The department of Greek art, where you can see the splendid bust of Diocletian on the photo to the left, has reasonable dimensions – the other parts are immodestly big, and I wondered which museum had the largest archaeological collection: Istanbul or the Paris Louvre. I had not expected a museum of these dimensions, and was exhausted after visiting it three times in three days. And every object is splendid. It is, to paraphrase Truman Capote, like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.
Most departments of the museum close at five o’ clock, but the main building closes at seven. In the garden, between the ancient columns, tombstones, and sarcophagi, you can buy coffee, tea, and soft drinks. You will probably need them to survive this big, beautiful museum.
This museum was visited in 2008, 2012.
![](/site/assets/files/57827/thumbnail_samos_kouros_head_svi_iam.jpg) Samos, Head of a kouros
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![](/site/assets/files/58020/thumbnail_sidon_royal_necropolis_chamber_7_sarcophagus_460-440_iam1.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 7, Greek-style sarcophagus
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![](/site/assets/files/16471/thumbnail_gezer_calendar_iam.jpg) The Gezer Calendar
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![](/site/assets/files/4903/thumbnail_tenedos_archaising_bust_iam.jpg) Tenedos, Head of Hermes (archaizing)
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![](/site/assets/files/21298/thumbnail_didyma_zeus_iam.jpg) Didyma, Head of Zeus
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![](/site/assets/files/21262/thumbnail_dascylium_funerary_stele1_iam1.jpg) Dascylium, Long funerary stele
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![](/site/assets/files/1319/thumbnail_adana_hadrian_iam.jpg) Adana, Portrait of Hadrian
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![](/site/assets/files/6184/thumbnail_nicomedia_diocletian_iam3.jpg) Nicomedia, Portrait of Diocletian
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![](/site/assets/files/40253/thumbnail_sidon_300bce_alexander_sarcophagus_iam02_alexander.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 3, Alexander sarcophagus (02) Alexander
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![](/site/assets/files/21237/thumbnail_assos_athena_iam4.jpg) Assos, Temple of Athena, Façade
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![](/site/assets/files/2775/thumbnail_dascylium_magians_iam.jpg) Dascylium, Relief of two Magians sacrificing a sheep and a bull
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![](/site/assets/files/11776/thumbnail_istanbul_forum_theodosius_soldiers_iam.jpg) Constantinople, Forum of Theodosius, Relief with soldiers
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![](/site/assets/files/46934/thumbnail_sidon_t_eshmun_svi_votive_stele_iam.jpg) Sidon, Bustan esh-Sheikh, Egyptianizing head
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![](/site/assets/files/51031/thumbnail_yemen_dromedaries_well_iam.jpg) Yemenite relief of a woman and a man, seated on dromedaries, meeting at a well
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![](/site/assets/files/19162/thumbnail_ii_adiutrix_aquilifer_iam2.jpg) Constantinople, Forum of Theodosius, Tombstone of an aquilifer of II Adiutrix
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![](/site/assets/files/21261/thumbnail_dascylium_frieze_iam.jpg) Dascylium, Frieze of women on horseback
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![](/site/assets/files/21267/thumbnail_dascylium_funerary_stele2_iam3.jpg) Dascylium, Short funerary stele: chariot: dinner scene
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![](/site/assets/files/16279/thumbnail_iii_italica_paulus_iam1.jpg) Perinthus, Tombstone of Paulus of III Italica
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![](/site/assets/files/21743/thumbnail_troy_ix_metope_iam.jpg) Troy VIII, Metope
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![](/site/assets/files/36421/thumbnail_berytus_sarcophagus_sv_iam.jpg) Sarcophagus from the Persian age
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![](/site/assets/files/10297/thumbnail_jerusalem_temple_inscr_iam.jpg) Jerusalem, Temple Inscription
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![](/site/assets/files/56523/thumbnail_yemen_warrior_iam.jpg) Yemen, Arab warrior
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![](/site/assets/files/5839/thumbnail_istanbul_hippodrome_spina_serpents_iam3.jpg) Snake head from the Greek victory monument in Delphi, later brought to Constantinople
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![](/site/assets/files/55930/thumbnail_priene_aphrodite_iam.jpg) Priene, Aphrodite
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![](/site/assets/files/56092/thumbnail_ephesus_archaic_artemision_ivory_goddess_iam.jpg) Ephesus, Archaic temple of Artemis, Ivory figurine of the goddess
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![](/site/assets/files/22620/thumbnail_pergamon_alexander_iam.jpg) Pergamon, Portrait of Alexander the Great
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![](/site/assets/files/45510/thumbnail_cyzicus_drum_iam.jpg) Cyzicus, Column drum
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![](/site/assets/files/21538/thumbnail_miletus_apollo_iam2.jpg) Miletus, Statue of Apollo
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![](/site/assets/files/1099/thumbnail_abydos_gravestone_amc.jpg) Abydus, Roman tombstone
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![](/site/assets/files/58022/thumbnail_sidon_425bce_satrap_iam3b.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 6, Sarcophagus of the satrap
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![](/site/assets/files/21479/thumbnail_istanbul_hippodrome_porphyrius_monument_green_iam1.jpg) Hippodrome, Porphyrius Monument of the Greens
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![](/site/assets/files/58023/thumbnail_sidon_400bce_lycian_sarc_iam1.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 4, Lycian sarcophagus
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![](/site/assets/files/58018/thumbnail_sidon_500bce_tabnit_iam2.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 2, Sarcophagus of Tabnit
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![](/site/assets/files/5811/thumbnail_byzantium_coin_iam.jpg) Coin of the Bosphorus
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![](/site/assets/files/45457/thumbnail_perinthus_man_iam.jpg) Perinthus, Portrait of a man
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![](/site/assets/files/45458/thumbnail_perinthus_micallus_iam1.jpg) Perinthus, Relief of Micallus
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![](/site/assets/files/40283/thumbnail_alexander2_iam.jpg) Lysippus' Alexander
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![](/site/assets/files/10073/thumbnail_pamyra_tomb_iam_06.jpg) Palmyra, Tombstone of a man
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![](/site/assets/files/21745/thumbnail_troy_ix_treaty_iam.jpg) Troy VIII, Treaty between Troy and six other towns
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![](/site/assets/files/17324/thumbnail_pella_warrior_iam.jpg) Pella, Tombstone of a Macedonian warrior
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![](/site/assets/files/1433/thumbnail_iskenderun_tomb2_iam1.jpg) Alexandria near Issus, Roman tombstone
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![](/site/assets/files/11779/thumbnail_istanbul_forum_theodosius_orpheus_iam.jpg) Constantinople, Forum of Theodosius, Orpheus
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![](/site/assets/files/3982/thumbnail_tyana_relief_iam1.jpg) Bor, Relief of king Warpalas
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![](/site/assets/files/44966/thumbnail_assur_altar_tikulta-ninurta_i_iam.jpg) Aššur, Altar of Tikulti-Ninurta I
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![](/site/assets/files/21236/thumbnail_assos_athena_iam2.jpg) Assos, Temple of Athena, Façade
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![](/site/assets/files/10588/thumbnail_aelia_eudocia_iam.jpg) Aelia Eudocia II
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![](/site/assets/files/22582/thumbnail_pergamon_heros_iam.jpg) Pergamon, Relief of a hero
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![](/site/assets/files/10288/thumbnail_jerusalem_siloam_inscr_iam3.jpg) Jerusalem, Siloam Inscription
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![](/site/assets/files/5491/thumbnail_sidon_300bce_alexander_sarcophagus_iam18_abdalonymus.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 3, Alexander sarcophagus (18) (Abdalonymus)
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![](/site/assets/files/21265/thumbnail_dascylium_funerary_stele2_iam1.jpg) Dascylium, Short funerary stele
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![](/site/assets/files/1432/thumbnail_iskenderun_tomb1_iam1.jpg) Alexandria near Issus, Roman tombstone
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![](/site/assets/files/1642/thumbnail_palmyra_jupiter_heliopolitanus_iam.jpg) Palmyra, Jupiter Heliopolitanus
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![](/site/assets/files/3981/thumbnail_warpalas_istanbul_mus.jpg) Ivriz, Relief of king Warpalas and the god Tarhunza
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![](/site/assets/files/22621/thumbnail_pergamon_augustus_iam.jpg) Pergamon, Portrait of Augustus
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![](/site/assets/files/21266/thumbnail_dascylium_funerary_stele2_iam2.jpg) Dascylium, Short funerary stele: chariot
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![](/site/assets/files/22584/thumbnail_pergamon_herm_iam.jpg) Pergamene copy of the Alcamenes herm
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![](/site/assets/files/4037/thumbnail_seleucia_sarc_iam1.jpg) Seleucia in Pieria, Sarcophagus with the Dioscuri
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![](/site/assets/files/66496/thumbnail_nicaea_cybele_iam.jpg) Nicaea, Statue of Cybele (Roman copy of a Hellenistic original)
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![](/site/assets/files/44968/thumbnail_assur_bronze_door_plaques_salmaneser_iii_iam.jpg) Aššur, Door plaques of Šalmaneser III
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![](/site/assets/files/1505/thumbnail_sidon_300bce_alexander_sarcophagus_iam11_perdiccas.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 3, Alexander sarcophagus (11) (Perdiccas?)
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![](/site/assets/files/3983/thumbnail_tyana_relief_iam2.jpg) Bor, Relief of king Warpalas, inscription
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![](/site/assets/files/1100/thumbnail_abydos_passage_law_anastasius_iam.jpg) Abydus, Anastasius' passage law
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![](/site/assets/files/11485/thumbnail_sidon_300bce_alexander_sarcophagus_iam09_hepaestion.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 3, Alexander sarcophagus (09) Hephaestion
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![](/site/assets/files/57826/thumbnail_samos_kouros_head_iam.jpg) Samos, Head of a kouros
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![](/site/assets/files/21746/thumbnail_troy_ix_zeus_iam.jpg) Troy VIII, Head of Zeus
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![](/site/assets/files/65227/thumbnail_madain_saleh_head_siii-i_iam.jpg) Mada'in Saleh, Head of a man
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![](/site/assets/files/11359/thumbnail_aphrodisias_valentinian_ii_iam3.jpg) Aphrodisias, Valentinian II
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![](/site/assets/files/43361/thumbnail_hattusa_tablet_deeds_suppiluliuma_iam.jpg) Hattusa, Deeds of Šuppililiuma
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![](/site/assets/files/58019/thumbnail_sidon_470bce_sarcophagus_iam2.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 2, Mixed Egyptian-Greek-style sarcophagus
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![](/site/assets/files/18769/thumbnail_baalbek_t_jupiter_liom_iam.jpg) Baalbek, Temple of Jupiter, Lion
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![](/site/assets/files/45461/thumbnail_nicomedia_sarcophagus_sii_iam.jpg) Nicomedia, Sarcophagus
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![](/site/assets/files/6865/thumbnail_smyrna_euripides_iam.jpg) Smyrna, Relief with a tribute to Euripides
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![](/site/assets/files/41069/thumbnail_amathus_bes_roman_iam.jpg) Roman statue of the Egyptian god Bes from Amathus
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![](/site/assets/files/46290/thumbnail_smyrna_sappho_iam.jpg) Smyrna, Sappho (Roman copy of a Hellenistic portrait)
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![](/site/assets/files/57777/thumbnail_kallipolis_cybele_iam.jpg) Kallipolis, Relief of Cybele
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![](/site/assets/files/62433/thumbnail_sidon_royal_necropolis_chamber_1_sarcophagus_svi_iam.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 1, Egyptian-style sarcophagus
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![](/site/assets/files/65228/thumbnail_madain_saleh_sundial_iam.jpg) Mada'in Saleh, Sundial
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![](/site/assets/files/21477/thumbnail_istanbul_hippodrome_kathisma_pegasus_iam1.jpg) Hippodrome, Kathisma, capital
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![](/site/assets/files/16838/thumbnail_sidon_300bce_alexander_sarcophagus_iam01.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 3, Sidon, Alexander Sarcophagus
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![](/site/assets/files/40268/thumbnail_alexander1_iam.jpg) Alexander the Great
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![](/site/assets/files/43362/thumbnail_hattusa_tablet_laws_iam.jpg) Hattusa, Hittite laws about personal damage
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![](/site/assets/files/66497/thumbnail_nicaea_tombstone_menas_sii-iii_iam.jpg) Nicaea, Funerary relief of Menas
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![](/site/assets/files/41929/thumbnail_assur_syllabilary_iam1.jpg) Aššur, Syllabilary with old and new cuneiform signs
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![](/site/assets/files/45459/thumbnail_nicomedia_sea-god_sii_iam.jpg) Nicomedia, Sea god
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![](/site/assets/files/45511/thumbnail_cyzicus_charioteer_525-500_iam.jpg) Cyzicus, Charioteer
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![](/site/assets/files/11777/thumbnail_istanbul_beyazit_i_adiutrix_iam1.jpg) Constantinople, Forum of Theodosius, Tombstone of Aurelius Suro of I Adiutrix
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![](/site/assets/files/21764/thumbnail_troy_vi_vase_iam.jpg) Troy VI, "Minaean" pottery
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![](/site/assets/files/64907/thumbnail_byblus_poseidon_si_iam.jpg) Byblos, Statue of Poseidon
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![](/site/assets/files/45854/thumbnail_kanesh_tablet_caravan_account_iam.jpg) Kanesh, Account of a caravan
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![](/site/assets/files/58024/thumbnail_sidon_350bce_mourning_women_iam1.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 1, Sarcophagus of the mourning women
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![](/site/assets/files/43307/thumbnail_kadesh_treaty_iam1.jpg) Hattusa, Kadesh Treaty
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![](/site/assets/files/44963/thumbnail_ashur_stele_si_iam2.jpg) Aššur, Parthian stele of a worshipper
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![](/site/assets/files/19207/thumbnail_viii_aug_severius_iam1.jpg) Chalcedon, Tombstone of Severius Acceptus of VIII Augusta
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![](/site/assets/files/56093/thumbnail_ephesus_archaic_artemision_ivory_lion_iam.jpg) Ephesus, Archaic temple of Artemis, Ivory lion
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![](/site/assets/files/65173/thumbnail_bolu_galatian_torques_siii-ii_iam.jpg) Bolu, Hidirsihlar tumulus, Galatian torques
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![](/site/assets/files/56091/thumbnail_ephesus_archaic_artemision_gold_falcon_iam.jpg) Ephesus, Archaic temple of Artemis, Gold falcon
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![](/site/assets/files/45975/thumbnail_nimrud_assurnasirpal_ii_iam.jpg) Nimrud, Northwest Palace of Aššurnasirpal II, Genie
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![](/site/assets/files/21742/thumbnail_troy_ix_cybele_iam.jpg) Troy IX, Figurine of Cybele
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![](/site/assets/files/43363/thumbnail_hattusa_tablet_letter_hattusili_iam.jpg) Hattusa, Letter of king Hattusilis III to king Kadashman-Enlil II of Babylonia
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![](/site/assets/files/21425/thumbnail_halicarnassus_istanbul_mus.jpg) Halicarnassus, Mausoleum, Lion
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![](/site/assets/files/40286/thumbnail_alexander3_iam.jpg) Alexander the Great
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![](/site/assets/files/46755/thumbnail_nineve_stele_senacherib_iam.jpg) Nineveh, Stele of Sennacherib
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![](/site/assets/files/41030/thumbnail_cyprus_funeral_stele_hellenistic_iam.jpg) Hellenistic funeral stele
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![](/site/assets/files/45456/thumbnail_perinthus_commodus_iam0.jpg) Perinthus, Portrait of Commodus
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![](/site/assets/files/10593/thumbnail_istanbul_forum_theodosius_arcadius_iam1.jpg) Constantinople, Forum of Theodosius, Arcadius
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![](/site/assets/files/45509/thumbnail_cyzicus_kouros_svi_iam.jpg) Cyzicus, Kouros
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![](/site/assets/files/21494/thumbnail_istanbul_balat_gate_iam.jpg) Constantinople, Sea Wall, Royal Gate, Marble decoration
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![](/site/assets/files/21263/thumbnail_dascylium_funerary_stele1_iam2.jpg) Dascylium, Long funerary stele, detail: chariot
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![](/site/assets/files/58025/thumbnail_sidon_400bce_lycian_sarc_iam7_sphinxes.jpg) Sidon, Royal Tombs, Chamber 4, Lycian sarcophagus, Sphinxes
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![](/site/assets/files/21465/thumbnail_istanbul_golden_gate_tetrarch_iam.jpg) Constantinople, Golden Gate, statue of a tetrarch
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![](/site/assets/files/21461/thumbnail_byzantium_menios_iam1.jpg) Constantinople, Tombstone of Menios
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![](/site/assets/files/9645/thumbnail_samos_heracles_iam.jpg) Samos, Heracles as archer
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![](/site/assets/files/58030/thumbnail_sidon_tomb_salmomedes_iam1-1.jpg) Sidon, Funerary stele of Salmamodes
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![](/site/assets/files/21238/thumbnail_assos_athena_iam5.jpg) Assos, Temple of Athena, Façade
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![](/site/assets/files/21478/thumbnail_istanbul_hippodrome_porphyrius_monument_blue_iam2.jpg) Hippodrome, Porphyrius Monument of the Blues
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![](/site/assets/files/58029/thumbnail_sidon_tomb_dioscourides_iam1-1.jpg) Sidon, Funerary stele of Dioscurides
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![](/site/assets/files/15801/thumbnail_dascylium_fire_relief_iam.jpg) Dascylium, Relief of a Magian venerating the fire
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![](/site/assets/files/2224/thumbnail_diyarbakir_naram_sin_iam1.jpg) Amida, Relief of Naram-Sin
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![](/site/assets/files/8731/thumbnail_assur_shalmaneser_iii_iam2.jpg) Aššur, Statue of Šalmaneser III
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![](/site/assets/files/21765/thumbnail_troy_viib_vase_iam.jpg) Troy VIIb, Pottery
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![](/site/assets/files/22622/thumbnail_pergamon_agrippinai_maior_iam.jpg) Pergamon, Portrait of Agrippina Maior
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![](/site/assets/files/18406/thumbnail_saba_adad-nirari_iii_iam2.jpg) Saba'a, Relief of Adad-Nirari III
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![](/site/assets/files/44967/thumbnail_assur_lamassu_iam_2_ab.jpg) Aššur, Old Palace, Head of a lamassu
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![](/site/assets/files/21264/thumbnail_dascylium_funerary_stele1_iam3.jpg) Dascylium, Long funerary stele, Inscription
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![](/site/assets/files/45853/thumbnail_kanesh_letter_iam.jpg) Kanesh, Letter (in an envelope) concerning silver debt
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