Feb.4] SOCIETYOF BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGY. [1890.trainedto hunt, was a fit symbol for the Hunter-sun, standsthe Sun-
godMerodax,armedwithbowand arrow andthe saparu, andlifting
his right hand in solemn oath. Abovehis head is the solar star,
whichexplainsthe symbolism. In front of him standsthe unarmed
Moon-god, also liftinghis right hand in oath ; for the two are
making a solemn covenantto preserve kosmic orderagainst the
demonsof darkness and storm. Behindthe Moon-god, and standing
on their hindlegs,are two Unicorn-goats, counter-salient,withtheir
headsregardant; and in the air, between themandthe Moon-god,
is the lunar crescent, the key to the symbolism, anddivided into
threeparts,illustrativeof the three partsof the month andthe triple
lunar aspect, by what seem to be handles. TheUnicorn,or any
animal represented with one horn only, is, as I have shown,a
distinctly lunar symbol; and the remarkable position of the two
Unicorn-goats—counter-salient,I think clearlyindicatesthe monthly
cyclingprogressof the moon " there andback."
Such,then,is the general scopeandimportof the Tablet of the
ThirtyStars.
206