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The Gate of Nimrud (Metropolitan Museum)

The Mythical Lamassu: Impressive Symbols for Mesopotamian Protection

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Lamassu are human-headed, eagle-winged, bulls or lions that once protected cities in Mesopotamia. They were believed to be very powerful creatures, and served both as a clear reminder of the king’s ultimate authority and as symbols of protection for all people.

The most famous colossal statues of Lamassu have been excavated at the sites of the Assyrian capitals established by King Assurnasirpal II (reigned 883 – 859 BC) and King Sargon II (reigned 721 – 705 BC).  The winged beasts from Nimrud in Iraq (the ancient city of Kalhu) also became very famous when Lamassu there were damaged in 2015. Other statues of the mythical beasts belong to cities like ancient Dur Sharrukin (current Khorsabad, Iraq).

Every important city wanted to have Lamassu protect the gateway to their citadel. At the same time, another winged creature was made to keep watch at the throne room entrance. Additionally, they were the guardians who inspired armies to protect their cities. The Mesopotamians believed that Lamassu frightened away the forces of chaos and brought peace to their homes. Lamassu in the Akkadian language means “protective spirits.”

Celestial Beings

Lamassu frequently appear in Mesopotamian art and mythology. The first recorded Lamassu comes from circa 3,000 BC. Other names for Lamassu are Lumasi, Alad, and Shedu. Sometimes a Lamassu is portrayed as a female deity, but usually it is presented with a more masculine head. The female Lamassu were called “apsasu.”

Lamassu, as a celestial being, is also identified with Inara, the Hittite-Hurrian goddess of wild animals of the steppe and the daughter of the Storm-god Teshub. She corresponds with the Greek goddess Artemis.

Human-headed winged bull, otherwise known as a Shedu, from Khorsabad. University of Chicago Oriental Institute.

Human-headed winged bull, otherwise known as a Shedu, from Khorsabad. University of Chicago Oriental Institute. (CC BY-SA 3.0)

In the Epic of Gilgamesh and Enuma Elis, both Lamassu and Aspasu (Inara) are symbols of the starry heavens, constellations, and the zodiac. No matter if they are in a female or male form, Lamassu always represent the parent-stars, constellations, or the zodiac. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, they were considered as protective because they encompass all life within them.

The cults of Lamassu and Shedu were very common in households from the Sumerian to Babylonian period, and they became associated with many royal protectors in different cults. Akkadians associated Lamassu with the god Papsukkal (the messenger god), and the god Isum (a fire-god, herald of the Babylonian gods) with Shedu.

Mythical Guardians that Influenced Christianity

Lamassu were protectors of not only kings and palaces, but of every single human being. People felt safer knowing that their spirits were close, so Lamassu were engraved on clay tablets, which were then buried under the threshold of a house. A house with a Lamassu was believed to be a much happier place than one without the mythical creature nearby. Archaeological research shows that it is likely that Lamassu were important for all the cultures which lived in the land of Mesopotamia and around it.

As mentioned, the Lamassu motif first appeared in royal palaces at Nimrud, during the reign of Ashurnasirpal II, and disappeared after the reign of Ashurbanipal who ruled between 668 BC and 627 BC. The reason for the Lamassu's disappearance in buildings is unknown.

A Lamassu at the North West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II.

A Lamassu at the North West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II. (Public Domain)

Ancient Jewish people were highly influenced by the iconography and symbolism of previous cultures, and also appreciated the Lamassu. The prophet Ezekiel wrote about Lamassu, describing it as a fantastic being created of aspects of a lion, an eagle, a bull, and a human. In the early Christian period, the four Gospels were also related to each one of these mythical components.

Furthermore, it is likely that the Lamassu was one of the reasons why people started to use a lion, not only as a symbol of a brave and strong head of a tribe, but also as a protector.

Powerful Monuments

Nowadays, Lamassu are still found standing proud. They were carved from a single block. The oldest monumental sculptures are about 10-14 feet (3.05-4.27 meters) tall and they are made of alabaster. The most recognizable difference between the older Lamassu and the ones from a later period is the form of their body. The first Lamassu were carved with the body of a lion, but the ones from the palace of King Sargon II have a body of a bull. What's more interesting– the Lamassu of Sargon are smiling.

In 713 BC, Sargon founded his capital, Dur Sharrukin. He decided that protective genies would be placed on every side of the seven gates to act like guardians. Apart from being guardians and impressive decoration, they also served an architectural function, bearing some of the weight of the arch above them.

Sargon II had an interest in Lamassu. During his reign, many sculptures and monuments of the mythical beasts were created. In this period, the body of Lamassu had a high relief and the modeling was more marked. The head had the ears of a bull, face of a man with a beard, and a mouth with a thin mustache.

A Lamassu at the British Museum.

A Lamassu at the British Museum. (CC BY-SA 3.0)

During the excavations led by Paul Botta, in the beginning of 1843, archaeologists unearthed some of the monuments which were sent to the Louvre in France. This was perhaps the first time when Europeans saw the mythical creatures.

Currently, representations of Lamassu are parts of collections in the British Museum in London, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and The Oriental Institute in Chicago. During the operation of the British army in Iraq and Iran in 1942-1943, the British even adopted Lamassu as their symbol. Nowadays, the symbol of the Lamassu is on the logo of the United States forces in Iraq.

The motif of Lamassu is still very popular in culture. It appears in The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, in the Disney movie Aladdin, in many computer games, and more.

Featured image: The Gate of Nimrud (Metropolitan Museum) (CC BY 2.0)

By Natalia Klimczak

References:

Albenda Pauline, Le palais de Sargon d'Assyrie, 1986.

Ascalone, Enrico, Mesopotamia, 2008.

http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/winged-human-headed-bull

www.livius.org/articles/mythology/lamassu-bull-man/

 

Comments

Hi All,

This article is exciting I've been able to match Lamassu with the Manticores in Revelation ch.9; an The Seraphim's in Isaiah, Ezekiel an Revelation ch.4. I'm on the opposite side of the fence; since, I'm a Believer when it come's to God & The Bible.

I hadn't paid attention to the detail in the sculptures of these Lamassu creature's so either Manticore's or Seraphim's can separate themselves from each other are this is a whole other breed of creatures similar to both the Manticore's an Seraphim's.

Quick description of Seraphims there actually apart of the Celestial Body as in Angel's. They have a Head of an Lion, Head of a Man, Head of a Bull or in NIV Bible Ox, an The Head of a Eagle.

These Seraphims has 6 wing's one pair to shield their eyes from God's Glory; another, to cover their feet an, The sixth wings are utilized to flap around avoiding landing on the palace's floor.

Why?

Seraphims are said to have Eye's covered all over their bodies. Isaiah an Revelation both testifies the Seraphims sing to God day an night in worship of Him. In Revelation the Seraphim's are key to when the Seven Seals are opened an those Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse then appears on the scene.

The Figures of those Lamassu are so incredible perhaps classifying Lamassu as Myth's is more so comforting for Us because we absolutely couldn't handle it if we saw Lamassu, Manticores, an Seraphims walking around on Earth.

Okay I've ran out of things to share in this discussion regarding the subject of Lamassu so until next discussion Everyone Goodbye!

Interesting in the video, one of the man on the scupture wear a watch :). Ok it is maybe a bracelet but still it look like a watch.

what has that got to do with anything? did you even read the article?

M.Alphan Namlı's picture

he submerged city off the west coast of India, not only confirms that 10,000 years ago humans were more advanced and thus aware of this particular natural catastrophe, but it further proves that the rising waters, particularly between 8000 BC and 7500 BC, devastated those civilizations and destroyed all evidence of their existence.

Read more: http://www.ancient-origins.net/opinion-guest-authors/looking-evidence-gr...
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Alphan Namli

Natalia

Natalia Klimczak is an historian, journalist and writer and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at the Faculty of Languages, University of Gdansk. Natalia does research in Narratology, Historiography, History of Galicia (Spain) and Ancient History of Egypt, Rome and Celts. She... Read More

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