Scorpion-tailed bird-man (archer) pursuing lion-griffin (Anzu)
| Kategória | Cylinder Seals |
| Description of the seal image | A bearded scorpion-tailed bird-man (archer) wearing a rectangular headdress aims his bow at a rampant lion-griffin (Anzu). The archer has two quivers full of arrows on his back. Between them is a MAŠ sign and the mirrored version of the same appears between the legs of the lion-griffin. A DINGIR sign is below the lowered forepaw of the hybrid creature. An eight-rayed star appears below its wing. The scene is likely a different representation of the fight between Ninurta and Anzu. |
| Figures, motifs/symbols |
- lion-griffin: likely Anzu, winged, crested, rampant, head turned backwards - scorpion-tailed bird-man: likely Ninurta, wearing a rectangular headdress, has two quivers full of arrows on his back - star: eight-rayed - wedges (3): cuneiform signs |
| Subcategory | cylinder seal |
| Collection | Musée du Louvre |
| Museum number | KLQ 31 – CCO A. 715 |
| Condition, shape | slightly damaged upper and lower edges |
| Culture | Neo-Babylonian |
| Provenance | acquired in 1870 |
| First occurence | 1870 |
| Archaeological context | N/A |
| Registration number | N/A |
| Dimensions (mm): height, diameter | h: 30, d: 12 |
| Material and features | "calcédoine brouillée" |
| Style | cut |
| Scene | mythological, pursuing |
| Writing system, language | cuneiform: Akkadian |
| Transliteration |
1. eight-rayed star (a pictographic form of the sign DINGIR) MAŠ |
| Translation |
1. Ninurta. 2. Ninurta. |
| Bibliography |
Delaporte 1923, 169 no. A. 715 and pl. 89: 16. Delaporte, L.: Musée du Louvre. Catalogue des cylindres. Cachets et pierres gravées de style oriental. II: Acquisitions. Paris, 1923. |