---
title: Assyrian Doorway Protective Spirit
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/582/assyrian-doorway-protective-spirit/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2024-09-20
---

# Assyrian Doorway Protective Spirit

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

## Image File

[![Assyrian Doorway Protective Spirit](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/582.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/582.jpg)

## Image Caption

Protective spirit (one of a pair) in the guise of a royal figure with cloak and mantle. It guarded the doorway into the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Ninurta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ninurta/) (chief [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Nimrud](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kalhu/) and Assyrian god of [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) and farming) in Nimrud. The temple itself was built by King [Ashurnasirpal II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ashurnasirpal_II/) (883-859 BCE).

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

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2012, January 11). Assyrian Doorway Protective Spirit. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/582/assyrian-doorway-protective-spirit/>
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Assyrian Doorway Protective Spirit." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 11, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/582/assyrian-doorway-protective-spirit/>.
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Assyrian Doorway Protective Spirit." *World History Encyclopedia*, 11 Jan 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/582/assyrian-doorway-protective-spirit/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 11 January 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.