Image Details

Werner Forman/Art Resource, NY

The second panel from the top of the Black Obelisk shows a man, thought to be King Jehu of Israel, kneeling with his hands outstretched to the king. The text identifies him as “Jehu of the House of Omri.” The top panel refers to the “tribute of Sua/Asu of Gilzanu.” Because the figures in the two panels are dressed so similarly, with no special identifying features, author Irit Ziffer believes the figure in each of the two panels is simply a generic image of a tribute bearer.