NINEVEH AND ITS REMAINS: WITH AN ACCOUNT OF A VISIT TO THE CHALDEAN CHRISTIANS OF KURDISTAN, AND THE YEZIDIS, OR DEVIL-WORSHIPPERS; AND AN ENQUIRY INTO THE MANNERS AND ARTS OF THE ANCIENT ASSYRIANS.
Book Details + Condition: John Murray (London). Fifth Edition, 1850. Complete two-volume hardcover set. Red cloth boards with black titling (etc) and decoration to front and rear panels, as well as to spine. Pagination: 372pp; 382 pp - with Appendices and Index. Illustrated with plates, woodcuts, and plans. Early edition of Layard's famous archeological excavation on the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh, and other excursions. In the mid-19th century, British archeologist Austen Henry Layard uncovered several ancient and long-buried Assyrian cities, including the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, Nineveh. In 3000 BC, Nineveh was one of the greatest cities of its time, and an important center for trade, religion and the arts. The city was covered in ornate stone carvings and reliefs, and was well defended unitl its invasion in 612 BC, at which time the citizens were either captured or killed. In the volumes, Layard describes the discovery of Assyrian sites, as well as his journeys around Asia Minor; the discovery of the vast city in the land of Nimrod; and excavating the now-famous bas-reliefs, winged lions, tombs, and large stone wall carvings. He also examines the introduction of Christianity to the region.
From the massive collection of King Lawrence Parker - academic, dissertation author, and book collector extraordinaire. Firm binding; rubbed corners and edges; wear to boards, with a bit of discoloration to rear panel of Vol I; some light wrinkling to cloth of boards (an original printing issue); chafed spine ends; foxing to first few pages; Parker's bookplate to inside front board; interior is clean and free of markings.
