Manual of Oriental Antiquities

"Manual of Oriental Antiquities" by Ernest Babelon is a scholarly work focusing on historical and artistic analyses of ancient Eastern civilizations, drafted in the early 20th century. It comprehensively covers the architecture, sculpture, and various arts of cultures such as Chaldæa, Assyria, Persia, and others until reaching the influence of Greek civilization. The book aims to unravel the connections and unique characteristics of these rich cultures while highlighting recent archaeological discoveries. The opening of this manual introduces readers to the rich tapestry of ancient civilizations in the Near East, excluding Egypt, that once thrived long before the influence of Greece and Rome. Babelon emphasizes the artistic genius of these civilizations, declaring that what we call “Persian art” or “Jewish art” fundamentally draws from Chaldæo-Assyrian and Egyptian roots. The text reveals exciting archaeological findings from sites such as Tello, which have contributed significantly to our understanding of ancient architecture and sculpture, laying the groundwork for a broader discussion of art forms, materials, and techniques used by these remarkable societies.