Images

This terracotta lion was found at the entrance to the Dagan Temple at Tell Harmal (ancient Shaduppum), in the eastern outskirt of Baghdad. The temple was dedicated to Nisaba (goddess of the grain and writing) and her consort, Haja. The...

Silver coin (15-drachm) with the portrait of Berenice II on the obverse; the reverse illustrates an overflowing cornucopia between two wreathed caps with the legend naming Queen Berenice, from Alexandria, c. 246-204 BCE. CNG sale...

Mosaic with square emblem depicting Berenice II as personification of naval prowess (Thmouis, ca. 245-200 BCE; Greco-Roman Museum, Alexandria, inv. 21.739). Photograph by A. Pelle © Centre d’Études Alexandrines/CNRS, courtesy of Jean-Yves...

Ptolemy III and Berenice II stand before Chonsu (their heads and feet vandalized by Christian iconoclasts) on a relief scene of the Euergetes Gate (Thebes, ca. 240-220 BCE). Photo courtesy of Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Cardiff University.

A painting on hemp which shows Kichijoten, a Buddhist deity of fertility and good fortune, but thought to be modelled on Empress Komyo (l. 701-760 CE). Yakushiji temple, Nara, Japan.

The Main or Golden Hall (Hondo) of Yakushiji temple, Nara, Japan. The temple complex dates to the 8th century CE but was largely destroyed by a fire in 1528 CE. In the 20th century CE many of the buildings were restored in their original...

The East Pagoda of Yakushiji temple, Nara, Japan. The three-story pagoda is original and dates to the 8th century CE and rises to a height of 33 metres (108 ft).

The Yakushi Triad in the Main Hall of Yakushiji temple, Nara, Japan. Bronze, 680-718 CE. Yakushi Nyorai is the Buddha of healing and the seated figure is flanked by two bodhisattvas. The Yakushi figure is 4.3 metres (14 ft.) in height.

One of the surviving 21 gates of Himeji Castle, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Built as a samurai fortress in 1581-1609 CE.

The keep of Himeji Castle, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Built as a samurai fortress in 1581-1609 CE.