The barber’s gift. Votive plaques as expression of elite's pietas

The aim of this paper is to analyze the votive plaques from the point of view of the worshipper. Even though they are often badly executed and show homogeneous themes, these widespread bas-reliefs were dedicated especially from the members of the elite. Among these worshippers, as it is known from some inscribed plaques, there were a governor, a Palace’s prefect, a scribe, some merchants, a stone-cutter and a barber. Their roles in the Sumerian and Akkadian society would be briefl y analysed in the light of epigraphical data. The different value of this votive gift will be emphasized in comparison with the stelae and the other monuments dedicated by kings, thus showing this difference from both the qualitative and iconographic points of view.