Assyrian Sickle SwordA bronze Assyrian sickle sword that is believed to have belonged to the Assyrian king Adad Nirari I (r. 1307–1275 BCE). The blade bears the cuneiform inscription: "Palace of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, son of Arik-den-ili, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria". The inscription appears on both sides of the blade and along its (noncutting) edge. Both sides of the blade bear an engraving of an antelope reclining a platform. The sword likely served a ceremonial purpose as a symbol of royal power, and may not have been used in actual battle.
Made in northern Mesopotamia, c. 13th Century BCE. Length: 54.3 cm (21 in). Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
