Ninazu is originally a god of ancient Sumer (c 6000 BCE), whose worship spreads through other parts of Mesopotamia. He's known as "king of snakes" and "lord of the underworld". Later, he becomes a god of war.
See also:
Associated with serpents, vegetation, healing and Kur, the Mesopotamian land of the dead, Ninazu has all the characteristics of a major fertility deity. Mesopotamia is home to several vegetation snake gods, such as Abu.
READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024
Snakes and fertility are closely entwined. In Mesopotamia the snake is identified by logogram MUŠ, representing ṣēru, the Akkadian word for snake..
See also:
Ninazu is also called "steward of the great earth" (Kur) and "lord healer", associating him with healing and natural medicine. As time goes by, the fertility vegetation deity acquires attributes of a warrior god, much like Ninurta.
Ninazu is regarded either as one of Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal's consorts, or her son with husband Gugalanna. Some speculate Ninazu is a major underworld deity supplanted by Ereshkigal (appearing c 2900 BCE) and her later husband Nergal, god of inflicted death, war and disease.
See also:
The original main cult centers of Ninazu are Enegi, now a lost city, and Eshnunna (central Mesopotamia, today's Iraq). The appearance of the god Tishpak in c. 2300 BCE draws Ninurza into competition for the city of Eshnunna.
READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024
After the Old Babylonian period (1894 - 1595 BCE) and the rule of Hammurabi, his cult starts to diminish. In the cultural center Eshnunna, worship of Ninazu shifts to that of Tishpak. The god Tishpak is associated with war, kingship and snakes, including the mythical mushussu and bashmu.
See also:
In the first millennium BCE, the god hero Marduk vanquishes the mushussu and takes it from Tishpak. The animal is a helper and companion of Marduk ever after.
The development of warlike qualities in agricultural gods is a sign of conflicts in the mortal world and an increasing need to defend against enemies and usurpers. The local dieties are tasked with protecting the town in exchange for worship and sacrifice. Votive figures, incense, grain, fruit, flowers, adulation and blood sacrifice are given.
See also:
In ancient Mesopotamia, for several reasons human population expands. From the early mass migrations of the Yamnaya Steppe People (c 3500 - 3000 BCE), population takes a major shift in the next centuries. Domestication of the horse, assimilation and conquest of other people raise the numbers.
READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024
At the advent of the Bronze Age, immigration, trade, improvements in agriculture and livestock breeding leads to better health. By the 3rd millenium BCE there's also an increase in general health awareness. Better health means higher childbirth survival rate of mother and baby, and lower infant mortality rate.
See also:
Medicine in the ancient world is natural or spiritual. Herbs such camomile, blackseed and plantain are recorded for their healing properties. The saliva of dogs, now confirmed by modern science, is known to help wounds heal.
Chemistry is not introduced into medicine until the time of Paracelsus in 16th century CE, during the European Renaissance. Its precursor is alchemy, which gains popularity in the first few centuries CE.
See also:
In the second millennium of the ancient world, worship of medicine and healing goddess Gula in Mesopotamia comes second only to that of Inanna (Ishtar). Much sickness is considered caused by demons. Among her other attributes, Gula is known to protect against disease demons such as the hideous Asag.
Need for territory and resources grow along with populatons. Weapons of bronze, plate armor and chariots give the advantage to cultures such as the Hittites (c 1800 - 1180 BCE). When war becomes a larger part of life, so do war gods.
See also:
Previously benign dieties become more forceful. By the time of Ninurta's fight with the monster Anzu (Anzû), the god is shown as fierce and formidable, wielding lightning bolts as weapons.
Ninazu goes through similar transformations. His patron animal, the snake, is associated with fertility of the earth, healing and prosperity throughout the known lands. It's also a creature commanding respect.
See also:
Another of Ninazu's attributes is prevention and healing of snakebite, a usual talent of Mesopotamian snake gods. Asia Minor is home to at least fifteen species of venomous and deadly snakes, and many more non-venomous.
For the King of Snakes, it's easy to make the transition in theology from venomous serpents to weapons of war.
See also:
Overall Ninazu is a popular god. Although Tishpak eventually takes his place in Eshnunna, and Goddess Ereshkigal spurns him for Nergal, he retains followers and influence. His worship continues in Ur even after the fall of major Mesopotamian cities.
See also: