302 SEAL CYLINDERS OF WESTERN ASIA. 
There are a guilloche above and below and various other objects. Another case is 
seen in fig. 943, where the seated deity holds a vase and the remaining space is 
occupied by four cruces ansatz and seven birds. 
It appears to be a goddess whom we see in fig. 944, fully vested, in a tall hat, 
and holding a branch. Her garment is curiously humped behind. Before her is a 
figure who, if we may judge from the “lituus” (or serpent) which he carries in his 
hand, is rather a king than a god. Between the guilloches above and below are 
three figures as attendants. One carries a crook, another a spear, and the third, 
who is kneeling, also carries a sort of crook. 
While we know very little about the names and characteristics of the Hittite 
goddesses from the existing literature, we may presume that this nude goddess 
corresponds to the Phenician or Syrian Astarte, and to the naked Asiatic goddess 
figured on Egyptian monuments (see fig. 775), and may be tentatively called 
Ishkhara. 

ss SB 

942 


