File:Nineveh and Babylon - a narrative of a second expedition to Assyria during the years 1849, 1850, and 1851 (1882) (14764070401).jpg

Identifier: ninevehbabylonna00laya (find matches)
Title: Nineveh and Babylon : a narrative of a second expedition to Assyria during the years 1849, 1850, & 1851
Year: 1882 (1880s)
Authors: Layard, Austen Henry, Sir, 1817-1894
Subjects: Nineveh (Extinct city) Babylon (Extinct city) Middle East -- Description and travel
Publisher: London : J. Murray
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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on to them as thelater Egyptian monuments do to cne earlier. In these bas-reliefs Asshur-bani-pal is seen hunting thelion, sometimes engaged in close combat with the animal,and in pursuing the wild ass, the stag, and the gazelle. Asusual in the sculptures adorning the walls of the Assyrianpalaces of the later period, the sculptor has endeavoured toportray all the incidents of the events which he is recording.We have first the preparation for the chase. Huntsmen are XXIV INTRODUCTION. seen leading the dogs or hounds in leashes, and men andmules are laden with the nets, ropes, and gins which wereused in the capture of deer, gazelles, and wild asses. The king appears to be represented as hunting in the parksor preserves attached to the royal palaces, which were stockedwith wild animals, as well as in the open country. Lions,kept in cages, are turned loose for him to kill. The cagewas drawn, probably by oxen, to the spot where the beastwas to be set free. A box on the top of it protects a
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Lion let out of Trap. huntsman or attendant who, by raising a trap, opens thedoor from whence the lion issues. The wary motions of theanimal on leaving the cage are admirably portrayed in thesculptures. The king is seen hunting from his chariot, on horseback,and on foot. When in his chariot he is accompanied bythe charioteer and two armed warriors. In some bas-reliefshe is seen transfixing a lion with arrows, and dead anddying lions lie scattered around him. The various attitudes INTRODUCTION. XXY of the beasts, whether wounded or in the last struggle, orstretched lifeless on the ground, are portrayed with singularvigour and truth to nature.

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