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Primary sourceSculpture7th century BC

The Beheading of King Teumman of Elam

7th century BC

A palace relief from Ashurbanipal's palace depicting the beheading of King Teumman of Elam, commemorating one of Ashurbanipal's major military victories.

Commemorates Ashurbanipal's victory over Elam and the death of its king Teumman.

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Close detail of an Assyrian palace relief carved in low relief on stone. Cuneiform inscription bands run across the top. Stylized palm or tree motifs, a figure's head and arm, and a grasping hand are visible, with a hunting or battle scene around them.
The beheading of King Teumman of Elam, relief from Ashurbanipal's palace, Nineveh, 7th century BC. Photo by Carole Raddato.

About this source

What it is

This is a detail of a stone palace relief from Ashurbanipal's palace, carved with cuneiform inscription bands and a battle scene showing the beheading of King Teumman of Elam. The relief dates from the Assyrian period of Ashurbanipal's reign in the 7th century BC.

Why it matters

The defeat of Elam and the death of its king Teumman was one of Ashurbanipal's most celebrated military triumphs, and Assyrian palace art often depicted such victories in brutal detail to glorify the king and warn rivals. This relief shows how violence was used as propaganda, carved permanently into the walls of the royal palace.

Look closer

  • What details can you make out in this damaged, close-up view of the relief?
  • Why would a king want such a graphic scene displayed in his palace?
  • What might this scene leave out about the people and events involved?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Ashurbanipal on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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