Assyrian Relief depicting magical guardians

Ashurbapinal's later residence, the North Palace, was protected by magical figures carved on stone panels lining the walls. At the top of this panel are three ugallu, or 'Great Lions', one of the most effective guardians. They make threatening gestures with daggers and hold maces, symbols of authority. The broken figure to the left of the ugallu may be the 'House of God', while the figure in the lower register is a protective urmahlilu or 'Lion-Man'. From the North Palace in Nineveh, Iraq - 645-640 BC. Scanned at 'I am Ashurbapinal', British Museum 2019