18 For representations of birds on Assyrian bas-reliefs, cf. Botta, Nineveh, II, Plates 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, and Layard, Series II, Plates 9, 32, 40.
22 It has been argued that the burnt condition of human remains discovered in Mesopotamia is in all cases to be regarded as the effect of a general conflagration, and that in fact cremation was never practised. But if such be the case, then the pottery buried with the burnt human remains would similarly bear the marks of burning. In many cases the pottery apparently affords no definite evidence for or against the theory, but Dr. Koldewey informs me that the vessels containing the burnt remains of human beings at Surghul, showed no trace of their having been in the fire themselves, so here at all events we have clear and incontrovertible evidence of the practice of cremation in Babylonia.
37 The Zend-Avesta is practically the equivalent of the Bible and prayer-book of the Zoroastrians. The Zoroastrian faith flourished as early as the sixth century B.C., and probably became the religion of the later Achaemenian kings.
38 The Pehlevi language and literature belongs to the middle Persian period, i.e. from the third to the ninth century or so A.D. The language is related to old Persian on the one hand, and to modern Persian on the other. The Zend as it were bridged over the gulf between modern and ancient Persian, and was of the greatest assistance in the decipherment of the old Persian language as found in the cuneiform inscriptions.
40 Squeezes are made by means of a series of layers of thick paper, which has been moistened, the impression being gained by applying the substance thus formed to the inscription and beating it in with a brush.
41 A partial duplicate of this inscription on the Behistun Rock is inscribed on a dolerite block discovered by the German excavators at Babylon; it contains many interesting additions.
42 The term “Assyrian” is used, as a large part of the earlier Babylonian literature comes down to us through Assyrian hands, being copied and as it were republished by Assyrian scribes. Assyrian and Babylonian were different dialects of the same language; similarly Assyrian and Babylonian cuneiform exhibit great differences in style, Babylonian being more cursive and generally therefore more difficult to read.
43 Cf. A. J. Booth, Trilingual Inscriptions; Rogers, History, pp. 175 ff.; Sayce, ArchÆology of the Cuneiform Inscriptions, pp. 1-35; Harper, Biblical World, XVI, pp. 294-7, 371-3 (a short and concise summary).
44 For references to texts in which these signs occur, cf. G. A. Barton in Harper’s Old Testament and Semitic Studies, Vol. II, pp. 241 ff.
45 Cf. Babylonian Expedition of the University of Pennsylvania IV, Series D, for this Babylonian boundary-stone and for a full discussion of the subject generally.
46 An eponym was an official of high rank—sometimes the king himself—who held office for a year, and whose name was used to date all documents drawn up in that year. He corresponded to the Roman consul and the Athenian archon.
48 A “plano-convex” brick is a brick which is flat on one side and convex or oval on the other, its general appearance resembling an oblong cake, or a small pillow.
49 Cf. De Sarzec et Heuzey, Une Villa Royale ChaldÉenne, p. 47.
115 For an admirable reproduction of the best half of the BalÂwÂt Gates, a good introduction, and translation of text, cf. Birch and Pinches, The Bronze Ornaments of the Palace Gates of BalÂwÂt. Cf. also Delitzsch, BeitrÄge zur Assyriologie.
116 For translation, cf. Ungnad, Or. Lit., IX (1906), 534-8.
117 Cf. Delitzsch, Records of the Past, 1903, pp. 323 ff.
118 Cf. Harper, Assyrian and Babylonian Literature, p. 129.
119 Harper, Assyrian and Babylonian Literature, p. 14.
120 Cf. Harper, Assyrian and Babylonian Literature, pp. 54, 99.
129 A considerable number of the seal-impressions here reproduced are taken from Dr. W. Hayes Ward’s monumental work on cylinder-seals in Western Asia, by the author’s generous permission.
169 An interesting bead of black marble, measuring 1-1/2 × 5/8 inches was discovered at Ashur; it bears an inscription of Shalmaneser, the purport of which is that that king brought the bead from a temple in Syria.
181 This work comprises an autographed text, transliteration, translation, glossary, index of subjects, list of proper names, signs and numerals, together with a map, frontispiece, and photograph of text.
