Gatumdug is an ancient Sumerian goddess and patron deity of the busy city state of Lagash, Mesopotamia.
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At its height, Lagash has over 100,000 residents and covers over 500 ha (3600 acres) of space. The sister city of Lagash is is Girsu, to the northwest, along a lucrative trade road.
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A goddess from the dawn of time, Gatumdug is already worshipped in the area when Lagash is established in c. 3000 BCE. Credited with founding the town, she's also associated with Kings and kingship. She gives the King the divine right to rule.
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Lagash is one of a series of towns on a route from the sea ports inland. At the coastline of the Persian Gulf ish Gu-ab-ba (Guabba). Its location is far inland today. Along the northwest route toward the River Tigris are the towns of Niggin, Lagash, Girsu and Zabalam. Look.
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She's called holy, sacred, lustruous or shining. Gatumdug is worshipped in Lagash as well as Tell Zurghul, known in the ancient world as Nigin, just north west of Gu-ab ba (Guabba). In the 22nd century BCE King Gudea builds a temple in her honor in Girsu, and worship extends.
During the time of King Gudea, Girsu is a religious center with temples to honor the many gods passing through. A productive King, he builds canals, improves irrigation and constructs bridges and temples.
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Gatumdug is a favorite subject of Sumerian religious literature, with many hymns, poems and prayers composed to her. One of these, Lament for Sumer and Ur, describes the downfall of the civilization and its cities in the 'voice' of the Goddess witnessing the carnage.
The four city laments, or dirges, are:
The Lament for Ur
The Lament for Nippur
The Lament for Eridu
The Lament for Uruk
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Through the later Ur III period Gatumdug continues to be worshipped. She receives offerings of flour, butter, cheese and dates at her temples and worship sites.
In 2004 BCE Ur falls to an Elamite army under King Kindattu of Shimashki. In the Lament it's written the gods An (Anu), Enki (Ea), Enlil, and Ninmah decide the fate of Ur. It's implied (through no fault of their own) Gatumdug and other deities can't compete with these high-ranking senior Gods.
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Gatumdug is sometimes compared to Bau, a healing and tutelary goddess of Lagash, Kish and Girsu. They have similar qualities and may be on god lists together, but they're not considered the same deity.
In an Old Babylonian composition Ninisina and the Gods, Gatumbug is equivalent to the title heroine, the tutelary goddess of Isin. The city of Isin is just south of Nippur on the Euphrates trade route.
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As time goes by, the landscape changes. Cities fall, abandoned by their tutelary deities, and others rise in their place. Gods live for thousands of years and have seen many civilizations come and go.
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It could be war, drought, pestilence or bad management. The deities are immortal until they're no longer worshipped. They outlast most of the kingdoms and empires of the known lands.
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