The image at the top of the Law Stela of Hammurabi shows Hammurabi standing before Shamash, the god of justice and the sun. Shamash sits on a throne and is shown as larger than Hammurabi, indicating the hierarchy between the god and king. Shamash wears a horned helmet and holds a rod and ring, symbols of authority. The scene also supports Hammurabi’s authority: The two figures have equal visual weight, and Hammurabi’s eye level is above Shamash’s.
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