The legendary being in Mesopotamia seen as both a protector and a harbinger of doom is the Lamassu. These mythical creatures are typically depicted as winged bulls or lions with human heads, placed at the gates of cities and palaces for protection. They symbolize strength, vigilance, and the divine oversight of rulers. However, their formidable appearance also warns against chaos and destruction, embodying the duality of protection and destruction. Lamassu represent the complexities of Mesopotamian beliefs regarding the interconnectedness between human endeavors and the divine cosmos.