Images

The royal couple (the Hittite king Arnuwanda and his wife Ašmu-nikal) is complaining to the gods about the Kaška people for having sacked the Hatti country, demolished the temples, and broken the statues of the gods. They are imploring the...

The Hittite king Muršiliš II is imploring the gods to end the plague which has infested his country since the time of his father, Arnuwanda II. 13th century BCE (the tablet was originally written in the second half of the 14th century BCE...

This clay tablet describes the ceremonies in honor of various gods, as celebrated by the Hittite Kings at various sites. The Karahna festivals consist of 7 ceremonies, each one lasting 3 days. For instance, the 4th festival celebrates the...

Lunar eclipses on different days throughout the year were interpreted and their meaning was given. For example: "...If there is a lunar eclipse on the day of the 6th month: A prince of the royal family sent away in disgrace will come back...

A painting by Delacroix (1798-1863 CE) depicting the entry of the Crusaders into Constantinople in 1204 CE during the Fourth Crusade. (Louvre, Paris)

Khirbat el-yahud (ancient Beitar) near Batir.

Silver and bronze coins were struck by the Bar Kokhba administration between 132-135 CE over the top of Roman coins. Some bear Bar Kokhba's name and his title "Prince of Israel"; others bear the phrases "for the freedom of Jerusalem" or "for...

Inscribed lead weight, 803.6 grams used to ensure fair dealing in markets. It was issued by the administration of Simon Bar Kochba (son of the star) during the revolt of 132-135 CE. It was found at Beth Guvrin, one of his administrative centres...

A painting of Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria (r. 1174-1193) who shocked the western world by defeating a western army at the Battle of Hattin and then capturing Jerusalem in 1187. Painting by Cristofano dell'Altissimo, c. 1525-1605...

This bronze statuette was part of a matching pair of statuettes found in the region of Alexandria, Egypt and dates to the mid-late 1st Century BCE. The statuette portrays a boy in Eastern garb, possibly a prince or deity. The precise identity...