1. Mesopotamian Culture

2. Architecture

3. Master Builders Arch & Dome Arch & Dome Become primary elements in architecture for the rest of human history. Become primary elements in architecture for the rest of human history.

4. Ziggurat of Ur

7. Babylon Ishtar Gate

8. Babylon Today

10. Literature “Heaven is far away, but earth is precious.” - The Instructions of Shuruppak circa 2,500 BCE

11. Cuneiform Writing

12. “School Days” – 17 th century BCE My mother gave me two pieces of bread and I went to school. In school the supervisor asked me, why are you late? I was afraid. My heart was pounding. I entered into the presence of the masters. I bowed down, and I recited my tablet to the Master of the school. He said, “You are going to be beaten because you left out some lines.”

13. Cyrus Cylinder 539 BCE

14. Art

15. Standard of Ur 2500 BCE War

16. Standard of Ur 2500 BCE Peace

17. Bas-reliefs

18. Lamassu

19. Metal Work Head of Akkadian ruler Sargon I, from Nineveh Head of Akkadian ruler Sargon I, from Nineveh Ca. 2350 BCE Ca. 2350 BCE

20. Ram Caught in a Thicket ca. 2650-2550 B.C.

21. Headdress of the Lady Puabi, ca. 2650-2550 BCE Gold, lapis lazuli and carnelian

22. Music

23. Music