Part of an embossed bronze band from the Assyrian Balawat gates, erected by King Shalmaneser III, 883 - 824 BC. These bands adorned the main doors of the Balawat palace, near Nimrud, in Syria. The Neo-Assyrian Empire fell in 614 - 612 BC. Captured enemy were tortured to death by mutilation and limb amputation followed by impalement on long poles. Cuneiform captions gives the names of countries captured or from which the king was receiving tribute.