Guerra e morte: l’annullamento del nemico nella condizione di vinto

The study takes into consideration the political and religious attitudes of the Assyrian kings against the conquered and defeated enemies, as represented on the bas-reliefs and described in the royal inscriptions. The Assyrian kings selectively operate punishments and humiliation of the enemy who is often compared to animals. Killing of enemies (with beheading) has a sternly political and religious meaning at the same time, since the Assyrian king acts as the only subject who can reestablish the order by defeating the chaotic nature of the enemy.