Babylonian Art History Period — Working through the timeline of art history we study Prehistoric, Neolithic and then Babylonian. The Ishtar Gate was the eighth gate to the inner city of Babylon (modern day Iraq). It was constructed c. 569 BCby order of King Nebuchadnezzar II. It was part of a grand walled processional way leading into the city. 
 
Walk through the history of King Nebuchadnezzar's Ishtar Gate, facts, reconstruction history, inscription, etc. Includes enlarged images of each for print or digital display from original ruins, reconstruction in Berlin Museum, computer generated images, etc. 
 
Babylonian Art projects are generally a challenge but we came up with modeling the Ishtar Gate and using the Lion on our gate wall. Walk through observational drawing with students, texture and color challenges of creating a brick wall with a lion on it like the Ishtar Gate. History and facts get students engaged as they take a look back at this historical wonder. Compliments King Nebuchadnezzar Hanging Gardens if you want additional material to include. Lion skeleton, Ishtar Gate lion, profile lion and hot-to-draw a lion sheets included. When we do figure or animal drawing, we always start with the skeleton since it gives our shape and form. Then move on to a side profile of a lion. Challenge older students by requiring great detail, while younger students can keep this very simple. Samples shown were created by students grade 1-8.