Image Gallery
Assyrian Protective Spirit, Nimrud
Alabaster bas-relief, depicting a standing human-headed genie or sage, from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud, Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Neo-Assyrian Empire, 9th century BCE.
Apkallu, a protective spirit, protects the Assyrian king as well as the palace and its inhabitants against evil demons. He wears a diadem with a rosette (instead of a horned helmet) and has two pairs of wings. The left hand holds a bucket.
Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Germany.
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.
Add External Link
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
