Alcune ipotesi sulla ‘Stele del banchetto ’ di Assurnasirpal II

Abstract

Some hypothesis on the ‘Banquet Stele’ of Ashurnasirpal II
This article offers a new iconographic and textual perspective about theBanquet Stele, one of the most famous and peculiar Neo-Assyrian monuments,erected by King Ashurnasirpal II. Through a synoptic and comparativestudy of the iconography and of the text of this stele, it is possibleto put forward a new interpretation: the long sceptre/rod, represented onthe monument, was used by the king in situations of non-belligerency, topromote his own image of pacific sovereign and ‘marvellous shepherd’.
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