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Shumugan (Šumugan, Šamagan, Šumuqan, Šakkan) is an ancient Syrian and Mesopotamian god associated with animals. He's a patron of quadrupeds and herd animals such as cows, sheep, goats, wild sheep and especially donkeys and mules. See also: Lord Rodent (Ninkilim) Sumerian Pest God Ushumgallu: Dragon Lion Snake Sukkal German House Spirits: Beer Donkey (Bieresel) Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Ebla he's connected to mules. A shepherd god, he cares for the pasture lands and the safety of the animals grazing there. In ancient times, herds are stalked by predators such as lions, tigers, wolves, jackals and leopards. One of his epithets calls him the "shepherd of everything". Shumugan is also named "god of wool," "god of herd animals," "god of grass-eating animals" and "god of watering places." See also: Lagash - Vibrant Bronze Age City Ishum: Night Watchman & Fire God Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle He's a god of prosperity and agricultural fertility, often worshipped together with grain goddess Ezina and Ninkasi, Mesopotamian goddess of beer. Shumugan is thought to dwell on the Steppe, which is connected to the Underworld, Kur. His sacred number is 14, which he shares with the Underworld God of War, Death and Disease, Nergal. The Mesopotamians develop the number system not for numerological reasons but as a nickname or symbol for a certain god. See also: Ninlil - Sumerian Matriarch Goddess Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Spiritual Magic - Numbers Three & Nine Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Enlil is number 50 and Inanna is 15. Like Nergal and Shumugan some gods share numbers, which can be tricky in translation. In earliest history Shumugan has sites of worship in Kish, Ur, Lagash and Farra. Later he becomes a major deity of Assur, the capital of Assyria. There he's worshipped in the Urmashtur or 'pen of lions and wild beasts' alongside the God Urma. In some areas such as Ebla, overseers of mules make sacrifice to him. See also: Taurus Mountains: Bronze Age Bounty Scorpion Men of Babylonia Shamash (Utu) Sun God of Mesopotamia Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle On the god list Anu ša amēli, Šamagan is equal to Sharshar, the god of the Sutean nomads. The Suteans are warriors with a reputation for ferocity. They dwell in the Levant, Canaan and Mesopotamia in the Old Babylonian age (c. 2003 -1595 BCE). They often hire themselves out as mercenaries. The wife of Shumugan is Ellamesi, goddess of wool. Since the 4th-3rd millenium, wool is an important item of trade and home use. Before wool for clothing, flax is spun and woven into linen, beginning c. 9000 BCE. The long fibers of the flax plant are used. See also: Abzu - Primal Waters of Creation Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Before wool, sheep fleece and animal furs are used for warmth. The first evidence of sheep bearing wool long enough to spin appears around 6000 BCE, showing early practice of animal husbandry or selective breeding. Shumugan appears in the poem Death of Gilgamesh (c. 1800 BCE), which solidifies his connection to the Underworld Kur. His symbols are a ram-headed shepherd's crook and fleece. See also: Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Shulpae (Šulpae): Demon Warrior God Ninhursag - Great Mountain Mother Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Other gods connected to animals are Ninkilim, god governing wild animals, rats, mice, crop-eating insects such as locusts and other pests. The God/dess Lahar is associated with animals and herds, especially sheep. Shumugan bears similarity to the later Greek Pan in his pastoral role. He lives in the wild, is patron of wild animals but best known as a god of flocks and pastures. His worship is broadest as a god associated with donkeys and mules. See also: Gibil - Fire God of Mesopotamia Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and female horse. As a rule mules are infertile but on rare occasions female mules have been known to get pregnant by a male horse or donkey. Mules first came into use in Anatolia (today's Turkey). By c. 3000 BCE use of mules is widespread. See also: Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Girsu (Tello): Ancient Sumerian City Back to Top

Nergal is the Mesopotamian God of war, death, disease and inflicted death. Of all the divinities in the god lists of ancient Babylonia, Mesopotamia, Syria and Anatolia, Nergal is among the most prominent. See also: Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Thapsos - Trade Center & Necropolis Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Seen as one of the Old Gods he lives in Kur, the Mesopotamian Underworld. Sometimes his wife is Ereshkigal but she's not the type to commit. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 Nergal fancies himself a playboy. Some of the earliest writings of myth center around Nergal's sexual exploits and their consequences with Ereshkigal. At times a sukkal such as Namtar must step in and negotiate. See also: Primordial Gods & Creatures: Hurrian Arabian Leopard: Bronze Age Predators The Way to Aaru - Egyptian Paradise Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Ereshkigal is Queen of the Underworld in Mesopotamia, a title she keeps for over two thousand years. Nergal first appears in the Early Dynastic, c. 2900 - 2350 BCE. His cult survives until 550 BCE. The two Underworld deities both enjoy long lifetimes. A number of Old Gods and others reside in the Underworld. It's not the hellish fires or eternal anguish of today's western world. Read: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 It's more accurate to call it an Afterlife than an Underworld, although Kur is associated with the Earth and groundwater. Some ancients also believe the sun goes into the earth at night, leading to creation of deities like the Sun Goddess of the Earth. See also: Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Nabarbi - Rustic Goddess of Pastures Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Mesopotamian Underworld is uneventful. The dead wander around with nothing to eat but dry dust or mud and dirty water to drink. The only excitement is watching the galla demons drag in the deceased who don't want to be dead. It's up to the living descendents to provide the dead with libations, gifts of food, clothing or comfort, so the deceased can enjoy the Afterlife. It's also important to leave sufficient grave goods at the time of burial. Unlike other cultures like Egyptian, there is no judgment after death. See also: Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Tin - Essential Metal of Antiquity Ullikummi - Rock Monster of Legend Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books If you're a god, the Underworld is just a place to live. Some dwell in houses or even palaces, with servants and gardens and natural underground pools. Nergal has little to do with the deceased. Symbolically he reigns over them. He's more connected to the violent energies of war and disease. He's equated with the planet Mars and red, the color of blood. See also: Tollense Valley Battlefield: Ancient Germania Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Blood Sacrifice, Twin Brothers & Creation Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books His symbols include the lion-headed mace, lion, sword, bow and bull. They illustrate his strength as a warrior. He might wear a flat cap, sign of an underworld entitiy. A mace with three lion head decorations and a scimitar with lion decorations have been associated with him. Read: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Nergal's primary site of worship is Kutha, north of Babylonia. He's also called Meslamtaea after the temple of worship in Kutha. Originally he's worshipped only in the north, but c. 2200 BCE his cult begins to edge south. See also: Mušḫuššu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk Sacred Scarab: Lucky Bug of Ancient Egypt Kushuh (Kušuḫ) Hurrian Moon God Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The number 14 is associated with Nergal. Nergal's sukkal is Ugur until the Old Babylonian period (c. 1894 - 1595 BCE). Ugur relates to war and death and is thought to be personification of Nergal's sword. See also: Reiker For Hire, Victorian Era & Nixies Bes: Household Protector God of Egypt Shaushka (Šauška) - the Great Goddess Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle He's later replaced with Ishum, a divine night watchmen. Ishum cares for houses of the people at night, and also relates to fire. In the myths of Nergal and Ereshkigal, unlucky Ishum has to step in sometimes as mediator. Nergal relates to the "Enki Ninki" deities, oldest of the primordial gods and those whose function is past. Nergal is however still active through the centuries. Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books He accompanies leaders on war campaigns, and conversely is a keeper of the peace because his fearsome appearance frightens enemies away. In that capacity he's called Lugal-silimma, Lord of Peace. He's commonly invoked to protect households from evil. Fragments of the Epic of Erra, stories of his adventures, are worn by worshippers as protective amulets. Symbols of Nergal represent him on boundary stones or kudurru. See also: Rabbit Fever Plague & Warfare: Hittites 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Botanical Alchemy - Lavender (Lavandula) Back to Top

Ninkilim is a Sumerian god of wild animals. His name means Lord Rodent. He's especially connected to rats, mice and other vermin, insect pests such as locusts and weevils. His sukkal (divine attendant or vizier) is the dragon lion demon Ushumgallu. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Ushumgallu: Dragon Lion Snake Sukkal Gatumdug: Sumerian Goddess of Lagash Ishum: Night Watchman & Fire God Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Generally Ninkilim is a God but in some circumstances is portrayed as Goddess. Ninkilim has his origins in the roots of agriculture and grains. Prayers invoke him (as a Goddess) to keep the sharp-toothed mice from eating the crop. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Ninkilim features in the Zu-buru-dabbeda, a group of incantations against grain-destroying creatures such as rodents, weevils and locusts. In Sumerian he's called a.za.lu.lu or lord of teeming creatures. See also: Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Mušḫuššu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk German Myth - Harvest Spirits Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The worship of Ninkilim dates from early Sumerian times (c. 4100 BCE) until the Neo-Babylonian Empire. He may have existed prior to the date as the practice of agriculture goes back to c. 12,000 BCE in the Levant and c. 9800 BCE in Mesopotamia. Through trial and error people cultivate and interbreed crops. It's said the Gods become impatient with the slowness of humans. They send the Seven Sages, or apkullu, to show humans how to survive. The eight Neolithic founder crops are emmer wheat, einkorn wheat, hulled barley, peas, lentils, bitter vetch, chickpeas, and flax. See also: Figs - Food of the Ancient World Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninkilim is one of the longest lived Gods on the Mesopotamian timeline. His continued invocation attests to the destructive properties of mice and rats among the grain-dependent Sumerians. Fossilized ancestors of modern rats and mice date back c. 34 million years. Comparatively, from early forerunners humans have been on earth c. 4 millions years. Since then rats and mice come to realize the purpose of humans is to provide them with food. See also: Ninlil - Sumerian Matriarch Goddess Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Scorpion Men of Babylonia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Rats and mice don't just eat a little bit. They can raze entire granaries with their enormous appetites and sheer force of numbers. In ancient Mesopotamia, success of the harvest and protection of the grains are paramount. The larger problem with rats and mice is not just how much they eat, but how much they spoil with urine and defecation. An estimated three times as much grain goes to waste due to spoilage as due to consumption by rodents. See also: Shamash (Utu) Sun God of Mesopotamia Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Kusarikku - Bull Men of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Egyptians store grain in sealed silos. The Greeks use enormous covered clay vessels. The later Romans keep stores of grain in vast warehouses. As long as it stays dry, grain can last for years. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure But if one small rodent gets a whiff of promise from an accessible granary it's quick to invite all its friends. They'll nibble a tiny hole into a pouring spout of rodent paradise as all the farmer's work and hope drains away. See also: Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Mountain Gazelle: Wild Ancient World Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Vermin, insects, plant disease, too much or not enough water, shifting land masses and various attacks by robber armies or conquering heroes all threaten the food supply. The Mesopotamians value grain as life itself. In times of high yield it's a desirable trade item. Praises and sacrifices to Nikilim are given, asking the deity to keep the rodents from eating the grain. Prayers rise to the god with sacred smoke of incense and aromatic wood. In the great god list An = Anum Nikilim appears as a female deity. In the Sumerian Farmer's Almanac, s/he receives prayers and offerings as the Goddess Nikilim. See also: Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Joyful Arrival of Hapi in Egypt Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In field-pest incantations he's masculine. In later periods s/he's known almost exclusively as a male deity. Also worshiped in other cities such as Lagash, Nikilim is tutelary god for the urban center of Diniktum, estimated east central Iraq. Although mentioned in texts of the 18th century BCE, including battles at the site, it's now a lost city. See also: Lisin - Medicine Goddess of Ancients Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Cult of the Bull - Prehistoric Aurochs Back to Top

Bizilla (Bizila) is a Mesopotamian goddess sukkal to the great matriarch and Queen of the Gods, Ninlil. Her name Bizilla means she who is pleasing. She's also a love goddess. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure See also: Ninlil - Sumerian Matriarch Goddess Sukkals - Mythic Viziers to the Gods Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She's closely connected to other deities of passion, romance and the dance of love. One is Nanaya, goddess of erotic love. Bizilla and Nanaya are often listed in the court of Inanna. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure The worship of Bizilla centers on Ḫursaĝkalama, near Kish, where she's patron deity. Also attested elsewhere, in Ḫursaĝkalama she's found in the court of love and sexuality goddess Inanna (Ishtar), Queen of the Heavens. See also: Taurus Mountains: Bronze Age Bounty Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Bizilla might appear with Ninaya as a divine dyad, which is popular in Mesopotamian religions. In Uruk and Borsippa she's often worshipped in tandem with Nanaya. The Nippur god list places them in the house of Inanna but not together. In Uruk, Bizilla may be presented in a triad with Nanaya and another Mesopotamian love goddess, Kanisurra. See also: Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Lisin - Medicine Goddess of Ancients Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books They were also worshipped as a sacred trinity in Bīt-Bēlt. It's now a lost city, mentioned only in tablets. In the fertile delta, lands and river systems are constantly changing. Cities on the coast in c. 3000 are up to 200 mi (322 km) inland now. One text names Ninshubur (the sukkal of Inanna), Nanaya, Bizilla and Kanisurra as Inanna's attendants. Love goddesses relate to all kinds of love, including love lost or unrequited. They also embody the qualities of lust, desire, temptation, seduction, passion and the celebration of sexuality. See also: Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess Queen of Ancients Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Nature Spirits of German Mythology Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Bizilla is thought to have her start as the sukkal of Ninlil. Her parentage is unknown. As time goes by she develops her own cult of worship outside the sphere of the mother goddess, but retains her position as sukkal. In some areas, Bizilla appears in the court of Nungal, goddess of prisons, associated with the Mesopotamian Underworld Kur. Nungal is a goddess of punishment, but also compassion and clemency. See also: Gallu (Galla) Demons of Ancient Kur Scorpion Men of Babylonia Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She can be called upon to help reduce a sentence or for mercy in judgment. Associated with her, Bizilla attunes to another meaning of her name: lovingly caring. A Babylonian festival for medicine goddess Gula includes Bizilla and Ninlil. See also: Joyful Arrival of Hapi in Egypt Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Back to Top

Gatumdug is an ancient Sumerian goddess and patron deity of the busy city state of Lagash, Mesopotamia. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure At its height, Lagash has over 100,000 residents and covers over 500 ha (3600 acres) of space. The sister city of Lagash is is Girsu, to the northwest, along a lucrative trade road. See also: Lagash - Vibrant Bronze Age City Ishum: Night Watchman & Fire God Bizilla - Shining Love Goddess Sukkal Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books A goddess from the dawn of time, Gatumdug is already worshipped in the area when Lagash is established in c. 3000 BCE. Credited with founding the town, she's also associated with Kings and kingship. She gives the King the divine right to rule. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure Lagash is one of a series of towns on a route from the sea ports inland. At the coastline of the Persian Gulf ish Gu-ab-ba (Guabba). Its location is far inland today. Along the northwest route toward the River Tigris are the towns of Niggin, Lagash, Girsu and Zabalam. Look. See also: Ninlil - Sumerian Matriarch Goddess Soap & Medicine Herb of Ancients Taurus Mountains: Bronze Age Bounty Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle She's called holy, sacred, lustruous or shining. Gatumdug is worshipped in Lagash as well as Tell Zurghul, known in the ancient world as Nigin, just north west of Gu-ab ba (Guabba). In the 22nd century BCE King Gudea builds a temple in her honor in Girsu, and worship extends. During the time of King Gudea, Girsu is a religious center with temples to honor the many gods passing through. A productive King, he builds canals, improves irrigation and constructs bridges and temples. See also: Scorpion Men of Babylonia Shamash (Utu) Sun God of Mesopotamia Abzu - Primal Waters of Creation Gatumdug is a favorite subject of Sumerian religious literature, with many hymns, poems and prayers composed to her. One of these, Lament for Sumer and Ur, describes the downfall of the civilization and its cities in the 'voice' of the Goddess witnessing the carnage. The four city laments, or dirges, are: The Lament for Ur The Lament for Nippur The Lament for Eridu The Lament for Uruk See also: Kusarikku - Bull Men of Mesopotamia Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Through the later Ur III period Gatumdug continues to be worshipped. She receives offerings of flour, butter, cheese and dates at her temples and worship sites. In 2004 BCE Ur falls to an Elamite army under King Kindattu of Shimashki. In the Lament it's written the gods An (Anu), Enki (Ea), Enlil, and Ninmah decide the fate of Ur. It's implied (through no fault of their own) Gatumdug and other deities can't compete with these high-ranking senior Gods. See also: Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Figs - Food of the Ancient World Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Gatumdug is sometimes compared to Bau, a healing and tutelary goddess of Lagash, Kish and Girsu. They have similar qualities and may be on god lists together, but they're not considered the same deity. In an Old Babylonian composition Ninisina and the Gods, Gatumbug is equivalent to the title heroine, the tutelary goddess of Isin. The city of Isin is just south of Nippur on the Euphrates trade route. See also: Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As time goes by, the landscape changes. Cities fall, abandoned by their tutelary deities, and others rise in their place. Gods live for thousands of years and have seen many civilizations come and go. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure It could be war, drought, pestilence or bad management. The deities are immortal until they're no longer worshipped. They outlast most of the kingdoms and empires of the known lands. See also: Mountain Gazelle: Wild Ancient World Lisin - Medicine Goddess of Ancients Shulpae (Šulpae): Demon Warrior God Back to Top

Ninlil is Queen of the Gods and wife of Creator God Enlil. A senior matriarch of the Mesopotamian pantheon, Ninlil holds a position of authority. She shares her husband's responsibilities, such as deciding the fate of humankind, and is portrayed as his equal. See also: Soap & Medicine Herbs of Ancients Abzu - Primal Waters of Creation Sin (Suen): Moon God of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She equates with mother goddess Athirat of Ugarit, and the Semitic Asherah. She's also compared to great goddess Shalash, wife of god king Dagan. Her Assyrian equivalent, in Ashur, is Mullissu. Her parents are Nisaba, earliest goddess of writing, and her husband Haya, associated with scribes. Haya is also considered a divine accountant and archivist. The first written language is Sumerian cuneiform c. 3400 BCE. See also: Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Children of Enlil and Ninlil are many. They include powerful entities such as Nergal, fearsome Underworld god of war, disease, death, inflicted death; Inanna, dazzling strong-minded goddess of love and war; and Ninurta, the agriculture god who becomes a warrior hero of the people. Husband Enlil is a God of Creation. He's worshiped as a deity of wind, air, earth and storms. Both Enlil and Ninlil are associated with grains, including selective breeding and other agricultural developments. Worshippers ask for crop success. See also: Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Scorpion Men of Babylonia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Sumerian site of Eresh, near Uruk on the Euphrates, is the center of worship for Ninlil and her husband Enlil. Other major cult centers include Sumerian cities Nippur near Babylon; Tummal, near Nippur; and Shuruppak. At Shuruppak she has the name Sud, goddess of grain and air. It's identified with her elsewhere. Later she appears at Ḫursaĝkalamma near Kish. She's worshiped with goddess Bizilla, a goddess of love and her sukkal in that town. See also: Taurus Mountains: Bronze Age Bounty Mountain Gazelle: Wild Ancient World Sukkals - Mythic Viziers to the Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Sumerian literature Ninlil is one of four goddesses called ama, or Mother. The others are Nintur, a birth goddess; Ninsina, a divine physician; and Bau, a goddess of healing. One source attributes the title Divine Merchant to her, a role she shares with Enlil. She's called tamkartum, a rare feminine form of 'merchant'. Ninlil bears godly witness to oaths. Through connections with other deities, Ninlil also has qualities of healing. A later hymn attests she is ruler of both earth and heaven, and Enlil makes no decision without her. See also: Shamash (Utu) Sun God of Mesopotamia Ninhursag - Great Mountain Mother Figs - Food of the Ancient World Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Kings from the Third Dynasty of Ur (2193 - 2004 BCE) consider the deific couple Enlil and Ninlil to be the source of earthly royal authority, or bestowal of kingship. The pair are also responsible for giving the gods their special qualities and divine places in the pantheon. In Mesopotamian astronomy, she's linked to 'the Wagon', corresponding to Ursa Major, and 'the Goat", relating to constellation Lyra. She's also called the Cow, meaning a richly flowing source of abundance. See also: Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Kusarikku - Bull Men of Mesopotamia Ancient Arabia - Stone Age to Bronze Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Ninlil is incorporated into the Hurrian religion, and assimilated by the Assyrians. The court of Ninlil includes her sukkal Bizilla, her husband Enlil, attendants, throne bearer and a divine counselor. She's also accompanied by a good udug - in the role of a protective spirit - and her second sukkal, Ninĝidru, described as the divine representation of the Scepter. Ningidru is associated with goddess Ninmena, who embodies the royal crown. As Ninlil is a mother goddess, a few fertility figures might color up her entourage. See also: Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Kish: Glory Days in Ancient Babylonia Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninlil's Syrian equivalent is Shalash, wife of the god Dagan. Athirat is her Ugartic equation. She's named Millissu in Assyrian religion and seen as a consort of god king Ashur. She wears a horned headdress, a bovine feature linking her to abundance. See also: Belet-Seri: Underworld Scribe Goddess Hurrian Primordial Gods & Creatures Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Back to Top

Tiamat reigns over the sea. Her consort is Abzû, god of groundwater. Together they create the younger Gods. In later times she is symbolic of the chaos defeated by the hero god king Marduk. Their battle rages twelve days, hence the Twelve Days of Zagmuk. See also: Wild Women and Winter Tales German Harvest Spirits - Dragons Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle She represents primordial Chaos. The first mention of Tiamat is in the Bronze Age. Her union with Abzû produces the twins Lahmu and his sister Lahamu, both of whom represent silt. They are the parents of Anshar and Kishar, the morning and evening star, who are parents of the sky god Anu (An) and his sister Ki. Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The myth of Tiamat sees her as a creator Goddess, and later as an embodiment of Chaos. She's sometimes represented as a dragon or sea serpent. As a creator goddess, she and Abzû fill the cosmic void with primeval waters. She's also called "Ummu-Hubur who formed all things". She's the shining personification of the sea, sometimes known as the "glistening one". See also: Lead: Death Metal of Metallurgy 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Bull of Heaven - Inanna vs Gilgamesh Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books One day her husband, Abzû, realizes his children are planning to kill him and take his throne, a common practice among godly families. He's drugged to sleep, then murdered. Enraged, Tiamat attacks her husband's killers. Countless creatures spring to life such as dragons, serpents, scorpion men and merfolk. She brings forth the demons and monsters of the Mesopotamian pantheon, including the first dragons, whose bodies she fills with poison instead of blood. See also: Blacksmiths: Iron, Metal, Gods & Myth Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The mythology and names of the male protagonists have changed over the years and tellings. Usually storm-god Marduk slays Tiamat, then incorporates parts of her body into heavens and earth. In some variations, Marduk is killed by Tiamat on the winter solstice and resurrected on the vernal equinox. See also: Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minoa Before the Vikings - Nordic Bronze Age Rosemary: Immortal Essence & Balm of Kings Back to Top

In Akkadian, Aya (Aia) means Dawn. She personifies the light and life of first rays of the Sun. In some cultures the Dawn deities are worshipped even ahead of Solar Deities, because they foretell the coming of the Sun. See also: Lotan - Chaos Sea Dragon of Ugarit Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing The Igigi - Why Humans are Created Without the Dawn, there is no Sun. In veneration, the Venus Dawn Star or Lucifer (light-bearer) might also be praised. The Dawn Goddess is one of the most important of the Proto-Indo-European Gods. Due to her solar association she can also create a fiery manifestation. See: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Aya has several name versions including Ayu-Ikalti, Nin-Aya, Sherida, Ninkar, Sudaĝ and Sudgan. Her centers of worship are Sippar and Larsa in what is now central Iraq. Her consort is Shamash, equated with Utu, an ancient God of the Sun. See also: Nabu (Nabû) - Ancient God of Scribes Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Aya features prominently in Mesopotamian god lists or kaluti, sometimes under more than one name or aspect. Another reference to Aya is Sherida, a Sumerian equivalent. She's also attested as Sudaĝ, meaning "golden yellow shine" or "golden yellow shining rock/metal". The name Ninkar is sometimes given to her, but it's thought Ninkar could be a separate deity, a Goddess of Daylight. Aya is considered to embody morning light and the rising sun, and is also called 'morning-maker'. See also: Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Bull of Heaven - Inanna vs Gilgamesh Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Mesopotamian art she's depicted as charming, beautiful and sensual, usually in frontal view rather than profile. She's also called kallatum, meaning bride or daughter-in-law, and considered a Divine Bride. It means she's wed to a powerful divinity - Shamash the Sun God, whose twin sister is Inanna (Ishtar) - and as such she's seen as a patron of brides. Aya brings blessings of beginnings. See also: Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In this capacity, in depictions her right breast is traditionally exposed by the style of her garment, a symbol of bridal charm and attraction. Other sensual goddesses such as Inanna and Annunitum can be clad the same way. Worship of Aya goes back to the 30th century BCE or the Mesopotamian Early Dynastic Period. She's especially popular in the Old Babylonian Period c. 1900 - 1600 BCE, mentioned in personal letters second only to Ishtar. See also: Anatolia - Kārum City of Trade Kültepe Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She also flourishes as a personal tutelary deity, especially for women. While in some cultures women connect naturally with the Moon Goddess, in Mesopotamia the Moon Deity is a man. Most women would feel more empathy with other female figures, such as the Goddess of the Dawn. She greets us every day. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 With the right motivation (offerings, praise hymns, incantations) Aya can intercede on a supplicant's behalf with her husband Shamash. In Sippar, she and Shamash are worshipped as the Divine Couple. The mythical mountain Buduhudug, where the sun sets, is called "the entrance of Shamash to Aya" (nēreb dŠamaš dAya). See also: Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Tiamat - Queen of Chaos & the Sea Teshub: Hurrian Bronze Age Storm God Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Here the Divine Couple can reunite each day after Shamash finishes his journey through the sky. Aya and Shamash have a strong and loving relationship, unlike some other deities who are known for extramaritial sexual exploits to the distress of the spouse. It's also believed the best time to ask Aya for an intercession with Shamash is in the evening when his solar work is done. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the mother of Gilgamesh prays to Aya to intercede with Shamash for the safety of her son. See also: Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Šassūrātu (Sassuratu): Deific Midwives Kothar (Kothar-wa-Khasis) Artisan God Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In an inscription, King Hammurabi of Babylon calls himself the "beloved of Aya". King Samsu-iluna of the Amorites calls himself the "beloved of Aya and Shamash." Both Kings are industrious, renovating cities and building fortifications. Among the Hurrians, Aya is incorporated into temple worship and included in kaluti. She's part of the court of Hepat, the beloved Sun Goddess of Aleppo. See also: Suri (Śuri): Ancient Etruscan Fire God Botanical Alchemy - Lavender (Lavandula) Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She's also shown behind Shaushka (Šauška) the Great Goddess in a procession of goddesses at the worship site Yazılıkaya in Anatolia or modern day Turkey. On one god list, she appears as "Aya the Goddess of caring for things." See also: Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Primeval Deities: Goddess of the Dawn Cult of the Bull - Prehistoric Aurochs Back to Top

The radiance of Shimige (Šimige) fills the world with life and joy. A Hurrian god, he's worshipped across multiple pantheons including that of Ugarit, north Syria. His name means 'sun' in Hurrian. See also: Gods of Ugarit c. 1800 - 1200 BCE Cult of the Fire God - New in 2024 Atum of Egypt - First Primordial God Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Every day, Shimige takes a journey through the sky. He drives a golden chariot pulled by four fiery horses. His entourage of servants or minor deities follow his trail, manifesting as sunglow and rays. See: Cult of the Fire God - New in 2024 His deific solar equivalents include: Mesopotamian: God Shamash Ugaritic: Goddess Shapash Hittite: Sun God of Heaven Luwian: God Tiwaz See also: Lotan - Chaos Sea Dragon of Ugarit Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minos Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Šimige's sukkal is Lipparuma or Lipparu. He's identified with the sukkal of Shamash, Brunen, who drives the Sun God's chariot. Šimige is known as a cross-pantheon diety without a specific place to call home. He may be worshipped at temples of other Gods, a common practice, and as a personal tutelary God. In Sumerian he's dUTU or Utu. Other Sun Gods have also been given the name Utu as it's as old as man's first grunt. In Hurrian, the wife of Shimige is Ayu-Ikalti, or Aya, a Mesopotamian Goddess of the Dawn. See also: Nabu (Nabû) - Ancient God of Scribes The Igigi - Why Humans are Created Women of the Wild Hunt: Holle, Diana, Frigg Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Aya is already married to Shamash the Mesopotamian Sun God. They're the Divine Couple in their major center of worship, Sippar, in modern-day Iraq. Aya decides to marry Shimige, the Hurrian Sun God and equivalent manifestation of Shamash. See: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Marriage of Aya to Shimige is for business, political and religious reasons but as he's considered the equivalent of Shamash she welcomes him with love. He's also kind of cute. See also: Asherah: Goddess of Childbirth & Fertility Chaoskampf: Order & Chaos Battle Out 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 Thus worshippers of both religious aspects are united in life, at least theoretically. Her name Ayu-Ikalti is specially associated with the locales and cult of Shimige. In Hurrian mythology Shimige is an ally of Teshub, whose father Kumarbi is always trying to kill him. Teshub usurped his throne and Kumarbi wants it back, in an age-old father/son struggle for dominance. See also: Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Nature Spirits of German Mythology Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Shimige the Sun God features in the Song of Ullikummi, where he is the first to spot the nefarious rock monster. He's able to rush back in time to warn Teshub. Ullikummi the monster is among the creatures created by Kumarbi for the purpose of killing Teshub. See also: Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Links Back to Top

Shamash (Utu, Amra, šamaš) the Sun God is a powerful figure in Sumerian and later Mesopotamian worship. He's one of the first born gods, brother of Inanna (Ishtar) and father of several children including Ishum, the Divine Night Watchman. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest See also: Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Kusarikku - Bull Men of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books His consort is Aya, goddess of the dawn. She sometimes appears under the name Sherida. Shamash is the son of the Moon God, Sin (Nanna) and his wife Ningal. In Babylonia Ningal is considered a great or mother goddess. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Shamash is said to see all things happening in the world through his divine eye in the sky. He's also a god of justice and can make judgments among mortals and gods. See also: Abzu - Primal Waters of Creation Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Shamash / Utu drives his sun chariot across the sky every day. It's pulled by four fiery steeds (niskum). Their names are Sumerian: Uhegalanna (the abundant light of heaven) Uhushgalanna (the terrifying great light of heaven) Usurmurgalanna (the dreadful great light of heaven) Unirgalanna (the noble light of heaven) If they come too close to the Earth the lands parch and the rivers dry up. If too far away, the land is cold and crops won't grow. Although assumed to be horses they can be other equids too. See also: Stone Age Botai - First Horse People German Myth - Headless Horseman Animal Spirits - Horse, Otter, Goose Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle At night, Shamash travels through or occupies the nether sky, a realm below Earth but above the Underworld. Epithets name him 'youth' and 'hero.' Shamash meets with his wife Aya, sometimes in a western mountain, when the Sun descends into the Earth. In the morning she heralds his appearance in the east, possibly from an eastern mountain. In some regions the worship of the Dawn Goddess is greater than that of the Sun Deity. See also: Šimige (Shimige) - Hurrian Sun God Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Seeing her first rays, the people know the Sun is sure to follow. Early morning is considered the best time to send prayers to the Sun God or ask his favor. Equivalents of Shamash include Hurrian Sun God Šimige (Shimige), Shapash (Shapshu) the Sun Goddess of Ugarit mythology, and the Hittite Sun God of Heaven. His astral number is 20. His symbols include the saw, rays of light, a sun disc or winged sun. See also: Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Mountain Gazelle: Wild Ancient World Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Shamash is on average sixth among the gods in local god lists. At one point an attempt is made by mortal rulers to establish him as head of the pantheon, but the idea doesn't catch on. Nonetheless he's a primary deity and an essential part of life. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest He's guardian of travelers and can be invoked outside his temples, possibly as an astral body. As God of Justice he's regarded as one who sees the truth. Assistants in this position include Moon God Sin (Nanna) his father, and Inanna his sister. See also: Lisin - Medicine Goddess of Ancients Sin (Suen): Moon God of Mesopotamia Figs - Food of the Ancient World Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle His major centers of worship are Sippar to the north and Larsa to the south in Babylonia of the ancient world. He can be invoked without a temple, as a personal patron god, or at the temples of other gods such as Sin. Temple-sharing is common among the Mesopotamian Gods. Utu is often featured in seals of the Sargon conquest period (24th - 22nd century BCE). By the 2nd century BCE he's depicted seated on a throne in front of worshippers. See also: Ninhursag - Great Mountain Mother Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Papsukkal - Grand Vizier of the Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books His image is engraved on the c. 1755 Code of Hammurabi. The famous black marble stele issues policies for law and punishment as well as standardized medicine. See also: Anatolia - Alaca Höyük City of the Sun Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Back to Top

Kusarikku has origins in the dark past beyond the beginning of the Bronze Age c. 3300 BCE. A fierce creature, he's depicted as a male demon. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure He has arms, head and torso of a human and ears, horns and hindquarters of a Bull. Kusarikku can refer to an individual or group of Man Bull entities. See also: Abzu - Primal Waters of Creation Nanaya - Goddess of Erotic Love Cress, Watercress: Natural Health of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Two Ugallu, lion-headed men, flank the bull men in this relief. The role of Kusarikku can be protective. Despite his demonic side he's revered as a guardian of gates. In the household a statue or image of Kusarikku protects the doorways from entry by evil forces. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure He's an entitiy associated with mountains. His symbols are a bucket and spade. In Sumerian myth, Kusarikku is one of the monsters defeated by hero warrior god Ninurta at the creation of the world. Ninurta hangs his body on the beam of his chariot. See also: Mountain Gazelle: Wild Ancient World Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minos Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Kusarikka is mentioned in an incantation against the savage demon goddess Lamaštu (Lamashtu). She's a malevolent childbirth demon who tries to steal and eat infants. She also has evil eye powers. The incantation is meant to soothe a crying child. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure Besides conflict with Ninurta, Kusarikka is an enemy of Šamaš (Shamash, Sun God, God of Justice). He incites a rebellion of mountain gods, who are tired of being ruled from afar by Shamash and sometimes Inanna. It's soon quelled. See also: Earth Mother - Goddess of Life Sin (Suen): Moon God of Mesopotamia Animal Spirits - Puma, Butterfly, Dog Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Bull men are at home in the mountains. They're seen as protectors of flocks and herds. Depictions also show them fighting humans or gods. Characters can change. The Bull Man is initially a foe of Utu (Shamash). As time goes by Kusarikku assumes a role as divine servant to the Sun God. According to some scholars the 'bull-man' motif originates from the wild bison native to the Mesopotamian regions, Europe and Asia. The European bison is the heaviest land animal in Europe today. Before its extinction, the wild Aurochs dominates the lands. See also: Animal Spirits - Frog, Cat, Bull Girsu (Tello): Ancient Sumerian City Bull of Heaven - Inanna vs Gilgamesh Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The European bison is hunted almost to extinction and only gradually re-established. Bulls of any species and oxen are held in high regard in ancient Europe and Asia as symbols of wealth. They're significant sacrifices to demanding deities. At one time it was thought the bull's sperm travels through his bones. In animal spirituality the Bull represents strength, virility and dominance. Another man/bull hybrid is the famous Minotaur of Knossos, Crete, with bull's head and man's body. See also: Ninhursag - Great Mountain Mother Wiedergänger - One Who Walks Again Cult of the Bull: Divine Sacrifice Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Human headed bull protector entities are especially prominent in the use of Lamassu, the benevolent gateway guardians. Lamassu has a human head with a crown of horns, the body of a bull and the wings of an eagle. See also: Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Back to Top

Her mother is a mountain goddess, her father a demon god. The only female prodigy of the family, she later evolves into a male fire god. Initially a healing of medicine goddess, Lisin (Lisini, Lisi) is associated with the Scorpion Star. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 See also: Shulpae (Šulpae): Demon Warrior God Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Although Lisin appears on god lists from Kesh and Adab, Mesopotamia, she has no defined center of worship. Her parents are both tutelary deities of Kesh, a lost city. That she's a goddess of importance is evident. The third month of the Mesopotamian calendar is named for her. At this time a festival is held in her honor at Lagash, connected with veneration of ancestors. She has her own star in the heavens and is often referred to as ama, or Mother. See also: Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Figs - Food of the Ancient World Queen Eleanor & the Calamitous Crusade Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Goddess Lisin is also a mourning mother figure, a common theme in early days, as her unnamed son dies. Lisin blames her mother, Ninhursag but the cause of death is unknown. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 Her parents are patron deities of the city of Kesh. The location of ancient Kesh, not to be confused with Kish, is a mystery. It's documented in written texts but the exact location remains unknown. Archaeologists are still digging. See also: Ninazu: Healing, Death, Snakes & War Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Ninhursag - Great Mountain Mother Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books According to her mention in incantations and medical texts, Lisin uses healing herbs and may be invoked to treat eye disease among other ailments. In Mesopotamian astrology her star is the brightest in the constellation Scorpio. In the days of the ancients it's known by her name, Lisin. The constellation of the Scorpion is called GIR-TAB or 'the scorpion' by the Sumerians c. 2500 BCE. See also: Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Papsukkal - Grand Vizier of the Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Later this star is given to the scribe god Nabu. Today it's called Antares or Alpha Scorpionus, a red supergiant with twelve times the mass of the Sun READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 At least three types of deadly scorpion inhabit Mesopotamia, as well as venomous snakes. The Sumerians are aware of the medicinal benefits of small amounts of snake and scorpion venom. See also: Figs - Food of the Ancient World Abu - Ancient Vegetation Snake God Kish: Glory Days in Ancient Babylonia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books According to Stanford University chemists, compounds in certain scorpion venoms fight staphylococcus bacteria which cause skin eruptions such as tumors and boils, blood infections, pneumonia, bone and joint ailments. Other compounds in the same venom may be effective against the drug-resistant bacteria causing tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. For their potent powers, the snake and scorpion are both connected to medicine, especially the practice of using small amounts of deadly toxin to treat afflictions. See also: Zababa - Bronze Age War God of Kish Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Kur - Underworld of Mesopotamia Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Lisin has eight children with her husband Ninsikila. Although she's originally a goddess she evolves into a god associated with fire. Her husband evolves into a goddess. While many reasons can be given for this, it could derive from a bureaucratic error in gender during translation or listing. In the great god list An = Anum Lisin is identified as a male and Ninsikila female. See also: Sin (Suen): Moon God of Mesopotamia Sobekneferu - Queen of the Pharaohs Ancient Arabia - Stone Age to Bronze Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books From there it appears Lisin and Ninsikila change gender according to need. For instance Lisin may be a god when lighting the fires to make a potion, but goddess when making the potion. Ninsikila usually follows her lead and switches too, although they appear, rarely, as two male gods or deific twins. It's not unusual for gods to change gender in the ancient world. One example is the Hittite Lelwani, a god who becomes Goddess of the Underworld to synchronize with other female Underworld deities such as Hurrian Allani, Ugaritic Asray and Babylonian Ereshkigal. See also: Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld Nergal - Ancient Underworld Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Deific weddings may also be political or for purposes of synchronization with neighboring deities. Sun Goddess Hepat (Hebat) of Aleppo is married thrice to storm gods, all of whom are equated in different pantheons. The horn of gazelle is especially associated with Lisin and probably refers to the native mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella). Animal horn is a common ingredient in natural potions, or a healing poultice. In natural medicine powdered horn is used to treat fever, infection and virus attacks. See also: Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Goddess Nisaba - First Lady of Writing Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt According to period texts Lisin also uses certain medicinal plants. They may include ninû (mint - wild mint or horsemint - Mentha longifolia), azupiru (saffron - Crocus sativas), and sahlû (seed of) cress - (Lepidium sativum). These plants are all native to Mesopotamia and area, are edible and known to have medicinal properties. In incantations, Goddess Lisin is linked to hūlu and kibrītu. The words appear in Mesopotamian medical texts but their meaning is uncertain. Kibrītu relates to sulfur. A scorpion sting feels burning hot. In later philosophic and esoteric writings, Lisin becomes associated with fire. A text connecting her to fire refers to her as a male deity. See also: Girsu (Tello): Ancient Sumerian City Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Blood Sacrifice, Twin Brothers & Creation Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The element fire and its smoke has strong connections to purification. In some northern regions the people walk their animals and themselves through the smoke of sacred bonfires. This is done during community gatherings on special events like the solstice. The smoke of certain plants, herbs and resins also relates to purifying, cleansing and divine protection. Jumping over fire is part of a purification rite for warriors in various cultures. Fire connects to warmth, nurturing and life as well as chaos, destruction and death. See also: Alchemist Dippel: the Frankenstein Files Tiamat - Queen of Chaos & the Sea Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books At one time she would have been equated with such healing goddesses as Bau or Gula. Every deity has its day. Like the mythical city of Kesh, the Goddess Lisin gradually fades from the public eye. See also: Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Cyclades Islands: Paradise of Ancients Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Back to Top