Statue of a Minor Deity & Tributary Scenes Khorsabad

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Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 21 March 2019
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Statue of a Minor Deity & Tributary Scenes Khorsabad Download Full Size Image

On the right, a statue of a minor deity (probably Ea) stands and holds a vessel in his hands, from which water flows. It is one of a pair of statues which were found outside the entrance (in front of trees) to the Temple of Sin at Khorsabad (in modern-day Nineveh Governorate, Iraq). This statue when found was in a relatively good state of preservation while the other one (not shown but on display within the same hall) was badly damaged. The other statue was vandalized in April 2003 CE following the fall of Saddam's regime. They were probably not cult statues (because of their position outside the temple). In addition, the presence of a square block on their horned helmet suggests a supportive role; probably to put gold dishes during the New Year's festival.

In the background, almost 3-meter high alabaster bas-reliefs depict Sargon II, accompanied by high-ranking officials and guards. The panels are part of a long tributary scene where the king receives tribute from Urartu (modern-day Armenia). The panels are from the king's palace at Khorsabad.

Both the statue and the reliefs date back to the reign of Sargon II, 722-705 BCE. They are on display the heart of the Assyrian Gallery of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq.

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2019, March 21). Statue of a Minor Deity & Tributary Scenes Khorsabad. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10285/statue-of-a-minor-deity--tributary-scenes-khorsaba/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Statue of a Minor Deity & Tributary Scenes Khorsabad." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified March 21, 2019. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10285/statue-of-a-minor-deity--tributary-scenes-khorsaba/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Statue of a Minor Deity & Tributary Scenes Khorsabad." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 21 Mar 2019. Web. 20 Dec 2024.

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