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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,...

Emperor Valerian (ca. 200-260 CE) kneels in front of Sassanid King Shapur I (241 to 272 CE). After the battle of Edessa, Valerian was forced to seek terms with Shapur I. Sometime towards the end of 259, or at the beginning of 260, Valerian was defeated and made prisoner by the Persians (making him the only Roman Emperor taken captive). It is said that he was subjected to the greatest insults by his captors, such as being used as a human stepladder by Shapur when mounting his horse. After his execution, his skin was stuffed with straw and preserved as a trophy in the chief Persian temple. Only after the Persian defeat in the last Persia-Roman war three and a half centuries later, was his skin destroyed.
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Emperor Valerian (ca. 200-260 CE) kneels in front of Sassanid King Shapur I (24...

Satue of Pharaoh Mycerinos (2485-2457 BCE, aka Mykerinus, Menkaura). Alabaster statue found near Giza, Egypt. Old Kingdom (4th dynasty).
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Satue of Pharaoh Mycerinos (2485-2457 BCE, aka Mykerinus, Menkaura). Alabaster s...

Relief of a harvest scene from the mastaba of Ipi. Saqqara, Egypt; Old Kingdom (5th dynasty).
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Relief of a harvest scene from the mastaba of Ipi. Saqqara, Egypt; Old Kingdom...

The Doctor. Wodden statue from Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom (5th dynasty).
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The Doctor. Wodden statue from Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom (5th dynasty).

The Royal Scribe. Painted limestone sculpture; Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom , 5th Dynasty. This statue presents the ideal image of a perfect official. The position of scribe was one of the most honoured in ancient Egypt, therefore many tomb owners from the time of Khufu (4th Dynasty) onwards to the Late Period, had themselves represented in the squatting scribal attitude, reading or writing. The face of this anonymous scribe is emphasized by a slight asymmetry and by the style of the wig, the locks of which are thrown back over the shoulders leaving the face free. JE 30272
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The Royal Scribe. Painted limestone sculpture; Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom , 5...

Bust of a Scribe. Painted limestone sculpture; Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom (5th dynasty).
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Bust of a Scribe. Painted limestone sculpture; Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom (5t...

Bust of a male statue. Wooden Sculpture; 2475 BCE, Old Kingdom (5th dynasty). It is assumed that this statue of a young man represented the priest Ka-aper in his youth. However this assumption still lacks firm archeological proof. Nevertheless, the statue shows skill and artistic charm. The realistic face is that of a young man, as is the tall slim body, simply and elegantly sculptured. It was originally plastered and painted. The inlaid eyes, and slightly asymmetrical face with the serious mouth and rather haughty bearing, give the portrait a very lively character. JE 10177
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Bust of a male statue. Wooden Sculpture; 2475 BCE, Old Kingdom (5th dynasty)....

Bust of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II. Painted sandstone sculpture from Deir el-Bahari. Middle Kingdom (11th dynasty).
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Bust of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II. Painted sandstone sculpture from Deir el-Bahari....

Head of Pharaoh Kamose from his sarcophagus. Deir el-Bahari, Egypt; end of the Second Intermediate Period (17th dynasty).
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Head of Pharaoh Kamose from his sarcophagus. Deir el-Bahari, Egypt; end of the...