#nimrud

Detail of an Assyrian relief from Nimrud, Iraq, showing horses and horsemen of the royal chariot, 725 BC. Photograph: Steven Vidler / Eurasia Press

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Gypsum alabaster relief of a lamassu at the palace of Ashurnasirpal II, guarding the gateway at Kalhu. Nimrud, Iraq.

Ancient Worlds - BBC Two

Episode 2 “The Age of Iron”

Detail-Assyrian stone wall panel from the Central Palace of Nimrud (Kalhu), Northern Mesopotamia(Iraq). It dates to 728 BC.

KingAshurnasirpal II (reigned 883 - 859 BC), moved the Assyrian court to Nimrud and the city became the administrative center of the empire and the king’s residence. Ashurnasirpal’s most impressive building was his new royal palace, the Northwest Palace. A citadel that housed the palace and several temples of the most important deities of Assyria were built. Nimrud was protected by a 7,5 km long fortification wall.

King Tiglath-Pileser III (ruled 744/5–727 BC) built a new royal palace, known today as the Central Palace. He had his royal annals engraved across the bas-reliefs depicting his military achievements on the sculptured slabs decorating his palace. Parts of those wall decorations are today housed in the British Museum.

British Museum, London