Apkallu is Standardized as an Inscription of king Ashurnasirpal II

A close-up image of the "Standard Inscription" of the Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II. This is part of a wall relief that depicts an Apkallu (a protective spirit or sage). The Apkallu's left hand wears a bracelet with a "rosette" and holds a bucket (banduddu in Akkadian). A part of a sword with two lion heads is also seen. This inscription tells us the king's title and achievements and is repeated on almost all wall reliefs at the North-West palace. Neo-Assyrian era, 865-860 BCE. From the North-West palace at Nimrud (ancient Kalhu; biblical Calah), northern Mesopotamia, Iraq. (The British Museum, London).