Iranian National Museum (Pre-Islamic Era)

The Above is the Plaque that decorates the entrance of the pre-islamic section of Iranian National Museum. It was build in 1306 of the Iranian calender (this years is 1385) under order of Reza Khan first king of the Pahlavi Dynesty.



This is the entrance to the Museum itself. The arch (specially this type) is essentially Persian (Similar to the Madaen Palce in Today's Iraq which was the Capital of the Sassanid Dynesty) After assumtion of power, Reza Shah odered destruction of some important buildings with Qajar Style and ordered that they would be replaced with new architecture which are more plain.



The bowl above was discovered in south west of Iran. The design and colors of this bowl, and the fact that it dates to the time well before the Greek civilization (and the Indo European migration) makes me wonder if the Spartans basically copied this style to make their famous Black and red bowls and pots. Let's turn to our local archeologist, what's the verdict Patrick?



The top section of a stone tablet depicting king Hammurabi of Babylon and a servant of the court, the bottom part is where the codes are written (pictures below). ("a humble functionary" as in Yes minister series). Obviously this piece is not the one that was in Babel but one of many that were sent to provincial cities. Most of the Civilizations in Middle East have left some form of declaration or code carved in stone.
Some pundits of ancient politics are of the opinion that the reason that Athenian Democracy was never accepted in the Mesopotamia is mainly pressure from SCU (Stone Carvers Union) who dreaded changing the laws every time public polls moved one way or the other.



Their will be more pics to come from same collection including the Depiction of Darius's Court, The King who suppressed the Ionian revolt in todays Turkey by recapturing Sardes and sent an army to punish the Atheanians for their aid to the rebels but was defeated in battle of Marathon)