This is a part of a larger relief, with the children of King Araras. From Carchemish, second half of the eight century BC.

Two young princes are playing with knucklebones (left), while two others are spinning a toy.
Part of the large ‘relief of Yariri/Araras and Kamani’, that was located at the front face of the Royal Buttress.
Neo-Hittite, basalt, Assyrian style.

Yariri (Araras) was regent from c. 815- c. 790 BC; he probably was a eunuch, who took (good) care of the kingdom and of his master’s children, after the early death of king Astiruwa. A striking character, not only reliable and devoted, but also an able administrator and a gifted linguist and diplomat who spoke twelve (!) languages and wrote most of them. Under his regency Carchemish’s international profile appears to have risen significantly.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen
Sources: Website of ‘hittitemonuments.com’ & ‘The World of the Neo-Hittite Kingdoms’– Trevor Brice.