Home > Animals > Mammals > Bovidae > Sheep
Idols of Bible Times 1
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Idols of Bible Times 1
Tartak, human but with a sheeps head (or is it a goat ?) is the god of choice of the Avites, a people settled in Samaria by the king of Assyria. (Second Kings 17.31)
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 591510
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10150424
1731 Assyria Choice Goat Human Idols Kings Pagan Palestine Samaria Settled Times
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Mammals
> Bovidae
> Sheep
> Asia
> Palestine
> Related Images
> Popular Themes
> Sheep
EDITORS COMMENTS
This image depicts the ancient deity Tartak, revered by the Avites, a people who were settled in Samaria by the King of Assyria around 722 BCE. The Avites, who are first mentioned in the Bible in Second Kings 17:31, adopted this unique idol as their god, with Tartak represented as a human figure crowned with the head of a sheep or goat. The precise animal identification is a subject of debate among scholars. The Avites were among several groups who were forcibly relocated from their original homelands to Samaria as part of the Assyrian policy of population transfers. This historical event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the beginning of the Neo-Babylonian and Persian periods in the region. The religious practices of the Avites, like those of many other ancient cultures, were polytheistic and syncretistic, blending elements from their own traditions with those of the Assyrians and other peoples they encountered. The worship of Tartak reflects this syncretistic nature, as the sheep or goat head may symbolize various deities from both Assyrian and Avite mythologies. This evocative print, from the extensive collection of Mary Evans Picture Library, offers a glimpse into the rich and complex religious history of the ancient Near East. The image invites us to ponder the ways in which diverse cultures and belief systems intersected and influenced one another in biblical times.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
