CHAPTER XVII. 
THE GODDESS WITH WINGED GATE AND BULL. 
We have already seen, in Chapter v, that in the most primitive period of Chal- 
dean art a gate is sometimes represented, together with figures of seated deities. 
We have also seen one case (fig. 80) repeated here (fig. 349), in which the gate has 
wings. We now have to collect and consider the cases in which the winged gate 
becomes the central object in the composition, with a seated deity on one side, and 
on the other either a second seated deity or a kneeling worshiper, while in front of 
the gate or under the gate is a bull crouched on its bent knees. Of these cylinders, 




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349 
which are quite rare, a typical example is shown in fig. 350. Here the seated deity 
in a long robe is beardless, apparently a goddess. One hand, under a star, reaches 
out and touches the bull’s horn. The gate in the center of the composition has 
two cross-bars and two very simple wings, made of five horizontal lines each, and so 
less realistic than the wings in fig. 349. ‘The gate rests on a bull lying down, with 
its legs bent under it, except one fore leg which is extended as if the bull wished 
to rise. From under each wing there issues a stream, or cord perhaps, one stream 

351 
directed out nearly horizontally until it reaches the deity’s shoulder, while the 
other is grasped by the two hands of a naked bearded figure kneeling on one knee, 
the other foot resting on the back of the bull. The stream bends and falls grace- 
fully and the end rests on the ground under the knee of the worshiper, whose face 
is turned back as if looking toward the back of the goddess. The goddess appears 
to have simply a fillet about her hair, which is tied in a loop behind, while the 
worshiper wears a square cap, possibly of feathers. It is to be observed that the 
streams, or cords, whichever they are, are drawn with a line with short lines from 
123 
