---
title: Assyrian Wall Relief Depicting Musical Instruments
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2996/assyrian-wall-relief-depicting-musical-instruments/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-10-07
---
# Assyrian Wall Relief Depicting Musical Instruments
_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/2996.jpg)
## Image Caption
Alabaster bas relief depicting marching shield bearers accompanied by a group of musicians who carry different musical instruments, from [Nineveh](https://www.worldhistory.org/nineveh/), northern [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/), Iraq, [Neo-Assyrian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Neo-Assyrian_Empire/), reign of king [Sennacherib](https://www.worldhistory.org/sennacherib/), 705-681 BCE.
The [Pergamon](https://www.worldhistory.org/pergamon/) Museum, Berlin.
The male musicians are carrying rectangular drums with a string; this instrument can still be found in modern Iraq and northern [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) and is seen here for the very first time. The same applies to the cymbals, which are made of two sound boxes and handles; the second woman on the right holds a cymbal. At the end of the procession walks a richly decorated woman who holds a round drum.
The arrangement and cut of these [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) reliefs suggest that the whole representation and scene was placed on the side walls of a descending ramp that leads from the Royal [Palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) to the [Ishtar](https://www.worldhistory.org/ishtar/) [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/). Therefore, the Assyrian king was able to go directly from his palace to the temple during cult ceremonies.
#### 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, August 31). Assyrian Wall Relief Depicting Musical Instruments. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Assyrian Wall Relief Depicting Musical Instruments." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 31, 2014. .
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Assyrian Wall Relief Depicting Musical Instruments." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Aug 2014, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 31 August 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.