The World Between Empires: Art and Identity in the Ancient Middle East

The World Between Empires by Blair Fowlkes-Childs and Michael Seymour presents the art and culture of the Middle East between 100 B.C. and A.D. 250. This digital edition is available as an instant PDF download. It accompanies the 2019 exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This catalogue explores the cities along the great incense and silk routes. It looks at how individuals and communities defined themselves under Roman and Parthian influence. The book brings together 186 objects from Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

Book Overview

The World Between Empires is the official catalogue of the exhibition held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from March 18 through June 23, 2019. Authors Blair Fowlkes-Childs and Michael Seymour, curators in the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art, trace the cultural histories of Southwestern Arabia, Nabataea, Judaea, Syria, and Mesopotamia. The book covers religious centers, military bulwarks, and trade routes during a period of Roman and Parthian competition.

The volume contains 344 illustrations and maps, a chronology, bibliography, and index. It also addresses the deliberate destruction and looting of sites such as Palmyra, Dura-Europos, and Hatra.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Essays and catalogue entries on essential cities, including Palmyra, Dura-Europos, Hatra, Petra, Tyre, Sidon, and Heliopolis-Baalbek.
• Detailed presentation of 186 objects of exceptional importance from museums and collections in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
• Coverage of religious diversity among polytheists, Jews, and Christians in frontier cities like Dura-Europos.
• Exploration of the frankincense trade, the Silk Road, and the exchange of goods and ideas across the ancient Middle East.
• Context for the rise of the Sasanians and the changing world of the mid-third century.
• Discussion of modern destruction, looting, and the ongoing work of preservation at archaeological sites.
• A chronology, maps, bibliography, and index to support further study.

Why This Book Matters

This catalogue matters because it was published at a time when several featured sites—Palmyra, Dura-Europos, and Hatra—have been deliberately damaged and looted. It shows what these monuments meant in their own time. It also helps readers understand why protecting cultural heritage is important on a local and global scale.

The book shifts attention from the imperial powers of Rome and Parthia to the cities, communities, and individuals of the region. In doing so, it provides a nuanced view of identity in the ancient Middle East.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital PDF download, so there is no physical shipping. Your file is available immediately after purchase. You can read it on tablets, desktop computers, smartphones, and devices that support PDF reading.

For the best experience, use an appropriate reading app on Kindle devices, iPad, Android tablets, or other mobile devices. The file is designed for at-home study and personal reference.

FAQ

How do I receive my download?
Instant access is provided after purchase through your digital download link.

Will a physical copy be shipped?
No. This is a digital-only product. No printed book or physical item will be sent.

What formats and devices are supported?
The PDF can be opened with most standard PDF readers, including Kindle apps, tablet readers, desktop software, and mobile devices.

This digital catalogue is ready for immediate download. Add it to your collection today and explore the art and identity of the ancient Middle East.

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