Human-Headed Winged Bulls and Genies from Khorsabad

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Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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published on 25 August 2017
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Human-Headed Winged Bulls and Genies from Khorsabad Download Full Size Image

A pair of human-headed and winged-bulls (lamassu), stood on either side of a gate at one of the citadel walls at Khorsabad. Two human-headed and winged protective spirits or genies stand behind the bulls; those divine figures are about to anoint with a cone and magical fluid from a bucket. The objective of placing these lamassus and genies was to keep evil from entering. Carved gypsum. Neo-Assyrian Period, reign of Sargon II, 710-705 BCE. From Gate B at Khorsabad, Northern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (The British Museum, London)

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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.

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APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2017, August 25). Human-Headed Winged Bulls and Genies from Khorsabad. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6962/human-headed-winged-bulls-and-genies-from-khorsaba/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Human-Headed Winged Bulls and Genies from Khorsabad." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified August 25, 2017. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6962/human-headed-winged-bulls-and-genies-from-khorsaba/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Human-Headed Winged Bulls and Genies from Khorsabad." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 25 Aug 2017. Web. 03 Mar 2025.

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