152 
ASSYRIAN GALLERIES. 
area above are three headless bodies, and small trees, apparently vines. 
Further on, the king, in his chariot with an armour-bearer and a 
charioteer, attended by the ferouher, is driving upon a chariot of the 
enemy; its occupant has been struck down, and one of the horses is 
falling, drawing the charioteer violently forwards by the reins. Assy¬ 
rian footsoldiers are seen beyond, one of whom is assailing a disarmed 
opponent, whilst a comrade of the latter is endeavouring to draw him 
out of danger. The city, on the extreme right, is defended by a moat 
or river, beside which are vines with clusters of grapes^ and other fruit- 
trees ; from the walls warriors are discharging arrows and stones, and 
one is inviting a parley: below are two Assyrian footsoldiers, each 
killing an opponent. 
13 5, 14 6, 15 5, the remaining slabs in this series, represent a siege. 
A portion of No. 13 6, belonging to a preceding subject, has been 
already described. On the remaining portion is the king, accompanied 
by his shield-bearer, his parasol-bearer, and another attendant with a 
quiver full of arrows, who shoots towards the besieged city. The 
city itself, which occupies the centre of the entire composition, exhibits 
(generally) the usual style of architecture, but the arched gateway has a 
remarkable ornamental moulding. Some of the Assyrians are scaling 
the wall with ladders; whilst the enemy hurl stones, and shoot arrows, 
upon them from above ; others, with instruments resembling square¬ 
headed spears, or mounted celts, are making a breach below, and others 
again mining or cutting out the walls. Behind the battlements appear 
women tearing their hair; wounded and dead bodies are falling over. 
On the right the city is attacked by a battering-ram, worked from 
within a machine such as already described, but with no wheels visible. 
From the nearest turret or bastion (the upper part of which is lost) 
the besieged are lowering chains, or grappling irons, to catch the ram, 
and draw it upwards; two of the assailants, however, wdth hooks thrown 
over the,engine, are keeping it down by their weight. The besieged, 
again, are hurling firebrands on the machine, to ignite it; but the 
Assyrians, through pipes carried in the tower of their machine, are 
playing water on the flames. Within this tower are two warriors assail¬ 
ing the besieged with arrows and stones. On the side of the battering 
machine is a carved representation of a ferouher shooting at the enemy. 
Behind it, archers standing, or kneeling, are discharging arrows towards 
the city. A war-chariot, and two footsoldiers, are waiting, further to 
the right; and above are two eagles, one attacking a fallen body. 
16 a. Fragment of a male figure, with remains of colour on the 
hair and eyes, apparently engaged in a sacrificial rite; in his right 
hand is a flower, and on his head a garland, or band of rosettes. 
16 5. A battle-scene, in which an Assyrian warrior in his chariot 
is pursuing some fugitive horsemen, and discharging at them an arrow. 
One of the enemy turns, and extends his hand for quarter; another 
shoots, after the manner of the Parthians. A wounded man has fallen 
under one of the horses; another lies dead in the distance. A river, 
or stream, appears beneath the fugitives; in it is seen a fish. This 
slab is much dilapidated from the action of water. 
17. The last slab from Chamber B. A winged male figure, richly 
attired, is bringing offerings for sacrifice; on his right arm is a fallow 
deer, in his left hand a branch with five flowers. A similar subject 
