We’re exploring themes from the current Getty Villa exhibition “Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins,” and today’s theme is mythology! Legends surrounding the Sumerian king Etana tell of how he ruled for over 600 years and ascended to heaven on the back of an eagle in search of a plant that would allow him to have children and create a dynasty. Etana was a historical king, who ruled around 2900 B.C., and the myths that developed about him continued to be written on tablets and depicted in art for more than a thousand years. On this cylinder seal, the complex figural scene shows Etana, left of center, riding on the eagle’s back. Men and animals on the ground below gaze up in wonder. The cuneiform tablet shown in the second image contains part of the Myth of Etana. It was recorded long after Etana’s actual lifetime, around 2000–1600 B.C., and shows the enduring popularity of myths about early Mesopotamian kings. . . . 🏷#ancient #assyria #assyrian #ancientworld #ancientmesopotamia #mes...