Lamassu

Lama, Lamma, or Lamassu (Cuneiform: 𒀭𒆗, an.kal; Sumerian: ^dlammař; later in Akkadian: lamassu; sometimes called a lamassus)^[1]^[2] is an Assyrian protective deity.^[3]

*Lamassu*, Neo-Assyrian Empire, c. 721–705 BC

Initially depicted as a goddess in Sumerian times, when it was called Lamma, it was later depicted from Assyrian times as a hybrid of a human, bird, and either a bull or lion—specifically having a human head, the body of a bull or a lion, and bird wings, under the name Lamassu.^[3]^[4] In some writings, it is portrayed to represent a goddess.^[5] A less frequently used name is shedu (Cuneiform: 𒀭𒆘, an.kal×bad; Sumerian: ^dalad; Akkadian, šēdu), which refers to the male counterpart of a lamassu.^[6] Lamassu represent the zodiacs, parent-stars or constellations.^[7]^[8]

^ Kriwaczek, Paul. Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization, p. 37.
^ "Kaskal : Rivista di storia, ambiente e culture del vicino oriente antico. Volume 6, 2009 - LoGisma editore". Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2015-05-06.
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference GL109 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Livius.org". Archived from the original on 2014-06-01. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
^ Beaulieu, Paul-Alain (2003). The Pantheon of Uruk During the Neo-Babylonian Period. Brill. ISBN 90-04-13024-1.
^ Black, Jeremy; Green, Anthony (2003). An Illustrated dictionary, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. The British Museum Press. ISBN 0-7141-1705-6.
^ Hewitt, J.F. History and Chronology of the Myth-Making Age. p. 85.
^ W. King, Leonard. Enuma Elish Vol 1 & 2: The Seven Tablets of Creation; The Babylonian and Assyrian Legends Concerning the Creation of the World and of Mankind. p. 78.

[1] Kriwaczek, Paul. Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization, p. 37.

[2] "Kaskal : Rivista di storia, ambiente e culture del vicino oriente antico. Volume 6, 2009 - LoGisma editore". Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2015-05-06.

[GL109-3] Cite error: The named reference GL109 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Livius.org-4] "Livius.org". Archived from the original on 2014-06-01. Retrieved 2020-03-26.

[5] Beaulieu, Paul-Alain (2003). The Pantheon of Uruk During the Neo-Babylonian Period. Brill. ISBN 90-04-13024-1.

[6] Black, Jeremy; Green, Anthony (2003). An Illustrated dictionary, Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. The British Museum Press. ISBN 0-7141-1705-6.

[ReferenceA-7] Hewitt, J.F. History and Chronology of the Myth-Making Age. p. 85.

[ReferenceB-8] W. King, Leonard. Enuma Elish Vol 1 & 2: The Seven Tablets of Creation; The Babylonian and Assyrian Legends Concerning the Creation of the World and of Mankind. p. 78.

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