Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/205

 Bk. II. Ch. III. PALACE AT TrHORSABAD. 173 and open on every side to the breezes that at times blow so refresh- ino-ly over the plains. It will also be observed that by this arrange- ment the direct rays of the sun could never penetrate into the halls themselves, and that rain, or even damp, could easily be excluded by means of curtains or screens. The whole of these state-rooms were reveted with sculptured ala- baster slabs, as shown in the section ; above which the Avails were decorated with conventional designs painted on stucco, remains of which were found among the debris. The external face of this suite, as seen from the north-eastern court, Avas probably something very like what is shoAvn in the wood- cut (No. 66), though there are less materials for restoring the exterior than there are for the internal parts of the palace. The arched entrance to the court, shown on the left, is certain : so also, I conceive, is the mode in which the light was introduced into the apartments. The details of the pillars are not so certain, though not admitting of much latitude of doubt. As before mentioned, outside the palace stood the Hareeni, of a somewhat irregular form, but measuring 400 ft. by 280, distinguished in the plan (Woodcut No. 62) by being tinted by hatching. The whole of its external walls are adorned with reeded pilasters, and panels like those of the Wuswus at Wurka (Woodcut No. 56), Avhich is not the case Avith any other part of the palace. It has only one small external opening from the terrace, and another Avhich may be called a concealed one from the great outer court. Internally its arrano-ements are very remarkable. First there is an outer court, into Avhich these two entrances open, and Avithin that two other courts, on whose side are extended what may be called three complete suites of apartments, very similar to each other in arrangement, though varied in dimensions. It looks as if each Avas appropriated to a queen, and that their relative magnificence accorded Avith the dignity of the person to AA^hom it was assigned. But are Ave justified in assuming that Sargon had three queens, and only that number of legitimate wives ? Assuming this, hoAvever, there is still room in this Hareem for any number of concubines and their attendants. The central court of the Hareem is one of the richest discoveries that rcAvarded M. Place's industry. It was adorned Avith six free- standino; statues — the smaller court Avith tAvo — and the Avails Avere wainscoted Avith enamelled tiles representing the king, his vizier, lions, eagles, vines, and fruits, and other objects in a bright yellow color on a blue ground. The whole is in fact one of the most curious and interesting discoveries yet made in these ])alaces. As it can hardly admit of a doubt that this Avas really the Hareem of the palace, it is curious that such a building as the observatory described above (p. 155), should have been erected in its immediate