A New Stela of Aššur-Naṣir-Pal II

D. J. Wiseman

doi:10.2307/4199549

A New Stela of Aššur-Naṣir-Pal II

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 August 2014

D. J. Wiseman

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A Fortunate and rare discovery has given us a new and complete inscribed stela of the well-known Assyrian king Aššur-naṣir-pal II (Pls. II-VI). This monument was found in its original position within a few feet of the excavations of his palace made by Layard and Rassam. The sandstone block had been erected near the doorway (Fig. 1) leading to the throne-room, and was inscribed with details of the ceremonies and festivities celebrating the formal opening of the palace in the year 879 B.C. The discovery itself occurred in April, 1951, during last season's work at Nimrud; as a result we are now able to write additional details into the history of the ancient Assyrian military capital. The new text is of especial interest because it also gives us for the first time a complete list of trees planted in the royal orchards set out near the city, and what may well prove to be the oldest extant Assyrian menu. A detailed account is given of the food prepared for the entertainment of 69,574 persons during the ten days' festivities. This information, together with many other particulars not hitherto available from the records of this reign, gives this text an unusual significance. Our interest in the Assyrian monarchy is heightened by the insight now given into the peaceful and far-sighted activities of this ruler whose reign is known mostly, but unfortunately, from its display of military might and “frightfulness.”

Type: Research Article
Information: IRAQ , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , Spring 1952 , pp. 24 - 44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/4199549 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © The British Institute for the Study of Iraq 1952

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^{page 24 note 1} The Field number of the stela is ND. 1104. It measures 128 × 104.5 × 57 cm. and is inscribed with a total of 154 ll. (obv. col. i, 52 ll; col. ii left rev., 42 ll.; col. iii right rev., 43 ll.; col. iv left side, 17 ll.). The lower obv. has been damaged at pavement level. The upper surface has a faintly traced rosette upon it.

^{page 25 note 1} Plates VII-XI and p. 26.

^{page 25 note 2} A.K.A. lii. S. Smith, Early History of Assyria, pl. XVII.

^{page 25 note 3} Assyrian Sculptures in the British Museum, Reign of Aššur-naṣir-pal II, pl. II.

^{page 25 note 4} See p. 26.

^{page 25 note 5} H. R. Hall, Babylonian and Assyrian Sculpture in the British Museum, pl. XII, and Assyr, Sculp. (pp. cit.) pl. I.

^{page 25 note 6} The Sibitti, or “seven” (one dot is broken on the relief) denote a group of seven gods, invoked with other gods. A temple was dedicated to the Sibitti in Kalḫu (1. 57). The seven dots later became a symbol for the constellation Pleiades. Buren, E. D. Van, Symbols of the Gods in Mesopotamian Art, 74–82Google Scholar.

^{page 25 note 7} A stone mace-head of similar form to that on the relief, inscribed with the name of Aššur-naṣir-pal, is preserved in the British Museum (B.M. 104411).

^{page 26 note 1} Eponym of Dagan-bêl-naṣir, A.K.A. 346. Annals, col. III, l. 1.

^{page 26 note 2} Layard, A. H., Nineveh and its Remains, II, 255Google Scholar.

^{page26 note 3} Room B. ND. 1122 (p. 66).

^{page 26 note 4} Iraq XII, Pt. 2, 178–9Google Scholar.

^{page 26 note 5} See note on p. 36, 1. 25-6.

^{page 26 note 6} The text reads “8” but this must be a scribal error.

^{page 27 note 1} Layard, , Nineveh and its Remains, II, 57Google Scholar. A large beam of mulberry-wood was found last season in room EC.

^{page 27 note 2} l. 30, note Assyrian Sculptures in the British Museum, Reign of Aššur-naṣir-pal II.

^{page 27 note 3} l. 31, frescoes found in room B. Also painted bricks depicting royal attendants in room EB. Numerous other painted bricks have been found throughout the palace.

^{page 27 note 4} l. 103.

^{page 27 note 5} A.K.A. 254 ff.

^{page 27 note 6} For representations of this see Aššur-bani-pal's Garden Scene (Hall, H. R., Babylonian and Assyrian Sculpture in the British Museum, pl. XLI, 2)Google Scholar.

^{page 27 note 7} Cf. ND. 419. (Iraq XII, pt. 2, 108).

^{page 28 note 1} Cf. relief of Sargon II in Botta, P. E., Monument de Ninive, pl. 114Google Scholar.

^{page 28 note 2} A.K.A. 91, ll. 17-18, 24, 26.

^{page 28 note 3} Cf.A.f.O. III, 158-161 (Aššur-dân II) and Aššur-bani-pal's Lion Hunt. (H. R. Hall, Babylonion and Assyrian Sculpture in the British Museum, pls. XLVII-XLIX).

^{page 28 note 4} Assyrian Sculptures in the British Museum, Reign of Aššur-naṣir-pal II, pls. XII, XIX, XLII.

^{page 28 note 5} Possibly even ‘slaves’, see note to I. 147.

^{page 28 note 6} Mallowan, , I.L.N. 07 28th, 1951Google Scholar.

^{page 28 note 7} Some of these are illustrated on Assyrian sculptures. Layafd's Monuments of Nineveh (Second Scries), pls. VIII and IX, shows twenty varieties of food.

^{page 29 note 1} Luckenbill, , Sennacherib, 116, ll. 65–76Google Scholar.

^{page 33 note 1} Sic.

^{page 33 note 2} Written ma.

^{page 33 note 3} Sic. for 7.

^{page 36 note 1} D.A.B.—Thompson, R. Campbell, Dictionary of Assyrian Botany (1949)Google Scholar.

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A New Stela of Aššur-Naṣir-Pal II

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