Like a Thunderstorm: Storm-Gods ‘Sibitti’ Warriors from Highland Elam

This study provides a new analysis and interpretation of a fragmentary Elamite bronze plaque found in the course of excavations conducted at the tell of Susa in the late 19th century and housed at the Musée du Louvre under inventory number Sb133. This unique artefact in cludes the representation in relief of seven idealized warriors in the guise of storm-gods integrat ed into a background covered by an Elamite inscription. According to this investigation, the bronze plaque should be situated within a 9th-8th century BCE highland artistic tradition portray ing an exceptional version of Elamite sibitti protective spirits.