Ancient Sumerian Print – King Gishsax Wrestling Bull and Lion, Chaxus of Erech, Issax of Erech, c. 2500 BC – Babylonian Illustration, Sumerian Poster, Occult Print, Antique Wall Decor, Ancient History Art #219

This Ancient Sumerian Print is a reproduction of a remarkable seal engraving dating back to around 2500 BC, depicting King Gishsax (also called Chaxus of Erech on the King’s List, and known as Issax of Erech). The artwork shows the powerful figure grappling with a wild bull and a lion, a motif that symbolizes sovereignty, strength, and the eternal struggle between man and nature.

Available as a fine art print on hand-made paper for an authentic antique look, or on canvas for a dramatic gallery presentation. Each piece is delivered unframed, allowing you to select the frame that best suits your home, study, or collection.

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A Vision of Myth, History, and Symbolism

According to researcher L.A. Waddell, this figure represents the historical origin of Hercules (Herakles) of the Phoenicians and Greeks. Gishsax/Issax of Erech appears not only on Sumerian seals but also on Hittite, Babylonian, and Phoenician artifacts, where he is consistently acknowledged as a “Lord of Oxen.” This title links him with pastoral strength, agricultural fertility, and divine kingship.

Some traditions also argue, as Waddell did, that the biblical Samson may derive from the same Sumerian source, echoing the shared archetype of a hero whose immense strength allows him to subdue lions and embody divine will. The linguistic similarities — Issax (Sumerian), Issac (Hebrew), Sakh (Indian), and Saxon (Germanic, “I Sax Son”) — reveal the widespread cultural echoes of this heroic archetype across civilizations.

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What the Artwork Depicts

• King Gishsax (Issax of Erech) – a heroic ruler locked in combat with wild beasts.

• The Bull and Lion – ancient symbols of cosmic power, chaos, and untamed energy.

• Hieroglyphic Inscriptions – cuneiform panels suggesting royal titles, lineage, and divine authority.

• Stylized Composition – typical of Mesopotamian seals, emphasizing symbolic meaning over realism.

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Symbolism and Esoteric Meaning

• Heroic Archetype – the prototype of Hercules/Herakles and possibly Samson, the divine strongman.

• Lord of Oxen – a title signifying mastery over agriculture, fertility, and wealth.

• Wrestling Beasts – a metaphor for taming chaos, ruling with divine power, and protecting civilization.

• Cross-Cultural Resonance – from Sumerian origins to Phoenician, Greek, Biblical, and Germanic traditions.

• Occult and Mystical Interest – studied by ancient history enthusiasts, esoteric scholars, and comparative mythologists alike.

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Historical and Cultural Context

The Sumerian civilization (Mesopotamia, c. 3000–2000 BC) is often regarded as the cradle of history, where writing, kingship, and mythology first intertwined. Seals such as this one were not only practical objects but also symbols of authority, divine sanction, and cultural identity.

In this engraving, Gishsax embodies the hero-king archetype: a figure whose strength and dominance over beasts became a mythological template carried across millennia. From Mesopotamia to Greece, from Phoenicia to Biblical Israel, the echoes of Issax’s story have shaped myths of divine heroes, warriors, and saviors.

For collectors, historians, and lovers of mythology, this print is not only a work of art but a direct link to the origins of some of the greatest legends of antiquity.

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Why Choose This Print?

• Reproduction of a Sumerian seal c. 2500 BC, featuring King Gishsax.

• Connected with the archetypal heroes Hercules, Herakles, and Samson.

• Available on hand-made paper or canvas.

• Delivered unframed – style it your way.

• Perfect for ancient history enthusiasts, occultists, mythologists, and collectors.

• A rare piece of Mesopotamian art that bridges history, mythology, and esotericism.

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Perfect For

• Collectors of ancient prints, Mesopotamian art, and historical reproductions.

• Enthusiasts of Sumerian, Babylonian, and Phoenician history.

• Students of mythology and comparative religion.

• Fans of occult, esoteric, and mystical décor.

• Unique gifts for historians, seekers, and mythology lovers.

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More Than Just an Ancient Illustration

This Ancient Sumerian Print of King Gishsax wrestling the bull and lion is more than historical art — it is a visual key to the origins of the heroic archetype. From the seals of Mesopotamia to the myths of Greece and the stories of the Bible, this powerful image carries the echoes of Hercules, Samson, and the universal figure of the strongman-hero. To display it is to embrace a fragment of the world’s earliest cultural memory, where myth and history became one.

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Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide