Life in Ancient Egypt and Assyria (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ...influences, figurines in baked clay, representing the great gods of the country, cylinders covered with inscriptions, and amulets of various form, were placed in different parts of it, particularly in the openings reserved for the gateways. But the Assyrian architects, servile pupils of the old masters of Chaldea, never willingly use stone; as soon as the wall was a little more than three feet high they continued the work in bricks up to the top. The bricks destined for public buildings are holy, and can be made only at certain seasons. They are prepared under the auspices of a particular god, Sivan, lord of foundations, and only during the month to which he gave his name. The king, therefore, came during the first days of Sivan (May, June), and encamped with a large suite in the plain of Magganoubba. An altar had been erected; he lit the fire, poured a libation into the consecrated brass vase, killed a bull, and with uplifted hands he prayed that Sivan and his father, Bel, the architect of the universe, would consent to direct the works (Fig. 110). The clay was then taken, freed from the stones which it contained, mixed with chopped straw and water, kneaded by the feet, moulded, and dried in the sun. The brick is nearly a square of about thirteen inches, sometimes two, sometimes four inches thick; it is stamped on one side with the name and titles of the king who manufactured it. Two months later, in Ab, the building commenced; it lasted six years, and was not finished until Sargon returned from his Armenian campaign. The king did not long enjoy the pleasure of being at home in a city which bore his name, and in which every detail reminded him of his own greatness. Soon after the inauguration of the city he was assassinated at the...