Historical Examination of Creativity

WEEK 4 CREATIVE STUDIES

Creativity and society are each interconnected in every aspect ever since in ancient history.It is either creativity affects society or vice versa.For example, let's look in detail about the Mesopotamian creativity.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Mesopotamian is the first civilisation that has landed its foot on Earth.According to history, Mesopotamia refers to the the land between the Tigris-Euphrates river. Both rivers are fed by numerous tributaries, and the entire river system drains a vast mountainous region. Overland routes in Mesopotamia usually follow the Euphrates because the banks of the Tigris are frequently steep and difficult.

The climate of the region is semi-arid with a vast desert expanse in the north which gives way to a 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 sq mi) region of marshes, lagoons, mud flats, and reed banks in the south. In the extreme south, the Euphrates and the Tigris unite and empty into the Persian Gulf.This condition creates an oppurtunity for the Mesopotamians to make use of the rivers to carry out agricultural activities. 

The Mesopotamians has relied upon long distance trade of agricultural products to secure resources such as stones,precious metals and timber since the area is lacking in such natural resources.In the marshlands to the south of the country, a complex water-borne fishing culture has existed since pre-historic times, and has added to the cultural mix. Hunting was also popular among the Assyrian kings.
[Source(s):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamia]

TRAITS THAT MAKE THEM CREATIVE

Mesopotamians are said and proven to be creative as they came out with many creative inventions such as wheels vehicle.Besides, they have also developed a writing system known as cuneiform, which is a writing style made from wedge-shaped strokes,inscribed on clay, stones, metal or other materials.
Other contibutions would include the invention of irrigation system,Mathematics, astronomy and zodiac,field of medicine,literature and The Code Law of Hammurabi.

[An actual specimin of the Code of Hammurabi]

THERE ARE OTHER INTERESTINGLY CREATIVE 
ARCHITECTURE & ARTS TOO :) SUCH AS.....

 

 

 

THE OLD BABYLON EMPIRE

The Tower of Babel, Mesopotamia

[http://www.hudsonfla.com/artempires.htm]

Rare Sumerian Golden Mug Was For Beer 

[http://ancient-tides.blogspot.com/2012/04/rare-sumerian-golden-mug-was-for-beer.html] 

On the mountainside Anzu and Ninurta met … Clouds of death rained down, an arrow flashed lightning. Whizzed the battle force roared between them.“ Anzu Epic, tablet 2,

in S. Dalley,

Myths from Mesopotamia

(Oxford - New York, 1989), p. 21[http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/electric_universe/thunderboltgods03.htm]

 

THE PROCESS OF CREATIVITY
The flow of creativity of the Mesopotamians began when war brought new cultures which expanded and blended.
During 4000-539 bc, the Amorite king Hammurabi unified the city states and established the first known code of law.The Amorites as well as other invaders blended their cultures with that of the Sumerians, and Mesopotamia flourished until the 500s B.C., with Babylon as its capital.

After Babylon was destroyed by the Assyrians in 689 B.C.,the city was reconstructed.Under King Nebuchadnezzar , Babylon was considered the world's most beautiful,most advanced city.

Unfortunately,the creativity of Mesopotamians stopped when Alexander the Great conquered the region, begining an infusion of Hellenistic culture in 331 B.C. SOURCE:[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/iraq/primer/iraq_history.swf]