![The British Museum houses a large collection of artifacts from the ancient Middle East](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156159.mwPxUZrh.BritishMuseumFeb08054.jpg) The British Museum houses a large collection of artifacts from the ancient Middle East |
![The capture of Astartu (Jordan) and the king in his chariot, Assyrian ca 730 BC from Nimrud](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156162.MTECUL5L.BritishMuseumFeb08059.jpg) The capture of Astartu (Jordan) and the king in his chariot, Assyrian ca 730 BC from Nimrud |
![The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (858-824 BC)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156164.EJnC8Aui.BritishMuseumFeb08062.jpg) The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (858-824 BC) |
![The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III - attendants bring two-humped camels, tribute from Musri, a country far to the east](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156165.4z8eigmf.BritishMuseumFeb08064.jpg) The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III - attendants bring two-humped camels, tribute from Musri, a country far to the east |
![Human-headed winged lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC, from Nimrud in modern Iraq 30 km SE of Mosul](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156166.E0UD4WJH.BritishMuseumFeb08065.jpg) Human-headed winged lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC, from Nimrud in modern Iraq 30 km SE of Mosul |
![Protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, from Nimrud, Northwest Palace](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156167.MV4bRg4Z.BritishMuseumFeb08070.jpg) Protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, from Nimrud, Northwest Palace |
![Pair of protective spirits: an Ugallu, 'Great Lion', preceded by what may be the House God, Assyrian, ca 700 BC from Nineveh](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156168.G8Y2gM1w.BritishMuseumFeb08188.jpg) Pair of protective spirits: an Ugallu, 'Great Lion', preceded by what may be the House God, Assyrian, ca 700 BC from Nineveh |
![Prisoners from the town of -alammu, Assyrian ca 700 BC from Nineveh (modern day Iraq, near Mosul)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156169.UIIbmf3J.BritishMuseumFeb08193.jpg) Prisoners from the town of -alammu, Assyrian ca 700 BC from Nineveh (modern day Iraq, near Mosul) |
![Campaigning in southern Iraq, Assyrian, ca 640 BC, Nineveh, Southwest Palace](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156170.QwdOj8Kl.BritishMuseumFeb08195.jpg) Campaigning in southern Iraq, Assyrian, ca 640 BC, Nineveh, Southwest Palace |
![Campaigning in southern Iraq, Assyrian, ca 640 BC, Nineveh, Southwest Palace](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156171.pLxTuXBw.BritishMuseumFeb08197.jpg) Campaigning in southern Iraq, Assyrian, ca 640 BC, Nineveh, Southwest Palace |
![Bull being led through southern Iraq, Assyrian, ca 640 BC, from Nineveh](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156172.tEXvmGcJ.BritishMuseumFeb08198.jpg) Bull being led through southern Iraq, Assyrian, ca 640 BC, from Nineveh |
![Detail from the manufacture and transport of a colossal stone bull, Assyrian ca 700 BC, Nineveh](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156173.Crn4ikfS.BritishMuseumFeb08199.jpg) Detail from the manufacture and transport of a colossal stone bull, Assyrian ca 700 BC, Nineveh |
![Assyrian king in his chariot watches as prisioners are brought in, Assyrian ca 640 BC, Nineveh (Northern Iraq)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156174.sJsc3yfj.BritishMuseumFeb08201.jpg) Assyrian king in his chariot watches as prisioners are brought in, Assyrian ca 640 BC, Nineveh (Northern Iraq) |
![Frieze of campaigning in southern Iraq from the southwest palace of Nineveh, Assyrian ca 640 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156175.Ho9hlzau.BritishMuseumFeb08202.jpg) Frieze of campaigning in southern Iraq from the southwest palace of Nineveh, Assyrian ca 640 BC |
![Campaigning in southern Iraq - reed boat crossing a river, Assyrian ca 640 BC, Nineveh](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156176.U5F8kJoP.BritishMuseumFeb08204.jpg) Campaigning in southern Iraq - reed boat crossing a river, Assyrian ca 640 BC, Nineveh |
![Surrender of enemy horseman, Assyrian ca 728 BC, Nimrud (central palace) in modern Iraq](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156177.BgpWHWcs.BritishMuseumFeb08206.jpg) Surrender of enemy horseman, Assyrian ca 728 BC, Nimrud (central palace) in modern Iraq |
![Wall panel from Nimrud, Assyrian ca 728 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156178.bgWaPwWS.BritishMuseumFeb08208.jpg) Wall panel from Nimrud, Assyrian ca 728 BC |
![Battle scene from Nimrud (central palace) Assyrian ca 728 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156179.Xr3fatEk.BritishMuseumFeb08210.jpg) Battle scene from Nimrud (central palace) Assyrian ca 728 BC |
![Vulture carrying human entrails, Nimrud, Assyrian ca 728 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156180.c4QeTZMa.BritishMuseumFeb08212.jpg) Vulture carrying human entrails, Nimrud, Assyrian ca 728 BC |
![Tiglath-pileser III, Assyrian ca 728 BC, Nimrud (central palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156181.SYKRd62q.BritishMuseumFeb08213.jpg) Tiglath-pileser III, Assyrian ca 728 BC, Nimrud (central palace) |
![Winged human-headed lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC from Nimrud (northwest palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156182.VN6vpZ5j.BritishMuseumFeb08215.jpg) Winged human-headed lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC from Nimrud (northwest palace) |
![This protective spirit guarded the entrance into what may have been a banquet hall](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156183.luMEJvOe.BritishMuseumFeb08216.jpg) This protective spirit guarded the entrance into what may have been a banquet hall |
![Winged human-headed lion whose twin is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156184.fxkXXpTM.BritishMuseumFeb08219.jpg) Winged human-headed lion whose twin is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art |
![Detail of the feathers of the wings of a human-headed winged lion, Assyrian, ca 860 BC from Nimrud in modern Iraq](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156185.4CK3mLvN.BritishMuseumFeb08220.jpg) Detail of the feathers of the wings of a human-headed winged lion, Assyrian, ca 860 BC from Nimrud in modern Iraq |
![Tribute-bearers on the façade of the throne room, Nimrud (northwest palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156187.t8XB1Mxr.BritishMuseumFeb08221.jpg) Tribute-bearers on the façade of the throne room, Nimrud (northwest palace) |
![Exotic animal brought as tribute to the palace of Nimrud (Iraq) ca 860 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156189.I9WggUXw.BritishMuseumFeb08223.jpg) Exotic animal brought as tribute to the palace of Nimrud (Iraq) ca 860 BC |
![Protective spirit carrying a goat guarded one of the doors to the throne room, Nimrud (northwest palace) Assyrian ca 860 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156190.lqMmhe0A.BritishMuseumFeb08224.jpg) Protective spirit carrying a goat guarded one of the doors to the throne room, Nimrud (northwest palace) Assyrian ca 860 BC |
![Protective spirit carrying a deer guarded one of the doors to the throne room, Nimrud (northwest palace) Assyrian, ca 860 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156191.T1vSjsjH.BritishMuseumFeb08225.jpg) Protective spirit carrying a deer guarded one of the doors to the throne room, Nimrud (northwest palace) Assyrian, ca 860 BC |
![Court scene, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156192.rBIA7p8G.BritishMuseumFeb08227.jpg) Court scene, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) |
![King Ashurnasirpal enthoned between attendants, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156193.rTQydUoB.BritishMuseumFeb08228.jpg) King Ashurnasirpal enthoned between attendants, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) |
![Winged protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156194.4WUCY8Va.BritishMuseumFeb08230.jpg) Winged protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) |
![Wall panel depicting soldiers crossing a river floating on inflated animal skins, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud northwest palace](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156196.QQrE6Mfd.BritishMuseumFeb08232.jpg) Wall panel depicting soldiers crossing a river floating on inflated animal skins, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud northwest palace |
![Naked soldier swimming across a river, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) in modern Iraq](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156197.5ihIbBvP.BritishMuseumFeb08234.jpg) Naked soldier swimming across a river, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) in modern Iraq |
![Symbolic scene depicting King Ashurnasirpal dressed in ritual robes in front of a Sacred Tree making a gesture of worship to god](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156198.ECC2wh6J.BritishMuseumFeb08238.jpg) Symbolic scene depicting King Ashurnasirpal dressed in ritual robes in front of a Sacred Tree making a gesture of worship to god |
![Eagle-headed protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) in modern Iraq](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156199.rWSFjvzN.BritishMuseumFeb08240.jpg) Eagle-headed protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) in modern Iraq |
![King Ashurunasirpal hunting a Lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156200.z3utOe2p.BritishMuseumFeb08242.jpg) King Ashurunasirpal hunting a Lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) |
![King Ashurunasirpal hunting a Lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156201.dN3tgs6c.BritishMuseumFeb08243.jpg) King Ashurunasirpal hunting a Lion, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud (northwest palace) |
![Attack on an enemy town with King Ashurnasirpal shooting arrows with a siege engine battering the walls, Assyrian 860 BC, Nimrud](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156202.g2dpks9r.BritishMuseumFeb08245.jpg) Attack on an enemy town with King Ashurnasirpal shooting arrows with a siege engine battering the walls, Assyrian 860 BC, Nimrud |
![Protective spirit, Assyrian, ca 860 BC, Nimrud](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156203.r123ts0S.BritishMuseumFeb08247.jpg) Protective spirit, Assyrian, ca 860 BC, Nimrud |
![King Ashurnasirpal flanked by eagle-headed protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156204.hZvVcPY3.BritishMuseumFeb08249.jpg) King Ashurnasirpal flanked by eagle-headed protective spirit, Assyrian ca 860 BC, Nimrud |
![Human-headed winged bulls from the gates to the citadel of the Palace of Sargon (Dur-Sharrukin) near present-day Khorsabad, Iraq](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/101156205.3Gt3msKH.BritishMuseumFeb08453.jpg) Human-headed winged bulls from the gates to the citadel of the Palace of Sargon (Dur-Sharrukin) near present-day Khorsabad, Iraq |
![Human-headed winged bulls from the gates to the citadel of the Palace of Sargon (Dur-Sharrukin) near present-day Khorsabad, Iraq](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237660.rAr6AjXh.LondonMar10293.jpg) Human-headed winged bulls from the gates to the citadel of the Palace of Sargon (Dur-Sharrukin) near present-day Khorsabad, Iraq |
![Human-headed winged bull](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237662.GT0QSxx8.LondonMar10294.jpg) Human-headed winged bull |
![Head of a human-headed winged bull, Assyrian ca 670 BC from Nimrud](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237663.fkq60d0j.LondonMar10295.jpg) Head of a human-headed winged bull, Assyrian ca 670 BC from Nimrud |
![Battle Scene, Assyrian ca 728 BC, from Nimrud, Central Palace](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237664.umdAVlQZ.LondonMar10297.jpg) Battle Scene, Assyrian ca 728 BC, from Nimrud, Central Palace |
![Horse and men leading chariot, Assyrian ca 728 BC from Nimrud, Central Palace](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237665.4OxgSdXl.LondonMar10299.jpg) Horse and men leading chariot, Assyrian ca 728 BC from Nimrud, Central Palace |
![Pair of protective spirits, an Ugallu, 'Great Lion', preceded by what may be the House God, Assyrian ca 700-692 BC, from Ninveh](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237666.swyHmuoW.LondonMar10301.jpg) Pair of protective spirits, an Ugallu, 'Great Lion', preceded by what may be the House God, Assyrian ca 700-692 BC, from Ninveh |
![Cast of palace doorway, Persepolis (Iran) ca 470-450 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237667.LlIPhbB8.LondonMar10873.jpg) Cast of palace doorway, Persepolis (Iran) ca 470-450 BC |
![Cast of palace doorway, Persepolis (Iran) ca 470-450 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237669.clsnA26p.LondonMar10877.jpg) Cast of palace doorway, Persepolis (Iran) ca 470-450 BC |
![King, probably Xerxes, sitting on a throne, holding a sceptre and lotus flower with an attendant behind, Persepolis ca 470-459BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237670.OMDAeTfE.LondonMar10878.jpg) King, probably Xerxes, sitting on a throne, holding a sceptre and lotus flower with an attendant behind, Persepolis ca 470-459BC |
![Cast of royal hero from doorway, Persepolis (Iran) ca 490-470 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237668.3zS2SDoy.LondonMar10874.jpg) Cast of royal hero from doorway, Persepolis (Iran) ca 490-470 BC |
![Glazed brick guardsman, Susa (Iran) ca 521-500 BC](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/126237671.yQ3IH14j.LondonMar10879.jpg) Glazed brick guardsman, Susa (Iran) ca 521-500 BC |