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Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

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528 EXPLORATIONS IN BIBLE LANDS<br />

reliefs of <strong>the</strong> later period made from different moulds and<br />

exhibit<strong>in</strong>g a hog, 1 <strong>the</strong> animal sacred to <strong>the</strong> god N<strong>in</strong>ib, 2<br />

Beltis lead<strong>in</strong>g a Worshipper<br />

son of Bel ; or to an exquisitely<br />

modelled buffalo 3 walk<strong>in</strong>g<br />

slowly and heavily, and<br />

hold<strong>in</strong>g his mouth and nose<br />

upward <strong>in</strong> a manner characteristic<br />

of<strong>the</strong>se animals. There<br />

is ano<strong>the</strong>r well executed basrelief<br />

4 which shows Beltis<br />

adorned with a long robe.<br />

In<br />

her left hand <strong>the</strong> goddess has<br />

<strong>the</strong> same svmbol which we<br />

often see with Bel, 5<br />

while with<br />

her right hand she leads a<br />

richly dressed worshipper to<br />

her shr<strong>in</strong>e. Lastly I mention<br />

a much earlier terra-cotta relief depict<strong>in</strong>g a somewhat<br />

poetical pastoral scene.<br />

A shepherd play<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> lute<br />

has attracted <strong>the</strong> attention of his dog, who is evidently accompany<strong>in</strong>g<br />

his master's music by his melodious howl<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />

and ano<strong>the</strong>r unknown animal (sheep ?) is likewise listen<strong>in</strong>g<br />

attentively. (See opposite page.) The whole scene rem<strong>in</strong>ds<br />

us of certa<strong>in</strong> favorite subjects of <strong>the</strong> classical artists.<br />

The general character and wide scope of <strong>the</strong> temple<br />

library of Nippur has been illustrated to a certa<strong>in</strong> degree by<br />

<strong>the</strong> tablets conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> jar mentioned above (pp. 518,<br />

seqq.) and by my remarks on <strong>the</strong> work <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Babylonian classroom.<br />

The technical " books " on <strong>the</strong> shelves gave all <strong>the</strong><br />

necessary <strong>in</strong>formation on <strong>the</strong> subjects treated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

school.<br />

1<br />

Comp. <strong>Hilprecht</strong>, /. c, vol. ix, pi. xiii, no. 28.<br />

2 Comp. Zimmern <strong>in</strong> A.'. A. Z 7 3<br />

.<br />

, p. 410.<br />

3<br />

Comp. <strong>Hilprecht</strong>, /. c, vol. ix, pi. xiii, no. 27.<br />

4<br />

Preserved <strong>in</strong> two or three copies made from different moulds.<br />

5<br />

Comp. <strong>Hilprecht</strong>, /. c, vol. ix, pi. xii, no. 25.

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