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Standard Inscription of King Ashurnasirpal II
A close-up of the "Standard Inscription" of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II, from the North-West palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu; biblical Calah), northern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, Neo-Assyrian Empire, 865-860 BCE.
The British Museum, London.
The inscription is part of a wall relief that depicts an Apkallu (a protective spirit or sage). The Apkallu's left hand wears a bracelet with a "rosette" and holds a bucket (banduddu in Akkadian). A part of a sword with two lion heads is also seen. This inscription tells us the king's title and achievements and is repeated on almost all wall reliefs at the North-West palace.
Questions & Answers
What are the dates for the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
- The Neo-Assyrian Empire ruled from 912-612 BCE.
Who is the greatest king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
- Ashurbanipal (r. 668-627 BCE) is considered the greatest king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and also the last effective ruler before its fall.
Why is it called the Neo-Assyrian Empire?
- The term Neo-Assyrian Empire is a modern designation referring to the latter part of the Assyrian Empire when a new paradigm of leadership and organization emerged.
How did the Neo-Assyrian Empire fall?
- The Neo-Assyrian Empire had grown too large to maintain and, after the reign of Ashurbanipal, began to weaken. The enemies of the Assyrians - including the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians - saw their chance to liberate themselves and attacked, sacking the cities and toppling the empire.
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External Links
Assyria, 1365–609 B.C. | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
metmuseum.org
Who Was Ashurbanipal?
britishmuseum.org
Ashurbanipal Library Project
museum.upenn.edu
