Chapter 2Small Kingdoms

and Mighty Empires in the Near East, ca

1100–513 B.C.

Reconstruction of the “Ishtar Gate,” Babylon, early sixth century B.C. Located in theBerlin Museum.Reconstruction of the “Ishtar Gate,” Babylon, early sixth century B.C. Located in the Berlin Museum.

Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz/Art Resource, NY

Despite Egyptian political defeat, ordinary life went on as usual. Here a farmer and his pair of oxen still plow the field as before. His wife follows behind sowing seeds, preparing for the new harvest.

Egyptian Plowing

Deir el-Medina, Thebes/ The Bridgeman Art Library

The Nubians adopted many aspects of Egyptian culture and customs. The pyramids shown here are not as magnificent as their Egyptian predecessors, but they served the same purpose of honoring the dead king. Their core was constructed of bricks, which were then covered with stone blocks. At the doors of the pyramids stood monumental gates to the interiors of the tombs.

Nubian Pyramids

Michael Yamashita

These small ships seem too frail to breast the waves. Yet Phoenician mariners routinely sailed them, loaded with their cargoes, to the far ports of the Mediterranean.

Phoenician Ships

British Museum/Michael Holford

The essentials of Egyptian writing: a sheet of papyrus, a stylus or pen, an ink well.

The essentials of Egyptian writing: a sheet of papyrus, a stylus or pen, an ink well.

Réunion des Musées Nationaux/Art Resource, NY

List of Roman, hieroglyphic, Ugaritic, Phoenician, and Greek sign forms.Origins of the Alphabet

Source: A. B. Knapp, The History and Culture of Ancient Western Asia and Egypt, Dorsey Press, Chicago, 1988, p. 191. Reprinted by permission of Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, www.thomsonrights.com

The Jewish king Jahu finally surrendered to the Assyrians. Here his envoy kneels before the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III in total defeat. Although the Assyrian king treated Jahu well, his people were led off into slavery.

Surrender of the Jews

British Museum/Michael Holford

This wall painting from the seventh century B.C. depicts an Assyrian king frightening a lion, a typical representation of the energy and artistic brilliance of Assyrian artists. The lion hunt signified the king as the protector of society, not simply as a sportsman.

Royal Lion Hunt

Louvre/Réunion des Musées Nationaux/Art Resource, NY

Here are two Persians riding in a chariot pulled by four horses. The chariot is simple in construction but elegant in ornamentation. The harness of the horses is worked in elaborate and accurate detail. This chariot was used for ceremonial purposes, not for warfare.

Persian Charioteers

Courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum

This elaborately painted piece of leather, dating from the fourth or third century B.C., served a ceremonial rather than a practical function.

Persian Saddle-Cloth

The State Hermitage Museum

Funeral Pyre of CroesusThis scene, an excellent example of the precision and charm of ancient Greek vase painting, depicts the Lydian king Croesus on his funeral pyre. He pours a libation to the gods, while his slave lights the fire. Herodotus has a happier ending, when he says that Cyrus the Great set fire to the pyre, but that Apollo sent rain to put it out.

Louvre/Réunion des Musées Nationaux/Art Resource, NY

The Persian kings embraced Zoroastrianism as the religion of the realm. This rock carving at Behistun records the bond. King Darius I is seen trampling on one rebel with others behind him. Above is the sign of Ahuramazda, the god of truth and guardian of the Persian king.

The Impact of Zoroastrianism

Robert Harding World Imagery

Ark of the Covenant, depicted in a relief from Capernaum Synagogue, second century A.D.

Ark of the Covenant, depicted in a relief from Capernaum Synagogue, second century A.D.

Ancient Art & Architecture Collection