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Garnet is a coveted gemstone since the Bronze Age (c. 3300 BCE). Trade brings this enchanting creation to Egypt, Mesopotamia and other prosperous civilizations of the ancient world. Garnet adorns the crowns of kings. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Bronze Age Europe - The Amber Roads Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Garnet belongs to the group of silicate minerals found in the Earth's crust. Colors of fiery orange, brilliant red to mystical purple hues are most popular. Rare blue garnets were discovered in the 1990's. Quality green stones are also much desired. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Fundamentally garnets are made of the same materials. Different colors and textures come from the composition. The name garnet derives from a Middle English meaning 'dark red'. Garnet has various values in religion, nature spirituality and gem magic. See also: Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Sacred Scarab: Lucky Bug of Ancient Egypt Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle According to popular sources, evidence of garnet use is first found in the Nile Delta c. 3100 BCE. Egyptian artisans use gemstones as beads or jewelry inlays. Egypt has no local quality garnet. Trade with Sudan (then Nubia), brings valued gemstones into Egypt. There are about twenty varieties of garnet for jewels and industrial use. In Latin garnet is called granatum. Red garnet glows like the juicy, rich red seeds of the pomegranate, which are the size of small garnet crystals. See also: Figs - Food of the Ancient World Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Dreams Ullikummi - Rock Monster of Legend Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Pomegranate has a high status in religion, culture and history, as one of the seven ancient foods given to the people by the god(s). The foods can sustain a person throughout the year. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January. Rich red garnet is the life force, essence of the body and passion. Orange tones relate to fire, forward motion and optimism. Green garnet connected to the Earth, creation and nurturing. Yellow is a happy heart. See also: Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Rosemary: Immortal Essence & Balm of Kings Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Garnets are magnetic due to their iron content. The garnet is the only semi-transparent stone to respond to a jeweler's magnet. Magnetism, with the refractive index, can distinguish garnet species and varieties, and determine the composition of garnets. Also called hessonite garnet, gomeda in Indian literature is one of the 9 jewels in Vedic astrology composing the Navaratna. Hessonite is for the ascending lunar mode of Rahu, one of the nine cosmic bodies. See also: Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Bronze Age Trade of Mesopotamia Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Among the various qualities of garnet and garnet species, light transmission helps decide the value and use of the gem. Garnet light transmission properties can create most precious transparent gems for jewelry and ornament. Also called blood stones, garnets are used in the ancient Far East on sword hilts and daggers in the hope of shedding the blood of the enemy. In Australia, river garnet is often found as placer deposits, the naturally sharp edges worn smooth by action of water. See also: Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Ancient Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Later, the Romans (after c. 800 BCE) become enamored of the deep red stone. Romans ascribe qualities to various gemstones, such as amethyst, which they believe helps stave off drunkenness. The red garnet is passion, victory in war, lust for life and sexual appetite. The mineral's luster is categorized as vitreous (glass-like) or resinous (amber-like). Due to their hardness, opaque garnet varieties such as almandine or almandite are used as abrasives in industrial production. See also: Warrior Queen: Kriemhild of the Burgundians Wine God Liber: Liberty & Liberal Libation Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Mohs hardness scale rating of garnet is 6 to 7.5, with the harder stones used in abrasives. The 'softer' stones are typically the translucent jewelry quality gems. Garnets can be chemically altered, and most often transform to serpentine, talc, and chlorite. For finishing woodwork, crafters prefer fine garnet sandpaper. Garnet powder or sand is also used in sandblasting and to polish glass, which is 6.5 on the hardness scale. See also: Eridu - City of Ancient Gods Mesopotamia Cylinder Seals of the Ancient World Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Links Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Garnet is a stone of power and deep spiritual connection. In jewelry garnet produces a soft reflective glow. In the ancient world, magic and spiritual energy exists in all things. In crystals the essential qualities can change and respond to touch, light or treatment. Most garnet forms when sedimentary rock with high levels of aluminum content, such as shale, is subjected to extreme heat and pressure. These break the chemical bonds present in rocks, causing the minerals to recrystallize. See also: Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Rhinestones: Treasures of the Rhine Ancient Mesopotamian Cities - Uruk Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Garnet often appears in the metamorphic rocks gneiss, hornblende schist, and mica schist. Pyrope or gem-quality stone is found in South Africa, Sri Lanka, China, and Madagascar. Almandite stones come from India, Brazil, and the USA. The ancient Egyptians have local mines for turquoise, beryl, emerald, amethyst and malachite. They import Baltic amber and Indus Valley carnelian. No garnet mine is known in modern or ancient Egypt. See also: Myth & Metallurgy - Metals of Antiquity Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Sprites: Ethereal Creatures of Faerie Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Red garnet does occur in metamorphic rocks of the Eastern Desert and the Sinai. This garnet might also be found in placer deposits. Due to the inferior quality of the available stone, though, most garnet used by ancient Egyptians is acquired through trade. Papyrus, wheat, linen, salt fish, glass and faience are among the active Egyptian exports. See also: Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Egyptians have strong commercial contacts including the mythical Land of Punt, Nubia (Sudan), Ethiopia, Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilization. They deal in gemstones and more with Mycenaean Greeks, Phoenicians and other ambitious trading cultures. See also: Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Inara & the Dragon - Purulliya Festival Arabian Leopard: Bronze Age Predators Back to Top

Eridu is among the earliest cities in Mesopotamia, and the first urban center in the south land of Sumer. The seat of ancient gods, Eridu is home to primordial deity Enki (Ea) god of water, creation, music, wisdom and magic. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Architect Gods & Building in Mesopotamia Cylinder Seals of the Ancient World Sacred Music of Ancient Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Just southwest of Ur, Eridu is at today's Tell Abu Shahrain in southern Iraq. In the ancient world, Eridu grows amid a collection of city states and settlements populous enough to be within sight of each other. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Some are ruled by priest-kings, others by chiefs who split from their people, or rebels who form an alliance. Both Enki and his consort Damkina receive worship in Eridu. Damkina is cognate with Ninhursag, the Sumerian Great Mountain Mother. See also: Kulla - God of Bricks & Building Greenstone, Scribes & Cylinder Seals Gala Priests: Clergy of Goddess Inanna Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Eridu is founded c. 5400 BCE on a bend of the Euphrates River. The god Enki is considered the founder of Eridu. The city begins with a spring of water coming up through the rocks, sacred to Enki, god of groundwater. People settle the area due to its spiritual significance, strategic location, fertile silty soil and other natural resources. The temple of Enki in Eridu is E-Abzu, written Abzu or Apzu. The Abzu is the source of life. In hymn or incantation the temple may be called Esira (Esirra). See also: Abzu - Primal Waters of Creation Enuma Elish: Marduk & the Chaos Monsters Ningizibara: Sumerian Balaĝ Music Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books "... The temple is constructed with gold and lapis lazuli, Its foundation on the nether-sea (apsu) is filled in. By the river of Sippar (Euphrates) it stands. O Apsu pure place of propriety, Esira, may thy king stand within thee. ..." Eridu is once close to the coast of the Persian Gulf. Today it's about 90 mi (145 km) inland. The reason is the ongoing silt deposits created by abundant alluvial activity. The soil is rich in minerals, providing nutrition for crops such as wheat and flax. See also: Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Anzû - Mesopotamian Monster of Mayhem Ancient Mesopotamian Cities - Uruk Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Wheat and grains are common items of trade in ancient Mesopotamia and elsewhere. The earliest signs of trade begin with forays down the coast to fishing villages by 5000 BCE. Later, maritime experience and the sail makes longer and faster journeys possible. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Early Mesopotamians occupying the delta may build homes and other structures from the limitless growth of the common reed (Phragmites australis). Reeds are bundled tightly to form columns, which then can be bend inward, making a domed roof. See also: Bronze Age Trade of Mesopotamia Salt Trade - the Most Precious Mineral Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books To make rafts and boats suitable for marshland, similar techniques are used. Bundles of reeds are bent into a boat and caulked with bitumen for waterproofing. Boats and rafts are light and can be easily carried overland. In its years of grandeur Eridu is a city of palaces and temples. Even the rulers of Ur build sites of worship for such deities as Eridu-Enki or Eridu-Inanna. See also: Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Thapsos - Trade Center & Necropolis Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Activity in Eridu picks up during the Ur III dynasty (22nd to 21st century BCE). Royal construction work is attested on inscribed bricks. The ziggurat of Ur-Nammu immortalizes "Ur-Nammu, king of Ur, the one who built the temple of the god Enki in Eridu." Three Ur III rulers assign Year Names based on appointment of an en-priest/ess or high priest/ess of the temple of Enki in Eridu. It's the most important religious office in the land at the time. See also: Kanesh (Kultepe): Kārum City of Trade Hymn to Nungal - Prison Goddess Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The three rulers are: Sulgi Year 28 - "Year the szita-priest-who-intercedes-for-Szulgi, the son of Szulgi, the strong man, the king of Ur, the king of the four corners of the universe, was installed as en-priest of Enki in Eridu" Amar-Sin Year 8 - "Year (Ennune-kiag-Amar-Sin) Ennune-the beloved (of Amar-Sin, was installed as en-priestess of Enki in Eridu)" Ibbi-Sin Year 11 - "Year the szita-priest who prays piously for Ibbi-Sin was chosen by means of the omens as en-priest of Enki in Eridu" See also: Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Chicken Soup: Chickens in German Folklore Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books After the fall of Ur III, Eridu is active during the Isin-Larsa period (early 2nd millennium BCE). A Year Name appears on the king list for Nur-Adad, who is ruler of Larsa the "Year the temple of Enki in Eridu was built." Texts of Larsa rulers Ishbi-Erra and Ishme-Dagan show they have control over Eridu. Inscribed construction bricks of Nur-Adad are also found at Eridu, like the one below. See also: Lead: Death Metal of Metallurgy Before the Viking Age - Gods of the Sámi Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the Old Babylonian period (c. 1894 - 1595 BCE) Hammurabi states in his 33rd Year Name: "Year Hammu-rabi the king dug the canal (called) 'Hammu-rabi is abundance to the people', the beloved of An and Enlil, established the everlasting waters of plentifulness for Nippur, Eridu, Ur, Larsa, Uruk and Isin, restored Sumer and Akkad which had been scattered, overthrew in battle the army of Mari and Malgium and caused Mari and its territory and the various cities of Subartu to dwell under his authority in friendship" See also: Natron - Ancient Embalming & Household Salts Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Links Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In an inscription of Kurigalzu I (c. 1375 BC), a ruler of the Kassite dynasty, one of his epitaphs is "The one who keeps the sanctuary in Eridu in order". An inscription of the 2nd dynasty of Sealand ruler Simbar-shipak (r. 1021 - 1004 BCE) mentions a priest of Eridu. Neo-Assyrian ruler Sargon II (r. 722 - 705 BCE) awards andurāru-status to Eridu. Andurāru-status is described as "a periodic reinstatement of goods and persons, alienated because of want, to their original status". See also: Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Butter - Food of Peasants & Barbarians Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Neo-Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BC) undertakes construction at Eridu. Bricks inscribed with his name have been found there. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Eridu is on a natural hill, in a basin 15 mi (24 km) long and 20 ft (6 m) deep. A sandstone ridge known as the Hazem separates the Euphrates River from the city of Eridu. See also: Taurus Mountains: Bronze Age Bounty Zagros Mountains - the Way to Kur Uluburun - Bronze Age Shipwreck Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books This basin, the As Sulaybiyat Depression (formerly: Khor en-Nejeif), becomes a seasonal lake (Arabic: Sebkha) during the rainy season from November to April. During this period, it is filled by the discharge of the Wadi Khanega. Adjacent to eastern edge of the seasonal lake are the Hammar Marshes, once the largest wetland in South Asia, covering thousands of square miles. In the 1990s, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein drains the wetlands to punish the Marsh Arabs who dwell there. See also: Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Saffron - Most Precious Ancient Spice Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As of 2003, extensive rehabilitation projects bring back the lush fertile marshes and unique marsh life. Perhaps the nature Goddess Nanshe has some influence. The Hammar Marshes are now under global protection as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Back in the 3rd millennium BCE Eridu connects to the Eurphrates River via a canal. The canal's name, Id-edin-Eriduga, means "canal of the Eridug plain". See also: Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Flooding of the Nile - Nature & Myth Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The canal operates until the River Euphrates shifts its course. Today the path of the canal is marked by several low tells with surface pottery from the 2nd millennium BCE, and later burials. The star Canopus is known to ancient Mesopotamians and represents the city of Eridu in the Three Stars Each Babylonian star catalogues. Canopus is the second brightest star in the night sky, after Sirius the Dog Star. See also: Hesperus (Vesper) the Evening Star Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Star catalogues or star books come into being about the 12th century BCE. They list stars, deific equivalents, cycles, astrological mathematics and other gleanings. Star books become popular in the 12th century BCE. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure The fall of Mesopotamia cities and empires is thought to be a sign of a god's anger or abandonment. A musical genre called City Laments develops during the Isin-Larsa period (c. 2025 - 1763 BCE). See also: Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Beautiful Music Original Art Magic of Music & Cats Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Lament for the Destruction of Ur (c. 2000 BCE) is the most famous of this genre. The Lament for Eridu describes the fall of Eridu. Other laments include Uruk and Nippur. In style the laments have several sections, or kirugu. Only fragments have been recovered. "Its king stayed outside his city as if it were an alien city. He wept bitter tears. Father Enki stayed outside his city as if it were an alien city. He wept bitter tears. For the sake of his harmed city, he wept bitter tears. Its lady, like a flying bird, left her city. The mother of E-maḫ, holy Damgalnuna, left her city. " See also: Bronze Age Culture - Rise of Heavy Metals Cleopatra the Alchemist of Greece Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The divine powers of the city of holiest divine powers were overturned. The divine powers of the rites of the greatest divine powers were altered. In Eridug everything was reduced to ruin, was wrought with confusion." In Eridu, the temple of Enki, also called the House of the Aquifer, is always the hub of affairs. In later times it's called House of the Waters. His local consort, as Ninhursag, has a nearby temple at Ubaid. See also: Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Rosemary: Immortal Essence & Balm of Kings Ninhursag - Great Mountain Mother Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books During the Ur III period King Ur-Nammu builds a ziggurat over the remains of previous temples. Including Enmerkar of Uruk (as mentioned in the Aratta epics), several later historical Sumerian kings work on or renew the e-abzu temple. They include Elili of Ur; Ur-Nammu, Shulgi and Amar-Sin of Ur-III, and Nur-Adad of Larsa. In some versions of the Sumerian King List, before the time of the great flood, Eridu is the first of five cities where kingship is received by divine right. See also: Bronze Age Cultures - the Hittites Isuwa - Bronze Age Hittite Foes Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The list mentions two rulers of Eridu from the Early Dynastic period, Alulim and Alalngar (Alangar, Alaljar). [nam]-lugal an-ta èd-dè-a-ba[eri]duki nam-lugal-laeridugki a2-lu-lim lugalmu 28800 i3-aka2-lal3-ĝar mu 36000 i3-ak Trans: "When kingship from heaven is given, the kingship is in EriduIn Eridug. Alulim becomes king; he rules for 28800 years. Alaljar rules for 36000 years." See also: Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life Ambrosia: Divine Nectar & Immortal Gods Art, Power and the Calamitous Crusade Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books A man of Eridu named Adapa is the subject of the myth Adapa and the South Wind. He's famous for unwittingly refusing the Elixir of Life or potion of immortality. Adapa is at first portrayed as a postdiluvian or post-flood ruler of Eridu. Later he becomes the vizier of the aforementioned King Alulim. As the sage of Alulim, Adapa brings civilization to Eridu. See also: Ancient Marsh Muse - Rough Horsetail Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Papyrus (C. papyrus): Sacred Reeds of Aaru Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Stories of Inanna, tutelary goddess of Uruk, chronicle her trip to Eridu for the gifts of civilization. These are the tablets of destiny or the mes. In a drinking contest with Inanna, the god Enki gives her the tablets while drunk. Next day his sukkal, Isimud, informs him of their fate. At first Enki tries to get the tablets back as they're the source of his power. Later, he willingly cedes them to Inanna and accepts Uruk as the center of the land. See also: What is a Ziggurat? Isimud: Two-Faced Sukkal of Enki Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Inhabited from 5400 BCE, Eridu prevails for almost five thousand years. The city is abandoned in c. 600 BCE. By the final days, the temple of Enki has crumbled into earth, and only the platform remains. See also: Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Dreams Bronze Age Europe - the Amber Roads Enuma Elish: Marduk & the Chaos Monsters Back to Top

Isimud (Isimu) is the sukkal or divine attendant of Enki (Ea) primordial god of water, music, wisdom, creators and creation. Isimud is easily identifiable in ancient Mesopotamian artwork and cylinder seals, as one face looks ahead, the other backward. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Gala Priests: Clergy of Goddess Inanna Yazilikaya: Sacred Site of the Hittites Sacred Music of Ancient Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Isimud is also known in Akkadian as Usmû and in Hurrian as Izzummi, indicating his cross-cultural influence. He's sometimes compared to the later Roman Janus, the two-faced guardian of portals. Like Janus, Isimud appears as a doorway deity. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure With his main cult centers in Uruk and Babylon, Isimud is also worshipped wherever the esteemed god Enki appears on god lists. As sukkal one his duties is to relay messages to Enki or intercede for supplicants. See also: Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Isimud is usually but not always shown with two faces. In depictions he might hold the sukkal's staff of office. His reign in the world of mortals is a long one, over three thousand years, from c. 2900 BCE to c. 250 CE. Mentions of Enki himself arise from a Mesopotamian delta shrine at the mouth of underground springs in c. 6000 BCE. In this place a city is founded c. 5400 BCE. By 3800 BCE the city of Eridu is the seat of power for the god Enki. See also: Enki (Ea) God of Water & Creation Nanshe, Nature Goddess of Dreams Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Worship sites of Enki also include those of Isimud. In some cases an old god such as Enki has his own temple or ziggurat into which members of the public are not allowed. As no specific temples exist to Isimud, he would have his worship site together with that of Enki. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure To have the ear of Isimud is important. He sifts through pleas from the needful, the vengeful, the greedy and the loyal servants of deities. In times of drought, Isimud may be called upon in fear Enki has abandoned the town, or to send messages of despair from the people. See also: Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Song of the Loreley Jade - Jadeite, Nephrite & Jade Roads Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In Babylon Isimud appears in a ritual text, in which priests follow him to various temples. He's also featured in an annual procession on the fourth day of Kislīmu, the ninth month. The procession includes a slave riding a bull. During the Hittite AN.TAḪ.ŠUM festival in spring, he receives offerings of meat, bread and ritual libations. A few myths feature Isimud. See also: Purulli: Hittite New Year & Spring Fest Hymn to Nungal - Prison Goddess Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In one, he has to tell Enki he (the god) gave the the tablets of the mes (divine powers) to Goddess Inanna while drunk. Isimud asks Inanna for the tablets back, which is like asking a volcano not to erupt. After a few tries, Enki finally admits Uruk is the center of the world. In the myth Enki and Ninhursag, Isimud navigates the boat of Enki, acts as his emissary and cuts the plants the God is to eat. In the Song of LAMMA, he travels to the newly elected King of the Gods as Enki's messenger to encourage the new king to hold divine assemblies. See also: Natron - Ancient Embalming & Household Salts Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Enki also sends him into the Dark Earth or Underworld. He's tasked with bringing a message to Nara and Napšar, two primeval Hurrian Gods. The logogram A-NUN-NA-KE4 (Anunnake) is given to these gods, making them among the Old Gods who dwell in the Underworld. Isimud takes part in the akītu festival, the Assyrian and Babylonian spring celebration and New Year. At the festival he might form a divine triad with peers Nuska and Papsukkal. See also: Butter - Food of Peasants & Barbarians Ningizibara: Sumerian Balaĝ Music Goddess Hattusilis III - Great Hittite Kings Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Nuska is listed as sukkal of the primordial god Enlil, the sometimes brother of Enki. When Enlil gets crotchety and sends a great flood to drown the humans, Enki helps the people survive. Papsukkal is sukkal to the oldest of gods, Anu. As a divine trinity Isimud, Nuska and Papsukkal form a powerful group of entities. They can receive worship and praises together or individually. See also: Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Bronze Age Trade of Mesopotamia Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the first millennium BCE, Isimud receives offerings in building rituals along with Kulla, god of bricks, and Mušdam, god of architecture. He's one of the deities of the Uruk city pantheon in the Seleucid period c. 312 BCE. See also: Lahar: Flock & Sheep Pastoral Goddess Apkallu - Seven Sages of Mesopotamia Scorpion Men of Babylonia Back to Top

Mushdamma (Mushdam, Mušdam(m)a or Mušdam) is the Divine Architect of the Mesopotamian ancient world. His epithet šidim gal den-líl-lá-ke4 means Great Builder of Enlil, one of the primordial gods of Mesopotamia. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: What is a Ziggurat? Kulla - God of Bricks & Building Gala Priests: Clergy of Goddess Inanna Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Enki, god of water, music, wisdom, creation and creators, and sometime younger brother of Enlil, gives Mushdam his deific abilities and titles. The myth Enki and the World Order explains part of Mušdam's role. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure "He tied down the strings and coordinated them with the foundations, and with the power of the assembly he planned a house and performed the purification rituals. The great prince put down the foundations, and laid the bricks. See also: Sacred Music of Ancient Mesopotamia Ancient Mesopotamian Cities - Uruk Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Enki placed in charge of all this him whose foundations once laid do not sag, whose good houses once built do not collapse, whose vaults reach up into the heart of the heavens like a rainbow – Mušdama, Enlil’s master builder." Enki and the World Order, lines 341–8 Enki and the World Order describes the organization of the earthly realm and the roles of the Gods. It's considered one of most complex Sumerian texts in mythology. See also: Tiamat - Queen of Chaos & the Sea Bashmu (Bašmu): Voracious Serpent Dragon Hymn to Nungal - Prison Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books At first the patron of masons and masonry, Mushdam cedes this role to the god Kulla and concentrates on the mastery of architecture. Kulla's symbols include the pick-axe, and he's the deity of the brick mold. In the first millenium BCE they're joined by Isimud. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Mushdam relates to building plans and drawings (blueprints); design, esoteric and functional properties of buildings. He gives advice or guidance for construction. Like any other activity in Mesopotamia, brick-making, structural planning and masonry are governed by gods. See also: Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Kamrushepa: Hittite Goddess of Magic Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Incantations, ritual sacrifice and blessing of the site precludes digging or building activity. The site is surveyed with invocation of Nisaba, goddess of surveying, accounting and first deity of writing. Scribes also receive the role of architects. They might draft and manage construction for the government, nobility, or royalty. Their patron goddess Nisaba is later replaced by the male scribe god Nabû. See also: Butter - Food of Peasants & Barbarians Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Figs - Food of the Ancient World Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Architectural developments such as indoor plumbing, such as fountains, running water and toilets, appear in Mesopotamia between 3200 and 1500 BCE. Other house features include gardens, decorative trim, terraces and spacious inner courtyards. Even for a single-room dwelling, the people undertake similar rituals as royals and the wealthy. The earth is purified and/or the existing building cleansed. Gods of protection and building renovation are invoked and praised before, during and after the building process. See also: Greenstone, Scribes & Cylinder Seals Ningizibara: Sumerian Balaĝ Music Goddess Bronze Age Europe - The Amber Roads Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Building challenges include the basic sociopolitical form of the Sumerian city-states and independent kingdoms. Standardized systems across the nation are difficult to implement. The natural environment defines a site for building. It should be atop a hill or slope to avoid rainwater draining into the structure. Some buildings are constructed into naturally occurring stone walls or cliffs to take advantage of the coolness of the earth on hot arid days. See also: Bitumen - Tarry Trade in Perfect Pitch Reiker For Hire, Victorian Era & Nixies Ephedra - Oldest Medical Stimulant Herb Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Astrology is often used to pinpoint an auspicious location for palaces and shrines. The latter is also determined by the proximity of water. Like many ancient groups the Mesopotamians believe in the spiritual qualities of water. Water relates to dreams and dream interpretation, another thriving activity in ancient Mesopotamia. King Gudea of Lagash, a Sumerian city, commissions massive inscribed cylinders for a temple to Ninurta as he was bidden to do so in a dream. See also: Pazuzu - Demon God of Mesopotamia Anatolia - Alaca Höyük City of the Sun Early Sun Mythology: Mid European Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Due to mystic and transcendent associations, water and water sources are fortuitous near tombs, a necropolis or founding of a city. The site of the spiritual Hittite center Yazilikaya is chosen due to its natural rock formations and the presence of a water spring. Organized religion increases its power in Mesopotamian affairs of state. Priests can have influence in the way a structure or city plan is created, even if the buildings aren't part of a sacred complex. See also: Arcadia - Greek Lands of Ancient Gods Mushussu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk Apkallu - Seven Sages of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Burial of the dead must be taken into account. In Neolithic times the deceased are desiccated for a period in the sun, then brought into the house. Bodies are buried beneath floors and behind walls. Shaft pit burials become more popular and change with Mycenean influence. The body is laid in a pit at the bottom of a shaft. See also: Çatalhöyük (Catalhoyuk) Ancient Anatolia Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life Mythic Fire Gods - Vulkan of Germania Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Shaft graves grow more elaborate over time, leading to the creation of burial tombs with evidence of rituals and funerary offerings, and grave goods from gold to shaving razors. Builders have to know their craft. Laws referring to masonry in the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BCE) are particularly rigid. If a building falls and kills the owner, the builder is killed. If the house falls and kills the owner's son, the the son of the builder is killed. See also: Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Enki (Ea) God of Water & Creation Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the later Roman era the builder of a stone arch is expected to stand beneath it. This verifies its solidity and subsequently the skill of the maker. In Mesopotamia building is a constant activity. The Sumerians build the first large-scale palaces and temples. They introduce urban planning, the arch, canals and aqueducts, landscaped gardens, and architectural ornamentation. See also: Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Ancient Egypt Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Bull of Heaven - Inanna vs Gilgamesh Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Sumerians use the Sexagesimal or Base 60 building system, which divides measurements into units such as three, six and twelve. This system descends to the later Babylonians who are also famed builders. They should be. With Babylon as one of most-sacked cities of the ancient world, builders, architects, masons and engineers get a lot of practice. See also: Egyptian Blue - First Synthetic Color Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Babylon goes through waves of greatness, first rising in the Hammurabi period c. 1770 - 1670 BCE, and again in the Neo-Babylonian era c. 612 - c. 320 BCE. It's the first city to reach a population of 200,000. The style of a Sumerian temple describes the fundament of ancient world cosmology. The world is a disc of land surrounded by a salt water ocean. These float on a third ocean of fresh water, the Apsu or waters of creation. See also: The Igigi - Why Humans are Created Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Above them are the heavens which regulate time. Joining the three levels is a world mountain forming a line or stem, or axis mundi, through the center of the earth. The temple and priests are part of the axis mundi, a meeting place between gods and mortals. The sanctity of high places as meeting points between realms is a feature of pre-Ubaid (c. 5500 BCE) belief evident in the Near East back to the Neolithic age. See also: Nerik: Ancient Life in the Kaska Zone Folk Magic: Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) Sacrifice of the Male: Temple at Uppsala Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The plan of the temple is rectangular with corners pointing in cardinal directions. These symbolize the four rivers. Each river flows from the mountain to one of the four world regions. This orientation allows priests to use the temple roof as an observatory for astrology and timekeeping. The temple is built on an earth terrace. The terrace represents the sacred mound of primordial land 'dukug' or 'pure mound' which rises from the water during creation. See also: Enuma Elish: Marduk & the Chaos Monsters Epic of Erra - Plague God of Babylon Thapsos - Trade Center & Necropolis Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Sumerians, Babylonians, Elamites, and Assyrians are all ziggurat-builders. The earliest examples of the ziggurat were raised platforms from the Ubaid period, during the fourth millennium BCE. The latest date from the 6th century BCE. The top of the ziggurat is flat, unlike most pyramids. The step pyramid style begins near the end of the Early Dynastic Period (c. 2900 BCE). See also: Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Lisin - Medicine Goddess of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Mesopotamia holds abundant precious archaeological history. Stories are told through mythology, music, art, trade, literature, grave goods and the artifacts of daily life. See also: Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Back to Top

Cylinder seals are popular throughout ancient Mesopotamia and related lands. Sometimes called roller stamps, they're tiny, usually around 1" (2.54 cm) - 2" (5.1 cm) but have a lot to say. See also: Isimud: Two-Faced Sukkal of Enki Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Cylinder seals are popular in the ancient world and earlier. The Adda Cylinder Seal of c. 2300 BCE features deities, divine symbols and inscriptions. Rolled over clay, the cylinder seal creates a convex or relief artwork. Cylinder seals are first known to be used c. 3500 in the Sumerian city of Uruk. It's thought their use goes back further, to the Late Neolithic period (7600 - 6000 BCE) in Syria, many centuries before the invention of writing. See also: Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Actual Size: Diameter: Diameter: 1 in (2.54 cm) Height: Height: 1.5 inches (3.9 cm) Although it's a rock, thus heavy, greenstone is a hot trade item in the ancient and prehistoric world. There's not one specific greenstone. The term applies to valuable minerals in hues of green. These include igneous rocks which have undergone metamorphosis. Steatite (soapstone) is excellent for carving in its green or other color manifestations. Soapstone comes from the metamorphic action of rocks like serpentine, above. Greenstone includes greenschist, chlorastrolite, serpentine, omphacite, chrysoprase, olivine, nephrite, chloromelanite and other green-hued minerals. The term greenstone can also apply to jade and jadeite. See also: Sacred Music of Ancient Mesopotamia Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Jade - Jadeite, Nephrite & Jade Roads The colors of greenstone rocks are due to such minerals as chlorite, hornblende and epidote. Objects and artifacts of greenstone can be found a great distance from the source of the rock, implying the popularity of the stone on early networks of trade. A polished jadeite axe head (c. 4000 - 2000 BCE), found in Canterbury, England, is made of stone from the North Italian Alps. It's only one example. Greenstone objects from various parts of the world travel considerable distances to their place of discovery. See also: Figs - Food of the Ancient World Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Ancient China and Mesoamerica have particular prominence in the adoration of greenstone. The mystic rock also appears often in indigenous cultures of southeast Australia and among the Māori of New Zealand. They call greenstone pounamu. Neolithic Europe uses greenstone, especially for ritual or decorative ax heads and tools. Similar jade weapons and tools show up in the Olmec and Pre-Columbian cultures of Mesoamerica. See also: Arabian Leopard: Bronze Age Predators Kiashe (Kiaše) - Elemental Sea God Tin - Essential Metal of Antiquity China is famous for use of jade. The first Chinese Emperor dies horribly when he drinks mercury mixed with jade, thinking it an immortality potion. In terms of color, most Chinese jade is creamy white. Rich green Myanmar (Burma) jade occurs to the south. Adda Greenstone cylinder seal impression from left to right: The far left is a partial duplication of two-faced deity Isimud, the sukkal or divine attendant of Enki. First full figure is the right-facing roaring lion. Lion is a symbol of a divine being such as Inanna, or a king. Lions and eagles reign as symbols or personifications of power. See also: Mountain Gazelle: Wild Ancient World Nature Spirits of German Mythology Mushussu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk The inscription reads "Adda, scribe", identifying the seal's owner. Standing full face is a hunting god, possibly Ninurta, holding a bow. Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) is the ancient Mesopotamian god of farming, healing, hunting, law, scribes and war. On the left side mountain are a small tree and Goddess Ishtar (Inanna, Shaushka), goddess of love and war. She stands full faced, winged and armed with weapons including an axe and mace. She holds an apparent bunch of dates above the Sun God's head. See also: Gala Priests: Clergy of Goddess Inanna Ningizibara: Sumerian Balaĝ Music Goddess Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Between the mountains the sun-god Shamash (Utu) emerges with his solar rays. He holds a serrated blade. The water god Enki (Ea) stands to the right, with one foot on the right hand mountain. Enki stretches his right hand towards an eagle, which may be the nefarious Zu bird Anzû, who steals the tablets of destiny. A bull couchant lies between his legs. Streams of water and fish flow from his shoulders. See also: Salt Trade - the Most Precious Mineral Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Demons - Evil Udug of Mesopotamia Behind Enki is his two-faced sukkal or divine attendant Isimud (Usimu) with right hand raised. All participants bear the multi-horned helmets or headgear of gods. The men have beards. Isimud has a double beard. He wears a flounced skirt. Enki and Ishtar both wear flounced robes. The other complete figure wears a striped skirt This god wears his hair in a long curl down the left side, reminiscent of those worn by bull-men. See also: Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Kusarikku - Bull Men of Mesopotamia Ishtar has two similar curls hanging down, one on either side. Enki and Shamash wear their hair in the triple bun style. The scales of the mountain are continued in a horizontal band all round the lower part of the seal. The figures of the divinities stand upon the decorative band. An inscription of two lines is placed in a frame. The cylinder seal itself is has slight concavity or inward curve. See also: Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Pomegranate - Food of the Ancients German House Spirits: Beer Donkey (Bieresel) Named after its owner, the Adda seal was discovered in Sippar, today's south Iraq. The seal is created in c. 2300 BCE. The song above, called the Hymn to Nungal, is also written by a scribe. He's overjoyed at escaping a death sentence. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Hymn to Nungal - Prison Goddess Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld Back to Top

Cylinder seals have been used for thousands of years. First evidence comes from the Neolithic period in Syria. The cylinder seal is sometimes intricately carved. It can portray an event, story or deific tribute. It's often used for personal identification. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Greenstone, Scribes & Cylinder Seals Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Isimud: Two-Faced Sukkal of Enki Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Cylinder seals are usually small, 1 - 2 in (2.5 - 5 cm) long. The owner's name or symbol is typically included in the design. A vast variety of stones can be used to make cylinder seals including limestone, steatite (soapstone), hematite and greenstone. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Greenstone varieties good for carving include nephrite, serpentine, steatite,  greenschist, chlorastrolite, omphacite, chrysoprase, olivine and jadeite. The famous Hattusa green stone of the Hittites is nephrite jade. See also: Sacred Music of Ancient Mesopotamia Reiker For Hire, Victorian Era & Nixies Mythical Pagan German Gods & Spirits Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The seal above shows a ritual with winged deities of protection. Usually cylinder seals are made from hardstones but exceptions abound. The cylinder seal can be a type of engraved gem. Glass or ceramics as in Egyptian faience may be used. Other stones used for cylinder seals include obsidian or volcanic glass; quartzite, amethyst, lapis lazuli and carnelian. See also: Spiritual Alchemy: Obsidian Volcanic Glass Egyptian Blue - First Synthetic Color Bronze Age Europe - the Amber Roads Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Mesopotamia is an alluvial or river-fed region and lacks hard stone for carving. The large stones of early cylinders are imported from other regions. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Common trade items from Mesopotamia include wheat & grains; flax, hemp or castor oil; pottery, leather and leather goods. Mesopotamians also trade baskets, mats, textiles and jewelry. See also: Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Bronze Age Trade of Mesopotamia Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Dreams Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The stones for cylinder seals might come from Iran or Afghanistan, the latter being the preferred ancient world source of lapis lazuli. Most seals are made with a hole through the center. Worn on a necklace, especially the gem varieties, they're always available when needed. Royalty, tradespeople and merchants, and even commoners can acquire a personalized seal with name and images of protective or tutelary deities. See also: Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Links Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Ninazu: Healing, Death, Snakes & War Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The impressions of cylinder seals are found on various surfaces including: amulets bales of commodities bricks clay tablets cloth components of made objects doors envelopes storage jars Cylinder-seal impressions have multiple functions. As administrative tools, a form of signature, and for product branding, seals are popular for official and commercial use. The cylinders are also worn as jewelry or magical amulets. See also: Gala Priests: Clergy of Goddess Inanna Hymn to Nungal - Prison Goddess Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Quartz generates a lot of varieties, from clear rock crystal to phenomenal banded onyx, mysterious agate and colorful jasper. They each have a unique spiritual essence and make a lasting impression. See also: Natron - Ancient Embalming & Household Salts Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Back to Top

Music in ancient Mesopotamia is important to religious rites and secular entertainments. In religion, the goddess Ninigizibara relates to the balag (balaĝ), a type of lyre used in ritual hymns and prayers. She may be a deity, the instrument or the ritual itself. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Ningizibara: Sumerian Balaĝ Music Goddess Hymn to Nungal - Prison Goddess Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Music in Mesopotamia is influenced by, and influences, music of Egypt, East and West Africa and the Mediterranean coast. Religious music centers on the gods, often a specific deity such as Inanna Queen of Heaven. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Religion also involves healing rites with music, songs and incantations against demons causing disease. The first evidence of music in Mesopotamia is a bone whistle dating back to c. 5000 BCE. The singing bowls of Tibet originate in Mesopotamia c. 2800 BCE. See also: Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Enki (Ea) God of Water & Creation Butter - Food of Peasants & Barbarians Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In Sumer by the c. 2600 BCE musical instruments include harps, lyres, lutes, reed pipes, and drums. Around the third millennium BCE one of the early forms of religious music takes the form of the city lament, accompanied by the barag. The laments are sung by priests when temples have been destroyed and are being rebuilt. They call upon the god/dess with praises. Once they have the deity's attention, they describe how terrible things will be for the city if the deity leaves. See also: Nature Spirits of German Mythology Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books By the second millennium BCE city laments are moving into the secular zone, and the style of prayer and music called balaĝ gains popularity. Balag is both the name of the musical genre and the instrument. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Ninigizibara, the goddess of the ritual, can be either a deity or the instrument itself, thus the instrument may be called balag or Ninigizibara. Balag prayers were sung by a Gala priest, or priest of Inanna, while rituals are enacted around the instrument. See also: Figs - Food of the Ancient World Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The balag instrument itself may be regarded as a minor deity. Every instrument has a name or title and specific rites of worship. King Gudea has two made, called ‘Great Dragon of the Land' and 'Lady as Exalted as Heaven' c. 2150 BCE. The balag ritual is intended to soothe the local deity with pleasant sounds, while lamenting the fate of city if it's abandoned by the deity. Balags are popular from the Old Babylonian (c. 2000 BCE) period to the Seleucid Empire in the first century BCE. See also: Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Dreams Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As a literary genre, the balag is written in cuneiform script and sung by the Gala priest in the Sumerian dialect Emesal, translated as 'fine tongue' or 'high-pitched voice'. The two types of Emesal prayers are the Balag and the Ershemma. Their styles are named for the instruments used (balag and shem, a drum). Some compositions begin with the balag and end with shem. Each balag is composed to a specific god. In some religious festivals, dancers, jugglers and acrobats accompany the musicians. See also: Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Ancient Egypt Natron - Ancient Embalming & Household Salts Ḫulbazizi - Ancient Exorcism Ritual Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books From Mari, Syria, comes a concept of the placement of the musicians in the temple. The Ninigizibara or balag is set opposite a statue of that city's deity, Eštar. Singers sit to the right of the instrument. On the left is an orchestra. Female musicians stand behind the instrument. Ritual acts are performed as well, to persuade the local deity not to abandon the city. Laments even include grief over the loss of music during destruction of a city and its temple. See also: Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In one composition, the "weeping goddess" Ninisinna laments the destruction of her city, Isin. She not only grieves for the loss of food, drink, and luxury, but also due to the lack of music. In the hymn she laments “no sweet-sounding musical instruments such as the lyre, drum, tambourine, and reed pipe; no comforting songs and soothing words from the temple singers and priests.” The rituals involve animal sacrifices, primarily that of a bull. See also: Song of the Loreley Pomegranate - Food of the Ancients Salt Trade - the Most Precious Mineral Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In one Akkadian ritual with a lilissu drum, a bull is brought to the temple and offerings made to Ea (Enki), god of music, water, creation and wisdom. During the ritual, parts of the bull are burned with a torch. Attendants lay down twelve linens on the floor. The bronze image of a god is put atop each cloth. Sacrifices are made and a drum is set in place. The bronze god images are then put into the drum. See also: Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Bronze Age Trade of Mesopotamia Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Priests whisper incantations into the bull's ears. A hymn is sung, accompanied by an oboe. The bull is then sacrificed. One of the earliest known figures in the history of Mesopotamian music is an Akkadian priestess, Enheduanna (c. 2300 BCE). She's the daughter of Sargon the Great of Akkad. Enheduanna is a scribe and composer as well as priestess. See also: Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Bitumen - Tarry Trade in Perfect Pitch Nixies - Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Scribes are responsible for creating works such as lists of songs and hymns, along with tablets pertaining to the use, care and religious significance of the instruments. They cover topics of extensive music theory and include musical notations. The Sumerian system indicates the names of strings on a lyre, and the order they should be played. Ancient Mesopotamian music uses a system of musical scales, chords and thirds. The music is based a heptatonic (seven musical tones), diatonic scale. See also: Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Nungal (Manungal) Prison Goddess Beautiful Music Original Art Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The ancient Mesopotamians use the concept of musical intervals, including the octave, and the circle of fifths. A clay tablet has been found listing 27 types of musical instruments. Woodwinds are popular including flutes and pipes. See also: Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Papyrus (C. papyrus): Sacred Reeds of Aaru Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Back to Top

Beloved by the Egyptians, the God Bes appears in idols, statuettes, figurines, pictures and carvings since the early days of the land. His cult is strongest in Upper Egypt, though he's worshipped as far as Spain. He's considered to originate in the Land of Punt. See also: Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Egyptian Blue Faience - Ceramic Glass Šimige (Shimige) - Hurrian Sun God Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The legendary Land of Punt to the south is already an ancient kingdom to the Egyptians. It covers areas of Somalia, Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Somali Region of Ethiopia and parts of Saudi Arabia. Read: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Riches and resources from the Land of Punt include gold, aromatic resins such as myrrh, blackwood for musical instruments, ebony and ivory. Trade is also brisk in animal skins, teeth and claws, and live wild animals such as cheetahs, baboons and exotic birds. See also: Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Bes is often depicted as a sturdy bowlegged short person in garments of leopard skins and a crown of ostrich feathers. His major cult center is the creative hub Hermopolis, at the border of Upper and Lower Egypt. His usual wife is Beset (not the cat lady Bastet), or sometimes Taweret, the hippopotamus goddess of birth protection. He's often with Taweret when she presides over childbirth. Alternately Bes may be shown with feminine features. See also: Wine God Liber: Liberty & Liberal Libation Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Thapsos - Trade Center & Necropolis Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Figurines of Bes are commonly made of clay, carved wood or stone. He can also be cast in bronze, Egyptian blue faience and ceramic. Contrary to the usual profile depiction in ancient Egyptian art, he's shown face-on. Read: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 He sometimes wears a warriors tunic to indicate his readiness to battle for the good. Eventually he becomes the embodiment of all good, and enemy of all evil. See also: Atum of Egypt - First Primordial God Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minos Warrior Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Since he drives away evil, Bes becomes associated with that which is enjoyable, such as music, dance and sexual pleasure. In the Egyptian New Kingdom, 16th - 11th centuries BCE, tattoos of Bes are common on the thighs of musicians, dancers and serving girls. Archaeologists have also discovered many Bes masks and costumes, linking him to regalia, festivals, masquerade balls and theater. The masks and costumes show extensive use. Bes is also a deity of dreams, dream interpretation and protection from bad dreams. See also: Cult of the Fire God - New in 2024 The Igigi - Why Humans are Created Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Rooms painted with pictures or decorative sculpture of Bes and his wife, Beset are created in the 3rd century BCE in Greece. They're thought to be the site of fertility rites. See also: Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing Back to Top

Ningizibara (Igizibara, Ningizippara) is a Mesopotamian goddess associated with the balaĝ musical instrument. She can manifest as the physical instrument or a separate deity. A type of lyre, the balaĝ is used in rituals. Balaĝ or balag also refers to the prayers sung with accompaniment of the instrument. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Hymn to Nungal - Prison Goddess Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Sun Goddess & Moon God in Myth Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninigizibara's name is akin to Sumerian "well regarded lady" or "lady with a noble gaze". In Umma (Tell Jokha) today's south central Iraq, the goddess is called Igizibara, "well regarded". In texts from Mari, eastern Syria, the usual spelling is Ningizippara. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure In Mesopotamia, balag (balaĝ) describes both the Sumerian religious literary genre, music and related musical instrument. Integral to religion, the balag itself is also the object of ritual rites and prayers. See also: Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Butter - Food of Peasants & Barbarians Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Queen's lyre (left, golden bull's head) and the silver lyre (right) come from the Royal Cemetery at Ur, southern Mesopotamia. The instruments date to the early dynastic period c. 2500 BCE. The sound box may be hollow or solid depending on the resonance desired. The city lament is a predecessor to the balag rituals. Another type of prayer, the lament is recited when temples are destroyed and rebuilt. The balag instrument accompanies the city lament. See also: Aruna, Hittite God of the Sea Ebony - Precious Wood of Ancients Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Over time, city laments become associated with scribal schools. Hymns and epic stories such as that of Gilgamesh are often copied by student scribes. Many ancient writings survive due to scribe schools. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure The eduba or scribe school trains and educates young scribes in ancient Mesopotamia during the late third or early second millennium BCE. Most information known about edubas is from cuneiform texts dating to the Old Babylonian period (c. 2000 - 1600 BCE). See also: Bronze Age Europe - The Amber Road Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Aya - Goddess of Dawn, Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books While literacy is often seen as a privilege of elite men, there are exceptions as female scribes are known in mythology and history. Belet Seri, for example, is the scribe of Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal. The early goddess of writing, Nisaba, is replaced by the later scribe god Nabu. Evidence of female scribes in history goes back to the Akkadian Period (2334 - 2218 BCE). The most famous is Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon of Akkad aka the Great, r. 2334 - 2279 BCE. See also: Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing Copper - Ruddy Metal of Mystic Magic Bes: Household Protector God of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The balag is adapted to various ritual uses. When the city lament becomes more secular in orientation (c. 2000 BCE), the balag emerges as a distinct religious literary genre. The balag ritual prayer and instrument are used to pacify the local deity with pleasing sounds. At the same time, the prayer laments what horrors may happen to the city should the god abandon it. Other types of lyres include the African bowl lyre below. See also: Ancient Marsh Muse - Rough Horsetail Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Gala priests, the priests of Inanna, sing the balag prayers. Every balag instrument has a proper name, such as two commissioned by King Gudea, called ‘Great Dragon of the Land' and 'Lady as Exalted as Heaven'. The instrument may be worshipped as a deity. Use of the balag instrument is depicted at funerals as well as entertainment for the wealthy. Balag later refers also to lilissu a form of kettledrum also used in the ritual, pictured below. See also: Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Apkallu - Seven Sages of Mesopotamia Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle While the goddess Ninigizibara may be revered as a lyre and connected to the balag rituals she is not revered as the drum. Ninigizibara's position in the court of Inanna appears in cuneiform as GU4.BALAG, which can be literally translated from Sumerian as "balaĝ-bull". This can refer to the physical bull or cow figure forming the sound box of many balag instruments, or to the spiritual virtues of bovines. The Bull is among the most sacred of animals, symbolizing power and vitality. See also: Kusarikku - Bull Men of Mesopotamia Cult of the Bull - Prehistoric Aurochs Nature Spirits of German Mythology Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Cow represents nourishment and abundance. Cattle are a sign of wealth. The term can also mean counsellor or advisor. As a literary genre, the balag is written in cuneiform script and sung by the Gala priest in the Sumerian dialect Emesal, translated as 'fine tongue' or 'high-pitched voice'. Each balag is composed to a specific god. See also: Primeval Deities: Goddess of the Dawn Sulfur - Treasure of the Underworld Purulli: Hittite New Year & Spring Fest Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Balaĝ prayers and instruments appear from the Old Babylonian period (c. 1894 - 1595 BCE) to the Seleucid Empire (c. 312 - 64 BCE). At that point mention of the ritual and the goddess is less prominent. Although often considered a member of the entourage of Inanna, Ninigizibara also takes a role as a medicine goddess associated with the court of Gula. A medicinal plant bu'šānu is also called "Ninigizibarra's dog". See also: Animal Spirits - Puma, Butterfly, Dog Ninkarrak: Ancient Medicine Goddess House Spirits of Germanic Mythology Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Mesopotamian medical texts mention a disease known as bu’šānu. The disease exhibits symptoms similar to herpes, with sores appearing around the mouth and throat. It could also be diptheria. The major worship centers of Ninigizibarra are Uruk and Umma, today's Iraq. She's worshipped in other Mesopotamian cities too. She might be paired with goddess Ninme (Lady of Battle or Lady of Divine Power), possibly Inanna. The prefix 'Nin' means 'Lady'. See also: Natron - Ancient Embalming & Household Salts Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Links Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Both of them are described as Inanna's advisors. Ninmeurur is Sumerian for "lady who collects all the me". The me (pl. mes) refers to divine powers. She might also appear paired with Nanaya, goddess of erotic love; or Nindagalzu, another musician goddess in the entourage of Ningal (Ninhursag). Ninigizibarra appears in the balaĝ song Uru-Ama'irabi. See also: Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus): Plant of Aaru Nabarbi - Rustic Goddess of Pastures Spiritual Magic - Numbers Three & Nine Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The song is performed on the instrument sharing her name in Mari, Syria, during a ritual dedicated to Ishtar (Inanna). Its lyrics describe how Inanna learns of a sacrilege committed in her bed in her absence. It has been suggested that even though known from a site in the west, it most likely reflects the cultic journey of Inanna and Ninigizibara attested in texts from Umma. In the song Ninigizibara appears alongside Ninmeurur. See also: Anzû - Mesopotamian Monster of Mayhem Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the Isin god list, Ninigizibara also appears next to Ninmeurur, and yet another minor goddess from Inanna's entourage called Ninḫinuna, a goddess of the harp. Other medicine goddesses of Mesopotamia include Ninisina, Gula, Bau, Nintinugga, Lisin and Ninkarrak. See also: Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Scorpion Men of Babylonia Back to Top

Nungal is the ancient Sumerian goddess of prisons. She has the ability to separate the guilty from the innocent. When one escapes the death penalty, even if sentenced to work in a mine or on a galley ship instead, the person is said to fall into the arms of Nungal. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Nungal (Manungal) Prison Goddess Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Praises and hymns are composed describing her merciful and benevolent nature, a way of winning the patronage or help of a powerful deity. She can make prison life easier, provide comforting thoughts and affect the outcome of judgments. At times she is merciless. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Prisons in ancient Mesopotamia are usually house people waiting for judgment, court appearance, or another Mesopotamian favorite, trial by water ordeal. Nungal is also a patron of rehabilitation, so a supplicant must show remorse and willingness to make good. See also: Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Ullikummi - Rock Monster of Legend Land of Punt: Pre-Bronze Age Kingdom of Riches Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Daughter of Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal and the Oldest God, Anu, Nungal occupies a primary place in the pantheon and god lists of Mesopotamia. She knows one's secrets, whether a person is lying or honest, and punishes criminal behavior. She may function together with Nanshe, daughter of primordial Water God Enki. Nanshe, a goddess of marshes and dream interpretation, also rules administration and justice. See also: Ancient Arabia - Stone Age to Bronze Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Sacred Scarab: Lucky Bug of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Hymns are songs with or without instrumentation, dedicated to one of more deities. They may be in the form of praises, prayers, odes and laments. The ancient Mesopotamians have an elaborate system of music theory. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Mesopotamian music culture exchanges influences with others such as Egypt. On clay tablets, scribes compile texts listing genres and song titles. The texts include instructions on how to play instruments, explanations of music theory and music notations. See also: Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Bird Woman Elwetritsch: German Folklore Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Hymn to Nungal, or Nungal in the Ekur, is written in Sumerian during the Old Babylonian period (c. 2000 - 1600 BCE). Nungal has the title Queen of the Ekur. The Ekur is a Mountain House of the Gods where judgement may be passed. The House "examines closely both the righteous and the wicked and does not allow the wicked to escape". See also: Natron - Ancient Embalming & Household Salts Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Butter - Food of Peasants & Barbarians Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Below is the translated text to the entire hymn. Enjoy. See also: Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Ambrosia: Divine Nectar & Immortal Gods Back to Top Hymn to Nungal (Nungal in Ekur) text 1-11 House, furious storm of heaven and earth, battering its enemies; prison, jail of the gods, august neck-stock of heaven and earth! Its interior is evening light, dusk spreading wide; its awesomeness is frightening. Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Raging sea which mounts high, no one knows where its rising waves flow. House, a pitfall waiting for the evil one; it makes the wicked tremble! House, a net whose fine meshes are skillfully woven, which gathers up people as its booty! House, which keeps an eye on the just and on evildoers; no one wicked can escape from its grasp. House, river of the ordeal which leaves the just ones alive, and chooses the evil ones! House, with a great name, nether world, mountain where Utu rises; no one can learn its interior! Big house, prison, house of capital offences, which imposes punishment! House, which chooses the righteous and the wicked; An has made its name great! 12-26 House whose foundations are laden with great awesomeness! Its gate is the yellow evening light, exuding radiance. Its stairs are a great open-mouthed dragon, lying in wait for men. Its door jamb is a great dagger whose two edges ...... the evil man. Its architrave is a scorpion which quickly dashes from the dust; it overpowers everything. Its projecting pilasters are lions; no one dares to rush into their grasp. Its vault is the rainbow, imbued with terrible awe. Its hinges are an eagle whose claws grasp everything. Its door is a great mountain which does not open for the wicked, but does open for the righteous man, who was not brought in through its power. Its bars are fierce lions locked in stalwart embrace. Its latch is a python, sticking out its tongue and hissing. Its bolt is a horned viper, slithering in a wild place. House, surveying heaven and earth, a net spread out! No evildoer can escape its grasp, as it drags the enemy around. 27-31 Nungal, its lady, the powerful goddess whose aura covers heaven and earth, resides on its great and lofty dais. Having taken a seat in the precinct of the house, she controls the Land from there. She listens to the king in the assembly and clamps down on his enemies; her vigilance never ends. 32-39 Great house! For the enemy it is a trap laying in wait, but giving good advice to the Land; fearsome waves, onrush of a flood that overflows the river banks (1 ms. has instead: which never stops raging, huge and overflowing (?)). When an individual is brought in, he cannot resist its aura. The gods of heaven and earth bow down before its place where judgments are made. Ninegala takes her seat high on its lapis-lazuli dais. She keeps an eye on the judgments and decisions, distinguishing true and false. Her battle-net of fine mesh is indeed cast over the land for her; the evildoer who does not follow her path will not escape her arm. 40-47 When a man of whom his god disapproves (?) arrives at the gate of the great house, which is a furious storm, a flood which covers everybody, he is delivered into the august hands of Nungal, the warden of the prison; this man is held by a painful grip like a wild bull with spread (?) forelegs. He is led to a house of sorrow, his face is covered with a cloth, and he goes around naked. He ...... the road with his foot, he ...... in a wide street. His acquaintances do not address him, they keep away from him. 48-54 Even a powerful man cannot open up its door; incantations are ineffective (?). It opens to a city in ruins, whose layout is destroyed. Its inmates, like small birds escaped from the claws of an owl, look to its opening as to the rising of the sun. Brother counts for brother the days of misfortune, but their calculations get utterly confused. A man does not recognize his fellow men; they have become strangers. A man does not return the password of his fellow men, their looks are so changed. 55-61 The interior of the temple gives rise to weeping, laments and cries. Its brick walls crush evil men and give rebirth to just men. Its angry heart causes one to pass the days in weeping and lamentation. When the time arrives, the prison is made up as for a public festival; the gods are present at the place of interrogation, at the river ordeal, to separate the just from the evildoers; a just man is given rebirth. Nungal clamps down on her enemy, so he will not escape her clutches. 62-74 Then the lady is exultant; the powerful goddess, holy Nungal, praises herself: "An has determined a fate for me, the lady; I am the daughter of An. Enlil too has provided me with an eminent fate, for I am his daughter-in-law. The gods have given the divine powers of heaven and earth into my hands. My own mother, Ereckigala, has allotted to me her divine powers. I have set up my august dais in the nether world, the mountain where Utu rises. I am the goddess of the great house, the holy royal residence. I speak with grandeur to Inana, I am her heart's joy. I assist Nintud at the place of child-delivery (?); I know how to cut the umbilical cord and know the favourable words when determining fates. I am the lady, the true stewardess of Enlil; he has heaped up possessions for me. The storehouse which never becomes empty is mine; 75-82 Mercy and compassion are mine. I frighten no one. I keep an eye upon the black-headed people: they are under my surveillance. I hold the tablet of life in my hand and I register the just ones on it. The evildoers cannot escape my arm; I learn their deeds. All countries look to me as to their divine mother. I temper severe punishments; I am a compassionate mother. I cool down even the angriest heart, sprinkling it with cool water. I calm down the wounded heart; I snatch men from the jaws of destruction. 83-94 My house is built on compassion; I am a life-giving (?) lady. Its shadow is like that of a cypress tree growing in a pure place. Birtum the very strong, my spouse, resides there with me. Taking a seat on its great and lofty dais, he gives mighty orders. The guardians of my house and the fair-looking protective goddesses ....... My chief superintendent, Ig-alim, is the neck-stock of my hands. He has been promoted to take care of my house; ....... My messenger does not forget anything: he is the pride of the palace. In the city named after (?) Enlil, I recognize true and false. Ninharana brings the news and puts it before me. My chief barber sets up the bed for me in the house imbued with awesomeness. Nezila arranges joyous (1 ms. adds: and valued (?)) occasions (?). 95-105 When someone has been brought into the palace of the king and this man is accused of a capital offence, my chief prosecutor, Nindimgul, stretches out his arm in accusation (?). He sentences that person to death, but he will not be killed; he snatches the man from the jaws of destruction and brings him into my house of life and keeps him under guard. No one wears clean clothes in my dusty (?) house. My house falls upon the person like a drunken man. He will be listening for snakes and scorpions in the darkness of the house. My house gives birth to a just person, but exterminates a false one. Since there are pity and tears within its brick walls, and it is built with compassion, it soothes the heart of that person, and refreshes his spirits. 106-116 When it has appeased the heart of his god for him; when it has polished him clean like silver of good quality, when it has made him shine forth through the dust; when it has cleansed him of dirt, like silver of best quality ......, he will be entrusted again into the propitious hands of his god. Then may the god of this man praise me appropriately forever! May this man praise me highly; may he proclaim my greatness! The uttering of my praise throughout the Land will be breathtaking! May he provide ...... butter from the pure cattle-pen, and bring the best of it for me! May he provide fattened sheep from the pure sheepfold, and bring the best of them for me! Then I will never cease to be the friendly guardian of this man. In the palace, I will be his protector; I shall keep watch over him there." 117-121 Because the lady has revealed her greatness; because she has provided the prison, the jail, her beloved dwelling, with awesome radiance, praise to be Nungal, the powerful goddess, the neck-stock of the Anuna gods, whose ...... no one knows, foremost one whose divine powers are untouchable! Back to Top Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books

Dreaming is an important part of ancient Egyptian spirituality. Dreams and dream interpretation play a role in almost all cultures. In ancient Egypt c. 2000 BC, the Egyptians write down their dreams or explain them to oneiromancers or dream interpreters. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Dream Interpretation (Oneiromancy) - Mesopotamia Anubis: Jackal-Headed God of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In c. 1350 BCE, Egyptian scribes create the "Chester Beatty Papyrus", the oldest known dream book in the world, named after the person who acquired it. Dream books contain images to describe the meaning of dreams. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure People who receive vivid, prophetic or meaningful dreams are considered blessed. Ancient Egyptians view dreams as oracles. Dreams can convey messages from the gods, insight into problems, advice, warnings or visions of the future. See also: Bes: Household Protector God of Egypt Anubis: Jackal-Headed God of Egypt Egyptian Blue Faience - Ceramic Glass Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Egyptian god of dreams is Bes, a popular household protector god. He's thought to come to Egypt from the mythical Land of Punt. The Egyptian God Tutu also relates to dreaming. He protects against nightmares and evil dreams. Nightmares can also be warnings or foreshadows sent by a deity. Dreaming brings the Egyptians closer to the Gods. People try to stimulate creative and significant dreams, and to cultivate a rich dream life. See also: Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt The Way to Aaru - Egyptian Paradise Natron - Ancient Embalming & Household Salts Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books According to dream books, the most common Egyptian dreams feature images of smashing stones, losing teeth or drowning in the Nile. The Egyptians know better than to take dreams at face value. Negative-seeming dreams are not necessarily bad. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Like the ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians are fond of interpreting dreams through puns or wordplay. For instance a dream of eating donkey is considered good luck. Words for “donkey” and “great” can have the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings. See also: Reiker For Hire, Victorian Era & Nixies Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books At special retreats, the hopeful dreamers can sleep on sanctified dream beds. These are specially treated and perfumed to increase chances of receiving advice, comfort, or healing from the deities. Some divinities even have 'dream temples' where supplicants can sleep to receive deific messages. Sleeping in temples becomes so popular in ancient Egypt, priests have to put a stop to the practice entirely. See also: Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Rhinestones: Treasures of the Rhine Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Instead of sleeping in temples, ancient Egyptians describe their dreams to oracles, who are priests specialized in dream interpretation. They translate information from the gods to the dreamer, or explain other aspects of the dream(s). The oldest oneirocritic Egyptian manuscript known is the "Ramesside Dream Book" created in the time of Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE. The remaining fragments are now in the British Museum. See also: Papyrus (C. papyrus): Sacred Reeds of Aaru Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Apep - Primal Chaos God of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Between the paws of the Great Sphinx of Giza, a stele describes how Thutmose IV restored the massive statue due a dream. In the dream he's told he'll become pharaoh if he restores the Sphinx. So he does, and reigns for about 10 years c. 1400 BCE. See also: Atum of Egypt - First Primordial God Joyful Arrival of Hapi in Egypt Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Dreams Back to Top

From personal hygiene to embalming the dead, ancient Egypt has many uses for natron. It's a naturally forming desert salt easy to harvest from deposits and riversides. In pure form natron is white to clear. In nature it usually appears in shades of yellow or gray. See also: Khet, the Body: Death Rites of Ancient Egypt Salt Trade - the Most Precious Mineral Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Containing 17% sodium bicarbonate or baking soda, natron is one of many disinfectants and preservatives used by people of the ancient world. Natron is harvested directly as a salt mixture from dry lake beds of ancient Egypt. It's an all-around cleaning product for home or self. When blended with oil natron acts as soap. Undiluted, natron is a tooth cleaner and mouthwash. The mineral is used in poultices and medical preparations such as antiseptics for minor cuts, burns and skin inflammation. See also: Mamu - Sumerian Goddess of Dreams Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty German Myth - Father Rhine River God Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Various salts make up the composition of natron. Due to its sodium content natron can be used to dry and preserve fish and meat. It's an insecticide around the home and also used for making leather, and as a bleach. Natron is an ingredient for making Egyptian blue, and acts as the flux, or ingredient which causes melting, in Egyptian faience. With sand and lime, it's used in ceramic and glass-making by the later Romans at least until 640 CE. See also: Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Links Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the ancient world metal workers use natron as a flux to solder precious metals. It's added to castor oil in lamps, to prevent soot from the flame. Natron is specifically used in Egyptian mummification procedures because it absorbs water and helps dry out the corpse. Also, when exposed to moisture, chemical changes in natron have anti-bacterial action. See also: Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Rhinestones: Treasures of the Rhine Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The mineral is thought to enhance spiritual safety for the living and dead. The Pyramid Texts of Egypt (c. 2400 - 2300 BCE) describe use of natron pellets as funerary offerings. Natron from Upper (South) and Lower (North) Egypt are used together in burial rites. Natural deposits of natron are found in Chad (below), Egypt (Wadi Natrûn), Ethiopia, Niger and Tanzania. Natron is found naturally in Europe in Hungary, England and Italy. Deposits in Russia and North America also exist today. See also: Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Sacred Scarab: Lucky Bug of Ancient Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Natron is no longer as popular as once it was. Soda ash replaces natron in glass-making and detergents. Mummification has gone out of fashion. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is extracted for commercial production. Home uses of baking soda include cleaning, as a baking additive, nausea medicine, water softener and tooth whitener. See also: Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In mineralogy of modern times, the term natron is used in a narrower sense. Natron refers only to the sodium carbonate decahydrate (hydrated soda ash) that makes up most of the historical salt. See also: Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Nature Spirits of German Mythology Egyptian Blue Faience - Ceramic Glass Back to Top