---
title: The Queen of The Night Relief
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3039/the-queen-of-the-night-relief/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Queen of The Night Relief

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![The Queen of The Night Relief](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3039.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3039.jpg)

## Image Caption

This large plaque was made of baked straw-tempered clay, modeled in high relief. The figure of the curvaceous naked woman was originally painted red; note the trace of the red color on her left wrist. She wears the horned headdress characteristic of a Mesopotamian deity and holds a rod and ring of justice, also symbols of her divinity. Her long multi-colored wings hang downwards, indicating that she is a goddess of the Underworld. The background was originally painted black, suggesting that she was associated with the night. The figure could be an aspect of the goddess [Ishtar](https://www.worldhistory.org/ishtar/), Mesopotamian goddess of sexual love and [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/), or Ishtar's sister and rival, the goddess [Ereshkigal](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ereshkigal/) who ruled over the Underworld, or the demoness Lilitu, known in the [Bible](https://www.worldhistory.org/bible/) as Lilith. The plaque probably stood in a shrine. Old Babylonian period, 1800-1750 BCE, from southern Iraq (place of excavation is unknown), [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/). (The British Museum, London).

#### 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/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2014, September 18). The Queen of The Night Relief. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3039/the-queen-of-the-night-relief/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Queen of The Night Relief." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 18, 2014. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3039/the-queen-of-the-night-relief/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Queen of The Night Relief." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Sep 2014, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3039/the-queen-of-the-night-relief/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 18 September 2014. 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.