Babylonian boundary stone, snake, solar disc, crescent
European Museums, The British Museum
Snake around the sun on a Babylonian boundary stone.
Babylonian boundary stones
Boundary stones, or kudurru monuments, are records of land ownership and privileges such as tax exemption. They were made in southern Mesopotamia from the Kassite period onwards.
Writing on this kudurru describes the military service of the chariot commander Ritti-Marduk, who campaigned in Elam (south Iran) for King Nebuchadnezzar I. It records the summer campaign, the suffering of thirsty horses, and the confusion of battle. In reward residents of the district administrated by Ritti-Marduk were exempted from taxes and legal obligations. Curses protect the stone from interference. The sun, moon and star symbolize the gods Shamash, Sin and Ishtar who guarantee the permanence of the king's reward.
Reign of Nebuchadnezzar I, 1125 - 1104 B.C.
From Sippar, southern Iraq
Supplementary images:
Snake around the sun on a Babylonian boundary stone
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