Images

This map shows Ebla and Mari's territories c. 2380 BCE. The two powers were rivals and allies on and off and together dominated much of modern-day Syria and western Iraq. Iblul-Il of Mari is known to have exacted tribute from Ebla during...

This map shows the political situation in Syro-Mesopotamia c. 1764 BCE. During this time, the Amorite Kings, Hammurabi of Babylon and Zimri-Lim of Mari were engaged in near-constant warfare with surrounding polities, many of whom were also...

This fresco mural depicts Zimri-Lim, the last king of Mari. It was likely created c. 1775 BCE when Zimri-Lim regained the throne of Mari for the Amorite "Lim Dynasty" from Shamsi-Adad's son, Yasmakh-Adad. The mural depicts Zimri-Lim receiving...

A portion of the fortifications at the site of Mari, modern-day Tell Hariri, Syria. Mari's fortifications entered their most advanced stage in the 19th century BCE when the city and the rest of the region were under threat from Amorite invaders...

A satellite photograph of the site of Tell Hariri, Syria. Tell Hariri is the site of the ancient city of Mari, which, at various times from c. 3000 BCE - c. 1760 BCE, controlled large portions of Northern Mesopotamia. The photograph has been...

Excavated remains of the Temple of Lions, a 40-foot terrace attached to a temple at Mari. The temple, also known as the Temple of the King of the Land was built by the ruler, Ishtup-Ilum, in the 22nd century BCE and dedicated to the god...

A Roman satyr mask in marble. 2nd century CE. (Capitoline Museums, Rome)

A Roman-period statue of Leda and the swan from Greek mythology. From a 4th century BCE Greek original by Timotheos. (Capitoline Museums, Rome)

A marble statue of a seated Ares, Greek god of war. Eros plays at the god's feet. 2nd century BCE. (Palazzo Altemps, Rome)

A section of Roman flooring known as opus sectile. Marble and slate inlay. From the Domus Tiberiana in Rome, 1st century CE. (Forum Museum, Rome)