Ancient Near East

One feature of pre-Islamic Arabia was the combination of cultures, languages and artistic traditions.
Pre-Islamic Arabia

Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest living world-religions. Professor Almut Hintze explores its history and some of the key components of the religion: its beliefs, sacred texts and rituals.
An introduction to Zoroastrianism

There were close connections between the Indus Valley civilization and eastern Iran.
Lapis lazuli stamp seal

This dish dates to the time of the Sasanian empire, and is typical of the high quality silverware that the Sasanians produced.
Silver dish

A tablet from ancient Iraq contains both a cuneiform inscription and a unique map of the Mesopotamian world.
Map of the world

The fascinating mystery behind the person who wore this gold piece
Clasp with an eagle and its prey

This figure of a goat was made of precious materials and was found in one of the royal graves of Ur
The ‘Ram in a Thicket’

Between 1400 and 1200 B.C.E. the Hittites established one of the great empires of the ancient Middle East.
Hittites, an introduction

The Canaanites were the indigenous people of the ancient Levant who traded broadly around the region
Canaanites, an introduction

The Amorites were the indigenous people of central inland and northern Syria who maintained close diplomatic and trading relations with cities in Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Egypt.
Amorites, an introduction

What was happening in the world during the height and fall of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia?
Tiny timeline: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in ...

What was going on around the world during the rise and height of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia?
Tiny timeline: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in ...

The Sasanians were the last pre-Islamic Iranian dynasty who ruled an expansive empire stretching across western and central Asia.
Sasanian art, an introduction

Reading Assyrian art isn't easy — but it's always worth it.
Assyria vs Elam: The battle of Til ...

Led by aggressive warrior kings, Assyria dominated the fertile crescent for half a millennia, amassing vast wealth.
Assyria, an introduction

Ashurbanipal wasn't just an Assyrian king, he was a propaganda king.
The palace decoration of Ashurbanipal

Despite what their sworn enemies the Greeks would have you believe, the Persians ruled a tolerant multi-ethnic empire.
Ancient Persia, an introduction

Founded by the famed Sargon the Great, Akkad was a powerful military empire.
Akkad, an introduction

Sumer was home to some of the oldest known cities, supported by a focus on agriculture.