138 
ASSYRIAN GALLERIES. 
15, 16, 17. A series, of which the upper portion is lost, representing 
the return from battle. 
To the extreme left (15) are two officers registering the spoils 
brought in. In front of them are laid arms, couches, vessels, &c. 
Two warriors are piling the heads of the slain, others follow, bringing 
up prisoners in couples, fastened together by the wrist. Behind these 
(16) are women carrying wine-skins, driven by a soldier on foot, then 
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¬ 
ground 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 wah 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 
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 warriors 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 side is 
seen, and which appear formed of wickerwork; then four slingers, dis¬ 
charging stones, and holding in their left hands other stones; and 
then an archer, shooting. Above the figures is a row of trees, amongst 
wffiich 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 behind screens, 
held by attendant warriors; then three light-armed archers, the two 
foremost (24) kneeling, and ah directing their arrows at the town re¬ 
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 dome-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 series of slabs. All 
