VI.

Old Babylonian Period

With the decline of the Sumerians, the land was once more united by Semitic rulers (about 2000-1600 bc), the most important of whom was Hammurabi of Babylon. The relief figure of the king on his famous law code (first half of the 18th century bc, Louvre) is not much different from the Gudea statues (even though his hands are unclasped), nor is he depicted with an intermediary before the sun god Shamash. The most original art of the Babylonian period came from Mari and includes temples and a palace, sculptures, metalwork, and wall painting. As in much of Mesopotamian art, the animals are more lifelike than the human figures. Small plaques from Mari and other sites depict musicians, boxers, a carpenter, and peasants in scenes from everyday life. These are far more realistic than formal royal and religious art.