Ashurnasirpal II Prays Before the Sacred Tree and the God Shamash

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 24 June 2014
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Ashurnasirpal II Prays Before the Sacred Tree and the God Shamash Download Full Size Image

The Assyrian king appears to raise his right hand and point his right index finger in a gesture of worship. He holds a mace, the symbol of authority. The Sacred Tree (which is probably a palm tree) lies at the middle of the relief. The king is protected by two human-headed and winged Apkallu figures. The relief was placed exactly behind the king's throne. Note the "standard inscription" of Ashurnasirpal II, which horizontally spans the lower half of the relief. Neo-Assyrian era, 865-860 BCE. From Room B (the throne room), North-West palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu; Biblical Calah), northern Mesopotamia, Iraq. (The British Museum, London).

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2014, June 24). Ashurnasirpal II Prays Before the Sacred Tree and the God Shamash. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2711/ashurnasirpal-ii-prays-before-the-sacred-tree-and/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Ashurnasirpal II Prays Before the Sacred Tree and the God Shamash." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified June 24, 2014. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2711/ashurnasirpal-ii-prays-before-the-sacred-tree-and/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Ashurnasirpal II Prays Before the Sacred Tree and the God Shamash." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 24 Jun 2014. Web. 03 Mar 2025.

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