bottom of this art is not very clear. Some of the lower body parts on the lower half are not clear to what is their body and what is the rest of the stone. When I first looked at the artwork, I noticed my eyes immediately went to Naram-Sin, because he stands taller than the rest of the soldiers, as well as being the largest person present, and I think it has to do with the hierarchal scale. The soldiers all have some piece of weaponry, such as bows and arrows, or what seem to be hand tools, and possibly hand axes. You can also see that Naram-Sin is standing on his enemies that he has obviously defeated, showing power and strength over a weak front. The angle and steepness of the stairs, I believe is to represent how hard the battle is to reach victory, the top of the mountain, while at the same time allowing for the gods to be praised, and Naram-Sin’s victory and battle was there to honor the gods.

            The proportion of the mountain, the sun, and the people in this piece of artwork are not in proportion to what we would see in reality. Naram-Sin is only an inch lower than the mountain even though he is has one more step to go before being even with the mountain. This is a piece of art that shows who is most powerful and who is not. Being the largest person in the picture, it can be determined that the Kings of Four Quarters is the most powerful, while the others follow in his footsteps, maybe envious of what Naram-Sin possess.