This seminar will take an in-depth look at royal art as a tool for political propaganda and the indoctrination of cultural and religious beliefs in the world of the ancient Near East (c. 3000 BC- 320 BC). Emphasis will be placed on the art and architecture of large polities and empires, such as Assyria, Babylonia and Persia, and contextualizing their visual presence within the complex and multi-cultural landscape of Western Asia and her neighbors beyond. The material we will examine in this seminar will include monumental sculpture and reliefs; seals and their impressions; frescoes; luxury goods and other portable arts. The triad of royal identity–priest, warrior and king–will play a prominent role in our discussion.