Assyria: Nimrud (Rooms 7-8)
883 – 859 BC
The Neo-Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BC) built his
magnificent Northwest Palace at Nimrud (now in northern Iraq). Its
interior decoration featured a series of remarkable carved stone
panels.
The detailed reliefs on display in Rooms 7-8 originally stood in
the palace throne-room and in other royal apartments. They depict
the king and his subjects engaged in a variety of activities.
Ashurnasirpal is shown leading military campaigns against his
enemies, engaging in ritual scenes with protective demons and
hunting, a royal sport in ancient Mesopotamia.