--- title: The Taylor Prism of King Sennacherib, Nineveh author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2469/the-taylor-prism-of-king-sennacherib-nineveh/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 1970-01-01 --- # The Taylor Prism of King Sennacherib, Nineveh _Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_ ## Image File [![The Taylor Prism of King Sennacherib, Nineveh](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/2469.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/2469.jpg) ## Image Caption This prism records the first eight campaigns of the Assyrian King [Sennacherib](https://www.worldhistory.org/sennacherib/) (704-681 BCE). This six-sided baked clay document (or prism) was discovered at the Assyrian capital [Nineveh](https://www.worldhistory.org/nineveh/), in an area known today as Nebi Yunus. It was acquired by Colonel R. Taylor, British [Consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/) General at Baghdad, in 1830 CE, after whom it is named. The British Museum purchased it from Taylor's widow in 1855 CE. As one of the first major Assyrian documents found, this document played an important part in the decipherment of the [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) [script](https://www.worldhistory.org/script/). The prism is a foundation record, intended to preserve King Sennacherib's achievements for posterity and the gods. The record of his account of his third campaign (701 BCE) is particularly interesting to scholars. It involved the destruction of forty-six [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of the state of Judah and the deportation of 200,150 people. Hezekiah, king of Judah, is said to have sent tribute to Sennacherib. This event is described from another point of view in the [Old Testament](https://www.worldhistory.org/Old_Testament/) books of 2 Kings and [Isaiah](https://www.worldhistory.org/Isaiah/). Interestingly, the text on the prism makes no mention of the siege of Lachish which took place during the same campaign and is illustrated in a series of panels from Sennacherib's [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) at Nineveh. Neo-Assyrian era, 691 BCE, From Nineveh, [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/), Iraq. (The British Museum, London) #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Amin, O. S. M. (2014, March 31). The Taylor Prism of King Sennacherib, Nineveh. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Taylor Prism of King Sennacherib, Nineveh." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 31, 2014. . ### MLA Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Taylor Prism of King Sennacherib, Nineveh." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Mar 2014, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 31 March 2014. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.