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Lamassu from Nimrud

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description Lamassu from Nimrud Overview

The Lamassu from Nimrud is a monumental Mesopotamian sculpture from the Neo-Assyrian Empire, dating to around 700 BCE. These imposing figures depict a winged bull with a human head, serving as protective deities placed at the gates of cities and palaces to ward off evil. Several examples were excavated from the ancient city of Nimrud, located in modern-day Iraq, and are now housed in institutions such as the British Museum. Carved from large blocks of alabaster, they often feature cuneiform inscriptions detailing the achievements of Assyrian kings.

help Lamassu from Nimrud FAQ

What was the religious and protective purpose of the ancient Lamassu sculptures?

Carved during the Neo-Assyrian Empire around 700 BCE, the Lamassu was believed to be a powerful protective deity with the body of a bull, the wings of an eagle, and a human head. They were placed at the massive gates of cities like Nimrud to ward off chaotic, evil spirits.

Why do the ancient Assyrian Lamassu sculptures often appear to have five legs?

The ancient sculptors cleverly designed the massive winged bulls with five legs to create an optical illusion. When viewed from the front, the Lamassu appears to be standing firmly at attention, but when viewed from the side, it looks as though it is actively striding forward.

What tragic event happened to the famous Lamassu at the ancient site of Nimrud in modern-day Iraq?

In 2015, the terrorist organization ISIS deliberately destroyed many priceless artifacts at the ancient city of Nimrud. They released propaganda videos showing militants using sledgehammers and power tools to systematically destroy the ancient monumental Lamassu figures at the Nergal Gate.

Where are the most famous surviving intact ancient Lamassu sculptures housed today?

Several massive, fully intact Lamassu figures were excavated in the 19th century and shipped out of the Middle East. Today, famous examples of these 10-ton stone sculptures can be viewed at the British Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

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