Relief of the Storm-God

This relief of a standing male figure is part of the carved decoration of the outer gate of the castle at Samal, one of the so-called Late Hittite, Early Aramaic city states in northern Syria (now Zincirli, in Turkey, near the Turkish-Syrian border). The gate complex was discovered in 1882, but not systematically explored until 1888. The orthostats unearthed during the excavations to the south of the castle hill were found in situ, with a few exceptions, about half of them being decorated with relief. On an orthostat in a prominent location - on a side wall of the eastern forecourt to the gate – the Storm-God is depicted, iconographically identified by his attributes: a bundle of lightning in his left hand and an axe in his right. The divinity is dressed in a short, close-fitting robe held together by a broad belt. The god also carries a sword and wears a conical helmet with blunt, rounded top. On his feet he wears the typical shoes, with upturned and pointed tips. Particular care has been taken in the depiction of the face, the beard and the long plait of hair rolled up in a spiral at the end.