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Ancient Near East

Mesopotamia, the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (in modern day Iraq), is often referred to as the cradle of civilization because it is the first place where complex urban centers grew. The history of Mesopotamia, however, is inextricably tied to the greater region, which is comprised of the modern nations of Egypt, Iran, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, the Gulf states and Turkey. We often refer to this region as the Near or Middle East.

zoroastrian grid — 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

by The British Library

lapis grid — There were close connections between the Indus Valley civilization and eastern Iran.

Lapis lazuli stamp seal

by Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and The British Museum

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

Silver dish

by The British Museum

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

Map of the world

by The British Museum

parthian grid — The fascinating mystery behind the person who wore this gold piece

Clasp with an eagle and its prey

by The Metropolitan Museum of Art

flowering goat grid — 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’

by The British Museum

hittite grid — Between 1400 and 1200 B.C.E. the Hittites established one of the great empires of the ancient Middle East.

Hittites, an introduction

by The British Museum

star grid — The Canaanites were the indigenous people of the ancient Levant who traded broadly around the region

Canaanites, an introduction

by The British Museum

amorite grid — 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

by The British Museum

What was happening in the world during the height and fall of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia?

Tiny timeline: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in ...

by Smarthistory

What was going on around the world during the rise and height of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia?

Tiny timeline: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in ...

by Smarthistory

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

Sasanian art, an introduction

by Dr. Betty Hensellek

Reading Assyrian art isn't easy — but it's always worth it.

Assyria vs Elam: The battle of Til ...

by The British Museum

Ashurbanipal taking aim at a lion (detail), Lion Hunts of Ashurbanipal (ruled 669-630 B.C.E.), c. 645 B.C.E., gypsum,Neo-Assyrian, hall reliefs from Palace at Ninevah across the Tigris from present day Mosul, Iraq (British Museum) — Led by aggressive warrior kings, Assyria dominated the fertile crescent for half a millennia, amassing vast wealth.

Assyria, an introduction

by Dr. Senta German

Ashurbanipal wasn't just an Assyrian king, he was a propaganda king.

The palace decoration of Ashurbanipal

by The British Museum

Archer (detail), Frieze of Griffins, c. 510 B.C.E., Apadana, west courtyard of the palace, Susa, Iran, glazed siliceous brick, 1.65 x 4.22 m, excavations led by Jacques de Morgan and Roland de Mecquenem, 1908-13 — Despite what their sworn enemies the Greeks would have you believe, the Persians ruled a tolerant multi-ethnic empire.

Ancient Persia, an introduction

by Dr. Senta German

Head of Akkadian Ruler, 2250-2200 B.C.E. (Iraqi Museum, Baghdad - looted?) — Founded by the famed Sargon the Great, Akkad was a powerful military empire.

Akkad, an introduction

by Dr. Senta German

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

Sumer, an introduction

by Dr. Senta German

Neo-Sumerian / Ur III — Shown with an architectural plan in his lap, this prince constructed temples to the gods and likenesses of himself.

Seated Gudea holding temple plan

by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker

Warka (Uruk) Vase, Uruk, Late Uruk period, c. 3500-3000 B.C.E., 105 cm high (National Museum of Iraq) — One of the most precious artifacts from Sumer, the Warka Vase was looted and almost lost forever.

Warka Vase

by Dr. Senta German

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