Illustration
This protective spirit (one of a pair) in the guise of a royal figure with cloak and mantle, guarded the doorway into the Temple of Ninurta (chief god of the city of Nimrud and Assyrian god of war and farming) in Nimrud. The temple itself was built by King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BCE). British Museum, London.
About the Author
Mark is a history writer based in Italy. Surrounded by archaeological sites, his special interests include ancient ceramics, architecture, and mythology. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at AHE.