File:Nineveh and Babylon - a narrative of a second expedition to Assyria during the years 1849, 1850, and 1851 (1882) (14764952034).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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north-westpalace, and dedicated to the Assyrian Hercules, whose nameis read Mir or Bar. I have already mentioned •■ that a superstructure of bricksrested upon the stone basement-wall of the tower, at thenorth-west corner of the mound. It was against the easternand southern faces of this superstructure that the newly dis-covered temple abutted. Four of its chambers were explored,chiefly by means of tunnels carried through the enormousmass of earth and rubbish in which the ruins were buried.The great entrances were to the east. The principal portal twas formed by two colossal human headed lions, sixteen feetand a half high and fifteen feet long. They were flanked bythree small winged figures, one above the other, divided byan ornamental cornice, and between them was an inscribedpavement slab of alabaster. In front of each was a squarestone, apparently the pedestal of an altar, and the walls onboth sides were adorned with enamelled bricks. * Page 37. + Entrance i, B, Plan II. p. 34.
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VII.) COLOSSAL HUMAN FIGURES. 177 About thirty feet to the right of this gateway was a second,*formed by two singular figures. One was that of a monster,whose head, of fanciful and hideous form, had long pointedears and extended jaws, amaed with huge teeth. Its bodywas covered with feathers, its fore-feet were those of a lion,its hind legs ended in the talons of an eagle, and it hadspreading wings and the tail of a bird. Behind this strangeimage was a winged man,whose dress consisted of anupper garment with a skirtof skin or fur, an underrobe fringed with tassels, andthe sacred horned hat. Along sword was suspendedfrom his shoulders by anembossed belt; sandals, arm-lets, and bracelets, completedhis attire, f He hurledan object resembling thethunderbolt of the GreekJove against the monster,who turned furiously towardshim. This group appears torepresent the bad spiritdriven out by a good deity. On the slabs at right an-gles to these sculptures,forming the outer part of theentrance, were

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