12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 69 



4. Two worshippers in long robes, low turbans, with hair looped behind, 



standing in the attitude of adoration before the tree of life which is 

 surmounted by the winged disk of Ashur. In the field, the star of Ishtar 

 and a fallow deer. The original of chalcedony from Hillah, Mesopotamia, 

 is in the United States National Museum. (Cat. No. 209957, U.S.N.M.) 



5. In the center, the tree of life surmounted by the emblem of Ashur. On the 



left side a kneeling worshipper in low cap, on the right, an ibex. In the 

 field, crescent (the moon god. Sin), and the star of Ishtar. The original 

 of clouded agate is in the United States National Museum. (Cat. No. 

 130106, U.S.N.M.) 



6. Three divinities. The two at the ends have rays issuing from their shoul- 



ders, the one at the right holds a scepter, perhaps Shamash, the sun god ; 

 on the left end may be Ishtar, to whom the star over the head may be 

 pointing. The god in the middle may be Nebo (Babylonian, Nabu) or 

 Marduk. Between them is the tree of life. In the field, above, crescent 

 (Sin), the seven Igigi or Pleiads and stars; in the middle, rhomb; below, 

 the columns of Marduk and Nebo, respectively. The original of hematite 

 is owned by Mrs. Talcott Williams. (Cat. No. 311262, U.S.N.M.) 



7. Marduk standing on his animal, the horned dragon. Before him a wor- 



shipper in long robe in the attitude of adoration ; behind, the tree of life 

 surmounted by the winged disk of Ashur. In the field, crescent (Sin, the 

 moon god). The original of chalcedony from Baghdad, Mesopotamia, is 

 owned by Prof. H. Hyvernat. (Cat. No. 300602, U.S.N.M.) 



Plate 6 



1. Lion attacking an antelope from behind, both animals standing on their 



hind legs. On either side of them is a man, or Deity, battling the animals. 

 The antelope is grasped by the forelegs, while the other figure has taken 

 hold of the lion's tail. The figures wear low caps and belts for clothing. 

 The original of lapis-lazuli from Hillah, Mesopotamia, is in the United 

 States National Museum. (Cat. No. 207931, U.S.N.M.) 



2. Shamash, the sun god, stepping with the right toot over a mountain, symbol- 



izing sunrise, and holding a scepter; before him a worshipper carrying a 

 kid for a sacrifice, introduced by a priest or another deity. The other 

 scene represents Gilgamesh fighting the lion (see p. 7). The original of 

 hematite from Hillah, Mesopotamia, is in the United States National 

 Museum. (Cat. No. 207935, U.S.N.M.). 



3. The same as the preceding, only that here Enkidu takes the place of Gilga- 



mesh and the introducing god or priest is omitted. In the field, above, 

 crescent (Sin, the moon god) ; below, some small animal climbing up the 

 god from behind ; between the lion and Enkidu, a nude small figure which 

 is assumed to represent Zirbanit, the spouse of Marduk. The original 

 of hematite from Hillah, Mesopotamia, is in the United States National 

 Museum. (Cat. No. 207915, U.S.N.M.) 



4. Above, the winged disk with the heads of Ann, the Babylonian god of 



heaven, Bel, the god of the earth, and Ea, the god of the water deep. On 

 the left side, sun (Shamash) or star (Ishtar) in crescent (Sin) ; on the 

 right, the columns (a.sheras) of Nebo and Marduk, respectively; in the 

 middle, the Egyptian symbol of life (ankh) reversed (compare W. H. 

 Ward, The Seal Cylinders of Western Asia, p. 395). The original, a cone 

 of chalcedony, from Aintab, Syria, is owned by Frederick Stearns. (Cat. 

 No. 158416, U.S.N.M.) 



