The temples were entered, and the images of the gods, together, with the sacred vessels, which were often of gold and silver, were seized and carried off in triumph.
[PLATE CXI., Fig.

4.] This was not mere cupidity.

It was regarded as of the utmost importance to show that the gods of the Assyrians were superior to those of other countries, who were powerless to protect either their votaries or even themselves from the irresistible might of the servants of Asshur.

The ordinary practice was to convey the images of the foreign gods from the temples of the captured places to Assyria, and there to offer then at the shrines of the principal Assyrian deities.

Hence the special force of the proud question, "Where _are_ the gods of Hanath and of Arpad?
_Where are_ the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?
Where are they but carried captive to Assyria, prisoners and slaves in the temples of those deities whose power they ventured to resist ?" The houses of the city were also commonly plundered, and everything of value in them was carried off.