eight-pointed star representing the sun with rays streaming from
it. Beneath the
horses is a low stylized tree. Here and there single wedges are
added as space
fillers; viz., to the right and upper left of the tree and
between the legs of the
bulls. A line at the top and another at the bottom delimit the
scene. This seal was
purchased by the present writer from a native in Arbil and
doubtless came from
that site. The perforation is blocked to within a few millimeters
of each end by
the remains of an ancient bronze nail.
-
(D. 1511). Grey-blue agate. Cylinder seal with convex ends. 33
x 17 mm. Enlarged on Plate VI.
A hero in characteristic Assyrian dress holds up in each
outstretched hand
a stag with reverted head grasped by the horns. A dog jumps on
the stag at the
right, but the figure to balance this at the left remains
unfinished.
X. SEALS OF THE NEO-BABYLONIAN PERIOD (612 to 538 B.C.):
-
(D. 1523). Bluish agate. Pyramidal stamp seal with a rounded
top, perforated lengthwise, and a convex
octagonal base. I I x 10 x 17 mm.
A long-robed worshipper with uplifted hands stands before a
stepped dais on which are mounted the spade
symbol of Marduk and the twin symbol of Nabu, so common on seals
of this period.
-
(D. 1509). Chert. Pyramidal stamp seal with a rounded top,
perforated lengthwise, and a convex octagonal base.
21 x 13 x 28 mm.
A long-robed worshipper with uplifted hands stands before the
symbols of Marduk and Nabu mounted on a
dais, above which is an eight-pointed star.
-
(D. 1510). Smoky chalcedony. Pyramidal stamp seal with a
rounded top, perforated lengthwise, and a convex
octagonal base. 23 x 15 x 30 mm.
Two long-robed worshippers with uplifted hands face each other
with the symbol of Marduk mounted on a dais
between them.
XI. SEALS OF THE ACHEMENIAN PERIOD (c. 550 to 330 B.C.):
- (D. 1524). Red and white jasper. Scaraboid stamp seal with a
slightly convex
base, perforated lengthwise. 26 x 22 x 12 mm.
A long-robed worshipper with uplifted hands stands before a
standing deity
with five rays projecting from each side of the body, each with a
globe near the
end. Between the two figures, at the top, is a moon-crescent.
According to C. J.
Gadd in A. U. Pope, op. cit. 1, 383, the scaraboid in the region
east of Syria is
first found with the Achemenians; hence the dating of this seal.
-
(D. 1548). Grey limestone. Cylinder seal. 27 x 12 mm.
The king in characteristic Achemenian dress, with his head turned
to the
right, holds up in each of his outstretched hands a long-horned
wild goat grasped
by a hind leg. To the right is a bird perched on a pole with a
moon-crescent at its
back.
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