Bobby (Robert) Groom

Prof. J. Pollini
ARLT 100 M. W. 3:30-5:00
2/15/12
The Societies Surrounding Ziggurats and Pyramids
The Egyptians and Sumerians both built structures to show their
admiration for their higher powers. Ziggurats and Pyramids alike contain
certain aspects, which portray their civilizations religious beliefs. They both
have a similar shape, yet they represent and stand for different ideas. From
honoring the dead, to honoring the gods, they were built to serve separate
purposes.
One of the biggest similarities between the Sumerians ziggurats and
the Egyptians pyramids is the general shape of the structures. In general,
they both resemble a triangular and their general shape points upward.
These pointed forms are a result of many bricks being stacked up, one on
top of another. Both structures also represented a form of link between the
physical world, and the heavens. The Pyramids were likely modeled on a
sacred, pointed stone called the benbe which symbolized the rays of the
sun; ancient texts claimed that pharaohs reached the heavens via
sunbeams ("National Geographic: Egypt Pyramids--Facts, Photos,
Diagrams."). These sunbeams represented their sun god, Ra, and have also
been known as the deceased pharaohs path to the heavens. To the
Egyptians, the pyramids helped the pharaohs to access the heavens when

they passed away. This is similar to how the ziggurats functioned

symbolically too, as lofty bridges between the earth and the heavens a
meeting place for humans and their gods(Stokstad). The stepped sides of
the ziggurats almost served as a staircase between the two worlds. In both
cases, the mortals have some form of connection to the gods and the
heavens above. Some other physical aspects of the forms of the monuments
are the same, however, the functions of these designs are different.
Another possibility is seen not in the pyramids, but in the stepped
pyramids of Egypt. Even though they have different meanings, the Egyptian
style of the stepped pyramids was very closely resembled to the structure of
the Sumerian Ziggurats. They both had a wide base, and each consecutive
layer would be smaller than the previous, gradually making the shape that is
widely recognized as a pyramid. The ziggurats even have slanted sides,
which make them resemble the pyramids even more.
Although the two types of structures are similar in various ways, they
had many differences in their appearance and purposes. Even though both
ziggurats and pyramids were connections between Earth and the heavens,
they served different purposes. The ziggurats were huge stepped structures
with a shrine on top(Stokstad). This shrine was used as worship to the gods;
however, it was mainly used by priests, and not as much by the public. The
pyramids, on the other hand, were claimed to be a place where pharaohs
reached the heavens via sunbeams(National Grographic) once that
passed away. Unlike the Sumerians, the Egyptians did not use the structures

to communicate with the heavens; rather, they used them to reach the
afterlife. The Sumerian cultures dedicated the ziggurats to the gods, as the
Egyptians dedicated the Pyramids to pharaohs. The Egyptian Pyramids also
carried part of the purpose of the original stepped pyramids, protecting a
tomb(Stokstad). These structures were designed to make it more difficult
for grave robbers to loot the wealth that was buried with bodies.
Another distinction can be seen in the builders of the monuments,
themselves. The King built the ziggurats in order to show that he could
perform more impressive religious deeds than the priesthood(Ziggurat).
The quickest means of building this would have been to use slave labor.
Meanwhile, pyramids were built with a huge labor force that had to be
assembled, housed, and fed(Stokstad). Bones of animals were found around
the building sites of the pyramids suggesting that the workers were well fed,
and fed meat. This implies that they were not slaves, yet hired workers from
different places around the kingdom.
Because of the ziggurats stepped structure, it is possible that they
were built in more than one undertaking. The first ziggurats may have
developed from the practice of repeated rebuilding at a sacred
site(Stokstad), where one building would be built on top of the rubble of
another. This shrine at the sacred place would always remain at the top of
this rebuilding, thus, building up to what we know as a ziggurat. The
pyramids were built in a completely different fashion. It is believed that they
were built in one project; the layers were added by using some form of a

ramp that would allow workers to place blocks on the top of the other layers
of blocks.
These tall standing structures are some of the most well known
symbols of the ancient Egyptian and Sumerian cultures. Even though the
Sumerians and the Egyptians were two separate civilizations, similarities
within the architecture of these monuments show some similar practices and
ideas throughout their religious and social beliefs. Even though the designs
may have been different, they both shared in the idea that it was a link
between the earthly world and the afterlife.

Works Cited
"National Geographic: Egypt Pyramids--Facts, Photos, Diagrams." National
Geographic - Inspiring People to Care About the Planet Since 1888.
Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pyramids/pyramids.html>.
Stokstad, Marilyn, Marion Spears. Grayson, and Stephen Addiss. Art History.
New York: H.N. Abrams, 1995. Print.
"Ziggurat." Livius. Articles on Ancient History. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.livius.org/za-zn/ziggurat/ziggurat.html>.