This lavishly illustrated volume reaches back to prehistoric times to provide an overview of the main cultures that developed in this ancient area of the Middle East through the mid-7th century AD. An informative text incorporates the latest research in the field to unveil the complex artistic and historical legacy of this fascinating region, from the ceramics of northern Iran to the magnificent golden treasures and palaces of Persepolis, from the conquests of Alexander the Great to the military power of the Sassanians who left behind extraordinary rock reliefs. Throughout the book, photographs convey the wide range of architectural and artistic styles to emerge from pre-Islamic Persia. Comprehensive in scope and meticulous in its research and photography, this is an essential resource for art historians and art enthusiasts alike. Presented in a handsome slipcase.