Images

The cuneiform inscriptions on this tablet mention the name of Ur-Nammu, king of Ur and founder of the Sumerian 3rd dynasty of Ur. From the temple of Inanna at Uruk, southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Neo-Sumerian period, 2112-2095 BCE.

This carved stone face probably belonged to a head of a sphinx. The Assyrian king Sennacherib ordered several colossal statues to be made in his new palace. Such giant statues were thought to have a supra-natural protective power. From the...

The cuneiform inscriptions mention that Enannatum, king of Lagash, reminds the gods of his prolific temple building achievements in the city of Lagash. From Girsu (modern-day Tell Telloh, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq), Mesopotamia. Early dynastic...

Coin of Bagadates (Persian Bagdan), third or four frataraka ruler of Persis in the 3rd century BCE. AR Tetradrachm. Obverse: Diademed head of Bagadates right, wearing kyrbasia and pendant earring. Reverse. Bagadates seated left on high...

According to its Greek inscription, the rock relief representing Hercules at Behistun was carved in 148 BCE , being dedicated to a local Seleucid governor called Kleomenes. The Aramaic inscription says: "In year 164, in the month of Panemos...

Gypsum wall relief depicting the Assyrian king Sargon II, who holds a long staff, greets a high official (who still holds a sword at his side), in very close proximity, almost touching him. This official is probably his son, Sennacherib...

This gypsum relief, which depicts an archer, was part of a larger wall relief that demonstrates the Assyrian army and Sargon II's attack on the city of Amqaruna (Biblical Ekron) in central Palestine, probably in 720 BCE. The archer holds...

This gypsum wall relief of a protective spirit (sage) was found at the palace of Sargon II at the city of Khorsabad (ancient Dur-Sharrukin), northern Mesopotamia. Iraq. Neo-Assyrian period, 710-705 BCE. (The British Museum, London).

Painting by Reginald Arthur from 1892 CE, depicting the legendary death of Cleopatra by snakebite.

The first tablet of Maqlu (Akkadian, which means burning), the Akkadian series of incantations directed against demons and witches. The spells involved the manufacturer of wax figurines; these would then be burned in certain ceremonies. From...