Last evening Prof. Frothingham delivered the third of the series of lectures on Assyrian Archaeology. The beginning of Babylonian art can be traced to the earliest historical period of Babylon, about 4000 B. C. From that period on we possess inscriptions for nearly every century from colossal temples and statues. Northern Babylonia was the first art centre, but in the third milennium Ur, in Southern Babylonia became the centre. There came a third period when the North was again the seat of artisti life, which gradually declined in vigor up to the capture of Babylon by the Assyrians. There was again a short revival during the hundred years when Babylon freed herself from the Assyrian yoke. The temples give most information and are of three great classes. The first were built on high mounds or mountains and sometimes attained the height of the Egyptian pyramids. The second were tremendous structures of seven stories, erected for worship of the heavenly bodies. It is supposed that one story corresponded to each planet. The exterior decoration was of enamelled bricks, as the hot climate prevented the use of more delicate materials. Still some beautiful effects were produced. The inside of the temple was ornamented in a magnificent manner with statues, carving, and wood work, embellished with gold and silver. The third type of temple is probably more ancient, apparently not designed for star worship. They are vast structures, covering a broad space, but are not so high as the others.

The monumental sculpture in early forms shows a strong resemblance to the Egyptian, particularity in the shape of the heads, thus leading us to infer that the art is not Semitic. The basreliefs, particularly the bronze cylinders representing battle scenes and religious worship are numerous, and of great interest. The Assyrian archaeology must be distinguished from the Babylonian, though they are often confused. The Assyrian proper is of much later date, and deals with more secular subjects. A long series of bas reliefs representing a battle of the Assyrians against the Elamites is especially noteworthy. The attention paid to details by the Assyrians is their characteristic in works of art.