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Mesopotamian Art and Architecture
Ancient Mesopotamian art and architectural works are among the oldest in the world, dating back over 7,000 years. The works first appear in northern Mesopotamia prior to the Ubaid Period (c. 5000-4100 BCE) and then developed in the south...
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Scribes in Ancient Mesopotamia
Scribes in ancient Mesopotamia were highly educated individuals trained in writing and reading on diverse subjects. Initially, their purpose was in recording financial transactions through trade, but in time, they were integral to every aspect...
Definition
Akkad and the Akkadian Empire
Akkad was the seat of the Akkadian Empire (2334-2218 BCE), the first multi-national political entity in the world, founded by Sargon the Great (r. 2334-2279 BCE) who unified Mesopotamia under his rule and set the model for later Mesopotamian...
Article
The Mesopotamian Pantheon
The gods of the Mesopotamian region were not uniform in name, power, provenance or status in the hierarchy. Mesopotamian culture varied from region to region and, because of this, Marduk should not be regarded as King of the Gods in the same...
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War, Strategy and Tactics in Ancient Mesopotamia
The ancient Mesopotamians pioneered many strategies, tactics and policies in warfare that would be used for thousands of years to come, some of which continue to this day. The Akkadian Empire was the first to build a standing army and the...
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Akkadian Soldier on Naram-Sin Victory Stele from Wasit
This alabaster stele (with different registers) was fragmented when originally found and only three fragments have survived; two are in the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and one is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA. The stele commemorates...
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Akkadian Ruler
Bronze head of an Akkadian ruler, probably Sargon the Great, c. 23rd - 22nd century BCE.
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Akkadian Bronze Peg with Inscriptions
This is the oldest inscribed object among the Sulaimaniya Museum's collections. The cuneiform inscriptions can be seen on the upper surface of the peg. 3rd millennium BCE, Mesopotamia, Iraq. (The Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq).
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Pottery Basin from Akkadian period
This large pottery basin was decorated with a human face and dates back to the Akkadian period, 2350-2156 BCE, Mesopotamia, Iraq. (The Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq).
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Letter from Ishkun-Dagan
The cuneiform inscriptions (in the old Akkadian language) on this clay tablet mention "Gutians" as invaders of the Akkadian Empire. The tablet was donated to the British Museum by Dr. N. Corkill in 1930 CE. The site and date of excavation...