This Assyrian ship was probably built and possibly manned by Phoenicians employed by Sennacherib, the son of Sargon II of Akkad, whom he succeeded on the throne of Assyria (705  681 BC). It is a bireme, with two rows of oars. Shields are fastened around the superstructure, as on the fortifications of some city walls. The pointed bow is a ram, for piercing enemy shipping.