Images

The legend, written in Akkadian, describes how Ishtar, goddess of sexuality and warfare, went to the Underworld. Ishtar decided to undertake the journey, although the Underworld was known as the 'land of no return' for humans and gods alike...

The Assyrian king worships gods (Ashur, Shamash, Sin, Adad, and Ishtar) and records his achievements. This freestanding gypsum monument was erected by King Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883-859 BCE). This stela weighs over four tons and was erected...

This stela came from the Temple of Marduk in Babylon. It is a commemorative monument set up in honour of a private individual called Adad-Etir. He was an official in the temple, known as 'the dagger bearer', and this stela was erected by...

This prism records the first eight campaigns of the Assyrian King Sennacherib (704-681 BCE). This six-sided baked clay document (or prism) was discovered at the Assyrian capital Nineveh, in an area known today as Nebi Yunus. It was acquired...

Irregular rectangular-sided monument recording Esarhaddon's restoration of Babylon; possibly black basalt; carved symbols on the upper surface. Height 8.5 inches. The stone is not local to Mesopotamia. The irregular shape of the object...

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...