Cylinder-seal of Sharkalisharri
Mesopotamia
Akkadian period (23rd century BC)
Chlorite
H 3.9 cm
AO 22303
Description
"At the end of the Uruk period (c.3500-3100 BC) appeared the
cylindrical seals which were to be used, among other things, to seal
the first written documents. The print left by the rolling of these
miniature bas-reliefs on the soft clay of the tablet reveals a rich
iconography that varies with the different epochs. Thus the dynasty
of Akkad (2340-2200 BC) the stone-cutters showed a certain
predilection for mythological scenes. On the Sharkalisharri
cylinder, fifth king of the Akkad dynasty, two naked heroes,
acolytes of Eas, water two buffaloes which carry the inscription,
central element of the composition: "the divine Sharkalisharri,
king of Akkad, Ibni-sharrum, the scribe, (is) his servant."
- Louvre