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Dur-Šarrukin (Khorsabad)

Dur-Šarrukin: one of the capitals of ancient Assyria, founded by king Sargon II (r.721-705) but soon abandoned, modern Khorsabad.

In 713 BCE, king Sargon of Assyria ordered the construction of a new capital, Dur-Šarrukin, "the castle of Sargon". To create it, the surrounding plain had to be developed. The new city measured 1760 x 1635 meters and was constructed by POWs.

In 706 BCE, the Assyrian court moved to Dur-Šarrukin, even though it was not yet finished. During the reign of Sargon's son Sennacherib, the city was abandoned and the capital was moved to Nineveh. When, more than three centiries later, Alexander the Great passed along the ruins on his way to the Gaugamela battlefield (331 BCE), no one noticed the remains of the ancient city.

Khorsabad, Relief of a horse	Khorsabad, Lion-taming spirit ("Gilgameš")	Khorsabad, Relief of Sargon II	Khorsabad, Relief of two courtiers
Khorsabad, Relief of Sargon and Sennacherib	Khorsabad, Relief of Sargon and Sennacherib, prince Sennacherib	Khorsabad, Relief of Sargon and Sennacherib, king Sargon	Khorsabad, Head of a lamassu
Khorsabad, Treshold imitating a carpet	Khorsabad, Prism of Sargon II with foundation text	Khorsabad, Foundation Tablet	Khorsabad, Iron tool
Khorsabad, Relief of rafts on a great river	Khorsabad, Lamassu	Khorsabad, Relief with king and courtiers	Khorsabad, Relief of courtiers