Assyrian Protective Spirit, Nimrud

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 28 August 2017
Assyrian Protective Spirit, Nimrud

This alabaster bas-relief depicts a standing human-headed genie or sage; this is Apkallu, a protective spirit which protects the Assyrian king as well as the palace and its inhabitants against evil demons. He wears a diadem with a rosette (instead of a horned helmet) and has two pairs of wings. The left hand holds a bucket. Neo-Assyrian Period, 9th century BCE. From the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud, Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Germany)

About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Remove Ads

Advertisement

Related Images

Assyrian Mullilu
Image

Assyrian Mullilu

This is a close-up image of a hand carrying an Assyrian mullilu...
Assyrian Ceremonial Bucket (Banduddu)
Image

Assyrian Ceremonial Bucket (Banduddu)

This is a close-up image of an Assyrian bucket (banduddu) held...
Assyrian Armlet
Image

Assyrian Armlet

A close-up view of the right arm of a human-headed and winged protective...
Apkallu wearing a fish cloak
Image

Apkallu wearing a fish cloak

This protective spirit (Apkallu or Abkallu) guarded the entrance...
Human-headed and Winged Apkallu from Nimrud
Image

Human-headed and Winged Apkallu from Nimrud

This is an alabaster bas-relief depicting a standing human-headed...
Bare-headed Apkallu with Four Wings
Image

Bare-headed Apkallu with Four Wings

This fragmented alabaster bas-relief depicts an Assyrian Apkallu...

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2017, August 28). Assyrian Protective Spirit, Nimrud. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/image/7130/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama S. M. "Assyrian Protective Spirit, Nimrud." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified August 28, 2017. https://www.ancient.eu/image/7130/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama S. M. "Assyrian Protective Spirit, Nimrud." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 28 Aug 2017. Web. 14 Oct 2019.

Remove Ads

Advertisement