Aztecs

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...
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Etruria was an ancient civilization that flourished in what is now central Italy between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE. The Etruscans, as they were known, developed a highly sophisticated culture that left a lasting impact on the ancient world. One of the most distinctive features of Etruscan cultur...
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Mitanni, Indo-Iranian empire centred in northern Mesopotamia that flourished from about 1500 to about 1360 BC. At its height the empire extended from Kirkūk (ancient Arrapkha) and the Zagros Mountains in the east through Assyria to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. Its heartland was the Khābūr Riv...
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A Brief History The land known as Persia quickly grew from a small vassal state to the world's first great empire. The first inhabitants of Persia arrived c. 6000 B.C. from central Asia. An influx of Aryans from the Caucasus Mountains c. 1000 B.C. resulted in the formation of two kingdoms: the King...
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The Vikings were a seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century. Their ancient culture was centered in the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, but they also had settlements and settlements in other parts of Europe, such as the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland and ...
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Ancient gods and goddesses have played a significant role in the beliefs and practices of ancient civilizations throughout history. These deities were often believed to have control over natural phenomena, such as the weather, and were worshiped in hopes of gaining their favor and protection. One of...
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The Assyrian Church of the East sometimes called Church of the East officially the Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East is an Eastern Christian church that follows the traditional Christology and ecclesiology of the historical Church of the East. It belongs to the eastern branch of Syriac ...
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Iraq: Khorsabad, Palace, Court VIII Neo-Assyrian Period Reign of Sargon II, 721-705 B.C. Gypsum (?) 495.3 cm H, 491.4 cm W Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1929 OIM A7369 This colossal sculpture was one of a pair that guarded the entrance to the throne room of King Sargon II. A protective spir...
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Iraq: Khorsabad, Palace, Throneroom Debris Neo-Assyrian Period Reign of Sargon II, 721-705 B.C. Gypsum 43.0 cm H, 119.5 cm W Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1930 OIM A11258 Archaeologists from the Oriental Institute discovered this relief fragment in the debris of the throne room of King Sarg...
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Iraq: Khorsabad, Palace, Court VIII Neo-Assyrian Period Reign of Sargon II, 721-705 B.C. Gypsum 308.0 cm H, 249.7 cm W Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1928-9 OIM A7366 This relief comes from a wall just outside the throne room of Sargon II's palace. Two court officials - who are beardless and...
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Iraq: Khorsabad, Nabu Temple Neo-Assyrian Period Reign of Sargon II, 721-705 B.C. Gypsum (?) 151.2 cm H, 45.3 cm W Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1932-33 OIM A11808 and OIM A11809 These two statues once flanked a doorway leading into the temple of Nabu, the god of writing and of knowledge. N...
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Iraq: Khorsabad, Shamash Temple Neo-Assyrian Period Reign of Sargon II, 721-705 B.C. Bronze 61.0 cm H Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1931-2 OIM A12468 The fortress of Sargon II at Khorsabad included a complex of temples, one of which was devoted to the sun god Shamash. This bronze band encir...
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Iraq: Nimrud, N.W. Palace, Room G Neo-Assyrian Period Reign of Ashurnasirpal II, ca. 883-859 B.C. Gypsum (?) 61.2 cm H, 58.0 cm W Exchange with the British Museum, 1974 OIM A34979 Room G in Ashurnasirpal II's palace may have served as the setting for a ritual by which weapons were purified. The wa...
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Iraq: Nineveh (?) Neo-Assyrian Period Reign of Sennacherib, ca. 689 B.C. Baked clay, inscribed 38.0 cm H, 14.0 cm W Purchased in Baghdad, 1919 OIM A2793 On the six inscribed sides of this clay prism, King Sennacherib recorded eight military campaigns undertaken against various peoples who refused t...
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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...
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