This document provides a summary of important artworks from the Ancient Near East, ranging in date from 3200 BCE to 250 CE. It features artifacts such as a stele depicting the code of Hammurabi, a vase presenting offerings to a goddess, statuettes of worshipers from a temple, fragments of victory steles commemorating rulers' military successes, and architectural works like the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and the Palace of Shapu I in Ctesiphon. The artworks highlight the rich artistic and architectural traditions of ancient Mesopotamia, Persia, and surrounding regions over two millennia.

1. Chapter 2: Art of the Ancient Near East

2. Hammurabi and Shamash, detail of the stele of Hamurabi From Susa, Iran ca 1780 BCE

3. Presentation of offerings to Inanna (Warka Vase) From Uruk (modern Warka) Iraq ca. 3200-3000 BCE Alabaster. 3’1/4” high

4. Statuettes of two worshipers, from the Square Temple at Eshnunna (modern Tel Asmar) Iraq ca 2700 BCE Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, make figure 2”6” high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

5. Fragment of the victory stele of Eannatum (Stele of the Vultures) From Girsu (modern Telloh) ca. 2600-2500 BCE. Limestone, fragment, 2’6” high, full stele 5’11” high. Louvre, Paris.

6. War side of the Standard of Ur, from tomb 779, Royal Cemetary, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq ca. 2600 BCE Wood inlaid with shell, lapis, lazuli, and red limestone, 8”x1’7” British Museum, London

7. Peace side of the Standard of Ur, from tomb 779, Royal Cemetary, Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar) Iraq ca. 2600 BCE Wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli and red limestone 8”x1’7” British Museum, London.

8. Head of Akkadian ruler, from Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq, ca. 2250-2200 BCE Copper, 1’2 3/8” high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

9. Victory stele of Naram-Sin, from Susa, Iran 2254-2218 BCE Pink sandstone, 6’7” high. Louvre, Paris.

10. Lamassu (winged, human-headed bull) From the citadel of Sargon II, DurSharrukin (modern Khorsabad) Iraq, ca. 720-705 BCE. Limestone, 13’10” high. Louvre, Paris. Video : http://www.smarthistory.org/neo-assyrian-lamassu.html

11. Ashurbanipal hunting lions, relief from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik) Iraq ca. 645-640 BCE Gypsum, 5’4” high. British Museum, London

12. Ishtar Gate (restored) Babylon Iraq, ca. 575 BCE Glazed Brick, Vorderasiatisches Museum, Staatliche Museen in Berlin

13. Palace of Shapu I, Ctesiphon, Iraq, ca 250 CE

14. Triumph of Shapur I over Valeria, rock-cut relief, Bishapur, Iran, ca.260 CE