This paper traces the development of the
history of art in
Ancient Mesopotamia through a specific study of four well known
and well preserved pieces of art. The range of dates runs from 2600 B.C. with an examination of the "Standard of Ur", through to 260 A.D. and the "Triumph of Shapur I". It looks at how this period of art
history is critical to an understanding of the art of the
ancient world and logically precedes Egyptian, Minoan, Greek and Roman Art.