Page:Buried cities and Bible countries (1891).djvu/363

 rounded by writing in the curious cuneiform or arrow-headed character.

(N.-W. Palace, Nimrod.)

Besides these so-called bulls, Mr Layard found obelisks of black basalt, with figures in low relief representing tribute being brought to the Assyrian kings. On the black obelisk in the British Museum—found in the central mound of Nimroud, amid the ruins of Shalmaneser's palace—occurs the name and figure of Jehu, king of Israel, as bringing tribute to Shalmaneser II. (about 842). "I have received the tribute of Jehu, the son of Omri; silver, gold, bowls of gold, chalices of gold, cups of gold, pails of gold, lead, sceptres for the hand of the king, (and) spear-shafts." The mistake indeed is made of calling him "Jehu, son of Omri;" Jehu sat upon the throne of Omri, but he was a usurper and not of Omri's house. The tribute bearers on this obelisk carry golden cups and