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Assyrian slingers attacking the Judean fortified town of Lachish (battle 701 BCE). Part of a relief from the palace of Sennacherib at Niniveh, Mesopotamia (Iraq). See also 08-02-03/52
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Assyrian slingers attacking the Judean fortified town of Lachish (battle 701 BC...

Leaving for the hunt with dogs and cages. Stone bas-relief (7th BCE) from the palace of Ashurbanipal in Niniveh, Mesopotamia (Iraq).
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Leaving for the hunt with dogs and cages. Stone bas-relief (7th BCE) from the p...

Clay model of a sheep's liver (used by experts in divination). Old Babylonian, about 1900-1600 BCE Probably from Sippar, southern Iraq. Length: 14.6 cm Width: 14.6 cm ANE 92668 The Babylonians believed that the world was controlled by gods and that they could give indications of coming events. One of the most widespread means of prediction was the liver omen, in which a sheep was killed and its liver and lungs examined by a specialist priest, the baru. He would ask a particular question and the answer would be supplied by the interpretation of individual markings or overall shape of the liver and lungs. One could then take steps to avoid danger. On this model each box describes the implications of a blemish appearing at this position. Earlier model livers are known from the site of Mari on the Euphrates. We know from ancient texts that the baru was one of the most important scholars in Mesopotamia. He had to be the descendant of a free man and healthy in body and mind. The baru played an important part in decision making at all levels but particularly where the king was concerned. No military campaign, building work, appointment of an official, or matters of the king's health would be undertaken without consulting the baru.
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Clay model of a sheep's liver (used by experts in divination). Old Babylonian,...

Glass jar, Mesopotamian, from Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), northern Iraq, possibly Poenician, 750-550 BCE. The jar was cast, probably by the lost wax technique, and then ground and polished. ANE 91461
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Glass jar, Mesopotamian, from Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), northern Iraq, possibly Po...

Tablet with part of the Babylonian Chronicle, southern Iraq, Neo-Babylonian, 550-400 BCE. This tablet is one of a series that summarizes the principal events of each year from 747 BCE to at least 280 BCE. Each entry is separated by a horizontal line and begins with a reference to the year of reign of the king in question. ANE 21901
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Tablet with part of the Babylonian Chronicle, southern Iraq, Neo-Babylonian, 55...

Tablet with part of the Babylonian Chronicle, southern Iraq, Neo-Babylonian, 550-400 BCE. This tablet is one of a series that summarizes the principal events of each year from 747 BCE to at least 280 BCE. Each entry is separated by a horizontal line and begins with a reference to the year of reign of the king in question. ANE 21946
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Tablet with part of the Babylonian Chronicle, southern Iraq, Neo-Babylonian, 55...

Cylinder of Nebuchadnezzar II, southern Iraq, Neo- Babylonian dynasty, 604 - 562 BCE. The cuneiform text describes the three palaces which Nebuchadnezzar built for himself in Babylon. The first palace was a rebuilding of the palace used by his father Nabopolassar. When it did not seem grand enough, he built himself a new palace on the northern edge of Babylon. Later, Nebuchadnezzar erected new city walls around the east side of Babylon and built a third palace. Cylinders of this type were buried in the corners of all large buildings by Nebuchadnezzar and his successors. They were meant to be found and read by future kings.
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Cylinder of Nebuchadnezzar II, southern Iraq, Neo- Babylonian dynasty, 604 - 562...

Rampant ram with blossoming bush (tree of life?). Golden figure on wooden core, with lapis lazuli, shells, and red limestone (25th BCE), from the Great Death-pit at Ur WA 122200
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Rampant ram with blossoming bush (tree of life?). Golden figure on wooden...

War and triumph of a king of the 1st dynasty of Ur. A king banqueting.The Standard of Ur,Mesopotamia; From a royal tomb. Enamelled panel W.A.12201
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War and triumph of a king of the 1st dynasty of Ur. A king banqueting.The Standa...

Royal game of the 24 squares of Ur. Geometrical game board and chips with shells, bone, lapis lazuli, and red limestone from a royal cemetery in Ur, Mesopotamia WA 120834
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Royal game of the 24 squares of Ur. Geometrical game board a...

Lion-headed Imdugud bird on top of two stags. Relief, copper plated with wooden core (25th BCE) from the temple of Ninchursag at Tel-al-Ubeid, Mesopotamia. W.A.1144308
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Lion-headed Imdugud bird on top of two stags. Relief, copper plated wi...

Tree of life with two rampant rams. Relief, early Sumerian (25th BCE),from the Death-Pit at Ur,Mesopotamia. WA 122200
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Tree of life with two rampant rams. Relief, early Sumerian (...