The palace decoration of Ashurbanipal

Summary

The script explores Ashurbanipal's reign as the Assyrian king in the 7th century BCE, highlighting his palaces in Nineveh as symbols of his power. The city's vastness and the palace's intricate decorations, including reliefs of lion hunts and military victories, showcased the king's might and divine representation. The script also delves into the palace's protective supernatural figures and the king's gardens, symbolizing abundance and control over chaos, emphasizing Ashurbanipal's role as a god's representative and empire's protector.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Ashurbanipal's palaces in Nineveh were a symbol of his kingship, representing the vastness and power of the Assyrian Empire.
• 👑 Ashurbanipal ruled the empire in the 7th century BC from his capital, Nineveh, which was one of the largest cities in the world at the time.
• 🛕 The transformation of Nineveh into a metropolis began with Ashurbanipal's grandfather, Sennacherib, who built massive walls and the 'palace without rival'.
• 🕌 Ashurbanipal spent much of his life in the southwest palace before rebuilding another, known as the north palace or Ashurbanipal's palace.
• 🎨 Reliefs in the north palace depict what is believed to be Nineveh, showcasing the city's defenses and palace architecture.
• 🦁 Lion hunts depicted in the palace reliefs symbolized the king's role as a protector and representative of the gods, fighting against chaos.
• 🏰 Military campaigns were also a key theme in the reliefs, emphasizing the Assyrian army's superiority and the king's might.
• 🗡️ The Battle of Til Tuba, a significant Assyrian victory, is highlighted in the reliefs by another speaker, Gareth Brereton.
• 👼 Reliefs featuring gods and genies, such as lahmu, ugallu, and house gods, were placed for protection, reflecting the king's divine support and the palace's sanctity.
• 🌳 Assyrian kings cultivated gardens with rare plants and animals, symbolizing abundance and the king's ability to create paradise on earth.
• 🎶 The gardens were also depicted in idealized scenes with musicians and peacefully resting lions, showcasing the king's control over nature and his realm.

Q & A

Who is the curator of the BP exhibition on Ashurbanipal?

Carine Harmand is the project curator for the BP exhibition on Ashurbanipal.

In what century did Ashurbanipal rule the Assyrian Empire?

Ashurbanipal ruled the Assyrian Empire in the seventh century before Christ.

What was the significance of Nineveh during Ashurbanipal's reign?

Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire and was likely the largest city in the world at that time, symbolizing the vastness and power of the empire and its king.

Who transformed Nineveh into a vast metropolis and what was his contribution to the city?

Ashurbanipal's grandfather, Sennacherib, transformed Nineveh into a vast metropolis by building two massive walls around the city and constructing his royal residence, known as the southwest palace.

What is the significance of the southwest palace in Ashurbanipal's life?

Ashurbanipal spent most of his life in the southwest palace before rebuilding another palace, known as the north palace or Ashurbanipal's palace.

What is depicted in the relief from Ashurbanipal's north palace?

The relief from Ashurbanipal's north palace depicts a city, believed to be an Assyrian city, possibly Nineveh, with a moat, three successive walls, and a palace featuring lion-shaped column bases and sculptures of lamassus.

What do the stone reliefs in the palaces represent?

The stone reliefs in the palaces represent the strength of the king and are themed around lion hunts, military campaigns, and protective supernatural figures, showcasing the king's might and power.

Why were lion hunts depicted in the palace reliefs?

Lion hunts were depicted to show the king as a protector of his people and a representative of the gods, as the lion was seen as the embodiment of chaos and a threat to the divine order.

What is the significance of the lahmu, ugallu, and the god depicted in the reliefs?

The lahmu, or 'the hairy one,' is depicted as a tranquil guardian of the good within the palace. The ugallu, or 'Great Lion,' is shown as an aggressive protector, while the god, identifiable by his tiara with three pairs of horns, is also in an aggressive stance, symbolizing divine protection.

How did the Assyrian kings use gardens alongside their palaces?

Assyrian kings used gardens to collect rare plants and animals from across the empire, creating a miniature representation of the empire and symbolizing the king's ability to bring abundance and create paradise on earth.

What does the depiction of musicians and animals in the garden scenes of Ashurbanipal's palace signify?

The depiction of musicians and animals in the garden scenes signifies the king's ability to subdue his opponents, represent the gods, protect his people, tame chaos, and create a harmonious and abundant environment.