Stela of Ashurnasirpal II
Neo-Assyrian, about 883-859 BC
From Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), northern Iraq
The Assyrian king worshipping gods and
recording his achievements
This freestanding gypsum monument was erected by King
Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883-859 BC). During his reign this form
of commemorative sculpture appears in this form. Stelas were
erected inside and outside temples, both within the empire and the
neighbouring lands which recognized Assyrian rule. This example,
which weighs over four tons, was erected outside the Temple of
Ninurta (a god of hunting and warfare) built by the king in his
newly established capital of Kalhu.
Most stelas, as here, depict the king before the symbols of his
principal gods. He extends his right hand, with the forefinger
outstretched, as if he has just snapped his fingers. This is the
typical Assyrian gesture of respect and supplication towards the
gods. The gods are shown in symbolic form. The helmet with horns
represents the supreme god Ashur; the winged disc stands for the
sun god, Shamash; the crescent within a full circle is the emblem
of the moon god, Sin; the fork is the thunderbolt of the storm god,
Adad; and a star, the planet Venus, signifies Ishtar, goddess of
love and war. The king wears a row of similar symbols on his chest,
with a Maltese cross for the sun. The inscription has a prayer to
the gods, a description of the rebuilding of Kalhu and ends with
curses on anybody who damages the stela.
A.K. Grayson, Assyrian royal inscriptions (Wiesbaden, O. Harrassowitz, 1972)
J.E. Reade, Assyrian sculpture-1 (London, The British Museum Press, 1998)