Relief with a Mythological Contest in the Walters Art Museum, September 2009

Relief with Two Heroes


Creator: Syrian (Artist)

Period: 10th-9th century BC (Neo-Hittite/Hurritic)

Medium: basalt (Sculpture)

Accession Number: 21.18

Measurements: H: 24 13/16 x W: 16 9/16 x D: 6 5/16 in. (63 x 42 x 16 cm)

Geographies: Tell Halaf (in present-day Syria) (Place of Origin)


This relief decorated the lower course of the exterior wall of the temple palace of King Kapara. Two heroes pin down a bearded foe, while grabbing at his pronged headdress. The context may be related to the Gilgamesh epic, and display Gilgamesh and Enkidu in their fight with Humbaba.

Text from: art.thewalters.org/detail/7441/relief-with-two-heroes/