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The motif of a bull in the ancient near East : an iconographic study

The bull was a potent symbol of power, strength, and, to a lesser degree, fertility to the peoples
of the ancient Near East from the twelfth century until 330 BCE. This symbolism was
manifested in several iconographic motifs. These motifs reveal the bull as a manifestation of
divine characteristics and as an expression of the power of man, and particularly the authority of
the king. The use of these iconographic motifs was not consistent across the entire area of the
ancient Near East; some differed in appearance and use in the different areas of the region, and
many changed over time even in the same area. In all areas and during all periods the basic core
symbolism stayed the same, and the bull was always held in a special respect. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Ancient Near Eastern Studies)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/5088
Date02 1900
CreatorsVan Dijk, Renate Marian
ContributorsVermaak, P. S.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeDissertation
Format1 online resource (ix, 327 leaves) : ill.

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