Assyria: Ninevah (Room 9)

700 - 692 BC

The rooms and courtyards of the Neo-Assyrian Southwest Palace of King Sennacherib (704-681 BC) at Nineveh (in modern northern Iraq) were decorated with a series of detailed carved stone panels. Many of them are on display in Room 9.

The panels depict a variety of scenes, including the transport of huge sculptures of human-headed winged bulls (lamassu) that weigh up to 30 tons and were intended for the main entrances to the palace. These illustrations provide an insight into ancient quarrying and transport techniques, as well as Sennacherib’s keen interest in his building projects. Other panels on display depict the king’s military campaigns.

Image captions (clockwise from top left):

Panel of Sennacherib 704-681 BC

Panel of Sennacherib 704-681 BC

Panel of Sennacherib 640-615 BC

Panel of Sennacherib 704-681 BC