494 
BAS-RELIEF. 
ever, to differ materially from the winged figures at Nakshi-Roos- 
tam, and Persepolis; which learned men suppose to mean the good 
genii of the personages over whom they hover. Professor Heeren, 
in his work on the Policy, &c. of the Nations of Antiquity, is of 
this opinion. But from the peculiar attributes of the figure in 
question, its vast quadruple wings, long and richly decorated robe, 
together with the numerous symbols resting on his ample horns, 
which latter appendage has long been an oriental type of regal 
strength, I am led to think that this may represent a superior spirit; 
perhaps the tutelary genius of the country in general, as the others 
may be the particular genii for individual persons. He faces the 
temple, with his hands uplifted and open, as if in the act of be¬ 
nediction. If the inscription at the top of the pillar had been 
different from the one so often repeated in the temple, I should 
have flattered myself it referred to the figure; and, by the assist¬ 
ance of the invaluable talents of Professor Grottefund in decy¬ 
phering the cuneiform character, might have had hopes of eluci¬ 
dating so curious a relic of antiquity. But I cannot omit stating, 
that on some of the bas-reliefs in the great temple of the Isle of 
Pliilae in Egypt, several figures are found, bearing attributes on 
their heads very similar to those on the horned mitre just de¬ 
scribed. I have sketched one of these emblematic sort of crowns, 
(Plate XLIII. 6.) to show how close the resemblance is ; and, con¬ 
sequently, how analogous the ideas of the Persians were to the 
Egyptians, in some of their typical representations of this class of 
spiritual beings. The Egyptian figure to which this head-dress 
belongs, has wings growing from its arms ; but many figures, who 
have no pinions at all attached to their persons, possess the em¬ 
blematic crown on their heads. Yet we find, that wherever it is 
worn, the appearance of wings is not wholly omitted; this attribute 
