Images

An Egyptian pyramidion. These formed the top of private tombs and were based on the "benen," the primeval mound of creation on which the son God was born. Egypt, 16th to 12th century BCE. (National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK)

A black-figure drinking scene on an amphora. Amphorae are a particular type of storage vessel which were used for the storage and transportation of liquids, mainly wine. They were usually ceramic and can be dated back to the neolithic period...

This sculpture depicts a large lioness devouring a naked bearded man; the overall scene represents the destructive power of death. The 2 snakes on the base symbolize the survival of the soul. The sculpture was built as part of a tomb memorial...

Buddha was a Hindu prince (c. 500 BCE) who renounced the world to become a wondering ascetic. This hornblende schist rock statue depicts Buddha cross-legged in meditation. From the Gandhara school, India, 200-300 CE. (National Museum of Scotland...

This marble bust depicts emperor Antoninus Pius in a military dress in the early years of his reign. To quell unrest at the edge of the empire. he ordered the building of the "Antonine Wall" across northern Britain, from the Firth of Forth...

Oil, especially olive oil, is stored in a specialized Greek pottery; lekythos (pleural, lekythoi). Many lekythoi were found inside tombs; they were used to anointg the dead bodies of single men. Mainly dull red and black paints were used...

Medusa was a Gorgon from greek mythology. She had the face of a hideous human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. A glance from Medusa turned onlookers to stone. Perseus decapitated her without looking at her; he used the...

The Oinochoe (or oenochoe) is one of the key forms of painted terracotta Greek pottery; it is a form of wine jug. The painted scene shows the goddess Athena alerting the heroes Ajax and Achilles, who are absorbed in a board game at the start...

This limestone statue was made by Huastec people. Those were Mayan Indians who lived in ancient Mexico. After their conquest by Aztecs about 1450 CE, the Huastec mother goddess merged to some degree with Tiazolteoti (an Aztec goddess). From...

The interior nave of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, first constructed 532-37 CE.