Assyria

Assyrian Archers

Blinding Prisoners

Impaled Prisoners

Jehu Relief

King Hunting

Lachish Captives

Assyrian Slinger

Trodden Under Foot

Statue, magnesite, Nimrud, Neo-Assyrian, h:113cm
From the Neo-Assyrian Period, 1000 BCE - 612 BCE
Found in Nimrud
Covered in lecture on Apr 6th, 2005
Unlike colossal statuary and orthostat relief, Neo-Assyrian statuary in the round has not survived to a great extent, so it is difficult to know if it was common in the Neo-Assyrian period. This statue of King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BCE) of Assyria was found in the Temple of the Goddess Ishtar at Nimrud. It was carved of an imported stone, a reminder of the king's power abroad. The bare head and dress may point to a priestly role, corresponding with his position as vice-regent of the state-god Assur. The ceremonial mace symbolizes royal power. The sickle in his right hand is also ceremonial and is the kind used by gods to fight monsters in Mesopotamian imagery.