The ancient cultures section features many of the world's ancient cultures/empires. Presented with each is a brief history, a glossary, myths, rulers, and more.
The Oriental Institute Museum is a showcase of the history, art and archaeology of the ancient Near East. An integral part of the Universit...
Read More
Quick FactsTypeLogophoneticGenealogyCuneiformLocationWest Asia > MesopotamiaTime~2500 BCE to 100 CEDirectionVariable
While the cuneiform writing system was created and used at first only by the Sumerians, it did not take long before neighboring groups adopted it for their own use. By about 2500...
Read More
Religion and CultureAssyrian relief (c. 865-860 BCE) with cuneiform script, and depiction of a royal helper carrying a bucket
The Assyrian religion was heavily influenced by that of its Mesopotamian predecessors—mainly the Sumerian culture. The chief god of the Assyrians was Ashur, from whom both th...
Read More
Axum, also known as Aksum, was an ancient kingdom located in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea. The civilization of Axum is believed to have emerged around the 4th century BCE and reached its peak between the 1st and 7th centuries AD. It is widely considered to be one of the most important and influe...
Read More
The Bible is a collection of texts that span thousands of years and covers a wide range of historical events. Some of the major events that are recounted in the Bible include:
The Creation: The Bible begins with the story of the creation of the world, as described in the book of Genesis. This story...
Read More
The Hebrew Bible contains many stories about prophets, including Moses, Elijah, and Isaiah. These prophets were often called upon to deliver God's message to the people, and their words were often interpreted as warnings or instructions from God.
The prophets also played an important role in shapin...
Read More
The Journal of Cuneiform Studies (JCS) is a scholarly journal that publishes articles on the history and languages of the ancient Mesopotamian and Anatolian literate cultures. It was founded in 1947 by the Baghdad School of the American Schools of Oriental Research, and is currently published by the...
Read More
Welcome to a fascinating journey through time as we delve into the intriguing world of historical archaeology! In this post, we'll explore the enigmatic Temple of Diana, a captivating relic from antiquity that continues to inspire wonder and curiosity.
Temple of Diana: A Brief Overview
The Temple o...
Read More
The Temple of Diana was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and a symbol of the city of Ephesus' power and wealth. It was built in the 6th century BC and was dedicated to the Greek goddess Diana, who was also known as Artemis. The temple was massive, measuring 120 meters long and 69 meter...
Read More
Nestled in the northeastern corner of the Peloponnese, the ancient city of Argos has long been a place of legend and history. With roots dating back over 3,000 years, Argos is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. This post delves into the captivating story of Argos, a city wi...
Read More
The study of ancient civilizations often relies on the fragments of history they've left behind. Among the most critical pieces of the historical puzzle are the Assyrian texts, a vast collection of inscriptions, clay tablets, and cuneiform writings that provide a window into the world of the mighty ...
Read More