History essay, compare different time period

The Ancient Near East

Copper portrait of an Akkadian ruler, perhaps Naram-Sin (ruled 2254-2218 BCE) Found in Nineveh, mutilated in antiquity, probably 612 BCE

Jacques de Morgan seated by Stele of Naram-Sin, found at Susa (Iran), photo ca.1898

Stele of Naram-Sin (ca. 2230 BCE), originally set up in Sippar, then looted by Elamites as war booty, ca. 1190 BCE, & taken to Susa (Iran), now in Louvre. 6’ 7” high.

Detail of Naram-Sin, in horned helmet Detail of fallen opponent

Portraits of Gudea of Lagash (inscribed), diorite, ca. 2100 BCE

Gudea, with architectural plan of the temple he built for the god Ningirsu, diorite, ca. 2100 BCE

Detail, plan on his lap

Hammurabi’s Laws, inscribed on a diorite stele, ca. 1760 BCE, now in the Louvre

Layard’s (19th c.) reconstruction of Nimrud (Kalhu), on the Tigris River, ca. 865 BCE

Assyrian wall relief, Nimrud, Palace of Ashurnasirpal, ca. 860 BCE: beseigers approach citadel on inflated skins

Assyrian Wall relief, Nineveh, Palace of Ashurbanipal, ca. 640 BCE: royal lion hunt

Assyrian wall relief, dying lions, royal hunt, Nineveh, ca. 640 BCE

Assyrian wall relief, Nineveh, Palace: King Ashurbanipal and Queen Ashursharrat celebrate in a garden, ca. 645 BCE.

Khorsabad, reconstruction: Palace of Sargon II, late 8th c. BCE

Lamassu guard gate to palace, Khorsabad, in excavation photo from 1840s

Lamassu in Paris

Impression from Persian cylinder seal, 5th century BCE: lamassu, king, winged solar disk of Ahura Mazda (divinity, light & wisdom), date palms

Layard’s reconstruction of Ashurnasirpal’s Throneroom at Nimrud

Babylon, reconstructed view Hanging Gardens

Babylon, Ishtar Gate, now in Berlin, early 6th century BCE

Babylon, reconstructed views