Egyptian imagery, concepts, and perspectives are found everywhere; you will find them in architectural forms, on money, and in our day to day lives. This introduction will provide you with the primary filters to view and understand...

The Narmer Palette is such a valuable artifact that it has never been permitted to leave Egypt. Read this history of the palette to understand why it is so protected and view pictures in this article.

The last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the great pyramids of Giza are perhaps the most famous and discussed structures in history. However, they are threatened by urban encroachment and political chaos. With the...

The third of the major pyramids at Giza belongs to Menkaure. This is the smallest of the three, but the complex preserved some of the most stunning examples of sculpture to survive from all of Egyptian history. Read the history of this...

The Great Pyramid was built by the pharaoh Khufu and is the largest of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Read details and view pictures of this engineering accomplishment in this article.

Ancient Egyptian art must be viewed from the standpoint of the ancient Egyptians to understand it. This article discusses the purpose of Ancient Egyptian art and includes pictures.

The history of the Ancient Near East is complex. However, once you understand the general geography of the area and its history, the art reveals itself as uniquely beautiful, intimate and fascinating in its complexity. Read this brief...

Pompeii was thriving up until the moment of its destruction and in studying its life interrupted, we arrive at important insights about what it was like to live in the Roman Mediterranean. For example, the House of the Vettii is a large...

Before the small village of Rome became "Rome" it was home to the Etruscan civilization. Their achievements set the stage not only for the development of ancient Roman art and culture but for the Italian Renaissance as well. This...

Read a short history of Persian art and culture and view pictures in this introductory article.

The Augustus of Primaporta is one of the ways that the ancients used art for propagandistic purposes. View pictures of the statue and read about the symbolism it contains in this article.

Greek art became popular when Roman generals began conquering Greek cities. This work so impressed the Roman elite that studios were set up to meet the growing demand for copies. The Doryphoros was one of the most sought after, and most...

A series of public spaces in Rome called fora were built by Roman emperors and contained monumental art and architecture. View examples and read descriptions of Imperial fora built by Julius Caesar and Augustus.

In the center of the ancient city of Ur is a cemetery that was used between about 2600-2000 B.C.E. and hundreds of burials were made in pits. Many of these contained very rich materials. Read the history and view pictures of some of the...

The massive temple complex of Karnak was the principal religious center of the god Amun-Re in Thebes during the New Kingdom. The complex remains one of the largest religious complexes in the world. This temple gives scholars a wealth of...

Tutankhamun's nearly intact tomb held a wealth of objects that give us unique insights into this period of ancient Egyptian history. Read about the discovery of his tomb and view pictures of the contents in this article.

The Sarcophagus of the Spouses is a masterwork of terracotta sculpture and conveys a great deal of information about Etruscan culture and its customs, especially funeral customs. View pictures and read descriptions of the sarcophagus in...

"Book of the Dead" was specially produced for Hunefer. He was a royal scribe and steward of King Sety I. Hunefer's high status is reflected in the fine quality of his "Book of the Dead", which was specially produced for him. View...

Famous for monumental architecture, Persian kings established numerous monumental centers. This article looks at one of those centers: Persepolis. Read about the history and view pictures of the architecture, art, and sculptures of...

Funerary artifacts constitute the most abundant archaeological evidence for the Etruscan civilization. Read a description and view pictures of The Tomb of the Triclinium, an Etruscan chamber tomb, in this article.

Uruk (modern Warka in Iraq)is where city life began more than five thousand years ago. In the center of the city, the greatest monument was the Anu Ziggurat on which the White Temple was built. View pictures and read descriptions of this...

Marcus Ulpius Traianus, now commonly referred to as Trajan, reigned as Romess emperor from 98 until 117 C.E. and had a reputation as a good emporer. A massive architectural complex-referred to as the Forum of Trajan was devoted to...

Etruscan temple design had a huge impact on Renaissance architecture and one can see echoes of Etruscan columns in many buildings of the Renaissance and later in Italy. View pictures and read the history behind these temples in this...

The second great pyramid of Giza was built by Khufu's second son Khafre. Read descriptions and view pictures in this article.