Ancient Assyrian sculpture at the British Museum (Room 6)

This blog post concerns room 6 of the British Museum.   I recently went to see the famous lion hunt of the King Ashurbanipal II (which I've already covered) - but they were closed.

I really love the art and sculpture of the Ancient Assyrians. They're so skilful, beautifully and delicately chiselled. Every time I visit these galleries at the British Museum, I'm blown away. They rather put our vaunted Stonehenge, in England, to shame. I think it's up there with the Parthenon & the Ancient Greeks, and Ancient Egyptians. 

The art and architecture of the Assyrian civilization flourished during its imperial expansion - in present day Northern Iraq. From 1400 BC, the original city/state was around Ashur on the River Tigris. Then, there was a period of expansion (to 1000 BC) under which the empire declined. However, under the Neo-Assyrian Empire (Ashurnasirpal II & Shalmaneser III), it started to grow in international power via military campaigns. I found this terrific YouTube video that breaks down the Assyrian and Babylonian timeline. Records of Assyrian victories were inscribed on monuments - including the stelae and obelisks below.

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Gupsum Stella of Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II

The language script is cuneiform; and the earliest tablet discovered showed humans using them for record keeping, for harvests etc.

This is King Ashurnasirpal II. The description of the king reads "I am important, I am magnificent".  A humble man ...

It's beautifully carved and the King has a terrific beard.

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Eagle-headed protective spirit (from Nimrud)

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Protective spirit (from Nimrud)

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Assyrian gateways, the Lamassu

So incredible and enormous. 

I am always shocked at how ancient civilizations created such wonderful objects. I think we tend to dismiss bygone civilizations as being 'primitive' too easily.

The above statues were used at the entrance of building and were supposed to bring good fortune. The colossal figures: part human and part animal (as with the protective spirits above) were not only to adorn a building but to protect it (warding off evil spirits).

Interestingly, these Lamassu statues all seem to have 5 legs. Goodness knows what an imposing effect these must have had on visitors to the king's palace.

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Supernatural being

The monster's identity is unknown. It has bird's wings, feathers, and talons. A lion's head.

It was at the entrance of a Temple.

Leonine.

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Another protective spirit

So beautifully and meticulously carved. And I think cuneiform looks amazing in its geometry and simplicity. 

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Captured camels

A herd of camels and a woman (on the left) are part of a procession of prisoners and booty captured during one of the campaigns of Tiglath-pileser III.

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The capture of Astartu and the king in his chariot

The king is shown in his chariot. The city captured is Astartu in modern-day Jordan.

The cuneiform inscription above the King detailing his campaign:

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Captured flocks

The proportions & details are really quite beautiful. 

This is another scene which decorated the palace of Tiglath-pileser III (as mentioned above).

The campaign was against the Arabs, and shows sheep and goats captured.

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Stela of Ashurnasirpal II

Sadly, erosion damage. King Ash. is supposed to be shown worshipping.

The cuneiform is really special. It is supposed to depict yet another attack.

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Stela of Shamshi-Adad V

Another beautiful stela.  If you notice the bracelet, it almost looks like a watch. :)

This stela shows the king worshipping in front of symbols of the gods. 

Depicts his greatness & authority.

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Kurkh Stela

A beautiful limestone monument.

Once again, the king surrounded by divine symbols. And the incredible cuneiform inscription narrating his campaigns in chronological order. Found by John George Taylor.

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The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III

Wow.  So ornate and incredibly decorated. And so many stories: 

Amazing exotic animals: a water-buffalo, a (supposed?) rhinoceros, and antelope.

A scene of two Assyrian officials introducing three tribute bearers.

Assyrian officials walking, a foreign groom leading a horse in rich trappings.

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Colossal guardian lion (Lion of Babylon)

Huge and striking. It depicts a ferocious mouth-opened 15-tonne lion. It is suppose to symbolize the Assyrian goddess of war, Ishtar.

Cuneiform inscription also point to the King who commissioned it: Ash. II.

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Attendant god (outside a doorway in the Temple of Nabu)

I think this is the god of writing; and I love how hands are crossed in front.

According to the museum, the cunieform exhorts the reader to revere this God (Nabu): "to not trust in another god".

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Eagle-headed protective spirit

As above.

Adorned and decorated so beautifully. 

I love how the human body is embellished - in these ancient societies - by the beauty of strong animals in the natural world.

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Human-headed winged bulls protecting the King's apartments

Entrance to the lion hunt friezes closed ... but people trying to get a look. :)