Temple 4: Sacrifice of Semiramis

The legend of Semiramis, queen of Assyria, has many different forms.  (Probably to be associated with Shammuramat, queen of the Assyrian king Shamshi-Adad V (r. 824–811 BC)  In this sixteenth century tapestry from the Vatican, Semiramis offers sacrifice to Baal.  The priest holding a patera, makes a drink/oil offering on a fire altar in front of the statue of Baal, surrounded by vessels for drink offerings.  Later legend makes here the mother/wife of Ninus, sometimes equated with Nimrod.