Cylinder Seal

PBS XIV: The triumph over the enemy through the protection of Martu and Ishtar. The central figure is probably that of a Babylonian king. His headdress is unfortunately broken off. He has a long beard, his h air tied in a loop, a short tunic, a long fringed shawl opening in front to let pass his bare leg. He pulls by the hair with both hands a female prisoner, handcuffed and writhing for pain. She looks like a war goddess Ishtar but with no mitre nor weapons. She has perhaps a tight cuirass, straps across her chest, a plaited shawl girded about her waist and opening in front to let pass her bare leg. A nude goddess, with head in profile, long tresses, hands to her breasts, stands next to her, to exemplify her feminine character. A small figure of a nude running or falling man is perhaps a symbol of defeat.

The war goddess Ishtar steps forth, weapons in hands, her bare leg lifted over a small lion’s head. She has in one hand a curved scimitar, and in the other a scepter in shape of a long nail and a ring or necklace, symbols of the royalty she holds and dispense. Quivers hang on her back with arrows rising over her shoulders and straps crossing over her breast. A tight coat of mail protects her chest and arms to the elbows. She has a many horned mitre, tresses hanging on her shoulders, a four row necklace and bracelets, a plaited shawl girded about her waist and opening in front to let pass her bare leg. She is in front face. A jumping ibex above is a symbol of hunting and graceful energy.

Behind the triumphing king, Martu steps forth, club in hand, together with a crooked stick or scimitar under the same folded arm. His headdress is missing. He has his hair tied in a short tail behind, a long beard, a shawl covering one shoulder over his short tunic.

A small Eabani in front carries a four headed club, perhaps a weapon of the king. The star, and goat or gazelle head, may be a symbol of a western god like Martu or even Tarku.

“Sin-eribam//son of Sin-ennam//servant of Manium”

The beauty of the seal would make it a worthy jewel for a king like Sineribam of Larsa, successor and son of Sinidinnam. There was a king Mannu-dannu or Manium of Magan at the time of Naram-Sin, and a Manana king of Kish.

Concave Cyl. Seal. Hematite, 24 x 13 ½ mm. MS Coll.