86 
ASSYRIAN ANTIQUITIES. 
[GROUND 
quarter of Nimroud, and partly in two small adjacent temples 
of the same date, one of which was dedicated to the Assyrian 
« God of War." 
Beside the door into the Kouyunjik Gallery is a colossal lion, which, 
with a companion figure, decorated the sides of a doorway in one of 
the small temples just mentioned. It is covered with inscriptions, 
and, like all the figures found in similar situations, provided with five 
legs, so as to appear perfect both from the front and the side. 
Near this stands a small statue, on its original pedestal, found in 
the same temple with the lion, and representing Sardanapalus. 
Of the remains of the North-west edifice the principal are two colossal 
figures, one a winged and human-headed lion, and the other a bull, not 
originally forming a pair, but taken from two different doorways. 
Though of smaller dimensions than usual, they are, both in delicacy 
of execution and excellence of preservation, amongst the finest speci- 
mens of Assyrian art. 
The South door leads into the 
NIMROUD GALLERY. 
This room contains a continuation of the series last de- 
scribed. The bas-reliefs on the West side were all found in one 
chamber of the North-west edifice. Those on the opposite 
side are partly from other chambers of the same edifice, partly 
from the small adjacent temple of the "God of War." The 
slabs with large figures bear inscriptions running horizontally 
across the middle ; those with small figures have generally had 
inscriptions on the border above and below, though these have 
in many instances been cut off in ancient times. The double 
row of slabs occupying the greater part of the West side is 
arranged exactly as in the original building, excepting that a 
break occurs in one place, where some slabs have been lost. 
The following are the most interesting subjects in this room, 
commencing on the left, or East side. The first eight slabs 
are from the North-west edifice : — 
No. 19. Two persons, distinguished by their caps and pointed shoes 
as foreigners, bringing with them two monkeys, as tribute to some 
personage represented on a lost slab. 
No. 20. The king, Sardanapalus, in a richly-embroidered dress, and 
the cap distinctive of royalty, with a sword, of which the hilt is elegantly 
decorated with wrestling lions. 
Nos. 21-20. Six slabs, representing the king among his attendants, 
; i natural and human, apparently returned from battle or the chase. 
'J be large dimensions^ elaborate execution, and almost perfect preserva- 
