DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3491#0011
PLATE 13.----THE KING IN HIS CHARIOT BEFORE THE WALLS OF A BESIEGED CITY.
(No. 3, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
The Monarch is seen discharging his arrows against the enemy—one of whose charioteers is falling wounded
from his chariot, whilst another is already beneath the horses' feet. Above the King is the emblematical figure of
the Great Deity—a circle enclosing a man, with the wings and tail of a bird, and wearing a horned cap. He
especially watches over the King, who may be regarded as typical of the nation, and he shoots his arrows against
the enemies of the Assyrians. The walls of the castle are defended by archers and by warriors hurling down
stones. Scattered over the face of the slab, without regard to perspective, are groups of Assyrian warriors
slaughtering the vanquished foe. Wavy lines at the bottom of the bas-relief, show that the event recorded took
place, either on the margin of a river, or on the sea-shore; and rudely designed trees and bushes indicate that
the country was wooded. The gate of the castle is arched. The King is accompanied in his chariot by two
men, one of whom holds a shield before him for his defence, whilst the other manages the horses.
PLATE 14.----ASSYRIAN WARRIORS IN BATTLE.
(No. 4, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
This bas-relief forms part of the preceding subject. Two chariots, adorned with standards, are occupied by
Assyrian warriors: a third belongs to the enemy, and the charioteer, closely pursued, and already wounded, is turning
back to ask for quarter. Headless bodies, above the principal figures, denote the slain lying on the field of battle.
PLATE 15.----THE KING CROSSING A RIVER IN A BOAT.
(No. 9, b, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
The Assyrian Monarch is probably invading a hostile country. He stands in his chariot, which has been
placed in the boat, and an eunuch in front appears to be pointing to a distant object, perhaps the castle of
the enemy. Two naked men tow the vessel, which is also impelled by oars, and is steered, as similar vessels on
the Mesopotamian rivers still are, by a long oar passing through a loop attached to a post at the stern. Four
horses—their halters held by a figure in the boat—are struggling with the stream, and a man supporting himself
on an inflated skin is swimming across the river. The water is indicated by wavy lines covering the slab.
PLATE 16.----THE EMBARKATION OF THE CHARIOTS.
(No. 11, b, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
This formed part of the preceding subject.* Two warriors and an eunuch are superintending the
embarkation of the chariots ; two of which are placed in one boat. It will be remarked that the eunuch raises
a whip; with which, like the officers in the army of Xerxes, he probably urged on the troops, -f Two men,
one supported by an inflated skin, the other without support, are already crossing the river. A third, standing
on the bank, is filling a skin by blowing into an aperture; whilst a fourth, having prepared it, is closing the
mouth to prevent the escape of the air.
PLATE 17.-—THE KING BEFORE A BESIEGED CASTLE—BATTERING-RAM MAKING A BREACH IN THE WALLS.
(No. 18, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
A battering-ram, attached to a moveable tower formed of wicker-work and running upon wheels, has
already dislodged several stones from the castle walls. The tower is occupied by two warriors, one shooting an
* A bas-relief intervenes between this and the preceding; but, as it contains merely boats and warriors and horses crossing the river, to avoid
repetition it has not been engraved.
t Herodotus, 1. vii., c. 56 and 223.
(No. 3, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
The Monarch is seen discharging his arrows against the enemy—one of whose charioteers is falling wounded
from his chariot, whilst another is already beneath the horses' feet. Above the King is the emblematical figure of
the Great Deity—a circle enclosing a man, with the wings and tail of a bird, and wearing a horned cap. He
especially watches over the King, who may be regarded as typical of the nation, and he shoots his arrows against
the enemies of the Assyrians. The walls of the castle are defended by archers and by warriors hurling down
stones. Scattered over the face of the slab, without regard to perspective, are groups of Assyrian warriors
slaughtering the vanquished foe. Wavy lines at the bottom of the bas-relief, show that the event recorded took
place, either on the margin of a river, or on the sea-shore; and rudely designed trees and bushes indicate that
the country was wooded. The gate of the castle is arched. The King is accompanied in his chariot by two
men, one of whom holds a shield before him for his defence, whilst the other manages the horses.
PLATE 14.----ASSYRIAN WARRIORS IN BATTLE.
(No. 4, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
This bas-relief forms part of the preceding subject. Two chariots, adorned with standards, are occupied by
Assyrian warriors: a third belongs to the enemy, and the charioteer, closely pursued, and already wounded, is turning
back to ask for quarter. Headless bodies, above the principal figures, denote the slain lying on the field of battle.
PLATE 15.----THE KING CROSSING A RIVER IN A BOAT.
(No. 9, b, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
The Assyrian Monarch is probably invading a hostile country. He stands in his chariot, which has been
placed in the boat, and an eunuch in front appears to be pointing to a distant object, perhaps the castle of
the enemy. Two naked men tow the vessel, which is also impelled by oars, and is steered, as similar vessels on
the Mesopotamian rivers still are, by a long oar passing through a loop attached to a post at the stern. Four
horses—their halters held by a figure in the boat—are struggling with the stream, and a man supporting himself
on an inflated skin is swimming across the river. The water is indicated by wavy lines covering the slab.
PLATE 16.----THE EMBARKATION OF THE CHARIOTS.
(No. 11, b, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
This formed part of the preceding subject.* Two warriors and an eunuch are superintending the
embarkation of the chariots ; two of which are placed in one boat. It will be remarked that the eunuch raises
a whip; with which, like the officers in the army of Xerxes, he probably urged on the troops, -f Two men,
one supported by an inflated skin, the other without support, are already crossing the river. A third, standing
on the bank, is filling a skin by blowing into an aperture; whilst a fourth, having prepared it, is closing the
mouth to prevent the escape of the air.
PLATE 17.-—THE KING BEFORE A BESIEGED CASTLE—BATTERING-RAM MAKING A BREACH IN THE WALLS.
(No. 18, a, ch. b, plan 3, Nimroud).
A battering-ram, attached to a moveable tower formed of wicker-work and running upon wheels, has
already dislodged several stones from the castle walls. The tower is occupied by two warriors, one shooting an
* A bas-relief intervenes between this and the preceding; but, as it contains merely boats and warriors and horses crossing the river, to avoid
repetition it has not been engraved.
t Herodotus, 1. vii., c. 56 and 223.