Final answer:
The human-headed, winged bulls or lions that guarded Mesopotamian palaces and temples are called lamassu. These imposing stone sculptures symbolized protection and the power of the Assyrian king, and stood at key entrance points, such as gateways to palaces. so, option d is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The monumental stone sculptures of human-headed, winged bulls or lions that served as guardians at the entrances to Mesopotamian palaces and temples are known as lamassu. These figures were highly symbolic, representing both the protective nature and the power of the Assyrian king. The lamassu were often carved in stone and placed at significant thresholds, such as palace gates, to ward off evil and enemies. They were an integral part of Assyrian architecture and held a significant role in the visual and cultural arts of Mesopotamia.
Lamassu sculptures were also prominent in the decoration of Assyrian palaces, such as the Palace of Dur-Sharrukin, built by Sargon II, where they stood imposingly at the palace entrances. The majesty and scale of these sculptures are illustrated by the excavated example at the Louvre Museum, which originates from Khorsabad, the ancient city of Dur Sharrukin, in Assyria.