Image via Wikipedia

The Stela of King Naram-Sin was sculpted during the period of Akkadian rile in Mesopotamia. This period lasted from 2340-2180 B.C. During this time, there was a virtual collapse of Sumerian social order because of the new divine monarchy. This new power was maintained wholly by force of arms. The ruler of this militarisitic was Sargon I whose grandson Naram-Sin is depicted in the stela.

The stela is a low-relief that is carved in sandstone and measure 6′6″ in height. It ushers in a new way of telling a story because the landscape is shown in successive tiers. There is no precise groundline and the figures are restricted to registers. This organization depicts the power of the king and the orderly military that loyally follow him. The eye moves in a diagonal from soldier to soldier but always returns to the massive form of the king who is at least twice as big as the other soldiers. The king holds a mace in his hand and is about ready to smite one of his enemies. The enemies are in a state of disarray and lie on the ground dead or pleading for mercy. The shapes and bodies are Egyptian in style in the the forms are frontal, trying to depict as much as possible. The sculpture has depicted the dominance of the ruler through the emotional violence that surrounds him.

This stela shows the dominance and the influence of the monarchy. By making the king the biggest, the artist has made a decision to communicate Naram-Sin’s god-like status within his kingdom. The enemies are crushed beneath his feet, showing his military prowess and unyielding power. A loyal subject, or even enemy, viewing this piece would certainly stand in awe of the king. Exaggeration is used to strike fear in the heart of citizens and the enemies of Akkad. It is a warning that the king is powerful and that anyone who defies him will have a fate similar to the enemies under his feet.