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Some reliefs portray small façades of temples with capitals. This figure brings out prominently the similarity of many details with Grecian art.

Base of a Column in a Bas-Relief from Kuyunjik

Some reliefs portray small façades of temples with capitals. This figure brings out prominently…

The columns in the ruins of Persepolis are circular and slender, and have capitals and bases. The capital generally consists of two half-horses or bulls, whose fore feet overlap the border of the shaft, and which are placed back to back.

Capital and Entablature from the Rock Tomb of Darius

The columns in the ruins of Persepolis are circular and slender, and have capitals and bases. The capital…

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel, rises a slender cup, supporting a lofty member with double volutes or scrolls on the four sides, which correspond with those of the Grecian Ionic capitals, but which are introduced not horizontally but perpendicularly. The base consists of fillets and a leaf-covered torus resting on a circular path.

Capital from the Ruins of Persepolis

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel,…

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel, rises a slender cup, supporting a lofty member with double volutes or scrolls on the four sides, which correspond with those of the Grecian Ionic capitals, but which are introduced not horizontally but perpendicularly. The base consists of fillets and a leaf-covered torus resting on a circular path.

Restored Capital from the Ruins of Persepolis

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel,…

Some reliefs portray small façades of temples with capitals. This figure shows an affinity, although it be a remote one, with the Corinthian capital.

Capital in a Bas-Relief from Kuyunjik

Some reliefs portray small façades of temples with capitals. This figure shows an affinity, although…

Some reliefs portray small façades of temples with capitals. This figure brings out prominently the similarity of many details with Grecian art.

Capital in a Bas-Relief from Kuyunjik

Some reliefs portray small façades of temples with capitals. This figure brings out prominently…

The workmanship of the white marble columns, and of the large squared stones which are joined without cement, shows a cultivated skill.

Elevation of Platform at Pasargadæ

The workmanship of the white marble columns, and of the large squared stones which are joined without…

This portion of a pavement-slab in the North Palace at Nineveh has a certain accordance with the Grecian style of decoration.

Part of the Floor Decoration from North Palace, Nineveh

This portion of a pavement-slab in the North Palace at Nineveh has a certain accordance with the Grecian…

Guilloche, usually spelled without the acute accent on the final e, describes a repetitive architectural pattern widely used in classical Greece and Rome, consisting of two ribbons that wind around a series of regular central points. These central points are often blank, but may contain a figure, such as a rose. Guilloche is a back-formation from guilloché, so called because the architectural motif resembles the designs produced by Guilloche techniques.

Guilloche Ornament Painted on Burnt Clay, from the Ruins of Nineveh

Guilloche, usually spelled without the acute accent on the final e, describes a repetitive architectural…

One peculiarity is visible in all Assyrian buildings, namely, that all the chambers are very narrow in proportion to their length. It may, however, be accepted as established that the chambers were in general lighted by windows, which were inserted in the walls either high up or immediately under the roof, and that only large halls received their light from above through openings in the roof.

Floor Plan of the Palace at Nimrud

One peculiarity is visible in all Assyrian buildings, namely, that all the chambers are very narrow…

Representing the pillar of a table, bears a strong resemblance to an Ionic capital as displayed in Asia Minor.

Pillar of a Table in an Assyrian Relief

Representing the pillar of a table, bears a strong resemblance to an Ionic capital as displayed in Asia…

In the fragment of a relief from Kuyunjik columns occur which rest on a cushion-shaped base on a lion's back, just as is the case in the doorways of Gothic churches.

Pillar on a Lion's Back

In the fragment of a relief from Kuyunjik columns occur which rest on a cushion-shaped base on a lion's…

This is a diagram of the Palace of Khorsabad, 10 miles north–east of Nineveh, near Mosul, Iraq. This is an Assyrian palace, built by Sargon 722–705 BC. It "was situated on the banks of the Khanser, a tributary of the Tigris."

Plan of the Palace at Khorsabad, 722–705 BC

This is a diagram of the Palace of Khorsabad, 10 miles north–east of Nineveh, near Mosul, Iraq.…

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. Persepolis is situated 70 km northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. In contemporary Persian, the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid) and Parseh. To the ancient Persians, the city was known as Pārsa, meaning "The City of Persians".

Ruins of Persepolis

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. Persepolis…

A representation of an Assyrian griffin that adorned their buildings prior to the Persian conquest.

Sculptured Griffin from the Sculptures in the Ruins of Nineveh

A representation of an Assyrian griffin that adorned their buildings prior to the Persian conquest.

Over the Winged Bulls were painted other acts of the king surrounded by his eunuchs and warriors, and these representations were in their turn surrounded by an ornamental border, in which winged-bulls and monstrous beasts, as well as the sacred tree, principally figured.

Sculptured Ornamental Border from the Ruins of Nineveh

Over the Winged Bulls were painted other acts of the king surrounded by his eunuchs and warriors, and…

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel, rises a slender cup, supporting a lofty member with double volutes or scrolls on the four sides, which correspond with those of the Grecian Ionic capitals, but which are introduced not horizontally but perpendicularly. The base consists of fillets and a leaf-covered torus resting on a circular path.

Volute of the Persian Column

Other capitals are more compact, where from the lower part, which is in the shape of a globular vessel,…

The Sumerian word lama, which is rendered in Akkadian as lamassu, refers to a beneficient protective female deity. The corresponding male deity was called alad, in Akkadian, šêdu. In art they were depicted as hybrids, as winged bulls or lions with the head of a human male (Centauroid). There are still surviving figures of šêdu in bas-relief and some statues in museums. Notable examples of šêdu/lamassu held by museums include those at the British Museum, Musée du Louvre, National Museum of Iraq, Metropolitan Museum of Art and one extremely large example kept at the Oriental Institute, Chicago. They are generally attributed to the ancient Assyrians.

Winged Bull from Nimrud

The Sumerian word lama, which is rendered in Akkadian as lamassu, refers to a beneficient protective…