• Lamassu
• c. 720 to 705 B.C.E
• Alabaster
• Citadel of Sargon II (modern Khorsabad, Iraq)

Assyrians

• Vanquished the Babylonians
• Great Assyrian Leader - Ashurbanipal
• At height of power, ruled empire that stretched from Persian gulf to Asia Minor
• Very militaristic

Lamassu

• An extra 5th leg to show movement as visitor passed by the gate
• large bodies for intimidation
• two held up pillars of the Sargon Palace and were placed by entrances as to judge all people who pass
• Human faces to suggest divine purpose