Abstract
References
- Delnero 2012 P. Delnero, “Memorization and the Transmission of Sumerian Lit- erary Compositions” Journal of Near Eastern Studies 71, 189-208.
- Galter 2022 H.D. Galter, Assyrian Royal Inscriptions between Royal Propa- ganda and Historical Positioning. Ancient Near Eastern Weltan- schauungen in Contact and in Contrast. Rethinking Ideology and Propaganda in the Ancient Near East Edited by Ludovico Portuese and Marta Pallavidini Wedge 2 Zaphon, Münster. 87-113.
- Grayson 1976 A.K. Grayson, Assyrian Royal Inscriptions, part 2: From Ti- glath-pileser I to Ashur-nasir-apli II. Wiesbaden.
- Grayson 1991 A.K. Grayson, Assyrian Rulers of the Early First Millennium BC I (1114-859 B.C.), Vol. II (The Royal Inscriptions of Mesopotamia. Assyrian Periods 2), London.
- Grayson 2008 A.K. Grayson, “Assyria: Ashur-dan II to Ashur-Nirari V (934-745 B.C.)”, CAH 3/1: The Prehistory of the Balkans and the Middle East and Aegean World, Tenth to Eighth Centuries B.C. (eds. J. Boardman – I.E.S. Edwards – N.G.L. Hammond – E. Sollberger), Cambridge, 238-281.
A New Slab Back Inscription on the Construction Of The Kalhu (Nimrud) And The North-West Palace Of Ashurnasirpal II from The Museum Of Anatolian Civilizations (Ankara)
Abstract
Ashurnasirpal II represents an important turning point for the Assyrian State. With this king, Assyria transformed into a conquering state and made signif- icant gains towards becoming an empire. Ashurnasirpal II used some of the wealth transferred to Assyrian centres through great military campaigns for the reconstruction of Kalhu, a former administrative centre, and the construction of a great palace for himself. The walls of the North-West Palace built in Kalhu were adorned with reliefs and inscriptions, reflecting the state ideology. These buildings, created as a product of this mindset, and the reliefs and inscriptions covering their walls, served as significant tools of propaganda. In this study, we present the transliteration, translation and explanations of a royal inscription in the palace of Ashurnasirpal II. The inscription contains a summary of the As- syrian king’s lineage, title, military campaigns, the reconstruction of Kalhu, and the reconstruction of the North-West Palace. This inscription, like all other royal inscriptions, is the product of state ideology and tends to glorify the king and to portray him as a victorious warrior and a successful builder. However, we prefer to consider this inscription as a “Slab Back Inscription” rather than a standard inscription. This feature of the inscription makes our study important. The exis- tence of such inscriptions is lesser-known, and modern researchers often ignore them in their studies. We believe that this study will increase the recognition of such inscriptions and that this distinction will be taken into consideration in future studies on royal inscriptions.
References
- Delnero 2012 P. Delnero, “Memorization and the Transmission of Sumerian Lit- erary Compositions” Journal of Near Eastern Studies 71, 189-208.
- Galter 2022 H.D. Galter, Assyrian Royal Inscriptions between Royal Propa- ganda and Historical Positioning. Ancient Near Eastern Weltan- schauungen in Contact and in Contrast. Rethinking Ideology and Propaganda in the Ancient Near East Edited by Ludovico Portuese and Marta Pallavidini Wedge 2 Zaphon, Münster. 87-113.
- Grayson 1976 A.K. Grayson, Assyrian Royal Inscriptions, part 2: From Ti- glath-pileser I to Ashur-nasir-apli II. Wiesbaden.
- Grayson 1991 A.K. Grayson, Assyrian Rulers of the Early First Millennium BC I (1114-859 B.C.), Vol. II (The Royal Inscriptions of Mesopotamia. Assyrian Periods 2), London.
- Grayson 2008 A.K. Grayson, “Assyria: Ashur-dan II to Ashur-Nirari V (934-745 B.C.)”, CAH 3/1: The Prehistory of the Balkans and the Middle East and Aegean World, Tenth to Eighth Centuries B.C. (eds. J. Boardman – I.E.S. Edwards – N.G.L. Hammond – E. Sollberger), Cambridge, 238-281.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Archaeological Science |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | March 22, 2025 |
| Submission Date | October 26, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | December 28, 2024 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Issue: XXXIII |
