In the Ancient Near East, between the Fourth and First millennium B.C., rulers used feasts to affirm their positions of authority. The elite demonstrated their wealth by showering illustrious guests with food, drink, and gifts. Religious figures used feasts as a means of control and a place to practice ceremonial sacrifices in honor of the deities. As today, whether one was invited or excluded from these affairs was often a matter of great moment. In this exhibition, abundant artifacts from the Israel Museum and beyond suggest the power of these ancient fêtes. —Elena Clavarino