Proto-Angels: The First Angels to Walk the Earth

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today's video, we're going to discuss the Lamassu, spirits who functioned as protectors and guardians in Ancient Mesopotamia. They aren't a direct antecedent of the angels found in the Abrahamic religions, but there are certainly several parallels to be drawn, namely: having wings, functioning as the protectors of humanity, being spiritual entities who serve the gods, and possessing the ability to move between worlds, specifically, the realm of mortality and the realm of divinity.

And to start us off, here's a passage from The Assyrian Winged Bull:

"The image of the Assyrian winged bull or lion is one of the most familiar and enduring symbols of the ancient Near East. These protective spirits... were typically placed at the entrances of important buildings such as palaces, temples, and other significant structures, to serve as guardians. The Lamassu, as they were known, were associated with the gods and goddesses of Mesopotamian mythology, and were believed to possess the power to protect people and their property from harm. They were often depicted in ancient art as powerful, winged creatures with a human head and the body of a bull or lion, conveying their ability to move between the earthly and spiritual realms, and to serve as protectors and guides for those who invoked their power."

The Lamassu are composite creatures of Mesopotamian mythology, and their origins can be traced back to the late 4th millennium BC. While it is difficult to determine exactly which ancient Mesopotamian culture first engendered the Lamassu, it is generally believed that the Sumerians played a significant role in their development.