Old Babylonian period
(c. 2004 - 1595 B.C.)

	1. Stele of Hammurabi bearing the Code of King Hammurabi of Babylon. The code inscribed on it recognized social classes and sought to regulate private life. At the top, Hammurabi approaches the seated sun god, Shamash, who was also the god of justice.
	2. Clay plaque of a musician. About 12 cm. tall. From the Diyala excavations of the Oriental Institute, Chicago. The Amorites were West Semitic Pastoralists who interacted with Mesopotamian agriculturalists until absorbed into the culture of Mesopotamia about mid millenium.
	3. Model clay chariot votive object. This one decorated with figure of a seated god in relief. Le Louvre, Paris. The horse brought in from the steppe combined with the farm cart to result in the chariot before the end of the 2rd millenium.
	4. One of two large guardian lions that flanked the entrace to the main temple at Tell Harmal. Now at the Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

	1. Boundry stones (kudurru) such as this are the most characteristic survival of Kassite era Babylonia. This one records a 12th century land grant by a father to his son. In the top register are the divinities of Sin (moon), Ishtar (planet Venus), Shamash (sun), and horned crowns representing Anu and Enlil and the goat-fish of Ea. In the third register are the dragon and spade of Marduk.
	2. Detail from a pottery figurine of a lioness. Length of head is 3 cm. Iraq Museum, Baghdad. Kassite art is known for such realistic figurines.
	3. Faience objects were common in Kassite times, but this inlaid mask from the great temple at Tell al Rimah is unusually large and elaborate. Colored frit and glass inlays in black, white and yellow, are set in bitumen. 14-13th c. B.C. 11.8 cm high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.