Monumental inscriptions: The Black Obelisk (2023-05-14)

Created by: Englund, Robert K.

The Black Obelisk is a Neo-Assyrian base relief sculpture commemorating the achievements of Shalmaneser III. It was found in the city of Nimrud and is one of the few well preserved obelisks.

The Black Obelisk includes five scenes of tribute. Each one is depicted using four panels and each represents a tribute given from a different region. Also each one of the scenes has a cuneiform script that identifies the scene. The regions depicted are, Sua of Gilzanu (Northwest Iran), Jehu of Bit Omri (Ancient Israel), An Unnamed Ruler of Musri (Probably Egypt), Marduk-Apil-Usur of Suhi (Middle Euphrates, Syria and Iraq), and Qalparunda of Patin (Antakya Region of Turkey). The significance of this piece is that it shows the extent of the Assyrian Empire. The obelisk presents different people from different regions paying tribute to the all powerful king of Assyria, thus showing that by the time of Shalmaneser III, Assyria was a regional superpower and encompassed many different people. CDLI entry: P423554

credit: Aslanyan, Rafayel