376 SEAL CYLINDERS OF WESTERN ASIA. 
composition appears only in the early period, perhaps the earliest; and it may 
have come either from Elam or Arabia. (See Chapter xvi.) 



a b 
14. Ningishada: This is the god whose worship was favored by Gudea—a 
secondary divinity, who led his worshiper into the presence of the superior seated 
god. He is remarkable for the serpenis from 
his shoulders. For examples see figs. 368a 
and 368/; also Heuzey, Rev. d’Ass., v1, 
p. 95, and Eduard Meyer, “Sumerier und 
Semiten in Babylonien,”’ plate vit. 
15. The Serpent-god, probably Siru: 
The serpent appearing on the kudurrus is 
Siru, and probably this is also Siru, or Kadi, 
mother of Siru, although it is possible that it 
is Ea. This deity appears only in the older 
Babylonian period. (See Chapter Xviul1.) 

16. The Archaic Seated Deities: ‘These figures belong to the most archaic 
period, and the sex is not distinguished by the beard. When two are together we 
may presume that they are a god and goddess and that they indicate a prevalent 
monogamy. In such a view and in 
the extremely popular worship of 
female deities the honor paid to 
woman is very clear, but the general 
impression opposes polyandry or 
promiscuity. In the designs here 
considered the most frequent form 
is that in which two deities are drink- 
ing through a curved tube, or hollow reed, from a vase between them. ‘This type 
is found in the earliest cylinders from the Assyrian region, and there prevailed even 
to a late period, but was soon dropped in Babylonia. Very likely it had a common 
origin in the region to the East. The deities have no headdress and wear a single 






ye 
[174] [176] [17] [174] [17¢] (17f] 
17. The Seated Goddess Bau-Gula: She is simply seated and has no special 
distinguishing emblem or weapon on the older cylinders, on which she so frequently 

