Text, Colossal Statue of the Weather God Hadad

A Colossal Statue of the Weather God Hadad, Pergamon Museum, Museum Island, Berlin. Found in Gerdshin near Sam`al/Zincirli (Turkey). Basalt. ca. 775 B.C. I am Panamuwa, the son of QRL, the King of Ja`udi, I have erected this statue of Hadad, at my eternal grave. With these words begins the inscription, engraved in the Aramaic script and language on the lower part of the body of the colossal male statue. The inscription makes clear that this is a representation of the Weather God Hadad, who originally held in his hands his two symbols: the lightening-rod and the axe. On his round cap are bull horns, the known symbols of divinity. On the socle are two lions heads (originally not attached). Panamuwa had presented this statue to enjoy the protection of the Weather God during his lifetime and with the gods help to partake of offerings with the god after his death. The inscription reads: May the soul of Panamuwa eat with Hadad, may the soul of Panamuwa drink with Hadad"