The Tell Asmar figures may have large eyes because:
A) Seeing was a major channel of communication with the gods
B) Their eyes were wide open in terror before the gods
C) They were cult figures of blinded gods
D) Gods were believed never to sleep

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Tell Asmar figures, also known as the Tell Asmar Hoard or the 'eye idols', are a group of small statues found in the ancient Sumerian city of Eshnunna (modern-day Tell Asmar in Iraq). These figures, dating from around 2900-2550 BCE, are characterized by their disproportionately large eyes. The most widely accepted interpretation of the large eyes on these figures is option A: Seeing was a major channel of communication with the gods. In ancient Mesopotamian cultures, it was commonly believed that sight was a powerful sense through which divine presence could be perceived and communicated with. The large eyes of the Tell Asmar figures are thought to represent the eternal wakefulness and attentiveness of the worshipper, offering a perpetual gaze or prayer towards the deities. The figures were placed in temples in a way that they would constantly 'look' at the deity's statue, symbolizing an unbroken vigil or a form of worship by proxy.
Therefore, the most likely reason for the large eyes on the Tell Asmar figures is that they symbolize the act of seeing as a significant form of devotion and connection with the divine, rather than the other options provided.

The Tell Asmar Figures May Have Large Eyes Because