Assyrian Gateways, The Eagle-headed protective spirit

This Assyrian Eagle-headed protective spirit was built around 865-860 BC and adorned the Temple of Ninurta in Nimrud. During the time of the Assyrian empire (about 900-612 BC), doors and gateways were thought of as key locations through which good or evil influences might enter. The building of entrances accompanied by elaborate ceremonies, during which they were given names that would bring good fortune. The annals of the Assyrian kings tell us that the colossal figures - part man, part animal - that were placed on either side of important palace entrances not only adorned the building and impressed visitors but also guarded it: Protecting colossal figures of wtone shich by their appearance ward off evil, guarding the footfall, protecting the path of the king their maker, I placed to the right and left of the thresholds. Beside or behind each colossal figure there was often a winged spirit carved in stone, carrying a magic cone and bucket. Other spirits might be shown in glazed bricks, like those above the arches or the main gates at Khorsabad, shown below. Further protection was provided by magic statuettes beneath the floors.这件亚述鹰首守护神像建造于公元前865至前860年左右，曾陈设装饰于尼姆鲁德（Nimrud）的宁吉尔苏神庙（Temple of Ninurta）。在亚述帝国时期（约公元前900年至前612年），人们认为门户与城门是善恶影响得以侵入的关键节点。门户的营建往往伴随繁复的仪式，期间会为其赋予能带来好运的名称。亚述国王的编年史记载，放置于重要宫殿门户两侧的人兽结合的巨型雕像，不仅能够装饰建筑、令访客印象深刻，同时也肩负守护之责："我将这些用以驱邪避凶、守护君王行途的巨型守护雕像，安置于门槛的左右两侧。"每座巨型雕像旁或后方，往往配有一尊石雕羽翼灵体，手持魔法锥与圣桶。其他灵体形象则可能以琉璃砖工艺呈现，例如下文展示的霍尔萨巴德（Khorsabad）拱门上方及主城门处的琉璃砖灵体浮雕。地板下方的魔法小雕像则可提供额外的守护效果。