The document provides an overview of ancient art from the Near East, including the cultures of Elam, Assyria, Neo-Babylonia, Achaemenid Persia, and Sasanid Persia. It describes important time periods and locations for each culture and includes images and descriptions of representative artworks such as statues, reliefs, and architectural structures.

3. Elamite Art Image Source

6. Kneeling bull holding a spouted vessel from Susa, Iran ca. 3,000-2,900 B.C.E. silver

7. Statue of Queen Napir-Asu from Susa, Iran ca. 1,350-1,300 B.C.E. bronze and copper 50 3/4 in. high

9. Image Source Site of Chogha Zanbil ziggurat

10. Assyrian Art

13. Reconstruction drawing of the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq ca. 720-705 B.C.E.

14. during excavation Lamassu (winged human headed bull) from the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq ca. 720-705 B.C.E. Limestone 13 ft. 10 in. high Image Source

15. Lamassu (winged human headed bull) from the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq ca. 720-705 B.C.E. | limestone | 13 ft. 10 in. high

19. This 40 ton statue was one of a two flanking the entrance to the throne room of King Sargon II. A protective spirit known as a lamassu, it is shown as a composite being with he head of a human, the body and ears of a bull, and the wings of a bird. When viewed from the side, the creature appears to be walking; when viewed from the front, to be standing still. Thus it is actually represented with five, rather than four legs. Image Source

20. Gilgamesh Wrestling Lion from the citadel of Sargon II, Dar Sharrukin ca. 720-705 B.C.E. limestone 13 ft. 10 in. high

22. Assyrian archers pursuing enemies from the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, Kalhu (modern Nimrud) ca. 875-860 B.C.E. gypsum | 2 ft. 10 3/8 in. high

24. Ashurbanipal hunting lions from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq ca. 645-640 B.C.E. | Gypsum | approximately 5 ft. high For their palace walls the Assyrian kings commissioned extensive series of narrative reliefs exalting royal power and piety. The degree of documentary detail in the Assyrian reliefs is without parallel in the ancient Near East.

25. Ashurbanipal hunting lions from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq ca. 645-640 B.C.E. | gypsum approximately 5 ft. high

26. Ashurbanipal hunting lions from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Ninevah (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq ca. 645-640 B.C.E. | Gypsum | approximately 5 ft. high

27. Neo-Babylonian Art

29. A 16th-century hand-coloured engraving of the "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" by Dutch artist Martin Heemskerck, with the Tower of Babel in the background. Image Source

31. restored Ishtar Gate from Babylon, Iraq ca. 575 B.C.E. glazed brick

32. restored Ishtar Gate details of dragon (Marduk) and bull (Adad) from Babylon, Iraq ca. 575 B.C.E. glazed brick

33. Ishtar Gate restored details of lion (Ishtar) from Babylon, Iraq ca. 575 B.C.E. | glazed brick

35. Achaemenid Persian Art

38. Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I Persepolis, Iran ca. 521-465 B.C.E. UNESCO declared the citadel of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in 1979.

39. Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I Gate of All Nations Persepolis, Iran | ca. 521-465 B.C.E. The most important source of knowledge about Persian art and architecture is the ceremonial and administrative complex on the citadel at Persepolis.It was built between 521 and 465 BCE by Darius I (r. 522-486 BCE) and Xerxes (r. 486-465 BCE), successors of Cyrus.

40. Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I Persepolis, Iran ca. 521-465 B.C.E.

41. Sasanian Art

44. Palace of Shapur I from Ctesiphon, Iraq ca. 250 C.E.

45. Palace of Shapur I from Ctesiphon, Iraq ca. 250 C.E.

47. Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian from Bishapur, Iraq ca. 260 C.E. rock-cut relief

48. Triumph of Shapur I over Valerian from Bishapur, Iraq ca. 260 C.E. | rock-cut relief

49. Shapur I drachim ca. 260 C.E. cast silver coins

50. Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?) from Ctesiphon, Iraq ca. 350 C.E. silver with mercury gilding 15 3/4 in. high

51. Head of Sasanian King (Shapur II?) from Ctesiphon, Iraq ca. 350 C.E. silver with mercury gilding 15 3/4 in. high