Der Skorpion und die Königin zur Tiersymbolik bei den Assyrern
It is widely known that the lion could function as symbol for the Assyrian king. Less known is the fact that the scorpion could represent the Assyrian queen. This paper presents the evidence for this symbolism from the 8th and 7th centuries BC and surveys the appearances of scorpions throughout Meso...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | German |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2007
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| In: |
Journal for semitics
Year: 2007, Volume: 16, Issue: 3, Pages: 646-671 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | It is widely known that the lion could function as symbol for the Assyrian king. Less known is the fact that the scorpion could represent the Assyrian queen. This paper presents the evidence for this symbolism from the 8th and 7th centuries BC and surveys the appearances of scorpions throughout Mesopotamian art and literature. On Babylonian kudurrus the scorpion is associated several times with the goddess Išhara, who was closely related to Ištar. The reason for the appearance of Išhara on the kudurrus probably was her connection with marriage, treaties and oaths. This paper argues that exactly the same association made the scorpion a symbol for the Assyrian queen in Neo-Assyrian times. It symbolized the queen's role as "Mother of the Land", who secured internal peace, as the lion symbolized the king as protector and enlarger of the empire. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for semitics
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| Persistent identifiers: | HDL: 10520/EJC101072 |
