Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

DURING 19TH CENTURY: ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA 119
events of Sennacherib's government, and from a mere
study of those sculptured walls we got familiar with the
customs and habits of the ancient Assyrians, at the same
time obtaining a first clear glance of the whole civilization
of Western Asia.
How much the interpretation of the Old Testament
books profited from Layard's epoch-making discoveries, we
can scarcely realize fully after we have been under the powerful
influence which went forth from the resurrected palaces
of Qoyunjuk since the earliest days of our childhood.
Being written in a language closely akin to Assyrian, and
compiled by men brought up in the same atmosphere and
surroundings, they frequently describe the very institutions,
customs, and deeds so vividly portrayed on the alabaster
slabs of Nineveh. But it was not onlv through analogy
and comparison that so many obscure words and passages
in the Scriptures received fresh light and often an entirely
new meaning, — sometimes the very same persons and events
mentioned in the historical and prophetical books of the
Bible were depicted on those monuments or recorded in their
accompanying inscriptions.
We refer only to the fine series
of thirteen slabs adorning the walls of a room nearly in the
centre of the great southwest wing of Sennacherib's
palace.
Seated upon his throne in the hillv districts of Southern
Palestine, and surrounded by his formidable army, is the
Assyrian king, attired in his richly embroidered robes. In
the distance severe fighting is still going on, archers and
slingers and spearmen attack a fortified citv, defended by
the besieged with great determination. But part of the
place has been taken. Beneath its walls are seen Assyrian
warriors impaling their prisoners or flaying them alive, while
from the gateway of a tower issues a long procession of
captives, camels and carts laden with women and children
and spoil, advancing towards the monarch. Above the
head of the king we read the inscription: "Sennacherib,
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