Images

A map of the Babylonian Empire during the time of the Kassites, roughly the 13th century BC. This map shows the probable river courses and coastline at that time.

Map showing the Median, Lydian, Chaldean, and Egyptian empires around 600 BC.

A representation of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the fabled gardens which possibly adorned the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, built by its greatest king Nebuchadnezzar II (r. 605-562 BCE). A 16th century CE engraving by Dutch artist...

Ceremonial giant dirk of the Plougrescant-Ommerschans type, Plougrescant, France, 1500–1300 BC.

The ruins of the temple of Aphaea on Aegina. Aphaea was only worshipped in this temple. Pausanias (2nd century AD) writes: "On Aigina as one goes toward the mountain of Pan-Greek Zeus, the sanctuary of Aphaia comes up, for whom Pindar...

The Pyramids at Giza. The modern city of Cairo is visible in the background.

A photo of the ruins of Persepolis.

Detail of a Lydian tribute bearer, bas-relief of the northern stairway of the Apadana (Darius the Great's audience hall) at Persepolis, capital of the Achaemenid empire. Lyda has become a satrapy (province) of the Persian empire with...

Western view of the "All Nations Gate" at Persepolis, located in present-day Iran. This gate was not on Darius the Great's initial plan for Persepolis but was added by his son and successor, Xerxes. The initial main entrance of the palace...

Ranks of the Louvre Museum melophores (immortal Persian guard) from the famous glazed bricks friezes found in the Apadana (Darius the Great's palace) in Susa by archeologist Marcel Dieulafoy and brought to Paris. Such polychromic friezes...