The Mythology of Kingship in Neo-Assyrian ArtThe relief slabs that decorated the palaces of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which emphasized military conquest and royal prowess, have traditionally been understood as statements of imperial propaganda that glorified the Assyrian king. In this book, Mehmet-Ali Ataç argues that the reliefs hold a deeper meaning that was addressed primarily to an internal audience composed of court scholars and master craftsmen. Ataç focuses on representations of animals, depictions of the king as priest and warrior, and figures of mythological beings that evoke an archaic cosmos. He demonstrates that these images mask a complex philosophical rhetoric developed by court scholars in collaboration with master craftsmen who were responsible for their design and execution. Ataç argues that the layers of meaning embedded in the Neo-Assyrian palace reliefs go deeper than politics, imperial propaganda, and straightforward historical record. |
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ancient Mesopotamian Ancient Near East animal antediluvian apkallus appears artist Ashurbanipal Ashurnasirpal II aspects associated Assyrian Babylonian body British Museum bull character composition court dead depicted Detail discussed divine drawing Egypt Egyptian Enkidu Epic especially eunuch example exists expression face figure further genii Gilgamesh gods Greek hand head hence hero historical holding horses human hunt Ibid idea indicates initiation instance king king’s kingship knowledge lion London matter meaning military Mischwesen Myth nature Neo-Assyrian netherworld Nimrud Nineveh North Northwest Palace officials Palace of Ashurnasirpal Panel parallel perhaps period Photo placed poem position present protomes reference regard relation representations represented respect rhetoric ritual Room Room G royal sacred tree sages scene scholars seen Sennacherib showing shown side slabs Southwest Spirits stand symbol Text Corpus texts thought throne room tradition understanding understood visual wearing whereas