Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/108

76 palace fêtes and banquets at which all the nobles and officers of the court are present, to celebrate the completion of some huge royal castle; or we see the Emperor amid music and sacrifice receiving the good wishes of his lords as he returns from a successful lion hung (Fig. 45). The Assyrian palaces are now imposing buildings (Fig. 43), suggesting in architecture something of the far-reaching power of their builder. His architects appreciate the beauty of the arch, and we must number among great works of architecture the impressive arches of the palace entrance, faced with glazed brick in gorgeous colors (cut, p.86). On either side are vast human-headed bulls wrought in alabaster, and above the whole tower lofty castellated walls of baked brick, visible far across the royal city.