Question

Naram-Sin- ruled and conquered by military force; called governors of subordinate cities his "slaves," himself "King of the Four Quarters" (the universe)

Stele- shows war-like aspect of his rule: king with horned helmet near the pinnacle of the composition, treading on the bodies of fallen enemies; below, the files of soldiers in his army.

Hieratic scale: king's body represented much larger than anybody else's to signify rank.

Options:
A) Sargon
B) Naram-Sin
C) Hammurabi
D) Ashurbanipal

Answer 1

The question relates to the Stele of Naram-Sin, showcasing his rule as the 'King of the Four Quarters' and employing hieratic scale to emphasize his superiority and divine status.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Stele of Naram-Sin is an impressive artifact from the Akkadian period, capturing the essence of Naram-Sin’s rule. It stands as a testament to the military power and divine kingship of the Akkadian ruler, Naram-Sin, who called himself 'King of the Four Quarters'. On the stele, he is portrayed with a horned helmet, symbolizing his divine status, and is depicted much larger than his soldiers and enemies to signify his superior rank. This usage of hieratic scale where the most important figure is represented as the largest, is a common artistic technique employed to convey the significance of an individual's status and role in society. Reflecting the violent nature of the Akkadian Empire, the stele shows Naram-Sin towering over his defeated enemies, illustrating the power politics that characterized Mesopotamian empires following the model set by Sargon of Akkad.