Images

The east side of the Gate of All Nations (also known as the Gate of Xerxes) in Persepolis (Iran), built by Xerxes I (r. 486-465 BCE). The gate was flanked by two monumental statues of lamassu, winged bulls with human heads, who were thought...

The palace of king Ardashir I (r. 224-240 CE), the founder of the Persian Sasanian Empire, was built around 224 CE opposite the city he had founded, Ardashir-Khurrah (“Glory of Ardashir”), on the bank of the western branch of Tangab river...

A 17th-century painting by Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom showing English and Dutch galleons in combat in 1605. Both ships are typical of the Spanish galleon type. (National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam)

Early Sasanian bridge (Kavar bridge) spanning the Qara Aqaj River near Firuzabad in Iran. It was built in the 3rd century CE, possibly by Romans who were taken captive during the campaigns of Shapur I (r. 240-270 CE).

A detail of a 17th-century painting by Cornelis Verbeeck showing a Spanish galleon firing its cannons. In the complete painting, the ship is in combat with a Dutch vessel c. 1618 in an unknown location. (National Gallery of Art, Washington...

Sasanian relief in Taq-e Bostan (Iran) depicting the investiture of Ardashir II (r. 379-383 CE), the Sasanian King of Kings. Ardashir II appears in the middle, receiving the diadem from his predecessor Shapur II (r. 309-379 CE) (or Ahura...

Rock carving in Bisotun (Iran) from the Seleucid era depicting Hercules lying on the back of the lion skin and holding a bowl in his left hand. According to its Greek inscription it was carved in 148 BCE and dedicated to a local Seleucid...

Geena Davis as a female pirate in Cutthroat Island (1995). Photo by Carolco Pictures.

Sir Richard Bingham, English soldier and naval commander, oil on panel painting by an unknown artist, c. 1564. National Portrait Gallery, London.

Rockfleet Castle, near Newport, Ireland, built in the 16th century, the alleged place of death of Grace O'Malley.