An extraordinary seal of Sippar type (Figure 7. 9 ), and impressions from Sippar itself,
Babylonia and Syria, depict personifications of winds, winged, with wind-blown hair,
one of which has twisted legs probably representing a whirlwind (Collon 1986 , no.
451 for references). The horizontal twisted legs of a similar figure are visible above
the chariot which a king is driving like the proverbial whirlwind on the Sippar
envelope in Figure 7. 6 ; however, the troops the king leads into battle are depicted
in typical Syrian manner.
KASSITE AND POST-KASSITE SEALS
The fall of the First Dynasty of Babylon to the Hittites is dated 1595 BCaccording
to the Middle Chronology. There has been much debate as to whether this chronology,
which is generally accepted for convenience, should be replaced by a higher or a lower
chronology. From the point of view of glyptic development, a low chronology would
be preferable as a gap of almost two centuries between the last seals of the Old Babylonian
period and the first dated seals of the succeeding Kassite Dynasty is too large, considering
that the main technical, compositional and stylistic characteristics were already in place
(see note 1 ; Collon 1987 : 50 – 2 ; Matthews 1990 : 27 – 54 ; Colbow 2002 ).
The Kassites ruled Babylonia for about 500 years, but fewer than 400 known seals
can be attributed to this period (Matthews 1990 , p. 55 ). The considerable continuity
with earlier periods, manifest in other fields of activity, is reflected in Kassite glyptic
(Figure 7. 16 ). The three main glyptic styles have long been recognised (see Collon
1987 : 58 – 61 ), but were reassessed by Donald Matthews ( 1990 ) who demonstrated
that inscribed seals naming rulers extend only from the reign of Karaindash in the
late fifteenth century BCto that of Nazi-Maruttash ( 1307 – 1282 BC) (Matthews 1990 ,
nos. 1 and 33 ).
1111
2
3
4222
5
6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3111
4
5111
6
7222
8
9
20111
1
2
3
4
5111
6
722
8
9
30
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
40
1 2 3 4 5 6
71111
— Babylonian seals —
Figure 7. 16 Two figures (cf. Figure 7. 1 ); filling motifs. Inscribed with a prayer to three deities.
Eyed agate. 3. 1 × 1. 4. BM ANE 89182 ( 1843 - 11 - 17 , 5 ) (Matthews 1990 , no. 88 ).
