The document provides an overview of art and architecture in the ancient Near East from the Neolithic period through the Persian and Sassanian eras. It discusses the rise of cities and writing in Sumer, as well as Sumerian religion, society, and art forms like cylinder seals, statues, and the Standard of Ur. It then covers later Mesopotamian civilizations like Akkadia, Babylon, Assyria, and the Hittites. Architecture is discussed, such as ziggurats, temples, and fortifications. Art forms presented include sculpture, seals, reliefs, and paintings. The document concludes with the Persian Empire's Persepolis complex and Sassanian art featuring

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3. The Ancient Near East

34. Neo-Babylonian & Achaemenid Art Ishtar’s sacred lion

42. Reliefs at Bishapur Celebrated victory of Shapur I over Roman emperor, Valerian, ca. 260 BCE

46. The Prehistoric Aegean ** Cyclades ** Knossos ** Thera ** Phaistos ** ** Hagia Triada ** Tiryns ** Mycenae**

53. Minoan Culture and Art Aerial view and plan of the palace at Knossos 1700-1400 BCE

54. Figure 4-4 Plan of the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1700–1400 BCE.

68. Plan of the palace and southern part of the citadel, Tiryns, Greece, ca. 1400–1200 BCE . Mycenaean Art Architecture

72. Mycenaean Culture and Art King Agamemnon – House of Atreus ca. 1300-1259 BCE A few generations before the Trojan War.

77. Inlaid dagger blade with lion hunt -- from Grave Circle A [ made of bronze ] ca. 1600-1500 BCE