Sirrush
Also known as: Mushussu, Mushhushshu, Dragon of the Ishtar Gate
A scaly, long-necked dragon depicted on the Ishtar Gate of Babylon stands among real animals, leading some to argue it was drawn from life.
575 BCE (Ishtar Gate construction)
Babylon, modern-day Iraq
Depicted as lion-sized
Sacred guardian creature
Historical artifact, no modern sightings
The Lore
The Sirrush, or Mushussu, is a dragon-like creature depicted on the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, built around 575 BCE under King Nebuchadnezzar II. It appears alongside lions and aurochs, both real animals rendered with anatomical accuracy. The Sirrush has a scaly body, a long neck, a horned serpentine head, feline forelegs, and eagle-like hind legs. Cryptozoologist Willy Ley argued in the 1950s that its consistent depiction over centuries suggested it was modeled on a real creature, possibly a surviving dinosaur encountered in Central Africa.
Body Type
Folklore Origin
Notable Witnesses
- Robert Koldewey (archaeologist who excavated the Ishtar Gate)
Media Appearances
- In Search Of (TV series)
- Ancient Aliens (TV reference)
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