2-580-456 - © CM Dixon/Heritage Images

Bronze head of Pazuzu, probably from Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), northern Iraq, Neo-Assyrian, about 800-550 BC. Pazuzu was an Assyrian and Babylonian demonic god of the first millennium BC. However, he also seems to have played a protector role against disease-bearing winds (especially the west wind). He was closely associated with the demoness Lamashtu who stole babies from their mother's womb or when newly born. Pazuzu acted to counter her evil: he forced her back to the underworld. From the British Museum collection.