Images

This statue of Ptahhotep (who was the Overseer of the Treasury) is shown in a Persian costume that Egyptian officials adopted when Egypt was under Persian control. The jacket with flaring sleeves, over which a skirt is wrapped, is complemented...

One of the world's most famous works of Minoan pottery, this vessel shows five mollusks called nautili floating above the seafloor. The sinuous undulating lines of the water plans and nautili tentacles clearly demonstrate the Minoans' love...

Although the use of glazed tiles and colored paste inlays is known from as early as the Old Kingdom, the apogee of their use came during the New Kingdom. An almost identical frieze of lotuses, other flowers, and grape clusters is known to...

Wreaths like this one formed to resemble flowers and leaves were used to crown athletic victors throughout the ancient Greek world. The Egyptian-born Greek writer Athenaeus of Nitocric (c. late 2nd-3rd century CE) tells of guests wearing...

This is an ancient Chinese brick from a tomb doorway, which was created during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and made from clay. This brick depicts dueling boars and tigers. (Victoria & Albert Museum, London)

This is an ancient Chinese brick from a tomb doorway, which was created during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) and made from clay. This brick shows trees, tomb doorways, and tethered horses. (Victoria & Albert Museum, London)

The interest in ancient Roman religions continued for several decades after Christianity became the official religion of the empire. At the end of the 4th century CE, it was actively revived by senatorial families like the Symmachi, whose...

A 12th century CE depiction of the Byzantine emperor Basil II (r. 976-1025 CE) riding in triumph through Constantinople. From the Madrid Skylitzes. (National Library of Spain, Madrid)

An early 11th century CE depiction of Byzantine emperor Basil II (r. 976-1025 CE) being crowned and armed by archangels. He is being blessed by God from above and worshipped by military saints on both sides. Below, courtiers and defeated...

This funerary bust of a Palmyrene lady dates from c. 175-200 CE and is made of limestone. It is originally from Palmyra, Syria. (Inscribed in Aramaic: ‘Aqmat, daughter of Hagagu, descendant of Zebida, descendant of Ma'an. Alas!") The inhabitants...