File:Nineveh and Babylon - a narrative of a second expedition to Assyria during the years 1849, 1850, and 1851 (1882) (14764184061).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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ity of the lines, is called Tel-ez-zembil (the Moundof the Basket), appear to have been fortified outposts; pro-bably detached towers, such as are represented in the bas-reliefs of Kouyunjik.* An enemy coming from the east, the side on which theinclosure was most open to attack, had consequently first toforce a stupendous wall strengthened by detached forts. Twodeep ditches and two more walls, the inner being scarcelyinferior in size to the outer, had then to be passed before thispart of the city could be taken, t The remains still existingof these fortifications almost confirm the statement of Dio-dorus Siculus, that the walls were a hundred feet high, andthat three chariots could drive upon them abreast; and lead • See 2nd series of Monuments of Nineveh, Plate 43. + The distance from the inside of the inner wall to the inside of theouter is about 2007 feet. Allowing 200 feet for the outer, the breadthof the whole fortifications would be about 2200 feet, or not far fronhalf a mile.
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Chap.XIV.) VIEW FROM KOUYUNJIK. 399 to the conclusion that, in describing the ramparts forming thecircuit round the whole city, ancient historians were confound-ing them with those which inclosed only a separate quarter, ora royal residence, as they have also done in speaking of thoseof Babylon. Whilst the inner walls were constructed of stoneand brick masonry, the outer appear to have consisted of littleelse than of the earth, loose pebbles, and rubble dug out fromthe moats, which were cut with enormous labour into thesolid conglomerate rock.* The walls and moats around Kouyunjik were a favouriteride during my residence among the ruins. The summit ofthe outer ramparts commands an extensive and beautifulprospect over the great mounds, the plains bounded by theseveral mountain ranges of Kurdistan, the windings of theriver, and the town of Mosul. Niniue (that which Godhimself calleth that Great Citie) hath not one stone stand-ing, which rtiay giue memorie of the being of a towne : oneEn

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