Relief image on the Tablet of Shamash (Sippar, 800s BC).This relief shows the sun god Shamash on the

Relief image on the Tablet of Shamash (Sippar, 800s BC).

This relief shows the sun god Shamash on the throne, in front of the Babylonian king Nabû-apla-iddina (r. 888 – 855 BC) between two interceding deities.  The text tells how the king made a new cultic statue for the god and gave privileges to his temple.