Kalhu (Modern Nimrud)

Written by Levi Clancy

First published April 29, 2009 Last modified October 10, 2011

Within the Assyrian heartland was Kalhu (Biblical Kalakh/Calah; modern Nimrud), founded ~1280 BC by Assyrian king Shalmaneser I. It was nestled on east bank of the Tigris, north of Ashur and Kar Tukulti Ninurta. In ~880 BC, Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II famously transformed Nimrud from a provincial town into the new glistening capital of Assyria. His building campaign began in 878 BC as soon as his first military victories provided him the necessary workforce.

Ashurnasirpal II built a new city wall that was 7½km and enclosed 360ha, within which was a 20ha citadel. A citadel is a compact city-within-a-city for the elite. Within Nimrud’s citadel was a ziggurat (which has yielded excellent inscriptions), the royal palace (the North West Palace) and about nine temples (according to his inscriptions). Significant finds include the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III was found in a central palace erected by Shalmaneser III and Tiglath-Pileser IV (Jastrow 1915, p 19). Also, the Nimrud Ivories, the remains of the royal furniture at Nimrud. Sargon II established Dur Sharrukin to replace Nimrud as capital of Assyria.

Symbolic and religious imagery included the Tree of Life, signs of the gods and signs of the genii (good spirits). The king was often shown performing rituals. Reliefs depicting piety were situated in spots of great importance, such as behind the king’s throne, as they reassured that the king was directly connected to the divinities.

Booty scenes showed ambassadors of different lands bringing tribute to the Assyrian capital. Booty scenes dominated the outer courtyard. Tribute scenes were found in the outer courtyard, where tributaries may have actually been presented.

Narrative scenes consisted of reliefs depicting the king’s hunts military campaigns. The top and bottom portions had a continuous visual narrative, while through the middle was a standard inscription describing the events shown. Narrative scenes dominated the throne room, making it a place where both the king and his achievements were visible. Narrative reliefs were remarkably accurate in depicting a territory’s landscape, inhabitants and material culture.

Assyrian reliefs often recount the majestic gardens of Assyrian gardens, packed with exotic flora and fauna.

http://proteus.brown.edu/mesopotamianarchaeology/1500

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