138 
ASSYRIAN GALLERIES. 
15, 16, 17. A series, of which the upper portion is lost, representing i 
the return from battle. i 
To the extreme left (15) are two officers registering the spoils i 
brought in. In front of them are laid arms, couches, vessels,, &c. j 
Two^varriors are piling the heads of the slain, others follow, bringing | 
up prisoners in couples, fastened together by the wrist. Behind these i 
(16) are women carrying wine-skins, driven by a soldier on foot, then j 
a chariot drawn by two bulls, in which are three women or eunuchs, , 
and lastly, three male captives, driven by^ a soldier. In the back- - 
o'round of these slabs are palm-trees in full fruit, and beyond them 
some water with fish. The sculpture is continued on the edge of 
slab 17, which originally stood at a projecting angle in the wall of the 
chamber to which it belonged. 
15^. Cast of a mutilated inscription at the back of No. 15. 
18,19. Fragment of a military procession; first come warriors . 
armed with spears, swords, large round shields, and peaked helmets; 
then two, who are apparently royal mace-bearers.; afterwards, two 
horses attached to a chariot, probably of the king, which was repre¬ 
sented on the adjoining slab, now lost. On the upper part of No. 18 
are the legs and feet of three men, belonging to a tier above. 
20_29. Part of a series of bas-reliefs, from the chamber marked ^ 
XIV. in Mr. Layard’s plan, representing the siege of a fortified I 
city, which occupies the centre of the composition, and is assailed 
by the Assyrians on both sides. The whole series is blackened 
by fire, and the sculptures are much mutilated, particularly in their , 
upper portions. 20, 21, 22, are consecutive slabs. First, to the left, 
appear two v^arriors leading horses, and armed with spears, and bows 
carried in cases at their backs; next is a long file of advancing troops 
with spears, shields, and .peaked helmets; then (22) two, perhaps 
chiefs, with crested helmets, and shields, of which the inner siae is ^ 
seen and which appear formed of wickerwork; then four slingers, dis- 
charo-ino- stones, and holding in their left hands other stones; and ' 
then”an\rcher, shooting. Above the figures is a row of trees, amongst 
which appears the vine, loaded with grapes, thus indicating the season 
of the year. On the upper part of No. 22 may be discerned the feet 
of another body of troops, belonging to a tier above, now lost. Be¬ 
tween 22 and 23 occurs a break, from a slab having perished. Next 
(23) are seen three fully-armed warriors, shooting from behina screens, 
held by attendant warriors; then three .light-armed arcners, the two 
foremost (24) kneeling, and all directing their arrows at tne town re- i 
presented on the next slab. Behind them are. seen three towers, 
perhaps belonging to an outwork, which has been carried by the be¬ 
siegers : on the highest tower is an Assyrian chieftain, bending on one 
knee for the fight. Beyond these, running across slabs 23, 24, the row 
of trees is continued. On No. 25, planted on a high donae-shaped 
hill, is the besieged city. The upper part of the slab is mutilated, but 
a portion remains of an inner fortress or keep, within the outer wall; 
above which is a fragment of an inscription, intended probably to re- • 
cord the name of the place. In the outer wall is a round-arched gate; 
and at the foot of the hill appears to have been a river; water being 
introduced, which is continued along the whole senes of slabs. All 
