Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II

Summary

The script explores the ancient Mesopotamian civilization, focusing on the Assyrian period from 1000 to 500 BCE. It delves into the palace of Sargon the 2nd, highlighting the impressive sculptures, particularly the Lamassu, guardian figures with human heads and wings of bulls. These monolithic stone figures, found at the modern-day Khorsabad, symbolize the king's power and serve as awe-inspiring protectors of the city gates and citadel. The script describes their detailed craftsmanship, from the delicate crowns to the muscular anatomy, and the unique representation with five legs to appear both stationary and moving from different perspectives. The Lamassu, along with the palace's relief sculptures, convey the might and authority of the Assyrian king.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Ancient Mesopotamia is known as the cradle of civilization, but it was a series of civilizations that conquered each other.
• 🗿 The Louvre houses sculptures from the Assyrians, who controlled the ancient Near East from around 1000 BCE to 500 BCE.
• 🕍 The sculptures are from the palace of Sargon the 2nd, representing the height of Assyrian civilization in the 8th century BCE.
• 📍 The modern-day location of these sculptures is Khorsabad in Iraq, where various Assyrian kings had palaces.
• 👥 The guardian figures, such as the Lamassu, were significant for protecting city gates and the royal citadel.
• 🦏 The Lamassu are winged bulls with human heads, symbolizing the power of the Assyrian king.
• 🏗️ Each Lamassu was carved from a single piece of stone, showcasing the impressive engineering of the ancient world.
• 🎨 The palace walls were adorned with relief sculptures depicting royal power through hunting scenes and other significant events.
• 👑 The Lamassu's crown and facial features are intricately detailed, reflecting the artistic skill of the time.
• 📜 Inscriptions on the Lamassu in cuneiform script declare the king's power and warn against threats to the citadel.
• 👁️ The Lamassu's design allows it to be viewed effectively from both the front and the side, with a unique five-leg perspective for a dynamic appearance.

Q & A

What is often referred to as the 'cradle of civilization'?

Ancient Mesopotamia is often credited as the 'cradle of civilization', which is the place where farming and cities began.

What was the historical period of the Assyrians' control over the ancient Near East?

The Assyrians controlled the ancient Near East from about 1000 BCE to around 500 BCE.

Where are the sculptures from the palace of Sargon the 2nd located today?

The sculptures from the palace of Sargon the 2nd are located in a room in the Louvre.

What is the modern-day location of the ancient city of Khorsabad?

Khorsabad is located in modern-day Iraq.

What were the guardian figures protecting the city gates of the citadel called?

The guardian figures protecting the city gates were called Lamassu, which were winged bulls with the heads of men.

What is significant about the Lamassu sculptures being carved from a monolithic stone?

The significance of the Lamassu being carved from a monolithic stone is that it demonstrates the ancient world's ability to work with large, single pieces of stone without any cuts.

What scenes were depicted in the palace's relief carvings?

The palace's relief carvings depicted hunting scenes and other scenes indicating royal power.

What is unique about the Lamassu's depiction of movement?

The Lamassu's depiction of movement is unique because it appears to be stationary from the front view but moving forward from the side view.

What decorative elements are featured on the Lamassu's crown?

The Lamassu's crown is decorated with rosettes and double horns that come around to the top center, along with a ring of feathers.

What does the decorative pattern on the Lamassu's body represent?

The decorative pattern on the Lamassu's body, including ringlets and spirals, represents the fur of the beast and adds to the overall sense of its power and majesty.

What inscriptions can be found under and around the legs of the Lamassu?

Inscriptions in cuneiform can be found under and around the legs of the Lamassu, some of which declare the power of the king and damnation for those who would threaten the king's work.