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Relief of King Ashurbanipal Reposing with His Queen in the Royal Garden, gypsum, North Palace, Nineveh, h: 56 cm
From the Neo-Assyrian Period, 1000 BCE - 612 BCE
Found in Nineveh
Covered in lecture on Apr 25th, 2005
In one of the few representations of women in Neo-Assyrian art, King Ashurbanipal is seen enjoying the company of his Queen in a royal garden. They repose on finely carved thrones or couches, and attendants fan the royal couple with whisks as they sip libations from shallow bowls. Vegetation is carefully depicted, and palm trees full of birds, conifer trees and grape vines lushly fill the garden. Although the relief demonstrates the king at rest, pleasantly enjoying life's abundance and a peaceful moment in the empire, the shadow of war is nevertheless present in the ugly reminder of King Teumman's head, seen hanging from a tree at left.

The Bible mentions "the great and noble Asnappar" who is actually Ashurbanipal, the son of Esarhaddon, who succeeded his father on the throne and reigned from 669-626 BC. He was the last of the great Assyrian kings. This relief scene was carved on alabaster and depicts the king of Assyria, Ashurbanipal, reclining on a well upholstered couch. He is in the royal park, which is planted with date palms, conifers and shrubs. Vine tendrils, leaves and grapes, shade the king. He is relaxed and has laid aside his weapons, sword, bows and arrows. He is wearing a headband with streamers and an embroidered coverlet with tassels at the corners is spread over his legs. With his right hand he raises a goblet to his lips, in his left hand he holds a flower. Beside the couch is a table laid with food. Opposite him is his wife Ashursharrat in a richly decorated robe sitting on an elegant throne with a footstool. She is also drinking. Servants bring them food and other servants wave fly-whisks. In the background a musician plays a lyre with 11 strings. Not such a peaceful scene because off in the left corner a head is hanging from a tree. This head might be the king of Elam because this scene Ashurbanipal is celebrating his victory over the Elamites at the battle of Susa in 655 BC.

Asshurbanipal and his wife in a vine bower. 669-626 BC. 

"There [is] Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit." - Ezekiel 32:24

"And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest [that are] on this side the river, and at such a time." - Ezra 4:10