What does the Stele of Vultures depict?
The Stele of the Vultures is a monument from the Early Dynastic III period (2600–2350 BC) in Mesopotamia celebrating a victory of the city-state of Lagash over its neighbour Umma. It shows various battle and religious scenes and is named after the vultures that can be seen in one of these scenes.
Where was the Stele of Vultures found?
Iraq
This ancient stele, dated to between ca. 2600 and 2350 BC, is a key piece of evidence in the history of warfare. Currently on display at the Louvre Museum, the Stele of the Vultures originates from Tello (ancient Girsu) in Iraq and dates to the Early Dynastic III period, or roughly between 2600 and 2350 BC.
When was the Stele of the Vultures found?
The Stele of Vultures is an ancient limestone carving, consisting of seven fragments found in what is now Southern Iraq in the 1880s.
What is the Louvre stele?
You are in front of one of the most exciting works in the Louvre, the stele on which the so-called Code of Hammurabi – the earliest collection of written laws in the history of man – is engraved.
Who created the Stele of the Vultures?
Lagash
The Stele of Vultures was written by Lagash as war propaganda, so when interpreting the Stele, it is important to note that it is one-sided and inherently biased. Scenes are carved on both sides of the stele, with inscriptions filling in the negative space.
Who is on the stele of Hammurabi?
Hammurabi is portrayed receiving the laws directly from Shamash the sun god. (a parallel to Moses can be made here). Shamash is the dominate figure—he is seated on his throne, wears a crown composed of four pairs of horns, holds a ring and staff, and has flames issuing from his shoulders.
Is Ninurta Nimrod?
The fame of the hero-god Ninurta, as well as his city, is attested to in the Bible where Ninurta is known as Nimrod, who is described as “a mighty hunter” and Kalhu is given as Calah, “a great city” (Genesis 10:8-12).
What does Ninurta look like?
In Babylonian art, he is often shown standing on the back of or riding a beast with the body of a lion and the tail of a scorpion. Ninurta remained closely associated with agricultural symbolism as late as the middle of the second millennium BC.
What is significant about the stele of Hammurabi?
The Stele of Hammurabi was placed in public locations throughout the kingdom and was written in the native language of the people of Babylon. This ensured that anyone who was literate could read the code of Hammurabi and see how the laws applied to their lives.