Male nudity in ancient Mesopotamian art
Author
Girit, Ayşen
Advisor
Gates, Marie-Henriette
Date
2012Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
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Abstract
This thesis attempts to study nude male representations in Mesopotamian art. It
analyzes examples of male nudity in art and textual material from the Protoliterate to
the Neo-Assyrian period in Northern and Southern Iraq. It aims to investigate the
implications that the male nudity in Mesopotamian art carries and both the social and
conceptual aspects that are attributed to male nudity in Mesopotamian society. It argues
how nude male representations are embedded within cultural, religious and political
aspects of the society. The thesis also shows the context dependent state of male nudity
and how it is used as a marker in ancient Mesopotamian art pointing to various
identities, physicalities, and political and religious configurations.