57. Elevation of Wall at Wurka (From the Report of the Assyrian Excavation Fund.)
This system is carried still further in a fragment of a wall in the same city, but of uncertain date. In this instance these reedings—there are no panels in the smaller fragment—and the plain surfaces are ornamented by an elaborate mosaic of small cones about 3 or 31⁄2 in. long. The butt or thicker end of these is dipped in colour, and they are then built up into patterns as shown in the woodcut No. [58]. It is probable that the walls of the Wuswus were adorned with similar patterns in colours, but being executed in less durable materials, have perished. Indeed, from the accounts which we have, as well as from the remains, we are justified in asserting that this style of architecture depended for its effect on colour as much, at least, if not more, than on form. Could colour be made as permanent this might frequently be wise, but too great dependence on it has deprived us of half the knowledge we might otherwise possess of the architectural effects of other times.
CHAPTER III.
ASSYRIAN PALACES.
CHRONOLOGY.
| DATES. | |
| Shalmaneser I. founded Nimroud | B.C. 1290 |
| Tiglathi Nin, his son (Ninus?) | 1270 |
| Tiglath Pileser | 1150 |
| Asshur-bani-pal (north-west palace, Nimroud) | 886 |
| Shalmaneser II. (central palace, do.) | 859 |
| Shamas Iva | 822 |
| Iva Lush IV | 810 |
| Interregnum. | |
| Tiglath Pileser II. (south-eastern palace, Nimroud) | 744 |
| Shalmaneser IV | 726 |
| Sargon (palace, Khorsabad) | 721 |
| Sennacherib (palace, Koyunjik) | 704 |
| Esarhaddon (south-western palace, Nimroud) | 680 |
| Sardanapalus (central palace, Koyunjik) | 667 |
| Destruction of Nineveh | 625 |
All the knowledge which we in reality possess regarding the ancient palatial architecture of the Euphrates valley[[77]] is derived from the exploration of the palaces erected by the great Assyrian dynasty of Nineveh during the two centuries and a half of its greatest prosperity. Fortunately it is a period regarding the chronology of which there is no doubt, since the discovery of the Assyrian Canon by Sir Henry Rawlinson,[[78]] extending up to the year 900 B.C.: this, combined with Ptolemy’s Canon, fixes the date of every king’s reign with almost absolute certainty. It is also a period regarding which we feel more real interest than almost any other in the history of Asia. Almost all the kings of that dynasty carried their conquering arms into Syria, and their names are familiar to us as household words, from the record of their wars in the Bible. It is singularly interesting not only to find these records so completely confirmed, but to be able to study the actual works of these very kings, and to analyse their feelings and aspirations from the pictures of their actions and pursuits which they have left on the walls of their palaces.
From the accounts left us by the Greeks we are led to suppose that the palaces of Babylon were superior in beauty and magnificence to those of Nineveh; and, judging from the extent and size of the mounds still remaining there, it is quite possible that such may have been the case; but they are so completely ruined, and have been so long used as quarries, that it is impossible to restore, even in imagination, these now formless masses.