ahencyclopedia:WALL RELIEFS: Ashurnasirpal II’s War Scenes at the British Museum “600 of their warri
ahencyclopedia:WALL RELIEFS: Ashurnasirpal II’s War Scenes at the British Museum “600 of their warriors I put to the sword and decapitated; 400 I took alive; 3,000 captives I brought forth; I took possession of the city for myself: the living soldiers, and heads to the city of Amidi the royal city, I sent.” (Annals of Assur-Nasir-Pal II 3.107).THIS is how Ashurnasirpal II (r. 884-859 BCE) recorded the way he had dealt with his enemies during one of his military campaigns. Most of the time, the overwhelming Assyrian Imperial army was led on the battlefield by an apparently heartless and harsh Assyrian King. The destiny of the defeated enemy, revolt, or turmoil, whether kings, princes, officers, soldiers, poor lay people, or children, should be an ever-lasting memorable event, a fatal lesson taught to anyone thinking, or may be thinking, of doing the same, threatening the crown and destabilising the Assyrian Empire. The throne room, Room B, of the North-West Palace was lined with war scenes of the so-called “victors and the vanquished” theme, depicting Ashurnasirpal II engaging in various military activities and charging his enemies. This room was not chosen haphazardly, it is the core of the King’s court! All have to see and absorb the message. Despite being out of context in Room 7 (Assyria, Nimrud) of the British Museum, these reliefs undoubtedly make a lasting impression on the museum’s visitors, as they have done in the past. Read More -- source link