I liked the geometric pattern on this pottery. I can think of many practical uses, like draining greasy or wet items. 2nd millennium BCE from the city of Mari in current Iraq. This city of the Sumerians and Amorites was inhabited from the 5th millennium until Hammurabi sacked it in 1759 BCE.
7th century BCE from the bath room of King Ashurbanipal of the Neo-Assyrian empire.
Assyrian ivory from the city of Arslan Tash, currently in Northern Syria, and part of the once Aramean Iron age and Assyrian kingdoms.
A lion made of bricks! around 600 BCE and of Babylonian origin. Around the time of Nebuchadnezzar II.
This is an earring of Bes, the Egyptian god of the household and mothers and such. Eventually became the god of all that is good and enemy of all that is bad. Pretty cut and dry I think. Found in Syria and unknown date.
Two cylinders, one made of jasper with a little gold and the right one of quartz with a little gold.
Royal emblem of two sphinxes, around 510 BCE in the time of Darius the first, from his palace. As third King of the Persian empire he expanded it to its largest size. He is also famous for losing at Marathon for not paying attention to Greek grooming habits. Seriously. The Persians were all set up and when the Greeks came on the other side of the battlefield, when it was near dark, they started to groom themselves. Thinking they were getting ready for bed the Persians did the same. They didn't realize that Greeks believe they look the way they do when they die, hence the Greeks grooming before battle.
Also from Darius the first's palace
One of two creatures that were handles on a vase. 4th century BCE.
This was one of many supports on columns in Darius's palace. So imagine the roof when these were on 10 meter pillars!
Archers also from Darius's palace.
No comments:
Post a Comment