104. 
ASSYKIAN ANTIQUITIES. [BASEMENT FLOOR. 
by Mr. Loftus at Warka, in a mound, formed almost entirely of similar 
remains, but are not, perhaps, older than the time of the Parthian 
Empire. Various glazed vessels and part of a bronze throne. 
The staircase leads to the 
ASSYRIAN BASEMENT KOOM. 
The sculptures arranged in this room, with one excep- 
tion, belong to the time of Assur-bani-abla, the grandson of 
Sennacherib, having been discovered in the ruins of two palaces 
at Kouyunjik, excavated, one by Mr. H. Rassam, the other by 
Mr. Loftus. Dating from the latest period of Assyrian art, 
they exhibit greater freedom of design, particularly in the 
animal forms, and greater delicacy of execution, than the bas- 
reliefs from Nimroud, or even the earlier monuments from Kou- 
yunjik. Among the most remarkable are — 
Nos. 1-8. Various operations of the camp, the bringing in of the 
heads of slain enemies, and registration of spoil and trophies. 
Nos. 9-14. Soldiers and musicians, some of whom are captives. 
Nos. 17, 18. Assyrian deities. 
Nos. 19, 20. Part of the Assyrian army and prisoners of war. 
Nos. 21-32. The assault and capture of the city of Lachish by 
Sennacherib ; his fortified camp and reception of prisoners. 
Nos. 33-53. A lion-hunt by Assur-bani-abla, or Sardanapalus. A 
large area formed by spearmen prevents the escape of the animals. 
The lions are let loose from cages (No. 52), and are killed by the 
monarch by arrows, while horsemen attend and gallop round in diffe- 
rent directions. One or two lions are seen in different groups attack- 
ing the king. The fury of the wounded and agony of the dying lions, 
as also the impatience of four dogs restrained by their keepers, are 
admirably delineated. 
Nos. 54-62. The capture of a city in Susiana and reception of pri- 
soners by the same monarch. 
Nos. 63-74. The return from the chase in a series of slabs of the 
same size and style as Nos. 33-53. The hunters bear birds and dead 
lions, and lead the hunting dogs, and sumpter mules laden with nets. 
Nos. 75-78. Scenes apparently of a paradeisos or park; a musician 
and lion ; and a lion and lioness amidst trees and flowers ; keepers 
and hunting dogs. 
Nos. 79-82. Assyrian deities. 
Nos. 83-90. Wars of Assur-bani-abla ; the attack of an Arab race, 
who, mounted on one-humped camels, take to flight, while their 
tents are surprised and burnt; the siege of two cities and capture of 
one with its ^Ethiopian garrison of negroes, placed there by some 
Egyptian monarch. 
Nos. 91-94. A hostile army flying past an Assyrian city or fortress, 
