ABT. 4 ANCIENT ORIE:sTAL SEALS CASANOWICZ 15 



deities. In the field, between the tvv-o worshippers, "libra" (for which 

 see pi. 8, No. 1), and the column (ashera) of Marduk. The original 

 is owned by Mrs. Talcott Williams. (Cat. No. 3112G6, U.S.N.M.) 



7. Raman, holding in his left hand the thunderbolt, with his raised right 



wielding a club or scimitar ; a half-leaning small figure with raised riglit 

 arm as if to ward off a blow; between them, some small animal (?). 

 Next, Ishtar in long rol)e and high headdress, holding in her raised right 

 hand the serpent caduceus (for which see pi. 6, No. 7), in her hanging 

 down left hand, a club or scimitar. Behind, probably Shala, the consort 

 of Raman. The original, of chalcedony, is owned by Mrs. Talcott Wil- 

 liams. (Cat. No. 311270, U.S.N.M.) 



8. God, probably Shamash, the sun god, approached by two suppliants, or a 

 ' suppliant presented by another god or priest. One column of inscrip- 

 tion. The original, of hematite, from HlUah, Mesopotamia, is in the 

 United States National Museum. (Cat. No. 207960, U.S.N.M.) 



^. Raman and Shala, separated by three columns of inscription. The original, 

 of hematite, from Ilillah, Mesopotamia, is in the United States Na- 

 tional Museum. (Cat. No. 207959, U.S.N.M.) 

 10. Raman, Shala, and Zirbanit (pi. 8, No. 4). In the field, crescent, "libra," 

 and crook. The original, of hematite, from Hillah, Mesopotamia, is ia 

 the United States National Museum. (Cat. No. 207919, U.S.N.M.) 



Plate 9 



1. Probably " Syro-Hittite " seal.i" Two gods in round caps and short gar- 



ments, one, in front, raising the right hand in blessing, in the loft holding 

 a scepter or club ; the other behind, holding a lance, probably both repre- 

 senting Raman. Before them Shala in long flounced robe in the attitude 

 of adoration. In the field, rope pattern (guilloche)!'^ between two lion- 

 beaded sphinxes. The original is owned by Mrs. Talcott Williams. 

 (Cat. No. 311284, U.S.N.M.) 



2. Syro-Hittite .seal. Naked goddess — Zirbanit — within an arch, holding what 



looks like a skipping rope or garland. The arch is framed with branches. 

 God or king in conical headdress, holding scepter or club and scimitar. 

 In the field, rope pattern between ibexes. Below, rhomb (for which see 

 pl. 3. No. 1). The original is owned by Mrs. Talcott Williams. (Cat. 

 No. 311271. U.S.N.Ai.) 



3. Seated god to whom a worshipper is introduced by a priest or another god. 



In the field, cre.scent (Sin). Three columns of inscription. The original 

 is owned by Mrs. Talcott Williams. (Cat. No. 311282, U.S.N.M) 



4. Seated god and goddess holding cups. Between them a standing figure also 



holding a cup. Perhaps a libation scene. One column of inscription. 

 The original is ov.-ned by Mrs. Talcott V/illiams. (Cat. No. 3112S3, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



1" The Ilittito empire at one time or another was spread over all the region from 

 Smyrna to Lake Van and from Nineveh to Sidon in Phenicia. The Hittites in this con- 

 nection include a succession of peoples of the same general race, besides the Hittites 

 (Khatti) proper, as the Mitani, the people of Naharina, the Lycians (Lukki), the Cilicians 

 (Khilukki), which inhabited different sections from Armenia to the Mediterranean until 

 they were, in the eighth century B. C, swallowed up in the Assyrian empire. Being 

 placed between the two great empires of antiquity, their art and religion were necessarily 

 much influenced by the civilization and religion of Egypt and Babylonia. 



" The guilloche is specially characteristic of the Syro-Hittite art, being its most favorite 

 ornament. It apparently originated in Egypt and may have been simply an ornament 

 Compare W. H. Ward, The Cylinder Seals of Western Asia, p. 411. 



