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The Epic of Gilgamesh flood tablet, formally known as Tablet XI, is a cuneiform-inscribed clay tablet discovered in the ruins of Nineveh and dating to the seventh century BCE. It forms part of the Akkadian language version of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian literary narrative. The tab...
The Winged Bull of Khorsabad, or Lamassu, is a colossal Assyrian protective deity from the 8th century BCE, featuring the body of a bull, the wings of an eagle, and a human head. Carved from alabaster, it originally guarded the gates of King Sargon II's palace in Dur-Sharrukin, located in modern-day...
The Lamassu from Nimrud is a monumental Mesopotamian sculpture from the Neo-Assyrian Empire, dating to around 700 BCE. These imposing figures depict a winged bull with a human head, serving as protective deities placed at the gates of cities and palaces to ward off evil. Several examples were excava...
The Lamassu from Khorsabad is a monumental Assyrian sculpture depicting a winged, human-headed bull carved from massive blocks of alabaster. These protective deities were originally positioned at the monumental gateways of the palace complex of King Sargon II in Dur-Sharrukin, located in present-day...
These limestone reliefs originate from the palace of Assyrian King Sennacherib at Nineveh. They depict the events surrounding the siege of the Judean city of Lachish in 701 BC. The carvings showcase Assyrian military activity and are notable for providing a visual record of this significant conflict...
The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III is a basalt obelisk originating from Nimrud, modern-day Iraq. Carved in approximately 825 BC, it depicts tribute processions sent by defeated kings – notably Pharaohs Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah – to the Assyrian king. The detailed inscription provides valuable in...
The Taylor Prism is a significant Assyrian relic dating to 691 BC. Crafted from clay, it offers a detailed record of King Sennacherib’s military campaigns, notably his siege of Jerusalem. The prism features cuneiform inscriptions providing invaluable insights into the political and historical contex...
The Prism of Sennacherib is a lengthy clay inscription from the 8th century BCE. Created by Assyrian king Sennacherib, it details his military conquests and administrative activities. The prism’s extensive cuneiform writing provides valuable insight into Assyrian governance and warfare during that p...
Nimrud is an ancient Assyrian archaeological site in northern Iraq, originally established as the capital city of Kalhu by King Ashurnasirpal II in the 9th century BCE. The site is distinguished by its monumental architecture, including the Northwest Palace, which was historically adorned with colos...
The Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III is a Neo-Assyrian stele dating to approximately 852 BC. Discovered in 1861 at Kurkh in southeastern Turkey, the limestone monument stands about 2.2 meters tall. Its cuneiform inscription describes the military campaigns of Assyrian king Shalmaneser III, includin...
The Rassam Cylinder is a clay document inscribed with the annals of Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, dating to the 7th century BC. Named after Hormuzd Rassam, who excavated it at Nineveh in the 1850s, the cylinder records the king's military campaigns, building projects, and royal achievements in Akkadia...
The Prism of Esarhaddon is a hexagonal clay artifact inscribed with Neo-Assyrian cuneiform text, dating to the seventh century BCE. Commissioned by King Esarhaddon, the prism functions as an official historical record documenting his military campaigns, including invasions of Egypt and conflicts wit...
Assur, located on the western bank of the Tigris River in northern Iraq, served as the original capital of the Assyrian state and remained a religious and cultural center throughout Assyrian history. The city was continuously occupied from around 2600 BCE and contains the remains of temples dedicate...
The Khorsabad Annals are a collection of Assyrian cuneiform inscriptions discovered in the palace of King Sargon II at Dur-Sharrukin, modern-day Khorsabad, in northern Iraq. Dating to the 8th century BCE, these texts primarily document Sargon's military campaigns, detailing his conquests of regions...
