Sarginu

At https://phys.org/news/2024-05-assyriologist-archaeological-mystery-bc.html … mysterious symbols etched on temples in the 8th century BC city of Dur Sharrukin [Khorsabad] appear to have been carved in the reign of Sargon II. The name of the city reflects his name, and Sennacherib, his successor, paid a lot of attention to Nineveh as the major city of the Empire. Rebuilding it in a manner that pleased him. We can assume Sargon II embellished Dur Sharrukin for his personal taste. The symbols, a lion, an eagle, a bull, a fig tree, and a plough, have been known since the French excavator of the city in the late 19th century. What they actually mean is something else – and is the mystery in the title. Now, Dr Martin Worthington of Trinity College in Dublin, has come up with an answer that sounds viable. They spell out the name of Sargon [Sarginu]. He continues by adding that the five symbols also represent five of the constellations – such as Leo, Aquila the eagle, Taurus the bull, etc. The effect was to place Sargon’s name in the heavens – for posterity.