The Code of Hammurabi is a 7-foot-tall piece of basalt with more than 300 laws engraved on it. According to the code, if you strike your father, then your hands will be cut off. Why would our modern society care about studying such inhumane mandates? See more »

Darius, the name of several kings of the Persian empire. This great empire had its center in modern Iran, and included a vast territory to the west and east. See more »

Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebuchadrezzar, the name of two kings of Babylonia. See more »

Ahab, or Achab, a king of Israel (reigned 875-853 B.C.). He was an able ruler, and under him Israel reached the peak of its power and prosperity. See more »

Antiochus, the name of 13 kings of the Seleucid dynasty, which ruled a Hellenistic kingdom centering in Syria, 312-64 B.C. See more »

Ashurbanipal, or Assurbanipal , the last great king of Assyria, ruled 668 - 626 B.C. See more »

Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon according to the Book of Daniel. The Biblical story describes Belshazzar as the son of King Nebuchadnezzar, but Babylonian records show that the last king of Babylon was Nabonidus, and Belshazzar was his son. See more »

Cambyses II, a king of Persia who ruled from 529 to 521 B.C. He succeeded his father, Cyrus the Great, as king. See more »

Cyrus the Great (600 - 529 B.C.), the founder of the ancient Persian Empire. He united the Persians, overthrew the Medes, and then conquered much of the Middle East. See more »

Esarhaddon, (?-669 B.C.), a king of ancient Assyria. The Assyrian empire reached its height under his rule. See more »