GILGAMESH, EABANI, AND THE DIVINE BULL. 69 
Gilgamesh fights is a beast of the mountains, but it preserves a convention. Both 
Gilgamesh and Eabani are in front view in fig. 178, fighting the bull and lion, and 
the spaces between them are filled with the eagle of Lagash (with eagle-head), a 
scorpion, and an upright serpent. This serpent is more frequently seen in the later 
seals. In fig. 179 we find a cylinder of a much earlier period, in which the unusual 
leopard will represent a closer relation to the Sumerian and Elamite mountain 

origin. Here the entire cutting is of an archaic type. Gilgamesh stands between 
two bisons, one of which is attacked by a lion and the other by a leopard, while 
Eabani attacks one of the lions from behind. 
Several examples may be given of the better period, about that of the Elder 
Sargon, on which we have representations of both Gilgamesh and Eabani in their 
characteristic attitudes. One of these, giving the simplest combination, is seen in 

fig. 180; another is seen in fig. 183, where we have, under the archaic inscription, 
of the Sargon type, an ibex. This inscription reads, “ Bingani-Sharali, son of the 
king, Izilum, scribe, thy servant.’’ Bingani-Sharali was king of Agade and son 
of Naram-Sin, and it is remarkable that General di Cesnola obtained this cylinder 
from Cyprus. Another similar cylinder, also from Cyprus, is shown in fig. 181. The 
reeds are to be compared with those in fig. 162. (Thureau-Dangin, Rey. d’Ass., 
Iv, p. 76.) Another larger, admirably engraved cylinder has a recumbent ibex 
under the erased inscription, as will be seen in fig. 182. This is of green serpentine. 
