Images

This alabaster panel was part of the decorative scheme of the palace of King Tiglath Pileser III (reigned 745-727 BCE) at Kalhu. The king is shown in his chariot, while in another scene above Assyrian soldiers drive out prisoners and flocks...

An alabaster bas-relief depicting the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III stands over a captured enemy. The cuneiform inscription describes an Assyrian campaign in Iran 744 BCE. From the central palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), reused and...

Fragment of a stone stele dedicated by Itur-Ashdum, king Hammurabi at worship. The cuneiform inscription states that a high official called Itur-Ashdum dedicated a statue of a lamma to the goddess Ashratum in her temple on behalf of King...

These lyres were found in queen Pu-Abi's grave, inside the "Great Death-Pit", one of the graves in the Royal Cemetery at Ur. From Ur, southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Early dynastic period, 2600-2400 BCE. (The British Museum, London)

The silver cow's head decorating the front has inlaid eyes of shell and lapis lazuli. This lyre was found in the 'Great Death-Pit', one of the graves in the Royal Cemetery at Ur. From Ur, southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Early dynastic period...

Rectangular stone foundation document of the Assyrian king Adad-Nirari I. It recounts the king's victories over the Mitanni, who had failed to gain Hittite support, and the extension of Assyrian rule west to the Euphrates. The stone appears...

An elaborate headdress and necklace made of gold, lapis lazuli, and carnelian which belonged to a high-level Sumerian woman. These were found in the "Great Death-Pit", one of the graves in the Royal Cemetery at Ur. From Ur, southern Mesopotamia...

Map showing the ancient states in the western Caucasus (modern-day Georgia) from c. 600 BCE to 150 BCE.

This lyre was found in the 'Great Death-Pit', one of the graves in the Royal Cemetery at Ur. From Ur, southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Early dynastic period, 2600-2400 BCE. (The British Museum, London)

An alabaster bas-relief depicting the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III. From the central palace, Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), Mesopotamia, northern Iraq. Neo-Assyrian era, circa 728 BCE. (The British Museum, London)