Lamassu Falling by Arturo R. Ortiz

Chapter One ...

Tribulation Begins

It is the year of Ninip-Mukin-Nisi in the chronicles of the kings of Assyria. Assyria rules the world with an iron fist. King Ashurdan rules Assyria. The year begins like any other. Unknown to the people of Assyria, it is destined to become a year like no other.

A rider on a fast horse approaches the east gate of the citadel of Nimrud, home of the king’s palace, a day’s ride south of the great city of Nineveh along the River Tigris. Assyrian soldiers stand guard at the gate keeping close watch over all who seek entry into the citadel. When the rider reaches the gate, a soldier says, “Stop! All who seek entry into the king’s citadel must declare their name and purpose of visit.”

The rider replies, “I am Albazi, servant of the great and honorable King Ashurdan. I bring a message of utmost importance to the king and his great ones.”

The soldier commands Albazi to wait while he sends a messenger to the guards of the northwest palace complex. After a minimal delay, he receives word that Albazi is to be admitted to the king’s throne room. He orders the gate be opened, and he commands Albazi to pass through the gate. Mounted soldiers meet Albazi to escort him to the northwest palace complex.

The entourage proceeds from the gate along a short road and arrives at a spot where the road separates into three branches, each leading to a different sector of the citadel. The entourage continues along the middle branch, which leads to the main entrance of the northwest palace complex. The men dismount at the entrance and continue on foot. They cross a large open space; pass through a covered corridor; cross a second, smaller open space; pass through another covered corridor; and arrive at the outer courtyard of the northwest palace complex. The men enter the outer courtyard, veer to the left, and arrive at the immense gate of the Great Northern Courtyard. They pass through the gate and veer to the left toward the main building of the northwest palace complex. There, they behold two very tall arched portals, both guarded by pairs of enormous lamassus facing outward toward the Great Northern Courtyard.

A lamassu is a statue of a winged bull with five legs and a crowned human male head. At least four legs are visible regardless of the viewer’s perspective. The face has an elaborately braided beard and displays an imposing countenance. Lamassus are symbols of the power and might of Assyria. They always appear in pairs, always facing outward from the entrance to a building or grand hall. Assyrians believe that lamassus provide magical protection from evil spirits.

The entourage approaches the portal on the right, which has huge double doors that open directly into the royal throne room. Standing guard at the portal are two robust bearded palace servants clad in fine robes with sashes. The servants open the double doors and let the entourage through.

The throne room is grand and majestic, rising high above the palace complex. The walls are painted in dazzling blue, and are richly decorated with artwork, including paintings and gypsum reliefs. The artwork displays the military might of Assyria, the authority of the king, and some hunting scenes. Most of the artwork is from the days of the mighty and ruthless conquering king Ashurnasirpal, who trampled the surrounding nations more than a hundred years ago. The entourage veers to the left and proceeds toward the royal throne at the far end of the room, passing tall blazing lampstands along the way. They pass a bed of hot coals that keeps the room warm and then stop right in front of the royal throne. Behind the throne are images of sacred trees tended by powerful winged creatures known as apkallu. The apkallu are lesser gods of Assyria; some are depicted with human heads and others with the heads of eagles. To the right is the entrance to a grand hall guarded by another pair of imposing lamassus.

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Ashurdan, strong king, king of Assyria, king of the world, king of the four quarters, is seated on the throne. He is arrayed in a royal blue, fringed robe and a fringed scarlet sash. In keeping with his kingly stature, he is wearing royal jewelry, fine sandals, and the distinctive conical hat of Assyrian kings with its pair of long tassels. He holds a mace in his right hand, symbolizing the authority vested in him as vice-regent of Assyria’s supreme god. His beard is braided. Several great ones dressed in fine regalia stand next to the throne along with eunuchs, aides, and royal guards.

The eunuchs are wise and educated advisors to the king. Their appearance is effeminate. They are dressed in fine robes with colorful fringed sashes; their hair is long, but they have no beards. One eunuch stands right beside the seated king, holding a sickle in one hand. It is his solemn duty to use his sickle to fight off any demons that attack the king. That eunuch is one of an elite corps of highly trusted servants who are allowed to bear arms near the king. They guard the king day and night.

Albazi bows before the king. “Rise and speak, Albazi,” said Ashurdan.

Albazi rises and says, “Great and honorable king, I bring a message of the utmost importance. Pestilence is spreading quickly throughout the land. People are perishing in large numbers. Horses, donkeys, cattle, and goats are dying. Mountains of dead are rising in several cities. The loss of beasts of burden is disrupting harvests and transportation chains, and we can expect shortages of grain and meat. An outbreak of famine may be imminent, and in time, we might have food riots. Moreover, poverty spreads throughout the land as husbands perish and their wives become poor widows. Many children are orphans because both parents have died. Conditions are particularly bad in the cities of Ashur, Arbaha, and Gozan.”

Ashurdan is very concerned. There has not been an outbreak of plague in Assyria in a very long time. He thinks this may become a year like no other in memory. He is right. And more bad news is coming.

Ashurdan seeks counsel from his great ones. One says, “We should immediately start buying grain from Egypt. Over a thousand years ago, there was famine throughout the entire world, but Egypt’s storehouses had abundant supplies of grain. It is said that in those days, Pharaoh commanded the filling of storehouses with surplus grain during plentiful years in preparation for lean years. Let us turn westward to Egypt and send envoys to purchase grain from Pharaoh. We have sufficient gold and silver to pay for large purchases of grain.”

Another great one says, “While we turn westward to Egypt for grain, we should turn eastward to Persia for meat. Let us send envoys to Persia to buy cattle.”

Another great one says, “Babylon is rich in food and other resources. Let us turn southward to Babylon and send envoys to purchase food. We may also need to rely more on fish from our rivers and lakes to feed the people.”

“Your counsels are wise,” said Ashurdan. “I will dispatch envoys to Egypt, Persia, and Babylon to buy food. Moreover, I will dispatch surgeons to the suffering cities to treat the sick, and I will dispatch agricultural workers to the suffering farmlands to assist with harvests and help care for sick animals. I will command the stewards of storehouses to give a full tally of our grain supplies. Meanwhile, prepare an emergency plan for distribution of rations. We will get through this crisis.”

He says to his aide, “Summon the high priests of the great gods. We need major increases in supplication and sacrifices to the gods.”

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It is a day like any other in the main square of the great city of Nineveh. People are going about their usual business. Merchants are selling and customers are buying. The pious are burning incense to the great gods at small altars throughout the square. The taverns and brothels have their usual patrons. The local slave market is auctioning slaves.

Rabbu and Tamraz are going about their usual business in the square. Both served in the king’s army and proved themselves brave and fierce in combat. Rabbu was known as the “mighty one,” and many of Assyria’s foes fell by a stroke of Rabbu’s sword. Tamraz was known as the “strong dog.” He was the best spearman in the Assyrian army. He never missed. With a single throw of a spear, he would impale three enemy soldiers like balls of meat on a skewer. When Rabbu and Tamraz served together in the war against the Hittites in the north country, they established a lasting friendship.

After serving in the army, Rabbu became a merchant. He owns and runs a very successful shop in the city square. Rabbu is handsome. Many young maidens desire him, but he has eyes for only one woman, Adorina, the daughter of Nabukinuzur, a nobleman and one of the ruling great ones of Nineveh. Much as he longed for Adorina, Rabbu could not have her, since he is a commoner, and Adorina is of noble birth.

Adorina is one of the fairest maidens in the land. She has an exquisite figure. Her long, wavy tresses gleam in the sunlight like polished chestnut. They are parted in the middle so that half of her hair falls in front of her right shoulder and half behind her left shoulder. Her face is like fine porcelain marked by rosy cheeks and luscious lips. Her enchanting eyes sparkle like gemstones, and a light shade of azure eye shadow brightens them even more. Her arms are milky white. Heads turn whenever Adorina walks into a room. She has many suitors of noble birth, but her heart is set on a commoner called Rabbu. Much as she longed for Rabbu, Adorina could not have him, since she is of noble birth, and Rabbu is a commoner.

After serving in the army, Tamraz became a stonecutter. He is a big man with a rugged appearance, and strong as a bull. When people see him, they think of Gilgamesh, the mighty hero of the immortal epic that bears that name. Tamraz is popular with the young maidens of Nineveh, as many of them want a strong man like Tamraz for a husband, but Tamraz would not settle for just one woman. He would enter a tavern alone and come out later with at least three women. Two would be in his arms, and one would be sitting on his shoulders. Sometimes, he indulges in too much drink and gets into brawls. He easily wrestles to the ground any man who challenges him. Sometimes he would wrestle and subdue three challengers at the same time and arise unscathed by the scuffle. They say it is better to be pounded by a battering ram than to be struck by Tamraz’s fists. Some brawlers found that out the hard way.

Adorina is shopping at the square. She is wearing a fine lavender linen dress accented with a fringed scarlet sash and fine sandals. Her accessories are worthy of a princess—a gold bracelet, gold ring, gold earrings, gold necklace, and a gold headband. She visits Rabbu’s shop. “Rabbu, come to my house again soon,” she said with a smile. “I always enjoy playing the Royal Game of Ur with you.”

“Not fair,” said Rabbu. “You always win. You play the game too well.”

“That is because you have not mastered the rules,” said Adorina. “It is a game of strategy. You should know about strategy from your service in the army.”

“Come now, Adorina,” said Rabbu. “Officers learn strategy. I was just a regular foot soldier.”

“Not so,” said Adorina. “You were one of the most decorated soldiers in the army—you and your big friend, Tamraz. Remember, I was there cheering for both of you at the awards ceremony. Anyway, come over. I will serve you a delicious platter of fresh locust with tasty dipping sauce.”

“You just convinced me,” said Rabbu. “How about tonight?”

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“Tonight it is, Rabbu,” said Adorina. “Be sure and come with a healthy appetite.” Then she went about her shopping. Rabbu gazed at her admiringly as she walked away. Whenever he sees Adorina, his heart pounds mightily, and he feels dizzy as if his head is spinning.

Tamraz was strolling nearby and heard the entire conversation between Adorina and Rabbu. He says, “Rabbu, so many fair women in the city, but you are set on Nabukinuzur’s daughter.”

Rabbu says, “Whenever I see Adorina, I am enchanted. She is so beautiful. Her eyes outshine the starry host. I get dizzy. My head spins. My heart melts. I desire her for my bride more than anything in this world. And I know she likes me. But the authorities will never allow a commoner like me to marry a woman of noble birth.”

“But there are so many pretty young maidens of common birth who admire you, Rabbu,” said Tamraz. “Surely, you can find your bride among them.”

“No, my friend,” said Rabbu. “I have eyes only for Adorina.”

“As for me, one woman can never be enough,” said Tamraz. “I see myself as being generous to the maidens.”

“Yes, I noticed that, Tamraz,” said Rabbu. “Three, four, even five at a time. Will you ever settle for just one?”

“Look around and see all the pretty maidens,” said Tamraz. “How can I settle for just one above the rest?”  

Watch the video trailer for Lamissu Falling here!

Copyright © 2024 by Arturo R. Ortiz