Camel model.
Title |
Camel model. |
Description |
One (6.5 x 2.5 x 4 inch) resin cast camel figurine modeled in the style of Assyrian artworks. Written references are clear that the Assyrian acquired their camels from Arabia or Syria-Palestine. Ancient Assyrian records mention camels in different contexts. Camels, foals, gold and stones were often included as tribute imposed by leaders on others as a sign of submission or allegiance after being conquered. Assyrian King Tiglath-Pilesar (744-727 BCE) wrote of a campaign to Syria and Palestine when the spoils of war included male and female camels and their foals. After another campaign, he received male and female camels as tribute from Arabia and he states that he killed 30,000 camels and 20,000 cattle that belonged to Samsi, Queen of Arabia. His camel acquisition is depicted on a relief from his palace in Numrud. During the reign of Sargon II (721-705 BCE), camels were used in the Assyrian military as pack animals and it appears that the Arabs used camels in their fighting forces. Reliefs from the time of Ashurbanipal (668 - 631 BCE) depict the Arabs with their fighting camelry being chased by the victorious Assyrian cavalry. Following Ashurbanipal's campaign against Arabia, he assigned the camel an important role in desert crossing and as spoils of war. "I caught them in their hiding-places; countless people, donkeys, camels, large and small cattle. I formed flocks and distributed camels as if they be sheep, dividing them up to all inhabitants of Assyria. Camels were bought within my country for less that one shekel of silver in the market place. |
Subject |
Camels in art--Specimens.; Figurines--Middle East--Specimens.; Art, Assyro-Babylonian.; Animals in art--Specimens. |
Date |
[between 19--? and 2013] |
Rights |
Giertz Education Center @ the Krannert Art Museum |
you wish to report:
...