118 SEAL CYLINDERS OF WESTERN ASIA. 
A cylinder of this general type, but of the particular style of a period antedating 
Gudea, or even Sargon I., is shown in fig. 339. ‘This is of serpentine, and is impor- 
tant, as it not only shows the earlier form of the crescent, but because it bears the 
name of the god Shamash, such as we have seen it on the cylinders showing Shamash 
rising over the Eastern mountains. Another, not quite so old, but yet apparently 
as old as the earlier dynasties of Ur, appears in fig. 340. Fig. 341 is decidedly 
— 


339 
archaic. Here the god appears to be shut in a pavilion, the door to which is being 
opened by an attendant, so that the approaching deity with rays can lead the wor- 
shiper following to his presence. Another archaic cylinder (fig. 342) shows us the 
seated, flounced god and four identical, approaching figures, each with the hand 
lifted and carrying a wand, and all, like the 
god, in a two-horned hat. Fig. 343 is another 
very archaic cylinder. The seated god holds 
a club or scepter and another deity leads the 
worshiper, who carries a goat and is followed 
by a slave with a pail. An altar appears to be 
before the god. 
A cylinder of unusual significance is shown in fig. 344. Here the goat-fish, 
or Capricorn, is placed under the seat of the god. Now we know, as will appear 
later, that the goat-fish is the symbol of Ea; and we may conclude with confidence 
that in this case the seated god represents Ea. 



pas YB A 
AAA fhe 
Attention has been called in the case of fig. 327 to the tufted garment worn 
by the personages. In fig. 345 we have a similar style of drawing the garments. 
Here the seated god carries not exactly the rod and ring, but what must correspond 
to it, and looks more like a slender wedge, while the ring appears solid, like a ball. 
But this seal is interesting for another reason. It is unusually full of figures. Behind 
the seated god is a goddess, in front view, and with heavy ear-rings; Gilgamesh 
stands also in front view, and nude. But, more important, is the figure of the 
standing, bearded god holding a vase, the streams from which fall into a vase on 
the ground, while before him is the goat-fish. As will be shown in the chapter on 
the spouting vase, this suggests Ea, god of the waters. If it be Ka, the seated god 

