Ashurnasirpal II
King of Assyria who rebuilt Kalhu (Nimrud)
- Reigned
- 883–859 BCE
- Capital
- Kalhu (Calah, modern Nimrud, Iraq)
- Built
- Northwest Palace; temple of Ninurta
- Known for
- Founding the Neo-Assyrian empire's power
The Assyrian king who rebuilt Kalhu (Nimrud) as his capital, lining his palace with reliefs of winged apkallu sages.
What is Ashurnasirpal II known for?
Ashurnasirpal II ruled Assyria from 883 to 859 BCE and consolidated the conquests that made the Neo-Assyrian empire. Britannica notes he is remembered for the blunt way his inscriptions describe cruelty to captives.
He rebuilt the old city of Kalhu, the biblical Calah and modern Nimrud, as his royal center. By 879 BCE his palace, the temples of Ninurta and Enlil, and the city wall were finished, and a stele records a ten-day feast for 69,574 guests to celebrate.
His Northwest Palace was decorated with huge carved reliefs, many showing winged figures and fish-cloaked apkallu, the protective sages of Mesopotamian myth. Many of these reliefs are now in the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum and other collections.
Built a great temple to Ninurta at Kalhu and lined his palace with apkallu reliefs.
Mentioned on these pages
- FileApkallu (the seven sages)
- FileNinurta
- PlaceMount Nimush (Nisir)
- PlaceNimrud (Kalhu)
Sources
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