Ancient Near East Overview

This set of flashcards encompasses key terms and concepts related to the Ancient Near East as presented in the lecture notes.

Behistun Inscription

A multilingual inscription created under the orders of Darius I, propagating his achievements, including nineteen battles.

Darius I

King of Persia known for his expansion of the Persian Empire and commissioning the Behistun Inscription.

Hammurabi

King of Babylon who established one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes around 1760 BCE.

Neo-Babylonian Empire

A resurgence of Babylonian power following a civil war, marked by the rule of Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar II.

Lamassu

A mythical creature with the body of a bull and the head of a man, typically used as a protective deity in Assyrian architecture.

Ziggurat

A rectangular stepped tower found in ancient Mesopotamia, often serving as a temple platform.

Orthostat

A large stone that forms part of the lower part of a wall, often used in ancient architecture, particularly in Assyrian palaces.

Ishtar Gate

A grand entrance gate to the city of Babylon, adorned with glazed brick reliefs of bulls and dragons, symbolizing the goddess Ishtar.

Persepolis

The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, built by Darius I, known for its monumental architecture.

Apadana Hall

An audience hall in Persepolis, notable for its grand columns and extensive use of relief sculptures.

Darius and Xerxes Giving Audience

A limestone relief depicting the Persian kings receiving tribute from representatives of subject nations.

Kiln-fired bricks

Bricks that are fired in a kiln; used in the construction of many ancient structures, including the Ishtar Gate.

Cyrus the Great

The founder of the Achaemenid Empire, known for his conquests and for being the first ruler to bear the title 'King of Kings.'

Ninurta Temple

A temple complex dedicated to the Sumerian god Ninurta, located in the city of Nimrud.

Ashurbanipal

The last strong king of Assyria, known for his vast library at Nineveh that preserved many Mesopotamian texts.

Battle of the River Ulai

A significant event in Assyrian history, often depicted in art, showing the prowess of Assyrian military power.

Neolithic period

The final stage of cultural evolution among prehistoric humans, characterized by the development of agriculture.

Apotropaic

Objects or motifs intended to ward off evil or harm, often seen in ancient protective art.

Sennacherib

An Assyrian king known for his military campaigns and the construction of the city of Nineveh.