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Dreams and dream meanings are a large part of the spiritual life of ancients. Oneiromancy or dream interpretation clarifies the dream. It's practiced in ancient Mesopotamian and other religions. See also: Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Enki (Ea) God of Water & Creation Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Dreams bring messages or advice from the Gods, secret or sacred knowledge, warnings and revelations of the future. Oneiromancy is considered a spiritual science. Mamu is the Sumerian Goddess of Dreams. Her name is also a class of dreams. In Mesopotamian spirituality there are two types of dreams. The noun mamu refers specifically to prophetic or meaningful dreams. Mašĝi refers to all dreams. See also: Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Butter - Food of Peasants & Barbarians Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle A person invokes Mamu to bring meaningful dreams. The goddess of dream interpretation itself is Nanshe. She's also goddess of marshes, animals and justice. The practice of dream interpretation crosses borders of time, space and culture. It belongs to the collective unconscious, a place of universal understanding. See also: Alchemy: Science, Philosophy, Magic Ambrosia: Divine Nectar & Immortal Gods Nixies - Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Like exorcism (expulsion of demons) and ornithomancy (divination by activities of birds), oneiromancy is a dedicated discipline. Dream interpretation a popular practice through ancient Sumer, Akkad, Assyria and Babylonia up to modern times. In Mesopotamian tradition dream interpreters may be temple priests, spiritual or dream specialists and doctors to gain insight into the particular demon causing illness. This is especially significant in the case of nightmares by the patient. See also: Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Dream interpretation appears in such Mesopotamian literature as the famous Epic of Gilgamesh from the second millennium BCE, and the Akkadian epic Atra-hasis of c.1800 BCE. The Iškar Zaqīqu or the Assyrian Dream Book is a collection of works relevant to understanding and encouraging prophetic dreams. The 'handbook' is made of eleven clay tablets inscribed in Akkadian, the official language of trade, communication and commerce. See also: Nungal (Manungal) Prison Goddess Ushumgallu: Dragon Lion Snake Sukkal Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle According to the text, visions from dreams came in three types: messages from a deity reflections of the dreamer’s state of mind or health prophetic dreams The šā’ilu “questioner” or dream diviner runs a professional practice. Dream interpreters can be obtained from among various Mesopotamian spiritualists, demonologists, healers and diviners. They include: ašipu - exorcist bārû - diviner ṭupšarru - astrologer muhhûm - ecstatic raggimu - prophet; or ragintu - prophetess See also: Ḫulbazizi - Ancient Exorcism Ritual Warrior Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The symbolism of a dream may be described through puns, homonyms or onomatopoeia. For example “If a man dreams he is eating a raven (arbu); he will have income (irbu),” "If a man dreams he is eating human flesh (šēru); then he will have great riches (šarû)” and “If (someone) has given him miḫru-wood he shall have no rival (māḫiru).” Mirhu is equated with the fir tree and also the verb "to anoint". Tree resin is often used in rituals, incense, medicine and magic. See also: Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Tannenbaum - About the Balsam Fir Tree Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Because dreaming happens at night, dreams are considered linked to the Underworld. The Mesopotamian Underworld, Kur, is ruled by ethereal Queen Ereshkigal. It's populated by old gods, "dying gods" such as Dumuzid; various demons; wandering dead, and vegetation gods such as Abu. Deities of ground water, fire, mineral springs, fate and magic are often found in the Underworld. See also: Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Entities of the night also live in, or pass through the Underworld, including the Moon God Sin (Suen, Nanna). Sin is connected to oracles and oracular powers. A number of portal gods also call the Underworld home. The deceased must pass through seven portals before reaching the palace of Ereshkigal. Various attendants, scribes, servants and sukkals inhabit Kur. See also: Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Herbology & Lore: Poison Hemlock Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Many of these can relay messages from Overworld Gods. For instance the disease demon Namtar, sukkal of Ereshkigal, could appear in a dream to warn the dreamer of an illness, injury or murder. He might be sent by the tutelary deity or 'guardian angel' of the dreamer. See also: Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Aya - Goddess of Dawn, Mesopotamia Jade - Jadeite, Nephrite & Jade Roads Back to Top

In the Mesopotmanian Underworld of Kur, the Goddess Ereshkigal holds court. Beginning c. 2900 BCE, her popular worship lasts over two thousand years. In royal palace of the Underworld, Belet-Seri functions as the scribe of Ereshkigal. She can fulfill other functions too. See also: Nabu (Nabû) - Ancient God of Scribes Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books When a person expires in ancient Babylon, the dead one goes to Kur, the Underworld. There, an audience with Queen of Death Ereshkigal is given. She declares the person officially dead. Ereshkigal's decree is the definitive border between life and death. READ: Cult of the Fire God Her statement is duly noted by Belet-Seri, who also takes down information about the person's type of death and circumstances surrounding it. There's a lineup so processing is brisk. After, the deceased is dismissed to roam the barren wastes. See also: Death Cruise - Vacation Gone Bad Hurrian Primordial Gods & Creatures Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In the Mesopotamian Underworld, no judgment exists. Evil persons or good are exposed to the same grim fate. The difference comes in the caretaking of the dead by the living. If a person has descendents who come by the necropolis or grave site with libations and offerings, the deceased is better off to enjoy the afterlife. Similarly, rich grave goods can help serve the deceased in Kur, either in practical use, like bronze or pottery vessels, or trade. See also: Flooding of the Nile - Nature & Myth Hurrians: Bronze Age Warrior Kingdom Jade - Jadeite, Nephrite & Jade Roads Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books If the person has no one to bring offerings, there is only dry dust and moldy mud to eat, and dirty water to drink. Death is generally unpleasant. It won't do any good to complain. Once Belet-Seri has noted down the death details, the deceased is officially dead and can't be reversed, except in notable stories like Inanna's journey to Kur and resurrection. She's a Goddess. Regular people contend with the afterlives they have. See also: Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minos Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Wine God Liber: Liberty & Liberal Libation Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Belet-Seri may be equated with Geshtinanna, an earlier Sumerian goddess associated with scribes and dream interpretation. Geshtinanna appears in the Underworld because her brother, Dumuzi, was slain. Dumuzi is also the favorite consort of Inanna (Ishtar). READ: Cult of the Fire God After her trip to the Underworld and subsequent resurrection, Inanna feels Dumuzi has not mourned her enough. She punishes him by summoning galla demons to drag him to Kur. Later she relents, but Geshtinanna must agree to serve six months of her life in the Underworld every year in place of her brother. Geshtinanna can also take the role of scribe to Ereshkigal. See also: Cyclades Islands: Paradise of Ancients Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Belet-Seri means "Mistress of the Steppe". Old Babylonian incantations, dating back to 1894 BCE, attest to her role as royal scribe of the underworld (ṭupšarrat arallê). Some scholars suggest she was meant as a mirror of the royal scribe (ṭupšar ekalli). She's mentioned in a story of the 21st century BCE Epic of Gilgamesh, in which she's asked to bind demons and witches to prevent them from leaving the Underworld. See also: Rhinestones: Treasures of the Rhine Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Nergal - Ancient Underworld Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the second millenium BCE Belet-Seri becomes associated with the medicine goddess Gula, thereby receiving healing powers. This is consistent with an underworld deity, who holds the powers of life as well as those of death. Unfortunately once the soul gets to Belet-Seri, there's nothing she can do but write it down. In her books are notations of disease, accidents, natural disasters, shipwreck, murder, all the ways a human can die in the ancient world. She's like a grim coroner, organizing and recording. See also: Sacred Scarab: Lucky Bug of Ancient Egypt Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Nixies - Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Written language begins in Sumer c. 3400 BCE. It's a cuneiform script, impressed into damp clay with a stylus or triangular impression tool. The triangle is also the shape of the stem of papyrus, a valuable natural resource. READ: Cult of the Fire God Belet-seri is worshiped in the temples of Gula the medicine goddess at Nippur and Assur. During the 2nd millennium BCE the cult of Gula is widespread and popular. See also: Hyssop (Hyssopus) - Plant of Mystic Lore German Myth & Folklore: Imps A Viking Christmas Yule Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Belet-Seri also appears in oath formulas, for the swearing of solemn oaths. In this context she's with the deitiy Adad-milki, who seems to be her consort. Although named, he stays in the background. In 484 BCE, the cult of Belet-Seri becomes prominent in Uruk due to a failed Babylon rebellion there. The temple of Inanna and Anu falls, and mass reordering of the pantheon in Uruk elevates Belet-Seri to a position of power. See also: Before the Vikings - Nordic Bronze Age Copper - Ruddy Metal of Mystic Magic Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She enjoys her own temple, surrounded by orchards of fruit trees. In the 4th century BCE, it's known as é.gal edin or "Palace of the Steppe." According to a local god list, fowl is an unsuitable offering to Belet-Seri. See also: Joyful Arrival of Hapi in Egypt Kultepe: Kārum City of Trade Anatolia German Myth & Folklore: Elves Back to Top

Mamu (Mamud) is a goddess of dreams in ancient Mesopotamia. Daughter of dawn goddess Aya and sun god Shamash (Utu), she may be called the "Utu of Dreams". In Sumerian, the word mamu means "to dream." READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Sun Goddess & Moon God in Myth Inara & the Dragon - Purulliya Festival Arabian Leopard: Bronze Age Predators Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Sumerian spirituality dreams have special significance. Mamu refers specifically to interpretive or meaningful dreams. Another term, mašĝi, means any kind of dream. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure As Mamu is a goddess of meaningful or prophetic dreams, the marsh goddess Nanshe is a deity of dream interpretation or oneiromancy. Nanshe is a daughter of Enki, primordial God of Water, wisdom and creation. See also: Copper - Ruddy Metal of Mystic Magic Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Kamrushepa: Hittite Goddess of Magic Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Water is associated with depths of consciousness, intuition, visions, portals and dreams. It can represent refreshment, soul cleansing and prophecy, but also cause external and spiritual disasters with too much water, or too little. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure The worship center of Mamu is Sippar in Sumer (later Babylonia), in today's central Iraq. Mersu or mirsu cakes, confections of dates and pistachio, are among the offerings given at her temple. See also: Figs - Food of the Ancient World Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Nefertari Queen of Peace Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She and her consort Bunene, charioteer of Sun God Shamash, often receive worship together. Bunene is also the sukkal or divine attendant of the Sun God. Prior to joining the court of Shamash, he was a minor local sun deity. In contracts and oaths, Mamu is invoked with Bunene as divine witness to the agreement. Mamu can also bear witness on her own. See also: Folk Magic: Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) Lora Ley Adventures - Feast of Fools Queen Eleanor & the Calamitous Crusade Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Manu retains her venerated position as dream bringer over time and across cultures. The Assur Dream Ritual Compendium, a collection of writings about Assyrian dreams, dreaming and dream interpretation, describes Mamu as dingir mamuda, or Deity of Dreams. In Sumerian and other Mesopotamian religions, dream deities may be messengers of other gods. The god or goddess(es) can appear in dreams to give advice, convey information, reveal secrets or show visions of the future. See also: Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds The Mystic Victorian - Fortune Telling Nibelung - Of Worms & Heroes Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Some lore places her in a group of divine midwives or birth attendants, the Šassūrātu. In Mesopotamia and other regions of the ancient world benevolent female deities usually have a connection with childbirth. They help assuage the pains and ease delivery. They also may be invoked as protectors to keep evil spirits away, especially baby-eating Lamashtu, the most terrible of anti-mother demons. Fertility goddess Asherah is often invoked in the childbirth rituals. See also: Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Bird Woman Elwetritsch: German Folklore Kotharat - Bronze Age Birth Goddesses Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books According to the Mesopotamian god lists An= Anum, Mamu has several siblings. They're the goddess Niggina, the personification of truth; Kittum, the Akkadian form of name Niggina, here unusually treated as a separate and male entity of law and justice; and Sisig, a god of dreams. See also: Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Hesperus (Vesper) the Evening Star Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Back to Top

In the ancient Levant, the site of Kadesh, at the Egyptian Hittite border, is a constant source of conflict. The famous Battle of Kadesh in May 1274 BCE is remarkable for the heavy losses, lack of resolution and thousands of chariots used. Jump to: Battle of Kadesh 1274 BCE The Two Queens The Eternal Treaty (Treaty of Kadesh) 1258 BCE Both Egyptians and Hittites are skilled warhorse people and charioteers. Peace between the kingdoms doesn't occur until 1258 BCE. It's the first peace treaty in history due to the influence of two remarkable women. See also: Puduhepa - Queen of the Hittites Hattusilis III - Great Hittite Kings Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Battle of Kadesh 1274 BCE Back to Top Kadesh is at the border of today's Syria and Lebanon. In 1274 BCE, the Hittite legions are under the command of King Muwatalli II with nineteen recorded allies. Among his allies is the King of Aleppo in north Syria. Due to its strategic trade and warfare location, the city of Aleppo is under constant attack from invaders. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure The Hittite combatants include: 23,000–50,000 troops 15,000–40,000 infantry (not engaged) 2,500–10,500 chariots 9,000–11,100 men The Hittites wear scale armor of bronze and other materials, first used in the 2nd millennium BCE, along with similar horse armor. Their war chariots are capable of carrying three men. See also: Tollense Valley Battlefield: Ancient Germania Shaushka (Šauška) - the Great Goddess Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Leader of the Egyptians is the young Pharoah Ramesses II. He heads a division of up to 20,000 men. Egypt utilizes 20,000–53,000 troops (half engaged) 16,000 infantry 2,000 chariots 4,000 men Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure At first Ramesses is tricked by misinformation, thinking the Hittites are farther away than they are. Below, Egyptians beat the spies of the Hittites, who confess their deception and plead for their lives. See also: Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Egyptians charge into battle. Losses are heavy and the ground runs red. At one decisive point Ramesses and many of his men are overwhelmed and trapped, and all seems lost. Surrounded by Hittite forces, Ramesses rallies his troops. They battle their way out of the hostile throng. Ramesses races back to Egypt announcing his victory, which is subsequently recorded by scribes and artisans. See also: Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Apis - Sacred Sacrificial Bull of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Overall, despite the claims of Ramesses, the battle ends in indecision. Both sides suffer significant damage. About 2,000 Hittite chariots are destroyed. The post-battle landscape is weak as the Assyrians flex their powers. By the time Hittite King Muwatalli dies, in 1272 BCE, Kadesh remains a site of dispute, and little changes. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure The Two Queens Back to Top After the death of Mutwatalli, his son Mursili III, takes the throne. He launches an attack on properties held by his uncle, Hattusili (Ḫattušili) III and attempts to seize control of Hakpis. He chooses the wrong guy to pick on. See also: Rise of Pan: Fertility Goat God Péh₂usōn Cult of the Bull: Divine Sacrifice Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Hattusili gathers allies and promptly deposes his nephew, banishing him to Syria. Hattusili rises to the Hittite throne as King in 1267 BCE. At his side is his Queen, Puduhepa from the province of Kizzuwatna, where she was a priestess of Shaushka. Hattusili, then a general, meets Puduhepa as he returns from the Battle of Kadesh. He's instantly smitten. Even the Goddess Ishtar (Hurrian: Shaushka) encourages the match, appearing to Hattusili in a vision. Puduhepa becomes his confidante, partner and greatest love. See also: Visigoths, King Alaric & the Ruin of Rome Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Pagan Solstice Fests: Mithras & the Sun Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Egypt, the primary wife of Ramesses II is Nefertari. The term "Queen" isn't officially used. Her title is 'King's Wife'. Despite having several other wives Ramesses is devoted to her, naming her "the one for whom the Sun shines". Charming and educated, she teaches herself to read and write several languages, including Akkadian, the standard language of diplomacy. See also: Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Tumulus Culture - Nordic Bronze Age Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The two women correspond, exchange gifts and praise, and talk politics with progressive intent. While King Hattusili is known for his diplomatic strategy, his relations with Egypt remain bitterly strained. Puduhepa and Nefertari become friends as much as royals can be. Both women know peace between Egypt and the Hittites will expand trade, set new political standards and help their Kingdoms prosper. See also: Allani - Hurrian Underworld Goddess Care & Feeding of Ancient Gods - Enlil Hesperus (Vesper) the Evening Star Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Nefertari (Naptera) writes to Puduhepa in a well-known letter. At the time, letters are written on clay tablets. A number of them from the Egyptian royal court are found at Hattusa, the imperial Hittite capital. This letter is written sometime after the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BCE. Puduhepa marries Hattusili and they reign together in the Hittite Kingdom of Hapkis in northern Anatolia. Shortly afterward, diplomatic correspondence begins between Egypt and the Hittites. See also: Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Kamrushepa: Hittite Goddess of Magic Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt In context the letter is written when Puduhepa is obviously Queen of the Hittites, after Hattusili's rebellion and ascent to the throne in 1267 BCE. As Nefertari passes into the Dark Earth 1255 BCE, the letter is written before then. In Akkadian, Nefertari says, "The great Queen Naptera [Nefertari] of the land of Egypt speaks thus: Speak to my sister Puduhepa, the Great Queen of the Hatti land. I, your sister, (also) be well!! May your country be well. Now, I have learned that you, my sister, have written to me asking after my health. ... You have written to me because of the good friendship and brotherly relationship between your brother, the king of Egypt, The Great and the Storm god will bring about peace, and he will make the brotherly relationship between the Egyptian king, the Great King, and his brother, the Hatti King, the Great King, last for ever... See, I have sent you a gift, in order to greet you, my sister... for your neck (a necklace) of pure gold, composed of 12 bands and weighing 88 shekels, colored linen maklalu-material, for one royal dress for the king... A total of 12 linen garments." See also: Sobekneferu - Queen of the Pharaohs Mušḫuššu - Mythic Snake Dragon Sukkal Kaska - Mountain Raiders of Anatolia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The term maklalu-material means fabric for a maklalu, a king's shawl, cloak or cape. The Land of the Hatti refers to the Hittite empire, and the Hatti people who live there when the Hittites arrive. Treaties exist between countries in the past, such as identification of territory borders. None fall under the definition of an actual treaty of peace. The Eternal Treaty (Treaty of Kadesh) Back to Top The two women use their influence to negotiate a long-term peace agreement and alliance. Both Kings swear an oath not to attack each other and to maintain friendship between the Egyptians and Hittites. Each King receives a silver copy. See also: Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Before the Vikings - Nordic Bronze Age Divine Twins: Germanic & Greek Mythology Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Although their contribution to the world's first peace treaty is not always recognized, Queen Puduhepa and King's Wife Nefertari are the key players and catalysts of this remarkable event. Peace comes to Egypt and the Hittite Empire due to the actions of these women. Because of failing health, Nefertari dies three years later. Puduhepa reigns well as Hittite Queen. After the death of King Hattusili III in 1236 BCE, her son takes the Hittite throne. Puduhepa receives the title of Goddess Queen. See also: Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Egyptian Blue - First Synthetic Color Bronze Age Cultures - the Hittites Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Hittites and Egyptians never fight again. Puduhepa continues her role as diplomat, takes time to organize the thousands of Hittite deities, and dies in the year 1200 BCE at the age of 90. Twenty years later, the Hittites fall victim to numerous disasters of the Bronze Age collapse. See also: Herbology & Lore: Stinging Nettle Purulli: Hittite New Year & Spring Fest Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life Back to Top

In the 13th century BCE, King's Wife Nefertari of Egypt helps orchestrate what seems impossible - peace and friendship between bitter enemies Egypt and the Hittite Empire. Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Battle of Kadesh (1274 BCE) is the best known of Egytian Hittite relations, a bloody confused conflict with massive losses and thousands of chariots involved. See also: 1st Peace Treaty 1258 BCE - the Queens Puduhepa - Queen of the Hittites Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle On the Egyptian side is Ramesses II, who becomes Pharaoh at the age of fourteen. His youth is an invitation for dominant powers to attack in hopes of conquering Egypt, or at least fraying the edges. Ramesses fights back, using strategy or sheer force of numbers to conquer the enemies of Egypt. By the time of Kadesh he's almost thirty and has an impressive reputation. See also: Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Urnfield Culture: Bronze & Iron Age Europe Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books He and his wife, Nefertari, marry as teenagers when Ramesses is still crown prince. Since the first year of his rule she's often depicted beside Ramesses. Nefertari has her first child at the age of fifteen, and ten more thereafter. Although her background is obscure, Nefertari is a visionary woman who understands the responsibilities of rank from an early age. She teaches herself to read and write in several languages, including Akkadian, the official language of diplomacy. See also: Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Arzawa - Rebel Kingdom of the Bronze Age Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Nefertari communicates with local powers and rulers of the known world, winning praise of princes and people with her optimistic charm. Ramesses builds statues, a pyramid and temple for her. Although he has several wives she takes precedence over all, with the title of 'Great Royal Wife'. Nefertari is known by several names including "Sweet of Love", "Great of Praises", "Mistress of Upper & Lower Egypt". See also: Spiritual Alchemy: Obsidian Volcanic Glass Anzû - Mesopotamian Monster of Mayhem Ancient Cultures: Yamnaya Steppe People Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ramesses calls her "the one for whom the Sun shines." Another appellation, Nefertari Meritmut, means "the most beautiful among them; beloved of Mut." referring to the great Mother Goddess Mut of Egypt. Images of Nefertari populate wall reliefs, carvings, sculpture and other artwork. She's attractive, and also ambitious. The rulers of Egypt are both mirrors and influences of the land, and she wants the land to thrive. See also: Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Tumulus Culture - Nordic Bronze Age Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Active in politics and foreign relations, Nefertari is no sheltered maiden. She cares greatly for Egypt, the Pharaoh and people. Her diplomacy and quick wit bring about strong connections and peaceful agreements. Nefertari is associated with the sistrum or sistro, a tri-bar metal instrument which creates different sounds when shaken. It varies in tone from bell chime sounds to hearty clangs. It's most often seen in connection with Goddesses Hathor, Isis and Bastet. The sistrum is exclusive to women, except when the king makes an offering to Hathor. See also: Zababa - Bronze Age War God of Kish Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Divine Twins: Germanic & Greek Mythology Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In some depictions Nefertari pays homage to the Gods and her patron Goddess Hathor by shaking the sistrum. The sacred instruments vary in shape, size, tone and decoration. She corresponds with another great diplomat - Puduhepa, Queen of the Hittites. The women exchange warm greetings and it's known Nefertari sends gifts to the Hittite Queen. The two are delighted to find each other. In a world of war and brutality, both women value the prospect of peace and prosperity of the lands. See also: Arsenic: Murderous Metal & Miracle Cure Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld 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 With both royal women much beloved by their husbands, it takes just a little while to convince the rulers it's all their idea. The first peace treaty of the known world is signed in 1258 BCE between the powers of Egypt and the Hittite Empire. Nefertari's temple is at Abu Simbel, a massive creation carved from the rock. She appears in colossal statuary as the Great Royal Wife beside Ramesses II. In 1255 BCE, three years after the Hittite/Egyptian peace treaty, Nefertari dies. See also: Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Wild Women and Winter Tales Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Her tomb in the Valley of the Queens is lavishly created and decorated. Despite evidence of looting in antiquity, it's one of the most spectacular tombs in Egypt. Several grave goods remain. Besides colorful frescoes the tomb contains amulets, jewels, embossed sheets of gold and a bronze pendant in lily shape. Servant figurines (shabtis) wait to attend Nefertari in the afterlife. See also: Cyclades Islands: Paradise of Ancients Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Back to Top

Earliest evidence of butter dates back to c. 8000 BCE. The first butter comes from the milk of cattle, sheep, goats and yaks. The ancient Romans (c. 800 BCE) consume olive oils and consider butter a food of northern barbarians. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 See also: Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Figs - Food of the Ancient World Salt Trade - the Most Precious Mineral Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Nevertheless they find use for butter in cosmetics and as a topical ointment. Today's commercial butter is about 85% butterfat and 15% water. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure In ancient times butterfat content is 65 - 70%. As a trade item butter is difficult. Delicious when fresh, butter goes rancid quickly and melts in the heat. Most butter at the time is made for direct consumption. See also: Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Ambrosia: Divine Nectar & Immortal Gods Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The churning process is said to be accidentally discovered in prehistory. A traveler with warm milk in a back-bag unknowingly churns the fat-rich milk into butter with the motion of walking. In unhomogenized milk and cream, butterfat occurs in microscopic globules enclosed by membranes. The membranes are composed of fatty acid emulsifiers and proteins. They prevent fat in milk from coalescing into a single mass. See also: Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Agitation of cream, or churning, breaks the membranes, allowing the milk fat globules to merge. Butter fat separates from the rest of the cream. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Butter fat takes three distinct forms: free butterfat, butterfat crystals, and undamaged fat globules. In the finished product, varying proportions of these create different consistencies. See also: Herbology & Lore: Caraway Myth & Metallurgy - Metals of Antiquity Sprites: Ethereal Creatures of Faerie Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The activity of churning results in small granules of butter floating in the water-based part of the cream. The watery liquid is buttermilk. Today's buttermilk, made of fermented skimmed milk, is not the same product. After draining off the buttermilk, the butter maker kneads the butter grains together. In manual preparation wooden boards are used for this part of the process. This concentrates the butter in a solid mass, breaking up any hidden pockets of buttermilk or water. Pomegranate - Food of the Ancients Apkallu - Seven Sages of Mesopotamia Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The first butter churns go back to the Chalcolithic period c. 6500 BCE in the northern Negev of Israel. Early nomadic cultures use skin bags to make butter. The bag is filled with unhomogenized milk and churned by vigorously shaking the bag. The action can be done manually or with the natural process of foot travel. Bags can also be attached to pack animals such as donkeys or oxen, so the movement of the animals churns the milk into butter. See also: House Spirits of Germanic Mythology Erinyes - Vengeful Women of Ancient Greece Kusarikku - Bull Men of Mesopotamia Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Some cultures still use a process similar to this, whereby a bag is filled with milk, tied to a stick and shaken. In a situation of habitation permanent or temporary, the bag might be hung from a tree branch and agitated by shaking. In ancient Mesopotamia, Sumerians use butter, as well as cheese, as a temple offering. Sumerian tablets describe the use of butter in ritual offerings. Transmutation of one product into another is common knowledge in the Bronze Age but also seen as a type of magic. See also: Kamrushepa: Hittite Goddess of Magic Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Kaska - Mountain Raiders of Anatolia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books A Sumerian tablet c. 2500 BCE describes the butter making process using cow's milk. The earliest written language is Sumerian cuneiform c. 3400 BCE. Vast collections of clay tablets are excavated from ancient cities. Subjects include lists of deities to trade records, exorcism, natural herbs, healing and magical recipes for potions and incense as well as instructions for daily activities like weaving or animal care. Magic is a large part of Sumerian spirituality. See also: Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Herbology & Lore - Chamomile Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Similarly, metal workers in ancient times, are connected with elemental fire, earth and molten metals. Early alchemists, master metallurgists are are also considered to have magical knowledge. By c. 600 CE the magic is gone. In Europe and elsewhere butter churns are part of daily life. Churning butter, once undertaken by all, comes to be regarded as "women's work" relating to domestic activity. See also: Brunhilde: Tragic Germanic Warrior Queen Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Types of churning run from turning barrels with a hand crank to the vehement beating of unhomogenized milk in familiar wood or ceramic modern era churns. The earliest evidence of butter export trade is in Scandinavia after c. 1200 CE. During the Middle Ages, butter is a common food across Europe. Considered an inferior product to plant oils like olive and grapeseed, butter is made and eaten largely by the lower classes. See also: Ephedra - Oldest Medical Stimulant Herb Queen Eleanor & the Calamitous Crusade Lora Ley Adventures - Feast of Fools Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Butter making can involve cream collected from several days of milking. At the time of churning it's already starting to ferment. During fermentation, bacteria convert milk sugars into lactic acid, so the cream naturally sours. Fermentation creates further aroma compounds such as diacetyl, resulting in a flavorful creamy tasting product. See also: Arabian Leopard: Bronze Age Predators Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Nabarbi - Rustic Goddess of Pastures Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Butter made this way is called cultured butter. Made from fresh cream it's sweet cream butter. Sweet cream butter takes six hours to make compared to 72 hours for cultured butter. Sweet cream butter becomes popular in the 19th century when the industrial revolutions introduce early refrigeration techniques, ice storage and transport. In the Victorian era, mechanical equipment such as cream separators allow production on a larger scale. See also: Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Tin - Essential Metal of Antiquity Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Today, cultured butter remains the choice of modern Europe. In the Americas, sweet cream butter is more popular. See also: Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Egyptian Blue - First Synthetic Color Ephedra - Oldest Medical Stimulant Herb Back to Top

Bau is a Mesopotamian goddess associated with healing and health, medicine, protection, personal guidance or guardianship. She's tutelary goddess of the Sumerian city Girsu by c. 4000 BCE, and later Lagash and Kish, Babylonia, as well. See also: Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Her father is the god Anu, the oldest of the Gods, born of the primal seas. Her goddess mother Abba is poorly documented. Initially, Bau is a life-giving goddess associated with creation. She retains that aspect as she moves into the healing sphere during the 3-2nd millennium BCE. Her symbol in art is a vase with flowing streams of water. Bau is often called upon to mediate with deities on behalf of worshippers. She's known as a divine midwife. See also: Šassūrātu (Sassuratu): Deific Midwives Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Hurrian Bronze Age Gods & Goddesses Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle After the Old Babylonian Period (1894 - 1595 BCE) Bau becomes the wife of Zababa, a war deity and the tutelary god of Kish. The ancient Sumerian city of Kish is located in the Babylonian Empire, about the center of today's Iraq. Bau's sukkal is Mesopotamian goddess Lammašaga (Lamashaga) meaning "the good spirit". Lamashaga belongs to the Lamma, a class of protective deities. See also: Ullikummi - Rock Monster of Legend Kohl: Eye Beauty Magic of Ancients Land of Punt: Pre-Bronze Age Kingdom of Riches Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books They're associated with the portal protector statues Lammassu, colossal human-headed bull eagles of Assyria. Lamma can refer to the class of deities, or as the given name for an individual spirit of that class. Along with Bau, Lammašaga is worshipped in Girsu and Lagash, a center just north of the Tigris-Euphrates river junction in the heart of Babylonia. Beyond her esteemed sukkal status Lammashaga has various attributes. See also: Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Plant Lore: Stinking Nightshade, Henbane Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books A medicine goddess, Lammašaga can form a triad with Bau and Gula. The goddesses might be invoked in incantations against evil spirits and demons such as Lamashtu, especially during pregancy and childbirth, but for any disease or ailment. Skilled in the medical arts, Ninisina is also considered a divine physician or midwife. She has the power to exorcise various demons and banish their evil. Disease demons such as Asag and his henchmen can cause a whole household to die. See also: Copper - Ruddy Metal of Mystic Magic Castle Frankenstein - Legend & Lore Botanical Alchemy - Lavender Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books An astronomical text states the star Lamma corresponds to the sukkal of Bau, to be identified with Lammašaga. The same astral body is associated with Urmašum, the sukkal of Gula. The star is thought to be Vega. Developing to an influential medicine goddess, Bau may appear with Gula, whose popularity as a supreme goddess of healing burgeons in the 2nd and first millennia. Gula is linked to dogs. Canine figurines are common votive offerings to her. See also: Animal Spirits - Puma, Butterfly, Dog Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Bau's husband Ningirsu, also called Ninurta, is Gula's husband too. Gula and Bau may be equated, or appear as a divine dyad. They are not seen as one entity, retaining their personal characteristics. In the ancient world medicines are usually plant-based such as healing herbs, potions, ointments and oils, or spiritually based such as an exorcism of the demon causing the illness. Chemistry doesn't enter medicine until the late Renaissance period. It's built upon preceding studies in alchemy. See also: Queen Eleanor & the Calamitous Crusade Bird Woman Elwetritsch: German Folklore Abu - Ancient Vegetation Snake God Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Healing plants grow naturally in the forests and fields. Trade introduces new species. Local healing plants and herbs include chamomile, nettle, plantain, blackseed and on the Mediterranean, rosemary. Mushrooms such as fly agaric, widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, might also be used medicinally. Praises of many kings appear in inscriptions to Bau from the joint cities of Lagash and Girsu. King Uru'inimgina in the 24th century BCE calls her 'divine mother'. Some stories say it was she who gave Gula her healing powers. This is in keeping with the character of local tutelary deities. See also: Gibil - Fire God of Mesopotamia Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Bau is associated more with domestic and plant-based healing than official medical practices. She isn't affiliated with dogs, unlike other goddesses of medicine, but has strong connections to birth and midwifery. She may appear with Gula in the birthing chamber of the mother to help protect mother and child from the evil of life-snatching demons. Small figurines or statuettes representing Bau are placed in the house, nursery or bedroom. See also: Gallu (Galla) Demons of Ancient Kur Kotharat - Bronze Age Birth Goddesses Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books According to a praise hymn of the late 20th century BCE, Bau is instrumental in the safe delivery of the child of Queen Kaubum. Bau is described as 'merciful mother' and also seen as a goddess of abundance. See also: Stone Age Botai - First Horse People Hesperus (Vesper) the Evening Star Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Back to Top

Bitumen, a natural petroleum product, is a common trade route item in the ancient world. The earliest known use of bitumen dates back to 40,000 years ago, to the Paleolithic Age. Thick and sticky, liquid bitumen is used to fix handles on stone tools like axes and hammers. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 See also: Sailing - Bronze Age Sails & Sailcloth Early Sun Mythology: Mid European Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Easy to harvest from the Earth's surface and natural pools, bitumen has a strong history of trade, building, toolmaking and everyday use. A viscous constituent of petroleum, bitumen is found in black sticky liquid form, or in a solid mass. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 In the US it's commonly called asphalt. Elsewhere, the difference between asphalt and bitumen is that bitumen is a naturally occurring substance, while asphalt is a mixture of bitumen, gravel and sand. See also: Aruna, Hittite God of the Sea Bronze Age Trade of Mesopotamia Alchemy: Science, Philosophy, Magic Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The word asphalt derives from the ancient Greek ἄσφαλτος ásphaltos, referring to natural bitumen or pitch. Before the 20th century bitumen is sometimes called asphaltum. Bitumen can also be synthetically refined from petroleum. Likewise tar and pitch, terminology often used interchangeably, are products of a distillation process at high heat. Production of wood coal creates tar as a byproduct. Tar kilns found at sites like Indus Valley and later are used to produce tar from coal, wood, petroleum or peat. See also: Gibil - Fire God of Mesopotamia Tin Mining in the Bronze Age c 3300 - 1200 BCE Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Evidence of bitumen for waterproofing goes back to c. 5000 BCE. A crop storage basket discovered in Mehrgarh, of the Indus Valley civilization, is lined with bitumen. Bitumen travels along trade routes of Egypt, Greece and Europe, Mesopotamia and the Jade Roads. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 By the 3rd millennium BCE refined rock asphalt is in use in the Indus Valley region. It's used to waterproof the 'Great Bath' in Mohenjo-daro, an ancient city established c. 2500 BCE. The city is abandoned in c. 1700 BCE due to sudden decline of the Indus Valley civilization. See also: Arsenic: Murderous Metal & Miracle Cure Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Kaska - Mountain Raiders of Anatolia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Bitumen is used in the construction of the legendary 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) long Euphrates Tunnel. Said to be built between c. 2180 and 2160 BCE, it was created from burnt bricks covered with bitumen for waterproofing. The tunnel reportedly ran under the Euphrates river, uniting the two parts of Babylon. It's described to have been about 3.6 m (12 ft) high and 4.6 m (15 ft) wide. See also: Copper - Ruddy Metal of Mystic Magic Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia The Way to Aaru - Egyptian Paradise Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the ancient Near East, Sumerians use natural bitumen deposits as mortar, to cement parts of carvings, such as eyes, for ship caulking and basic waterproofing. Greek historian Herodotus (c. 484 - 425 BCE) describes hot bitumen used as mortar in the walls of Babylon. Along with animal fats, beeswax, myrrh, pistachio resin, cinnamon and plant oils, bitumen is used by ancient Egyptians to embalm mummies. No quantity larger than 45% is found in the mix. See also: Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Anubis: Jackal-Headed God of Egypt Sulfur - Treasures of the Underworld Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Bitumen continues to be a valuable strategic resource in the age of antiquity. It's the cause of the first known battle for a hydrocarbon deposit, which occurs between the Seleucids, a major Hellenistic culture, and Nabateans, people in North Syria and the Levant in 312 BC. The major source of bitumen for the Egyptians is the Dead Sea, which Romans call Palus Asphaltites (Asphalt Lake). In approximately 40 AD, Dioscorides describes the Dead Sea substance as Judaicum bitumen. See also: Mercury (Quicksilver): Miracle Metal of Alchemy Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Sidon bitumen is thought to refer to bitumen from Hasbeya, Lebanon. Pliny mentions bitumen being found in Epirus, an Aegean Greek coastal region. In the ancient Far East, natural bitumen is processed by slow boiling. The melting point of bitumen is around 120 -150°C (248 - 302°F). Evaporation leaves a thermoplastic of higher molecular weight, so it hardens when cool. See also: Arsenic: Murderous Metal & Miracle Cure Enuma Elish: Marduk & the Chaos Monsters Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Applied in layers, it's used to cover scabbards, bags, baskets and other objects to waterproof them. In the East, figurines of household deities are cast with the processed bitumen. In various regions, tar kilns are used to collect the sticky substance while making coal. A tar kiln is a pit in the ground, with a barrel inside to catch the tar. See also: Bes: Household Protector God of Egypt Sun Goddess & Moon God in Myth Kohl: Eye Beauty Magic of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The pit is filled with pine or other resinous wood, known as lightwood, and covered with earth. As the wood burns, tar runs out into the barrel. Bituminous coal, or black coal, is a type of coal containing bitumen. A medium quality coal, it can be black or dark brown. It often has a banded or layered structure. See also: Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Spiritual Magic - Numbers Three & Nine Ambrosia: Divine Nectar & Immortal Gods Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Effects of working with bitumen can be deadly, especially in the ancient world when the hazards of many materials aren't well known. Arsenic is another example, as arsenic is at first used instead of tin to make bronze. In Canada, aboriginal people use bitumen seeping out of the banks of the Athabasca and other rivers to waterproof birch bark canoes. They also heat it in smudge pots to repel mosquitoes and blackflies in spring and summer. See also: Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The largest natural deposit of bitumen in the world, estimated to contain 10 million tons, is the Pitch Lake of southwest Trinidad. In 1595 CE explorer Sir Walter Raleigh makes use of the resources to caulk his ship. He describes the pitch as " ... most excellent ... It melteth not with the sun as the pitch of Norway." See also: Cleopatra the Alchemist of Greece Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life Warrior Queen: Kriemhild of the Burgundians Back to Top

In the early centuries CE the Imperial Romans occupy almost every part of Europe except Germania, though they keep trying. They also trade with German tribes. Captives on either side bring further insights and influences of culture and cosmology. See also: Arcadia - Greek Lands of Ancient Gods Sonne - Sun Goddess of Germania Art, Power and the Calamitous Crusade Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Roman Sol is male, corresponding to Greek Helios. His sisters are Luna the Moon and Aurora the Dawn. Likewise, in many cultures the Sun is male. He's a Yang energy, brilliant and glorious, the bringer of light and life; at the same time, a destroyer. The French word for the male sun, soleil, comes from the Latin solis or sun. Also from Latin come the Spanish and Portuguese sol and today's Italian sole. See also: Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Mythic Fire Gods - Vulkan of Germania Dragons: German Harvest & Nature Spirits Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In Rome of the 1st to 4th centuries, sun Sol has his own belief systems, initially borrowed from the Persian, but distinctly Roman. The Roman feast of Sol Invictus, the Invincible Sun or Unconquered Sun, falls on December 25. The Roman version of the Mithras festival includes the Cult of the Bull and bull sacrifice. In the times of antiquity the worship of Mithras the Sun God spreads throughout the Empire. See also: Cult of the Bull: Divine Sacrifice Pagan Solstice Fests: Mithras & the Sun Agrippina & Son: Poisonous Plots of Rome Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Norse lore the female deity Sol appears in the the Eddas by Icelandic poet historian Snorri Sturluson (1179 - 1241 CE). The Norse are Germanic people from Baltic and North Sea regions. Migrating north, they settle the lower regions of Scandinavia. By 800 CE they have expanded and grown into the infamous Viking culture, ending c. 1050 CE with the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia. See also: Germanic Mythology - Brook Horses German Myth - Werewolves German Traditions - the Linden Tree Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Early Europeans are pantheistic, worshipping multiple gods. In nature belief systems everything contains a spirit, or is itself a spirit. It can be benevolent or destructive and often a little of each. In nature worship, every living thing including celestial bodies like the Moon and Sun can interact and communicate with humans. It's not necessary to build a complex external mythology. All life is spiritual. See also: Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Folk Magic: Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) Chicken Soup: Chickens in German Folklore Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Sun nature worship may involve homage to the Sun Goddess as a separate entity, or to the Sun herself as the blazing eye in the sky. To look her in the eye too long is to show arrogance, which angers the Gods. She can blind a person. Prayers, sacrifices, songs, parades, festivals and incantations call for the kindness of the living-giving deity. If she draws too near the earth in her chariot or heavenly manifestation she burns the land dry and barren. See also: Bull of Heaven - Inanna vs Gilgamesh Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books If she moves too far away, the land freezes as if in the grip of Hahhima, the horrible Hittite Frost Demon. And if she stays too long beneath the earth, evil spirits roam free and the people will starve and die. Light of the Sun has the power to defeat evil. The German Undead lose their powers when the sun comes up, much like the Western vampire. Sunshine chases the demons of darkness away. See also: Erra - Plague Demon of Mesopotamia Enuma Elish: Marduk & the Chaos Monsters Apep - Primal Chaos God of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Sun Goddess Female Sun deities exist throughout the world including in Japan, Vietnam, China and other Eastern countries. Sun goddesses appear in Australian aboriginal lore, Inuit myth of Canada, Baltic and Germanic traditions of Europe. The Sun Goddess is found among the Berbers, the Finnish and the culture of the Sámi people, the reindeer herders of northern Scandinavia. In the ancient near East they include Hepat, Sun Goddess of Aleppo, and the Sun Goddess of Arinna. See also: Kamrushepa: Hittite Goddess of Magic Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Asherah: Goddess of Childbirth & Fertility Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Sun embodies nurturing qualities attributed to the female and the fierce light of the warrior. The Sun is the Goddess; she is a creator spirit, the benevolent patron of growth, healing and life. Back to Top See also: Egyptian Blue - First Synthetic Color Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Reiker For Hire, Victorian Era & Nixies

Sun worship is a prehistoric nature religion. An organized cult and mythology appear in Egypt c. 1400 BCE. Worship of the Sun as a deified elemental goes back to the dawn of humanity. The Sun Goddess is both a divine entity and the Sun herself. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Sun Goddess & Moon God in Myth Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Purulli: Hittite New Year & Spring Fest Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books At dawn the Sun goddess rises in golden splendor to ride across the sky. She brings hope in the darkness, and awakens seeds of spring with her nurturing light. Sometimes the Sun forms a divine triad with the Dawn and the Morning Star. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Accounts of a south German Sun goddess and other deities are sparse. Written records appear after Christianity and Romanization, most famously Germania by Roman Tacitus in the first century CE. See also: Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Pagan Solstice Fests: Mithras & the Sun Chicken Soup: Chickens in German Folklore Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Tacitus never sets foot in German lands but gets his information from travelers, Germanic allies and captives. Germanic lore is an oral tradition. No written language appears until the Norse runic alphabet c. 150 CE. Like other regions Germania develops a strong Sun culture even before the prehistoric development of settlements, agriculture and animal husbandry. Hunters and nomadic tribes depend on the cycles of the Sun. She's a deity of fertility, nurturing and growth. See also: Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Wine God Liber: Liberty & Liberal Libation Nature Spirits of German Mythology Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books From early times the solar calendar is based on solstice and equinox occurrences. Crop sowing, animal migrations, seasonal changes all revolve around the agenda of the Sun. Offerings are given and prayers spoken to invoke her benevolence. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Solar reverence in Germania happens hundreds of years before the Germanic Norse coalesce in Scandinavia. The Nordic people rise to power in the 5 - 8th century CE to build a complex mythology within their own set of beliefs, including sun goddess Sol. See also: German Harvest Spirits - Dragons Nixies - Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Apples: Myth, Nature & German Folklore Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Like many cultures the name of the deity is the same as the element represented. The Germanic Earth Mother, Erde, has the same name as the physical substance, though her name can appear in different forms (Erda, Erthe, Nerthe). The solar Goddess is an embodiment of the Sun, or the Sun itself. Die Sonne means simply "the sun" in German. Her pronoun die (pr. dee) is feminine. In the German word Sonne the 'e' is softly pronounced. Toward the north she may be called Sunna. See also: Wild Women and Winter Tales Witches' Night - Hexennacht German Myth & Folklore: Imps Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In German, solar spirits are Sonnengeister (sun spirits). A solar flare is a Sonneneruption. Sol as in solar comes into the German language in more modern times with terms like Solarenergie (solar energy). First reference to Sol in history appears in the early years of Rome c. 8th century BCE. People of Germania adopt Roman Vulcan as Vulkan, god of fire, smiths and volcanic activity. Other Roman influence includes the River God Rhenus or Father Rhine, whose name comes from the Latinized Celtic Renos. The Celts inhabit parts of Germania in the Iron Age (c. 1200 - 550 BCE). Roman solar deities have little significance to the people of ancient Germania. The German "hell" meaning bright may be associated with Greek Helios. See also: Mythic Fire Gods - Vulkan of Germania Dragons: German Harvest & Nature Spirits Eschenfrau: Wicked Ash Tree Woman Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Sonne continues her daily journey across the sky today as she has for thousands of years. She embodies the nurturing qualities attributed to the female and the fierce light of the warrior. The Sun is the Goddess; she is Sonne, whose name means Sun, a creator spirit, the benevolent patron of growth, healing and life. Her day is Sonntag, or Sunday. See also: German Myth - Harvest Spirits 2 Ambrosia: Divine Nectar & Immortal Gods Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Back to Top

Gods worshipped by prehistoric and Bronze Age cultures are found in Proto-Indo-European Sun Goddess *Seh₂ul and Moon God *Meh₁not. They are not specific gods, but created as prototypes of ancient divinities based on those revered in contemporary cultures. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Linen, Hemp & Cotton - Fabrics of Ancient Egypt Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Bronze Age Cultures - the Hittites Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Often in ancient cultures the Sun is female and the Moon male. She represents the warm, nurturing, life-giving aspect of the Sun. She's a mother image rather than a blazing warrior energy. Angry or displeased she can scorch the earth, cause water sources to dry up and crops to die in the fields. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure The male Moon is her companion, consort or brother. He follows as she crosses the sky in her golden chariot. The passage of these two luminaries creates the luni-solar calendar of ancient nations like China. See also: Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life Before the Viking Age - Gods of the Sámi Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Today of course, we know the moon reflects the light of the Sun Goddess while she's in the Dark Earth. Early people watch the Sun go into the Earth every night. The Dark Earth is a Hittite term for the Underworld. The concept of an Underworld or Land of the Dead goes back to Neolithic times at least. In the Bronze Age the Underworld is primarily ruled by women. Babylonian Ereshkigal is one of the best known in the ancient world. See also: Purulli: Hittite New Year & Spring Fest Rise of Pan: Fertility Goat God Péh₂usōn Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books When the Sun Goddess travels below ground at night, her steeds take her through a layer or gap. Above is the mortal domain of the Earth and below, the spirits of the Underworld. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure She might dip beneath the edge of the earth's ocean, or go into a mountain and come up from another mountain to the east. She might meet her husband, often a Storm God, in the realms beneath the earth. See also: German Deities: Sonne the Sun Goddess Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Surviving mythology from Mesopotamia, Egypt and other ancient cultures weave a complex pantheon around the Sun. In Egypt the Eye of Ra functions as the male sun god's vengeful or destructive anger. The Eye of Ra is usually Sekhmet, Egyptian Goddess of War. Every morning the Dawn Goddess and the Morning Star herald the arrival of the Sun Goddess in the eastern sky. Sometimes the Dawn Goddess is celebrated more than the Sun herself, for without the dawn there can be no day. See also: Shaushka (Šauška) - the Great Goddess Earth Mother - Goddess of Life 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 In some Nordic myths the moon is the lustful brother of the Sun who chases her across the firmament. In others, she's pursued by the giant wolf Fenrir of Nordic mythology. In southern Germanic tradition she is die Sonne, the Sun, identified with the feminine pronoun die (pron. dee). In ancient Mesopotamia, the Moon God Sin (Suen, Nanna) is the father of the Sun god Utu / Shamash. In this case the sun god takes a deferential role to the moon. See also: Sin (Suen, Nanna): Moon God of Mesopotamia Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Sun is also male in Greek (Helios) and Roman (Apollo, Sol) mythology, although Apollo is bisexual. The Romans celebrate the Feast of Sol Invictus or the Unconquerable Sun on Dec 25 each year. Sol Invictus can also apply to Roman gods such as Apollo and Jupiter. See also: Šimige (Shimige) - Hurrian Sun God Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Back to Top

Linen from the flax plant is the most popular textile in ancient Egypt, used in everyday clothing, bedding and funerary shrouds. Hemp is used since c. 8000 in fabric production for sacks, ropes and yarn, later in sails and clothing. Cotton is grown and cultivated in Egypt since c. 2600 BCE. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Egyptian Blue - First Synthetic Color Joyful Arrival of Hapi in Egypt Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Flax (Linen) - Linum usitatissimum According to the Harvard Gazette the use of flax for linen goes back a mind-boggling 34,000 years. A team of archaeologists and paleobiologists discover flax strands in a cave in the Georgian Republic. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Carbon dating confirms they are the oldest known fibers used by humans. The stalks of flax plants produce long natural fibers. Interwoven, the threads create a durable fabric. See also: Egyptian Blue Faience - Ceramic Glass Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Bes: Household Protector God of Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle As time goes on people learn to treat the flax fibers by scraping and softening before weaving. With agricultural interbreeding and soil composition, production of high quality flax for linen increases. Linen also takes dye very well. By 1300 BCE, fine linen is appropriate for royal gift-giving. The flax plant also produces flaxseed or linseed oil, extracted from the edible seeds. Seeds can be ground as flour and used in baking or boiled as a type of porridge. See also: Myth & Metallurgy - Metals of Antiquity Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Sprites: Ethereal Creatures of Faerie Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Hemp - Cannabis sativa Use of C. sativa goes back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and China c. 8000 - 10,000 BCE. Versatile and durable, hemp is among the most valuable crops of the ancient world. Hemp fiber is first used in bags, sacks and ropes. Without the intoxicating effects of its relatives, hemp is also eaten as a nutritious leafy green, seeds, or used as an oil or medicine. See also: Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Anubis: Jackal-Headed God of Egypt Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books With introduction of the sail c. 3800 - 3400 BCE hemp finds a new use.  Mastery of sailing begins on the rivers, such as the Nile, and river marshes in the deltas of the Nile and Tigris / Euphrates Rivers. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Early sails are animal skins or woven rushes. Hemp is initially used but soon replaced with the products of the flax plant, linen, due to its finer weave. Later, hemp is refined for use in shoes and clothes. Evidence suggests Egyptians are aware of its psychoactive relative too. See also: Atum of Egypt - First Primordial God Nefertari Queen of Peace Ancient Egypt Aya - Goddess of Dawn, Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Cotton - Gossypium genus Cotton is grown in ancient Egypt and prospers with the agreeable climate. Old World cotton includes Gossyplum arboreum and G. herbaceum. Cotton cultivation in Egypt begins before the Bronze Age. The first cotton cultivation is in eastern Sudan near the basin of the Middle Nile c. 5000 BCE. See also: Sherden Sea Peoples in Ancient Egypt Copper - Ruddy Metal of Mystic Magic Bes: Household Protector God of Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Compared to hemp and flax, cotton is a young crop. With experience gleaned from centuries of agriculture with other plants, farmers help it mature quickly. Cotton cloth is produced in Egypt and the Indus Valley Civilization by c. 3000 BCE. It later replaces hemp as sailcloth, to be replaced by a stronger lighter linen. Egyptian cotton is considered by some to be the finest type of cotton. See also: Isuwa - Bronze Age Hittite Foes Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Although ancient Egyptians have wool, it's rarely used as it's considered unclean. The wearing of wool is a taboo which can be broken only by the wealthy. See also: The Igigi - Why Humans are Created Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Back to Top