{"id":35451,"date":"2025-07-29T20:55:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T20:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/virtual-museum-syria.org\/damascus\/?p=35451"},"modified":"2026-08-09T22:52:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T22:52:38","slug":"dedicatory-relief-depicting-the-god-abgal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/virtual-museum-syria.org\/damascus\/dedicatory-relief-depicting-the-god-abgal\/","title":{"rendered":"Dedicatory Relief Depicting the God Abgal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dedicatory Relief Depicting the God Abgal<\/h2><\/div>
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\"Limestone<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Description<\/h3><\/div>
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This dedicatory relief originates from the temple of Abgal at Khirbet Semrin, a major religious site in the northwestern steppe zone of Palmyrene territory. Though part of a widespread iconographic tradition, the piece remains a highly informative example of localized votive practice.<\/p>\n

The composition is arranged in low relief and presents a sacred encounter. To the left<\/strong>, the god Abgal is shown mounted on horseback, occupying the larger portion of the scene and rendered frontally, emphasizing divine authority and presence. His figure is massive, with stylized garments and features that mark him as otherworldly. The horse, though somewhat schematized, is carefully executed and integral to the god\u2019s image.<\/p>\n

To the right<\/strong>, a standing male figure<\/strong>, most likely the dedicant, offers incense at a small altar positioned between himself and the god. Although the head of the figure is missing, the act of incense burning\u2014evoking purity and communication with the divine\u2014is clearly depicted. The accompanying inscriptions leave no ambiguity regarding his identity.<\/p>\n

The Aramaic inscriptions<\/strong> are split into two registers:<\/p>\n

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  • The upper reads: \u1e63lm \u02bebgl br \u0161\u02bfrw<\/em> (\u201cImage of Abgal son of Sha\u02bfru\u201d).<\/li>\n
  • The base inscription: \u02bfbd \u02bebgl br \u0161\u02bfrw hykl\u02be l\u02bebgl \u02belh\u02be mwddr \u0161nt 510<\/em> (\u201cAbgal son of Sha\u02bfru built this temple for Abgal the god, to whom thanks are due, in the year 510\u201d).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The relief records the founder of the temple<\/strong>, Abgal son of Sha\u02bfru, in direct relation to his tribal deity. It materializes the intimate, reciprocal relationship between worshipper and divine protector\u2014a common feature of Palmyrene steppe cults. As Toxidor notes, Abgal was a god of the steppes<\/strong>, largely absent from Palmyra proper but revered across the hinterlands.<\/p>\n

    In the inscriptions he is invoked as “god,” “good god,” “good and bountiful god,” “good protector,” “good and bountiful protector.”<\/p>\n

    The temple\u2019s Greco-Oriental layout, with banquet rooms and a central cella, reflects regional religious synthesis. This relief is thus a key witness to the negotiation of sacred space and identity at Palmyra\u2019s cultural frontier.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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      Excavated from: Sanctuary of Abgal, Djebel Chaar Khirbet Semrin<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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      Material: Limestone<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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      Date: March 198 CE <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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      Item size: 42 x 35 cm <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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      Archaeological Mission: D. Schlumberger (1932-1936)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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      Inventory Number: xxx | National Museum of Damascus<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

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      VMS Code: Dam 337-3-Plm<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>

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      Excavation Site Location<\/em><\/h3><\/span>
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