Lamassu

Lamassu (including Sedu, scheduler ) is the name of a Babylonian protective demon with a bull's body, wings and a human head.

Designation

The Sumerian word lama, Akkadian lamassu, denotes a protective deity who is usually female. She is often depicted as standing figure, guests passes to a higher-ranking God. So it is actually a servant. Your male counterpart is called Sedu alad or in Akkadian. These monumental statues are as aladlammû ( " guardian spirit " ) or referred lamassu, which means that the word was originally female now used to refer to a consider -talking male demon. In a modern interpretation combining the strength of a bull, the freedom of an eagle and the intelligence of a human. Female Lamassus be called apsasû.

Function

In the Neo-Assyrian Empire (ca. 883-612 ) were big bull monuments, often set up with wings and always with human heads as Gate Guardian at the entrances of royal palaces as Khorsabad and Nineveh. You should turn away evil. In a text to find the magic formula " May the good Sedu to my left and the good Lamassu go on my right hand " ( elsewhere Sedu goes ahead and Lamassu behind the person to be protected ) Usually, they had five legs. Lamassus are also known from the palaces of the Persian kings. Those in Pasargadae are gone, but in Persepolis they are on to see "Gate of all Nations." For example, the hoof can be seen in the " unfinished gate". In the building, which could be identified either as a council hall, or " triple gate" Lamassu served as capitals of the columns.

Adaptations

There are Greek coins that show Lamassu, such as those of the Sicilian city Panormus, today's Palermo, which as a Phoenician colony had any artistic connections to the east. Protective deities with lion bodies are also known and are commonly called Sphinx.