Seal with king triumphant

Cylinder seal depicting a triumphant king

Chalcedony

539-330 BCE

Iran

Vorderasiatisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Details

Culture/Civilisation

Ancient Iran

Theme

Later Civilisations of Land and Sea

Subtheme

Persia – Ancient Iran

Display Location

Coomaraswamy Hall

Measurements

2.7 x (dia.)1.5 cm

Accession Number

VA 00563

Description

Rolled out on soft clay, impressions from cylinder seals like this authenticated official texts sent from the capital to officials across the empire. They show the king as mighty protector – slaying a lion, and subduing terrifying mythical griffins.

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