Ishtar Gate from Babylon, Iraq was a glazed brick with an original height of 40′ (12.2 m), usually it has towers rising 100′ (30.5m). The glazed brick which was meant to symbolize lapis lazuli. Ishtar gate is found outside the Palace of Darius I and Xerxes I.  Stumps and tall pillars stood outside of it as well as the lamassus which protected the palace on the outside of the gates. The reconstructed Istar Gate can be found in Vordersiaches Museum, Staatliche Museen Zu Berlin.

Comparing the Ishtar Gates to the Lamassus, which is also known as the Human headed winged lion, from the palace of Assurnasirpal II, in Nimrod, Iraq. The sculpture stands at a height of 10 feet two inches (3.11 cm).

The colossal guardian figures were built in addition to the new capital at Kalhu to add to the cities royal life. The Lamassus were typically placed outside of the citadel, palace, and/or ziggurat. It’s main purpose served as a warning nation. Lamassu on either side of an entry way.

They’re protective of the spaces, with stylized wings, and was originally very colorful. The stylized relief  of the piece was not naturalistic. Assyrian arches were pursuing enemies and the Assyrians were very militaristic. Lions were a symbol of nature, to show of power,  and killed for sport to show what the ruler would do to those who defied him. The Lamassus can be found in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Both of these sculptures served not only as decorations, but as protectors to its surrounds palace.