A Journey to the Cradle of Civilization at Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts

If your history classes brought up the wonders of the ancient world like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon or the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, then you’re in for a treat! The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest is hosting a groundbreaking new exhibition that will transport you to the fascinating realm of Mesopotamia – the cradle of human civilization located in what is now Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

For the first time ever in Hungary, “The Kingdom of Gods and Demons: Mesopotamia 1000-500 BCE” shines a light on the art and culture of this pivotal era during the first half of the 1st millennium BCE. This was the golden age of the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Empires, the first great powers of antiquity.

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary adventure unlocking the secrets of this lost world that laid the foundations for biblical narratives and, by extension, European culture itself. The exhibition features a staggering 150 priceless artifacts on loan from 7 prestigious museums across Europe.

Your journey begins by marveling at the exquisite palace reliefs and the famous dragon-serpent glazed bricks adorning the Ishtar Gate, excavated from the ancient cities of Ashur, Babylon, Dur-Sharrukin and Kalhu. Terrifying demon figurines like Pazuzu and Lamashtu share the space with regal statues of Assyrian and Babylonian kings.

You’ll get to examine intricate cylinder seals depicting the Mesopotamian pantheon and decipher actual cuneiform inscriptions, including excerpts from the Epic of Creation and historical accounts of famous biblical rulers like Nebuchadnezzar. The exhibition culminates with artistic interpretations of the iconic Tower of Babel across Dutch Renaissance paintings and 20th century Hungarian works.

What really sets this show apart is that many of these artifacts have never left their home institutions before – priceless treasures seeing the light of day for the first time outside of the Louvre, Berlin’s Vorderasiatisches Museum, Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum and other world-class collections. Miss this and you may never get another chance to experience the wonders of ancient Mesopotamia in one place.

Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts in collaboration with Hungary’s Lendület Assyrian and Babylonian Pantheons Research Group, “The Kingdom of Gods and Demons” runs from October 5, 2024 through February 2, 2025. Tickets are available now, gifting you the keys to unlocking one of the most fascinating and influential civilizations in human history. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of gods and demons!

Image source: Museum of Fine Arts