Human-Headed Winged Bull

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

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

Time Line of the Aztecs/Mexica 1000 A.D.the Mexica tribe migrate to the valley of Anahuac (c. 1168 A.D.)Tenochtitlan is founded on the islands of Lake Texcoco as a refuge (1325 A.D.)Mexica tribe dominates the Valley of Mexico (c. 1440 A.D.)Tizoc begins to rebuild the temple to Huitzilopochtli (1484 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

Nergal Gate - history location of the Nergal Gate The Nergal Gate is located in the western part of the northern section of the Nineveh city wall (see the city map at the left). The gate was built by King Sennacherib around 700 BCE as one of between 15 and 18 gates he built around his new administra...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

The Bible mentions many cities that have since been lost, such as Sodom and Gomorrah. It also mentions ancient empires, such as Babylon and Assyria, that have long since disappeared. These references have led scholars to explore the Bible's connections to these ancient civilizations. They have stud...
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