Part XV

A 1 special class of Babylonian monuments which enter into the subject of the art because of the symbolical designs engraved on them are the so-called "boundary stones" which, recording either certain land privileges granted to individuals by royal decree or the transfer of property made by a legal procedure, were set up at the boundary of the property in question as memorials of the gift or transfer. A large number of such boundary stones have been found in the course of excavations, ^[1] dating from the fourteenth to the twelfth centuries coincident with the period of the Cassite control of Babylonia.

At the close of the inscription on the monument describing the property in detail and the terms of gift or transfer, there were added long series of curses, in the names of the various gods, hurled against those who interfered with the rights recorded or who injured in any way the monument itself. As a further warning against transgressors the symbols of the gods were engraved on these monuments, and it is from this point of view that they are of interest to the student of Babylonian art. The symbols themselves are very numerous, consisting of symbols of the heavens, thrones, and animals of various kinds.

PLATE LXX

Figs. 1 and 2, Assyrian bronze bowls (8th century, B.C.)

PLATE LXXI

Fig. 1 (left), Silver vase of Entemena, ruler of Lagash (c. 2850 B.C.)
Fig. 2 (right), Libation vase of green stone

Three symbols which are never missing are the moon's crescent, the symbol of the moon-god Sin; the solar disc and the rays of light, symbolizing Shamash the sun-god; and the sixteenrayed star, symbolizing the goddess Ishtar, who was identified in the astrological system with the planet Venus. The three thrones, often surmounted by royal caps, are the symbols of the great triad, Ami, Enlil and Ea, while among the animals portrayed on these monuments we encounter the scorpion, the symbol of the goddess Ishkhara, the tortoise, the crouching lion, the symbol of Nergal, and the lion-headed mace, the symbol of Ninib (see Plates LXXII and LXXIII).

These and other animals are frequently drawn with great skill confirming the characteristics of Babylonian art in the portrayal of animals as we have had occasion to set them forth. The same applies to a remarkable drawing of a wolf on one of these monuments, ^[2] and even the fantastic figures on these monuments such as winged lions, bulls and sphinxes, show remarkable vigor as well as considerable skill. Occasionally the portrait of a king is added.

A particularly good specimen showing a remarkable attention to minute details is to be found in the case of a boundary stone of the time of Marduk-nadin-akhe in which the royal chief of the country is thus portrayed. ^[3]

There is, to be sure, a conventional stiffness about the face which applies also to the picture of the goddess Gula, who is not infrequently represented by the image of herself on the boundary stone, accompanied by a dog (Plate LXXII, Fig. 2). The combination of these symbols, which are arranged in rows or in circles, gives a weird yet at the same time impressive appearance to the monument. The order in which the symbols are arranged varies somewhat.

The moon, the eight or sixteen-rayed star and the sun-disc are invariably found at the head of the monument, followed usually by the thrones representing Anu, Enlil and Ea, though at times the latter god is replaced by his more specific symbol, a combination of goat and fish, holding on his back a throne with a ram's head.

Among the animals, attention might also be directed to the dog of the goddess Gula which is generally exceedingly well drawn.

Among smaller animals there is the falcon on a pole, the symbol of the goddess Bau, and another bird generally represented as marching, and which may be an eagle. The lamp (Plate LXXIII, Mg. 2) is the symbol of the fire-god Nusku.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

See L. W. King's Introduction to Memorials and Boundary Stones in the British Museum (London, 1912), and Morgan and Scheil, Delegation en Perse, Memoires I, pp. 165-182.

[2]:

King, Plate 91.

[3]:

See above, Plate XXIV, Fig. 2. 27