•ART. 4 ANCIENT ORIENTAL SEALS CASANOWICZ 17 



6. On right end, divinity in long robe witli feather bush hanging from his 



headdress, in front of altar. Over the altar is the column of the god 

 Nebo. Next to it is a herme, that is, a column, surmounted by a human 

 head, protected by a covering. Next, a lion on its hindlegs has the 

 front feet on a column which is topped by a cone. Beneath the lion are 

 two human heads (?). At the extreme left is a figure holding a cone, 

 and libra. The original, of steatite, is owned by Frederick Stearns. 

 (Cat. No. 158429, U.S.N.M.) 



7. God standing on horned animal — perhaps Marduk on his horned dragon. 



There are three other tall figures and one small one. In the field, a re- 

 versed arrowhead, some small animal (?), and a crook or erect snake (?). 

 The original is owned by Mrs. Talcott Williams. (Cat. No. 311273, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



8. Kassite seal." Worshipper or god and five columns of inscription. In the 



field, fallow deer (?), rhomb, and "Greek cross," formed of two cross 

 lines in a frame or in an enveloping cross. Dr. W. H. Ward, Seal Cylin- 

 ders, etc., p. 394, remarks that this included cross also appears in Crete, 

 and surmises that out of this cross was the swastika derived. The original, 

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

 Museum. (Cat. No. 207933, U.S.N.M.) 



9. Raman and two goddesses. The latter, who probably represent Shala, the 



spouse of Raman, doubled, hold between them a staff or scepter, sur- 

 mounted by a star. Drill work. The original is owned by Mrs. Talcott 

 Williams. (Cat. No. 311275, U.S.N.M.) 



Plate 11 



1. Marduk, with scepter, standing on his animal, the horned dragon. Behind 



him a composite figure, half man and half animal, probably intended for 

 Enkidu (pi. 1, No. 3), in the attitude of adoration. The third figure, also 

 holding a scepter, may be a king. In the field, above, star (Ishtar), the 

 winged disk of Ashur, and seven dotes (pi. 3, No. 1) ; between the figures, 

 the spearheaded column of Marduk, and the column in form of a stylus 

 of Ncbo (Nabu), the god of writing. The original, of chalcedony, is owi>ed 

 by Miss M. W. Bruce. (Cat. No. 130272, U.S.N.M.) 



2. God seated holding cup. In front, three worshippers ; behind, an attendant. 



Probably libation scene. In the field, the spearheaded column of Marduk 

 and another ashera, probably of Nebo. The original of slate, from Hillah, 

 Mesopotamia, is in the United States National Museum. (Cat. No. 

 207925, U.S.N.M.) 



3. Syro-Hittite seal. Raman and Zirbanit. Behind them, an ibex or gazelle 



crouching attacked by a winged sphinx between guilloches or rope pat- 

 terns, the characteristic ornament of the Syro-Hittite seals. In the field, 



1^ The origin of the Kas.sites is still involved in doubt. They were a people of moun- 

 taineers, north of Babylonia, who, in about 1760, succeeded in conquering Babylonia and 

 maintaining themselves for more than half a millennium. They were a semibarbarous 

 people, but capable of rapidly assimilating the elements of the higher civilization of 

 Babylonia, with which they came in contact. Their cylinder seals are usually long in 

 proportion to their diameter, and notable for their long inscriptions, which may run to 

 seven or eight lines, which are usually composed of prayers to the gods. The space for 

 figures is thus limited, often only a single figure appearing, or two at the most, a god 

 and a worshiper. Of the emblems occurring on Kassite seals the most remarkable is the 

 " Greek cross." Compare Morris Jastrow, The Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria, 

 1915, pp. 153, 155 ; W. H. Ward. Seal Cylinders of Western Asia, p. 184. 



