* These are the very expressions used in the Assyrian texts: “The terror of my strength overthrew them, they feared the combat, and they embraced my feet;” and again: “The brightness of Assur, my lord, overturned them.” This latter image is explained by the presence over the king of the winged figure of Assur directing the battle. [Illustration: 203.jpg TORTURES INFLICTED ON PRISONERS] Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from one of the bas-reliefs of the bronze gates of Balawât; on the right the town is seen in flames, and on the walls on either side hangs a row of heads, one above another. The peace secured at the price of their freedom left them merely with their lives and such of their goods as could not be removed from the soil. The scribes thereupon surrounded the spoil seized by the soldiery and drew up a detailed inventory of the prisoners and their property: everything worth carrying away to Assyria was promptly registered, and despatched to the capital. [Illustration: 204.jpg A CONVOY OF PRISONERS AND CAPTIVES AFTER THE TAKING OF A TOWN] Drawn by Faucher Gudin, from Layard. The contents of the royal palace led the way; it comprised the silver, gold, and copper of the vanquished prince, his caldrons, dishes and cups of brass, the women of his harem, the maidens of his household, his furniture and stuffs, horses and chariots, together with his men and women servants. The enemy’s gods, like his kings, were despoiled of their possessions, and poor and rich suffered alike. The choicest of their troops were incorporated into the Assyrian regiments, and helped to fill the gaps which war had made in the ranks;* the peasantry and townsfolk were sold as slaves, or were despatched with their families to till the domains of the king in some Assyrian village.* Tiglath-pileser I. in this manner incorporated 120 chariots of the Kashki and the Urumi into the Assyrian chariotry. [Illustration: 205.jpg CONVOY OF PRISONERS BOUND IN VARIOUS WAYS] Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief of one of the gates of Balawât.