The Babylonian King Nabonidus

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 22 March 2018
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The Babylonian King Nabonidus Download Full Size Image

This is a detail of a Babylonian basalt stele. Here the figure of the king, Nabonidus was carved in relief on the obverse side of the stele. The king stands and wears a conical headdress as well as a long fringed garment. The right hand is raised and holds an unidentified small conical object while the left hand grasps a long ringed staff; the staff appears to support something, which is now damaged; the remaining outline suggests a moon crescent. The objects he holds represent justice and power. The king looks to the right, where three divine symbols (Shamash, Ishtar, and Sin) were carved; part of the symbol of the moon god, Sin, appears. Nabonidus was the last king of Babylon. He made Sin the supreme god of Babylon while downgrading other Mesopotamian deities. Neo-Babylonian Period, reign of Nabonidus, 556-539 BCE. Probably from Babylon, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (The British Museum, London).

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2018, March 22). The Babylonian King Nabonidus. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8412/the-babylonian-king-nabonidus/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Babylonian King Nabonidus." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified March 22, 2018. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8412/the-babylonian-king-nabonidus/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Babylonian King Nabonidus." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 22 Mar 2018. Web. 14 Oct 2024.

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