Main content

Ancient Near East

The Ancient Near East, an introduction

Learn
The cradle of civilization
(Opens a modal)
Cuneiform
(Opens a modal)
Writing Cuneiform
(Opens a modal)
Cuneiform Tablets
(Opens a modal)
Cuneiform tablets: backstory
(Opens a modal)

Sumerian

Learn
The Sumerians and Mesopotamia
(Opens a modal)
Sumerian art, an introduction
(Opens a modal)
White Temple and ziggurat, Uruk
(Opens a modal)
Archaeological reconstructions
(Opens a modal)
Warka Vase
(Opens a modal)
Cylinder seals
(Opens a modal)
Standing Male Worshipper from Tell Asmar
(Opens a modal)
Standard of Ur and other objects from the Royal Graves
(Opens a modal)
The Standard of Ur
(Opens a modal)
Perforated Relief of Ur-Nanshe
(Opens a modal)
Ziggurat of Ur
(Opens a modal)
Seated Gudea holding Temple Plan
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Standard of Ur Get 6 of 8 questions to level up!

Akkadian

Learn
Art of Akkad, an introduction
(Opens a modal)
Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
(Opens a modal)
Cylinder seal and modern impression: nude bearded hero wrestling with a water buffalo; bull-man wrestling with lion
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Victory Stele of Naram SinGet 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Babylonian

Learn
Ancient Babylon: excavations, restorations and modern tourism
(Opens a modal)
Babylonia, an introduction
(Opens a modal)
The Babylonian mind
(Opens a modal)
The "Queen of the Night" relief
(Opens a modal)
Hammurabi: The king who made the four quarters of the earth obedient
(Opens a modal)
The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi
(Opens a modal)
Kassite Art: Unfinished Kudurru
(Opens a modal)
Neo-Babylonian
(Opens a modal)
Ishtar gate and Processional Way
(Opens a modal)
Towers of Babel
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Law Code of HammurabiGet 4 of 5 questions to level up!
Ishtar GateGet 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Assyrian

Learn
Assyrian art, an introduction
(Opens a modal)
Assyrian Sculpture
(Opens a modal)
Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II
(Opens a modal)
Lamassu: backstory
(Opens a modal)
Ashurbanipal hunting lions
(Opens a modal)
The palace decoration of Ashurbanipal
(Opens a modal)
Assyria vs Elam: The battle of Til Tuba
(Opens a modal)
Practice
Ashurbanipal hunting lions Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Persian

Learn
Persian art, an introduction
(Opens a modal)
Persepolis: The Audience Hall of Darius and Xerxes
(Opens a modal)
The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia
(Opens a modal)
Capital of a column from the audience hall of the palace of Darius I, Susa
(Opens a modal)

Quiz: Ancient Near Eastern art

Learn
No videos or articles available in this lesson
Practice
Ancient Near Eastern art (quiz)Get 5 of 7 questions to level up!

About this unit

Brought to you by Smarthistory. Ancient Near Eastern cultures established the first cities, the earliest code of laws, and the oldest known writing which was used, not for poetry, but for bookkeeping.