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Tiglath Pileser III
Tiglath Pileser III (745-727 BCE) was among the most powerful kings of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and, according to many scholars, the founder of the empire (as opposed to the claims for Adad Nirari II (912-891 BCE) or Ashurnasirpal II (884-859...
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Assyrian Palace Reliefs (82nd & Fifth)
http://82nd-and-fifth.metmuseum.org/hyperreality Explore this object: http://82nd-and-fifth.metmuseum.org/relief-panel-assyrian-32.143.4 "That infinite image creates an endless echoing, which is almost dizzying and supernatural."...
Definition
Mesopotamian Literature
Ancient Mesopotamian literature developed c. 2600 BCE after scribes, who had formerly been record keepers, began composing original works in the region of Sumer. The Sumerians invented writing c. 3500 BCE, refined the script c. 3200 BCE...
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Mesopotamian Warfare
Ancient Mesopotamian warfare progressed from companies of a city's militia in Sumer to the professional standing armies of Akkad, Babylon, Assyria, and Persia and from conflicts over land or water rights to wars of conquest and political...
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Festivals in Ancient Mesopotamia
Festivals in ancient Mesopotamia honored the patron deity of a city-state or the primary god of the city that controlled a region or empire. The earliest, the Akitu festival, was first observed in Sumer in the Early Dynastic Period (2900-2334...
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Sammu-Ramat and Semiramis: The Inspiration and the Myth
Sammu-Ramat (r. 811-806 BCE) was the queen regent of the Assyrian Empire who held the throne for her young son Adad Nirari III (r. 811-783 BCE) until he reached maturity. She is also known as Shammuramat, Sammuramat, and, most notably, as...
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An Assyrian Apkallu Carrying a Goat
This alabaster bas-relief depicts a human-headed and winged man, Apkallu or Sage, carrying a goat. He wears a sandal carries a goat with his left arm and what appears to be a palm branch in his right hand. Note the prominent muscular and...
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Alabaster Relief of an Assyrian Royal Attendant
Alabaster work relief of an Assyrian royal attendant, from the northwest palace of Ashurnasirpal II. Reign of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BCE, Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), Mesopotamia. (The Burrell Collection, Glasgow).
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Assyrian Doorway Protective Spirit
This protective spirit (one of a pair) in the guise of a royal figure with cloak and mantle, guarded the doorway into the Temple of Ninurta (chief god of the city of Nimrud and Assyrian god of war and farming) in Nimrud. The temple itself...
Definition
Sargonid Dynasty
The Sargonid Dynasty was the last ruling house of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 722-612 BCE, beginning with the reign of Sargon II and ending with fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Some of the most famous kings in the history of Assyria come...