Sardanapalus was, according to the Greek writer Ctesias, the last king of Assyria. Historians, however, believe it was Ashur-uballit II (612–605 BC). Writers do say he lived in the seventh century and lived a life of luxury and self-indulgence. History says to avoid falling to rebels who threatened and were near to overthrowing him, he built a huge funeral pyre and had himself and his eunuchs and concubines and his wealth all burned on the pyre - as shown here.

---

Size: 3383px × 5100px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: -sacrifice, .., 600s, 7th, ancient, ashur-uballit, ashurbnanipal, ashuruballit, assyria, assyrian, burning, century, ctesias, death, funeral, ii, immolation, king, pyre, saradanapalus, sardanapalus, syria, turkey