We’re exploring themes from the current Getty Villa exhibition "Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins"!⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ For ancient Mesopotamians, the human world was influenced by gods, minor deities, and a host of demons (semi-divine spirits).⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Religion was present in all aspects of daily life. Malevolent supernatural forces were believed to cause things like disease, thunderstorms, and bad harvests, for which there was no other apparent explanation. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Demons could be forces for good or evil, and often one demon was invoked to combat the powers of another. That was the case with Pazuzu, represented in this bronze figurine. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Pazuzu had a dog-like, horned head, an emaciated human body with claws, a scorpion tail, and powerful wings. Despite his fearsome appearance, Pazuzu counteracted his own wife, the female demon Lamashtu, who brought harm to pregnant women and children. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Objects like this figurine were either hung in the home or worn on the body as protective amulets. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Tap th...