Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/197

 Bk. II. Ch. III. PALACE AT NIMROUD. 165 the outer opening on the terrace by three portals, the central one of which had winged bulls, but the lateral seem to have been without these ornaments ; the whole fa9ade being about 330 ft. in extent, north and south. All these apartments were lined with sculptured slabs, represent- ing mostly either the i-egal state of the sovereign, his prowess in war, or amusements during peace, but many of them were wholly devoted to religious subjects. Beyond these apartments were many others, 59. North-West Palace at Nimroud.i Scale 100 ft. to 1 in. covering at least an equal extent of ground, but their walls having been only plastered and ])ainted, the sun-burnt bricks of which they were built have crumbled again to their original mud. It is evident, however, that they were inferior to those already described, both in form and size, and applied to inferior purposes. The mound at Nimroud was so much extended after this i:»alace was built, and so covered by subsequent buildings, that it is now im- possible to ascertain either the extent or form of this, which is the only palace of the older dynasty known. It will, therefore, perhaps be as well to turn at once to Kliorsabad, which, being built wliolly by one king, and not altered afterwards, will give a clearer idea of the position ^ This plan, with all the particulars here mentioned, are taken from liayard's work, which is the only authority on the subject, so that it is not necessary to refer to him on every point The plan is retluced to the usual scale of 100 ft. to 1 inch, for easy comparison with the di- mensions of all the other edifices quoted throughout this work.