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The so-called ‘Relief of Yariri/Araras and Kamani’. It was located at the front face of the Royal Buttress, in Carchemish/Karkamış (on the Euphrates River and on the Turkish-Syrian border, c. 25 km south of Birecik).
Neo-Hittite sculpture, c. 8th century BC, Assyrian style.
From left to right:
1) The ‘Inscription of Yariri/Araras’, with an other part on the narrow side of the orthostat, behind the corner on the left. The inscription starts as: "I am Yariri, the Ruler" and continues with the dedication of the building (Royal Buttress) for the royal heir Prince Kamani.
2) The two tall figures are Prince Kamani (left) and regent Yariri/Araras.
3) In two registers: the younger brothers of Kamani (eight of them).
4) A queen (or a wet nurse) carrying the king’s youngest son and leading an animal, possibly goat.
Yariri (Araras) was regent from c. 815- c. 790 BC; he probably was a eunuch, who took (good) care of the kingdom and of his master’s children, after the early death of king Astiruwa. A striking character, not only reliable and devoted, but also an able administrator and a gifted linguist and diplomat who spoke twelve (!) languages and wrote most of them. Under his regency Carchemish’s international profile appears to have risen significantly.
Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen
Sources: ‘The World of the Neo-Hittite Kingdoms’– Trevor Brice.
Website of ‘hittitemonuments.com’ & Wikipedia .
Copyright Dick Osseman. For use see my Profile.
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