| Bo K . H . Schubert |
Wall reliefs that are associated with propaganda are expected to be located in the most accessible wings of the palace , where more visitors would be able to see the reliefs . Moreover , Russell ( 1998 , 662 ) states that rooms . This implies that the reliefs complemented the function of a room .
The Northwest Palace The Northwest Palace was situated in Nimrud and was built during the ninth century BCE by Ashurnasirpall II as the royal residence in his newly established capital ( Oates and Oates 2001 , 36 ). The palace can be divided into three areas , each having a distinct function : the administrative
reliefs were situated in the administrative area or the private area . 2 which all had a distinct function , that were built around the Central Courtyard . Each suite could be reached through a courtyard or corridor , and the suites were also connected through an internal route that originated from the throneroom ( Kertai 2014 ,
were adorned with wall reliefs , but the corridors and courtyards were mainly undecorated .
The Throneroom Suite and the actual throneroom were accessible through the Throneroom Courtyard . The throneroom was the main reception area of the palace and the largest room in the palace . Its façade was decorated with narrative scenes depicting tributaries , guiding the visitors to the west entrance .
The Double-sided Reception Suite was located west of the Central Courtyard and was probably used as a secondary throneroom ( Oates and Oates 2001 , 55 ). It was both connected to the Throneroom Courtyard through corridor WZ and the Central Courtyard . Therefore , Kertai ( 2015 , 35 ) states that visitors who were allowed to enter this secondary throneroom were privileged to go past the throneroom , but were not necessarily allowed to enter the rest of the palace .
The Eastern Suite housed a reception room , a
rooms or treasuries . Russell ( 1998 , 671-674 ) has argued that the function of the two bathrooms was to
supported by various architectural features . In room L , and possibly also in room I , there was a drain in
libation slabs and U-shaped basins were situated in both rooms . Furthermore , rooms L and I were paved with stone slabs and paved bricks , which could be amount of storage rooms is remarkable . These were the most centrally located storage facilities of the palace , and could be related to the rituals that were carried out in this suite . 3 Since this suite stood in direct connection to the Throneroom Suite , it is associated with royal activity ( Kertai 2015 , 38 ). The Eastern Suite was less accessible than the Doublesided Reception Suite , as it is not connected to the Throneroom Courtyard . However , both the Eastern Suite and the King ’ s Suite were accessible through a back entrance connected to corridor P . It seems that this entrance would have been mainly used by the palace staff , and should not be considered as a main entrance .
The King ’ s Suite was connected to the Central Courtyard and the Terrace Courtyard . This suite housed a reception room , a retiring room and a bathroom , and functioned both as a residential and reception suite . Architecturally , it is regarded as the most monumental Residential / Reception suite in the palace . The suite was oriented to the north , which is exhibited in the Throneroom Suite as well . This placement made the king architecturally more visible ( Kertai 2015 , 210 ). Because it is directly connected to the private area of the palace , it seems plausible that this suite was exclusively used by the king himself .
The wall reliefs Several themes can be recognised looking at the wall reliefs , which can be assigned to distinct categories , namely : hunting scenes , scenes of warfare , bringing of tribute , religious scenes , Standard-Inscription 4 , undecorated and undetermined ( Schubert 2016 , 24 ). Most of the reliefs consist of religious scenes which depict genii 5 and the so-called Sacred Tree 6 . With exception of the Double Sided Reception Suite , hunting scenes , scenes of warfare and tributary scenes are only present in the Throneroom Suite , and can also be regarded as narrative scenes . Reliefs were placed next to each other to depict a story , and could have been read like a comic book ( Barnett 1970 , 14 ).
in these scenes , depicting hunts , warfare and the performance of rituals . Some scenes could be interpreted as historic events , whereas others had a symbolic meaning ( Paley 1976 , 1 ). Hence , Ashurnasirpal II had himself displayed in several ways . Russell ( 1998 , 663 ) therefore argues that the wall reliefs are an expression of his ideologies . Even though each relief bears the Standard-Inscription , many plates are only inscribed with this text . p . 16 | VOL III | INTER-SECTION | 2017