Chapter 02--Ancient Near East

Hammurabi and Shamash, detail of the stele of Hammurabi, (fig 2-17), from Susa, Iran, 1700 BCE.

White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE.

Reconstruction drawing of the White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE.

Female head (Inanna. ), from Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca Female head (Inanna?), from Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE. Marble, approx. 8” high.

Condition of vase after looting which followed invasion of Iraq 2003 Presentation of offerings to Inanna (Warka vase), from Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200-3000 BCE. Alabaster, 3’1/4” high.

Statuettes of two worshipers, from the Square Tiemple at Eshunna (modern Tell Asmar), Iraq, ca. 2700 BCE. Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, male figure approx. 2’6” high.

Fragment of the victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures), from Girsu (modern Telloh), Syria, ca. 2600-2500 BCE. Limestone, full stele approx. 5’11” high.

War side side from the Standard of Ur, from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone, approx. 8” x1’7”.

Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Peace side side from the Standard of Ur, from Tomb 779, Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone, approx. 8” x1’7”.

Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Soundbox of the lyre from Tomb 789 (“King’s Grave”), Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Wood with inlaid gold, lapis lazuli, and shell, approx. 1’7” high. Bull-headed lyre (restored) from Tomb 789 (“King’s Grave”), Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Gold leaf and lapis lazuli over a wooden core, approx. 5’5” high.

Banquet scene, cylinder seal and it’s modern impression, form the Tomb of Pu-abi (Tomb 800), Royal Cemetery, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2600 BCE. Lapis lazuli, approx. 2” high.

Head of an Akkadian ruler, from Nineveh, (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca Head of an Akkadian ruler, from Nineveh, (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 2250-2200 BCE. Copper, 1 2 3/8 high.

Victory stele of Naram-Sin, from Susa, Iran, 2254-2218 BCE Victory stele of Naram-Sin, from Susa, Iran, 2254-2218 BCE. Pink sandstone, approx. 6’7” high.

Votive disk of Enheduanna, from Ur (Modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2300-2275 BCE. Alabaster, diameter 10”.

Ziggurat (northeastern façade with restored stairs), Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, 2100 BCE.

ca. 2100 BCE. Diorite, approx. 2’5” high. Seated statue of Gudea holding temple plan, from Girsu (modern Telloh), Iraq, ca. 2100 BCE. Diorite, approx. 2’5” high.

Stele with law code of Hammurabi, from Susa, Iran, ca. 1780 BCE Stele with law code of Hammurabi, from Susa, Iran, ca. 1780 BCE. Basalt, approx. 7’4” high.

Lion Gate, Boghazkoy, Turkey, ca. 1400 BCE. Limestone, lions approx Lion Gate, Boghazkoy, Turkey, ca. 1400 BCE. Limestone, lions approx.7’high.

Statue of Queen Napir-Asu, from Susa, Iran, ca 1350-1300 BCE Statue of Queen Napir-Asu, from Susa, Iran, ca 1350-1300 BCE. Bronze and copper, 4’2 ¾ high.

Reconstruction drawing of the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad), Iraq, ca. 720-705 BCE.

Lamassu (winged, human-headed bull), from the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad), Iraq, ca. 720-705 BCE. Limeston, approx. 13’ 10” high.

Assyrian archers pursuing enemies, relief from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Kalhu, (modern Nimrud), Iraq, ca. 875-860 BCE. Gypsum, 2’ 20 5/8” high.

Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 645-640 BCE. Gypsum, 5’4” high. Ashurbanipal hunting lions, relief from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 645-640 BCE. Gypsum, 5’4” high.

Ishtar Gate (restored), Babylon, Iraq, ca. 575 BCE. Glazed brick.

Persepolis (royal audience hall in the background), Iran, ca Persepolis (royal audience hall in the background), Iran, ca. 521-465 BCE.

Processional frieze, on the terrace of the royal audience hall (apadana), Persepolis, Iran, ca. 521-465 BCE.

Palace of Shapur I, Ctesiphon, Iraq, ca. 250 CE.

Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian, rock-cut relief, Bishapur, Iran, ca Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian, rock-cut relief, Bishapur, Iran, ca. 260 CE.