--- title: Bronze Axe Head Topped with a Man Ruling Animals from Western Iran author: National Museum of Iran source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19224/bronze-axe-head-topped-with-a-man-ruling-animals-f/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 2024-07-15 --- # Bronze Axe Head Topped with a Man Ruling Animals from Western Iran _Authored by National Museum of Iran_ ## Image File [![Bronze Axe Head Topped with a Man Ruling Animals from Western Iran](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19224.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19224.jpg) ## Image Caption [Bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) axe head topped with a man ruling animals, found in Saqqiz, Luristan, from [Iron Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Iron_Age/) II (c. 1100-900 BCE). National Museum of Iran, Tehran. cc. no. 1434, photo by Neda Tehrani (Baloot Noghrei). Following the collapse of civilizations at the end of the second millennium BCE, [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/) and the neighbouring western parts of modern Iran rose to an age of (re)development and flourishing of both old empires, such as [Assyria](https://www.worldhistory.org/assyria/) and [Elam](https://www.worldhistory.org/elam/), and new urban settlements of various migrant communities. The [Medes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medes/) and the Mannaeans, among others, established small [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and strongholds that soon turned into prolific and prosperous kernels of production and commerce. Metalwork in the region enjoyed a massive culmination, and although [Scythians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Scythians/) already mastered the manufacturing of iron objects, the Luristan bronze remained remarkable in terms of quality, variety, and popularity. Saqqiz has historical roots in Izirtu, the Mannaean capital established in the 9th century BCE according to contemporary Assyrian texts. Later, it probably fell to the Medes, who allegedly withdrew from it to their future capital, Hegmatanah, following the invasion of [Sargon II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sargon_II/). The [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) was rebuilt by the Scythians, who seemingly renamed it after their ethnic designation, Eskit/Sakka. The axe head found in Saqqiz is a fine example of the Luristan bronze of its time. It is topped with a male human figure seated in a central, circular 'throne; not dissimilar to the Assyrian kingly chariots. His hair, tied back in a bun, can be seen elsewhere in the [Scythian art](https://www.worldhistory.org/Scythian_Art/), e.g. the [Scythian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Scythians/) twin warriors found in Kerch from the 5th century BCE. The lion and the bird placed, respectively, on the front and back of this figure have a background of symbolising power and sovereignty in Mesopotamian and Iranian art from the 4th millennia BCE onwards. Such iconography can relate this axe head to [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/). The combination of different styles in the sculpted ornaments of the axe, on the other hand, can reflect a network of cultural impacts and exchanges centred in Saqqiz in Iron Age Iran. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## External Links - [National Museum of Iran – Official Site For National Museum Of Iran](https://irannationalmuseum.ir/en/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Iran, N. M. o. (2024, July 15). Bronze Axe Head Topped with a Man Ruling Animals from Western Iran. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Iran, National Museum of. "Bronze Axe Head Topped with a Man Ruling Animals from Western Iran." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 15, 2024. . ### MLA Iran, National Museum of. "Bronze Axe Head Topped with a Man Ruling Animals from Western Iran." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Jul 2024, . ## License & Copyright Original image by **National Museum of Iran**. Submitted by [Nathalie Choubineh](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/nathalie.choubineh/ "User Page: Nathalie Choubineh"), published on 15 July 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.