Search Results

The little mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) is also called the Palestinian or true gazelle. Both males and females have horns, which can be the objective of poachers. The gazelle is native to Arabia, parts of Mesopotamia and the lands of the Levant and Syria. See also: Lisin - Medicine Goddess of Ancients Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Figs - Food of the Ancient World Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Mountain gazelles can run up to 50 mph or 80 km/h. Gazelles are among the fastest land animals, and they have to be as they're prey for such Stone Age Mesopotamian wild hunters as the Eurasian Lion, Arabian Leopard and Caspian Tiger. Brown bears also roam the forests and plains, and will take down a weak or sick animal who can't run. On top of that, c. 12,500 - 9000 BCE along come the humans. See also: Sin (Suen): Moon God of Mesopotamia Ninazu: Healing, Death, Snakes & War Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Like the predators, gazelles shrink away from people. From the early years wild animals, predators and prey, are steadily hunted by humans. Hides can be made into clothing, blankets and houses. Skulls might be displayed as trophies after they've been thoroughly boiled to make soup. Teeth may be used to make buttons or beads. Lots of skins and family is fat. These are signs of a great hunter. See also: Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Demons - Evil Udug of Mesopotamia Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The gazelle is a favorite prey animal for food. Whether humans know it or not, meat of the herbivore gazelle is healthier for them than the meat of carnivores. Bones and marrow are a vital source of minerals and nutrition. Strong sinews are used as ropes or strings and bones make sewing needles. The horns of the female mountain gazelle are small, but the larger ridged horns of the male, up to 12 in (30 cm) are kept for ornamentation, vessels or powdered as medicine. See also: Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Rhytons - Animal Vessels of the Ancients Kaska - Mountain Raiders of Anatolia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Eventually the humans settle from a semi-nomadic hunter gatherer lifestyle to agrarian living. They need more room for crops and livestock, and this, with hunting, causes a decline in the gazelle population. Because fewer animals are competing for resources, the gazelles grow in average body size. Mountain gazelles enjoy an elevated environment and ridges of hills, where the air is cooler than the stifling burn at low levels. The humans prefer to stay in the fertile valleys, but regularly hunt the gazelle. See also: Chicken Soup: Chickens in German Folklore Lead: Death Metal of Metallurgy Bull of Heaven - Inanna vs Gilgamesh Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Gazelle herds are small, with about 3 - 8 members. Male gazelles are bigger than females, Mature males reach about 30 kg (66 lb), while females are up to 25 kg (55 lb) in weight. The average gazelle lifespan in the wild is eight years. They form bachelor groups of young males, and groups of females with young. The fawns are born in April or May. Lone mature males may stake out their own territories. The gazelles keep to high ground. See also: Flooding of the Nile - Nature & Myth Hurrian Primordial Gods & Creatures Lotan - Chaos Sea Dragon of Ugarit Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books A related species in Yemen, the Queen of Sheba's gazelle or Yemen gazelle (Gazella bilkis), becomes extinct in the 20th century. Status of the mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) is endangered. Mountain gazelles are hunted for food up to the mid-20th century. In 1955 hunting mountain gazelles became illegal in Israel. In 2019, research suggests 300 -1300 gazelles are poached per year. See also: Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers 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 Reintroduction and introduction of mountain gazelles into other areas have worked well to help repopulate the numbers. A breakout of hoof & mouth disease decimated one population in the 1980s. Mountain gazelles look delicate, but they're tough enough to flourish for thousands of years in the wild places. With the encroachment of settlements they won't reach the abundance of ancient times, but from a low of 105 individuals, populations are slowly increasing. See also: Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Gibil - Fire God of Mesopotamia Arabian Leopard: Bronze Age Predators Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books With careful administration and control of illegal hunting these hardy animals have an excellent chance of making it back from the brink. Especially in Arabia, the animal is a sign of beauty and grace. An attractive elegant woman might be likened to a gazelle. See also: Blacksmiths: Iron, Metal, Gods & Myth Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Gallu (Galla) Demons of Ancient Kur Back to Top

A mother goddess of ancient Mesopotamia, Ninhursag is one of the original seven dieties or 'those who decree', called the Anunnaki. She and her group are associated with human fate. Her earliest role is as a nurturing and fertility goddess. See also: Papsukkal - Grand Vizier of the Gods Figs - Food of the Ancient World Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She's the tutelary deity of several Sumerian monarchs and leaders of Lagash who consider themselves 'nourished by the milk of Ninhursag'. She's been called 'the true and great lady of heaven', 'Great Queen' and 'Lady of Birth'. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 Her name means "Lady of the Sacred Mountain." The mountain is a sign of wonder, strength, longevity, divinity, hidden secrets of treasure or wisdom. See also: Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Girsu (Tello): Ancient Sumerian City Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The mountain rises above the mortal world. She stands for security, stability, fertility and sometimes savagery, danger and death. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 She exists in blazing fires and drifting fog. Connecting to the Underworld and the fecund womb she gives birth to bats, snakes, the great bear, fertile silt, precious gems and sparkling waters of the earth. The Mother Goddess can be represented by the mountain, or she can be the mountain herself. See also: Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Kish: Glory Days in Ancient Babylonia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninhursag becomes known as a goddess of fertility, mountains and rulers. She's the mother of about two dozen children including Ninurta, the epic warrior god. Her consort is Shulpae (Šulpae), a Mesopotamian god with unsettling Underworld traits. His name translates to 'the youth shining forth' or 'the young one shining forth'. He's associated with Jupiter and certain diseases including bennu or benu (epilepsy), not to be confused with Benu the Heron God of Egypt. See also: Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books According to a text from c. 8th century BCE, discovered in 2019, "the demon causing this disease is one of the most feared" in the world. Symptoms of bennu include seizures, loss of consciousness or sanity, and, in some cases, the patient bleats like a goat. The theonym Lugaludda, meaning Lord of the Demons, can apply to Shulpae. As demons are believed to cause sickness, he is a powerful one. He's considered a namtar demon, a class of entities named after the sukkal of Erishkigal. See also: Kushuh (Kušuḫ) Hurrian Moon God Fairy Rings, Moon & Nature Magic Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The demon is said to act by the command of the Moon God, Sin (Suen). This may have given rise to ideas of lunacy, or madness connected with the moon. At the same time, Shulpae is considered a divine warrior and deity of wild animals. The name of Shulpae is found in texts as early as 2900 BCE. Although multiple temples to Shulpae are recorded, their locations are unknown. See also: What is a Ziggurat? Ancient Arabia - Stone Age to Bronze Aya - Goddess of Dawn, Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books This isn't surprising. Shulpae is a God but also a demon. As a rule, Mesopotamians don't worship demons. Demons are invoked. They have no temples. Many however are considered to have beneficial or protective aspects, such as the good and evil udug or gallu demons. Some, like Namtar, are sukkals who must deal with the public. Others, like Pazuzu, can be invoked to counter the evil of a rival demon, such as Lamashtu. Incantations are available to invoke demons at home. Getting rid of one isn't always so easy. See also: Dumuzi & Geshtinanna: Reasons for Seasons Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Asag - Horrific Disease Demon of Kur Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninhursag is known as Nintir in her aspect as a birth goddess. Nintir can also be a separate goddess. Other appellations given to Ninhursag include 'midwife of the Gods', 'Mother of All Children' and 'Mother of the Gods'. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 Like many other nature deities Ninhursag is originally a household goddess whose influence spreads through multiple levels of society. She has no specific cult center though may have had a temple at Kish. She's a birth goddess of human women and also livestock and wild animals. See also: Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Abu - Ancient Vegetation Snake God The Way to Aaru - Egyptian Paradise Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Associated with mountains and fertility, throughout her long life she also becomes an Earth Goddess, given to rule all the lands. Her name Damgalnunna is invoked, ironically, to repel evil demons. Ninhursaga and Nintur appear as variations of her name in incantations relating to childbirth. She's also said to accept offerings to cure bedwetting. Her healing role is prominent when she heals the god Enki in the myth Enki and Ninhursag. See also: Ninazu: Healing, Death, Snakes & War Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Zababa - Bronze Age War God of Kish Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle She's listed as Dingirmah in the An = Anum, the premiere god list of the Mesopotamians, and stands at the head of a vast court. Her sukkal is Ekigara. a lesser known entity. Her entourage includes heralds, attendants and courtiers. One group is called her "bull lyres". Ninhursag is synchronized with the Elamite goddess Kiririsha, the Mother of the Gods in Elam. Ninhursag is often shown seated on mountains. Her symbol is the Omega Ω. Her hair may be in an omega shape. She wears a flat crown without the tiers of horns. See also: Stone Age Botai - First Horse People Rosemary: Immortal Essence & Balm of Kings Bronze Age Europe - The Amber Road Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Her sacred animals are deer, both stag and doe. The ibex and gazelle can also represent Ninhursag. An ancient door socket found at a mound by the Adaim River bears this inscription: "Manistusu, king of Kis, builder of the temple of the goddess Ninhursaga in HA.A KI. Whoever removes this tablet, may Ninhursaga and Samas uproot his seed and destroy his progeny." See also: Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Back to Top

Kumarbi is an ancient power, the King of the Gods. He's also a god of prosperity and grain. His symbols include an ear of corn. Though he once rules the stormy heights as a supreme being, in the near east Bronze Age he dwells in the depths of the Underworld. See: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure The worship of Kumarbi enters the pantheons of other religions. He's equated other Kings of Gods such as Dagan of the Canaanites. See also: Suri (Śuri): Ancient Etruscan Fire God Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Castrating one's kin for leadership isn't a new concept, as young Gods rise to take over the realms of their elders. The castration or disempowerment myth of Kumarbi finds a later Greek equivalent in the castration of Uranus with a sickle by his son, the Titan Saturn. Saturn then takes the throne. In Hurrian mythology, Kumarbi bites off and swallows the testicles of Anu, Sky and Creator God. Thus he becomes the 'mother' of Storm God Teshub. When Kumarbi's skull is split, Teshub rises form his head. See also: Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle A Hurrian hymn proclaims: You are the strong one, which I (praise), the bull calf of Anu! You are the strong one, which I (praise), your father Anu begot you, your mother Kumarbi brought you to life. For the city of Aleppo I summon him, Teššop (Teshub), for the pure throne Brothers and sisters of Teshub also arise from the mother god's split skull. They include the river Tigris and the war god Tašmišu. A similiar motif is the Goddess Athena born fully formed from the head of Zeus. See also: Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria 1st Peace Treaty 1258 BCE - the Queens Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Youngest son of the Titan Saturn and Goddess Rhea, infant Zeus is hidden by his mother after Saturn eats the older siblings. Upon manhood Zeus forces Saturn to regurgitate the gods he ate. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 They include the major Olympians such as Apollo and Aphrodite. He also castrates and desposes his father Saturn to rise to the throne as King of the Gods, and there he stays today. See also: Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Allani - Hurrian Underworld Goddess Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Castration and sacrifice are common themes in God cycles and Earth based religion (in which sacrificial blood or semen fertilizes the earth). Kumarbi appears in the pantheons and god lists of neighboring and occupying people, showing him widespread respect as a King of Gods. In Hurrian religion, Kumarbi is certain his children will destroy him. He's right. He becomes a lethal enemy of Teshub and other offspring. Teshub banishes Kumarbi and the Old Gods to the Hurrian Underworld. Though Kumarbi dwells in the Realm of the Dead and connects with life/death/rebirth cycles, he's not specifically an Underworld God. See also: Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As a fertility figure Kumarbi can nourish the Earth from below. If annoyed he might poison it instead. He holds dominion over drought and blight, so it's vital to give him the offering(s) due his rank. Since 1st millennium BCE he's also a God of prosperity. Kumarbi gives birth to the stone giant Ullikummi, the sea serpent Ḫedammu (Hedammu) and other creatures in an effort to oust Teshub. Although he's often depicted as an old man he retains considerable influence, rank and power. See also: Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Urnfield Culture: Bronze & Iron Age Europe Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The first mention of Kumarbi comes from c. 23rd century BCE in Urkesh, northeast Syria. He becomes widely worshipped throughout the realm. He features in multiple written myths, many focused on his ongoing battle with Teshub. In the 18th century BCE Kumarbi is equated with other Gods of kingly rank including Dagan of the Syrians, Enlil of Mesophotamia, and father god El of Ugarit. His father is said to be the primordial figure Alalu. His consort, Shalash, is tutelary Goddess of the middle Euphrates region. See also: Nefertari Queen of Peace Ancient Egypt Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Lusatians - Nordic Bronze Age Cultures Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Hurrian accounts call Kumarbi the 'father of the gods'. He's often portrayed as old, weak and deposed by Teshub. His importance as a God isn't necessarily affected but the image illustrates the story of the God cycle. The Hittite 'star of Kumarbi' is identified as planet Saturn. Although Kumarbi lives in the Land of the Dead, the main Hurrian Underworld deity is the Goddess Allani. See also: Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Kumarbi holds influence over groundwater, or water emerging from beneath the ground, similar to the Ugaritic Goddess Asray. In an incantation or Hurrian hymn, water from a spring under Kumarbi's throne reaches the head of the Sun goddess of the Earth. Like other major Mesopotamian and near eastern Gods, Kumarbi has a sukkal, vizier or servant who attends the God and delivers messages upstairs. When sacrificing to Kumarbi it's important to give the sukkal due respect, as he can influence decisions. See also: Mušḫuššu - Mythic Snake Dragon Sukkal Ancient Mesopotamian Cities - Uruk Pazuzu - Demon God of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Kumarbi's sukkal is Mukišānu, a tutelary god whose name means "from Mukiš", an affluent settlement in the mid-late Bronze Age. Usually the sukkal is the same gender as the God/dess being worshipped. Sukkals can also be non-sexual, hermaphroditic or androgynous. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Each sukkal may have a personal temple. If the God/dess isn't listening to pleas or prayers, or only priests and initates are allowed in the main temple, one can visit the sukkal. See also: Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld Weather God of Zippalanda: Bronze Age Gods Rabbit Fever Plague & Warfare: Hittites Back to Top

In ancient Mesopotamia demons are a fact of life. They can cause disease, fires, accidents, madness, crime and pestilence. Plants wither and crops die in their presence. The hideous Asag makes fish boil alive in rivers. See also: Disease Demons & Doctors: Ancient Mesopotamia Sin (Suen): Moon God of Mesopotamia Caspian Tiger: Bronze Age Wild Predators Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Namtar sends plague throughout the lands. The demon Shulpae is associated with epilepsy (benu, bennu) an affliction greatly feared in the ancient world. Goddess Queen Ereshkigal rules over Kur, the Mesopotamian Underworld. She declares the deceased officially dead and her scribe notes down the details. There's no judgment. Evil humans have the same fate as the righteous. See also: Papsukkal - Grand Vizier of the Gods Figs - Food of the Ancient World Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Grave goods in the burial site, continued libations, prayers and offerings by family are important to the comfort of the deceased. Without someone to care for them in the Overworld, the dead have miserable lives, with only dust to eat and dirty water to drink. Family members pour libations through a tube into the grave of the deceased. Offerings of food, incense, small gifts, incantations and praises are given by relatives to ensure a comfortable afterlife. See also: Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld Ḫulbazizi - Ancient Exorcism Ritual Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Edimmu are composed of spirits who were not buried properly, including those whose descendants don't pay respects. They're vengeful demons who go abroad to haunt their families. Also included are those who die in an accident, by starvation, shipwreck or murder and are not given a burial. Nergal, the Lord of the Underworld, is a god of inflicted death. See also: Nergal - Ancient Underworld Gods Demons - Evil Udug of Mesopotamia Owl - Death, Messages, Mystic Wisdom Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books These spirits are angry and resentful. If a soul is killed as a mortal, the ghost can torment the murderer. If his bones lie gnawed by sharks on the ocean floor, he might take out his agony on the living. In Germanic tradition similar creatures are the Wiedergänger, the Undead or those who walk again. They're the pagan German equivalents to werewolves, vampires, life-sucking demons and angry ghosts. See also: Aufhöcker - Cursed Undead of German Myth Girsu (Tello): Ancient Sumerian City Gibil - Fire God of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Forms of these creatures exist in the East, including the infamous hopping vampire of China. The preta, or hungry ghosts of Buddhism and Hinduism, are similar spirits. The Mesopotamian Edimmu can possess people. They're a type of wind demon, hard to see, often felt. They cause illness, mood swings, hatred, pain, suffering and criminal behavior in the possessed one. See also: Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Wind demons can suck the life essence from people who are weak. These could be the elderly, frail, infirm, ill, children and those who are sleeping. It's possible to placate the demons with libations, offerings, praises and hymns. The purpose is to make the ghost less angry so it will leave in peace, and perhaps have some comfort in the afterlife. Thus is the haunted person free of its influence. See also: Dumuzi & Geshtinanna: Reasons for Seasons 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 The demon can also inflict a person as punishment for breaking taboos or disrespect to the gods. Even benevolent gods will call up disease demons if humans fail to observe proper attitudes or rites. If the demon is especially hostile, an exorcism might be necessary. In ancient Mesopotamia, exorcists are specialist priests and healers known as asipu. They're physicians with expertise in demonology, who use magical means to heal or cure a person. See also: Gallu (Galla) Demons of Ancient Kur Mušḫuššu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books There are two other main types of physician. The asu or objective doctor uses herbs, organic products and techniques known to be successful in the past. The baru, experts of divination, can identify the demon or entity possessing the person. Often more than one type of doctor participates in healing. See also: Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Back to Top

The ancient Near East is one of the most highly developed of Bronze and Pre-Bronze Age civilization. Regions of the ancient Near East include the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey (Anatolia), Egypt, Iran and Iraq (Mesopotamia). The area is also known as the Middle East. Go to Index Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books See also: Cult of the Bull - Prehistoric Aurochs Anatolia - Neolithic Town of Çatalhöyük Iron Age - Metallurgy & Metal Magic Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The earliest and richest of civilizations appear in Anatolia (north Mesopotamia), Egypt and southern Mesopotamia, with Neolithic cities supporting tens of thousands of people. Technology and engineering such as irrigation and construction of the City of the Dead are among the many feats of this time. The largest cities of the Bronze Age Near East include Jump to: Ur (f. 3800 BCE) - 65,000 inhabitants Memphis (f. 2925 BCE) - 30,000 inhabitants Babylon (f. 2300 BCE) - 50,000 - 60,000 inhabitants Ur (f. 3800 BCE) - 65,000 inhabitants Back to Index As a jewel of the Sumerian Empire, the city of Ur is a major center of communication and commerce in the ancient world. Temples, royal tombs filled with treasure, artifacts, jewelry, weapons, symbols of rank, and other grave sites and living sites, tell a lot about about the structure, beliefs and culture of a civilization. See also: Botanical Alchemy - White Dead Nettle Ancient Greece - the Mycenean Invasion Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books An important urban center, Ur has early evidence of writing in its cuneiform tablets. Written forms of language are hallmarks of Bronze Age culture. In the 21st century BCE King Ur-Nammu came to power, and built the famous ziggurat of Ur. In Sumerian ziggurat is derived from the word meaning "temple whose foundation creates aura". King Ur-Nammu dedicated the temple to the moon god Nanna, patron deity of Ur. Shorelines are marshy and also under Ur-Nammu a canal system provides water and irrigates crops. See also: Before the Vikings - Nordic Bronze Age Spiritual Alchemy - Touching the Divine Bronze Age Cultures - Trzciniec Ziggurat construction finished in the 21st century BC under King Shulgi, who proclaimed himself a god to win allegiance. During his 48-year reign, Ur was the capital controlling most of Mesopotamia. Evidence of an even earlier occupation, dating back to 6000 BCE, has been found beneath a silt layer consistent with the heavy floods occurring in the region. Memphis (f. 2925 BCE) - 30,000 inhabitants. Back to Index The name may come from the late Ancient Egyptian term for Memphis mjt-rhnt or Road of the Ram-Headed Sphinxes. Memphis is best known for the Pyramids of Giza. Memphis was the capital of Ancient Egypt for more than six consecutive dynasties. See also: Bronze Age Afterlife & Burial Beliefs Amber Trade - Bronze Age on the Baltic Alchemy Symbols - Circle, Snake & Lion Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The pyramids are only part of a large necropolis, of City of the Dead. Other tombs and passageways are still being discovered. The necropolis is on and under a plain 30 km (19 mi) long. It's in the west, to correspond with the setting sun, while the city of the living is in the east. Under the Sixth Dynasty Memphis was a prosperous center for the worship of Ptah, the god of creation and artworks. A creator god, Ptah is one of the deific trilogy of Memphis, which also include his consort Sekmet and their son Nefertem. Ptah is considered the father of the sage Imhotep. Memphis is abandoned c. 500 BCE. An alabaster sphinx guarding the Temple of Ptah bespeaks the former power and prestige of the city. See also: Phosphorus: Element of Fatal Fascination Before the Vikings: Battle Axe Culture Tumuli - Burial Mounds of the Bronze Age Babylon (f. 2300 BCE) - 50,000 - 60,000 inhabitants Back to Index From 2300 BCE Babylon is a thriving city on the lower Euphrates river in south Mesopotamia, the region now Iraq. Babylon is the center of culture and politics in Akkadian Babylonia. The shining star of Babylon rose twice in antiquity, the first time in the 18th century as the Old Babylonian Empire and again in the 7-6th centuries BCE. Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Akkadian is the first ancient empire in Mesopotamia, succeeding the Sumerian civilization. This empire unites Akkadian and Sumerian speakers and has great influence in Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Anatolia. It boasts a strong military presence. See also: What is the Philosopher's Stone? Hyssop (Hyssopus) - Plant of Mystic Lore Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minoa King Hammurabi of the Amorites founds Old Babylonian Empire in the 18th century BCE. He grows Babylon into a major city and declares himself King. Babylon is among the most important urban centers until its decline in the 4th century BCE. Between c. 1770 - c. 1670 BCE Babylon was the biggest city in the world and again c. 612 – c. 320 BCE. It was probably the first city to reach a population over 200,000. See also: Primeval Deities: Goddess of the Dawn Sulfur - Treasure of the Underworld Spiritual Alchemy - Attuning the Self Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Old Babylon texts often refer to Shamash the Sun God, a supreme deity, and Marduk his son. Marduk was later elevated and Shamash lowered in status, which may represent the rising political power of Babylon. Later, Neo-Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II (r. 605 - 562 BCE) built one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It's said he created them for his wife Queen Amytis, who missed the green hills and valleys of her homeland in the Medes. See also: Zircon - the Primordial Gemstone Earth Mother - Goddess of Life Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Back to Top

The Eurasian Tiger or Caspian Tiger, a Panthera tigris tigris subspecies, roamed Turkey, Afghanistan, parts of Iraq, Caspian regions such as Iran, central Asia and southern Russia since 9800 BCE. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 An ancient predator with thousands of years of history, the tiger takes part in the entire evolution of human civilization. The Caspian Tiger was declared extinct in 2003. See also: Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia Mušḫuššu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Caspian Tiger, along with the Siberian Tiger, was one of the largest living big cat species. Coloring was tawny orange to grey with black stripes. Male Caspian tigers had a body length of 270–295 cm (106–116 in) and weighed 170–240 kg (370–530 lb); females measured 240–260 cm (94–102 in) in head-to-body and weighed 85–135 kg (187–298 lb). Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 According to historical records, tiger habitation in Caspian Sea region was not continuous. It ranged depending on the accessibility of wetlands such as river basins, lake edges and sea shores. Like other tigers, Caspians were water lovers. See also: Figs - Food of the Ancient World Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Tiger settlement is also contingent on the number of wild hoofed mammals, the favored food of tigers. In the forests around the Black Sea, plenty of red and roe deer can be found. Tigers also hunt wild boar and will occasionally catch rock hyrax, an important prey animal in the food chain of Mesopotamia. Through the late Pleistocene and Holocene Eras, the Caspian tiger population was linked to the Bengal tiger population in the Hindu Kush, before gene flow was interrupted by humans. The Holocene ends about 9600 BCE. See also: Arabian Leopard: Bronze Age Predators Gods of Ugarit c. 1800 - 1200 BCE Kish: Glory Days in Ancient Babylonia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Caspian tiger died out due to massive development, dams, drainage of wetlands, human takeover of territory, competition with humans for food such as wild boar, and organized tiger hunts on a broad scale in the 19th century and much of the 20th. It was officially declared extinct in 2003. In the Bronze Age and earlier, the Caspian tiger is one of the apex predators of the ancient near East. Competition for territory and resources include the Eurasian Lion. The tiger might cross paths with the Arabian Leopard near the boundary of their ranges - two felines who love the wetlands. See also: Nabarbi - Rustic Goddess of Pastures Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Caspian tiger arrived in Eurasia from the far East. Food is plentiful during the early ages. Deer, gazelles, wild horses, asses, onagers, mountain sheep and even moose provide a bounty of prey for the big cats. Fish thrive in the streams, wetlands and marshes. Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 In winter or lean times, a tiger might attack livestock straying too far from the herd. Naturally this makes them an enemy of shepherds and farmers, and like wolves they are killed on sight. Tigers need to eat up to 25 lb (11.3 k) per day. See also: Bird Woman Elwetritsch: German Folklore Anzû - Mesopotamian Monster of Mayhem Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Alternately they can gorge up to 100 lbs (45 k) at one meal and fast for several days. Tigers are known for grandiose appetites. In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Tiger. It's an ambitious period of achievement and prosperity. This is a good time to connect with one's inner power and/or increase self-confidence. See also: Flooding of the Nile - Nature & Myth Nergal - Ancient Underworld Gods Ninazu: Healing, Death, Snakes & War Back to Top

The Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is the smallest of the big cat leopard family. Also known as the Judean desert leopard, it's one of the alpha predators in Eurasia in the Bronze Age. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 The Eurasian Lion, another local predator, is found through the middle East and into Europe in ancient times. The Arabian leopard may be the inspiration for the fearsome unicorn hare of legend. See also: Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Nabarbi - Rustic Goddess of Pastures Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books It's thought the leopards developed as a subspecies due to the isolated conditions of the Arabian Peninsula. As the climate warms in the Neolithic Age, these big cats roam the coast lands of ancient Arabia. They live in mountainous regions along the Red Sea as far north as the Mediterranean and the Sinai Peninsula. At the height of their range they expand into central Arabia. See also: Kushuh (Kušuḫ) Hurrian Moon God Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Hurrians: Bronze Age Warrior Kingdom Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Until the late 1960s, the Arabian leopard was widespread in the mountains along coasts of the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. The Arabian Leopard is the national animal of Yemen. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 The Arabian Peninsula has been settled by humans since the middle Paleolithic Age. Characterized by flake tools such as those of flint, and the widespread use of fire, the middle Paleolithic covers c. 250,000 to 30,000 years ago. See also: Jade - Jadeite, Nephrite & Jade Roads Kiashe (Kiaše) - Elemental Sea God Tin - Essential Metal of Antiquity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Leopards are carnivores. Their prey includes Arabian gazelle, Nubian ibex, Cape hare, rock hyrax, porcupine, Ethiopian hedgehog, small rodents, birds, and insects. In appearance the leopard is pale yellow, tawny to deep gold, or grey. Its fur has dark edged spots, or rosettes. Males are182–203 cm (72–80 in) in length, including 77–85 cm (30–33 in) long tails. Arabian leopard males weigh about 30 kg (66 lb). See also: Ullikummi - Rock Monster of Legend Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Gods of Ugarit c. 1800 - 1200 BCE Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Female Arabian leopards measure about 160–192 cm (63–76 in) in length, including 67–79 cm (26–31 in) long tails. The ladies weigh around 20 kg (44 lb). READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Arabian leopards are usually nocturnal but have been known to appear during the day. They prefer the heights of mountain ranges, far from humans; but as prey becomes scarce, they have to move into the valleys. See also: Šimige (Shimige) - Hurrian Sun God Atum of Egypt - First Primordial God Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The female goes into heat in March. After a gestation period of 13 weeks, the mother gives birth to 2 - 4 cubs in a burrow or cave. The leopard cubs are born with closed eyes, which open about a week later. Babies venture out of the cave at about one month old. At three months they're weaned. The young will stay with mom for up to two years. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Leopard populations have dwindled due to habitat loss, diminished prey species and poaching. Because of prey scarcity some leopards attack livestock and are killed on sight by farmers. See also: Goats in German Myth: Erntebock & Habergeiß Rise of Pan: Fertility Goat God Péh₂usōn Bes: Household Protector God of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Saudi Arabia, it's estimated leopard habitat has decreased by 90% since the beginning of the 19th century. Today the Arabian Leopard might be found in isolated coastal areas. It's listed as critically endanged. The Israeli West Bank Barrier of 2000 CE further disrupts normal prey migration routes. Some leopards die by eating poisoned meat meant for Arabian wolves and striped hyenas. See also: Lotan - Chaos Sea Dragon of Ugarit Ḫulbazizi - Ancient Exorcism Ritual Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Both the Arabian wolf and caracal, a large feline, are direct competitors with the leopard for prey. There are about 200 wild leopards in Arabia today. Still, signs are positive. Breeding programs with captive animals have been successful. Zoos participate in re-population efforts. See also: Apep - Primal Chaos God of Egypt Warrior Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea Nabu (Nabû) - Ancient God of Scribes Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Arabian lands are considering a monetary compensation to farmers who have lost livestock and domestic animals due to predation by leopards. With continued awareness the Arabian leopard is beginning to come back from the brink. See also: Bashmu (Bašmu): Voracious Serpent Dragon Demons - Evil Udug of Mesopotamia Owl - Death, Messages, Mystic Wisdom Back to Top

The earliest agriculture begins with a fig (Ficus carica). Fig trees are the first known domesticated plants. In the ancient near East, cultivation of fig trees predates that of wheat, barley and legumes such as chick peas and lentils. See also: Ninurta (Ninĝirsu) - God of the People Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Cinnamon - Spice Trade of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Fossilized fig seeds produced from selective breeding date back to c. 9400 - 9200 BCE. Figs are excellent for drying and taking on the road. They are popular on the early trade routes as snack food or commerce. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 Native to the Mediterranean region, south and west Asia, fig trees provide the earliest people with fruits packed with nutritious compounds. High in fiber and rich in iron, figs can be cooked, used in jams and preserves or eaten raw. See also: Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Girsu (Tello): Ancient Sumerian City Herbology & Lore: Caraway Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Dried figs are nutritious. The fruit doesn't last long so drying and preserving keeps people in figs when figs are out of season. Since figs are almost 80% water, drying packs in the fiber and nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, Vitamin K and B vitamins. Dried figs contain about 30% water. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 Most figs today come from Turkey, Morocco and Algeria. They bear pockets of unisexual flowers pollinated by a specially adapted fig wasp. The figs can propagate without the wasp, for instance in the UK where the temperature is too cold for the insects. See also: Ancient Arabia - Stone Age to Bronze Belet-Seri: Underworld Scribe Goddess Çatalhöyük (Catal hoyuk) Ancient Anatolia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The tree is about 10 ft (3.2 m) tall with broad three to five-lobed leaves and smooth white bark. Some fig trees grow larger. The fruit ripens to a deep purple, brown or reddish pear-shaped bulb full of white seeds. Each fig contains 30 - 1600 seeds. Figs can occur in other colors such as yellow and black. There are more naturally occurring varieties of figs than any other tree-borne fruit. Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Boukha (Tunisian Arabic: بوخة) is a distilled beverage made from figs. It originates in the Tunisian Jewish community, where most of it is still produced. In the Northern Hemisphere including the Mediterranean regions and countries of Asia Minor, the figs are ripe between late summer and early autumn. READ: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Adventure New 2024 The hardy trees with their fragrant leaves and love of sunshine can tolerate frosty to hot humid conditions. They've been cultivated in many climates. See also: Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Abu - Ancient Vegetation Snake God Gallu (Galla) Demons of Ancient Kur Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The milky sap of the plant parts may irritate skin. Gloves and long sleeves can be worn if handling the plants. Not everyone has a reaction. In folk medicine, the sap is used to remove warts and soften calluses. Birds and animals eat the fruits and excrete the seeds with body waste. In this way new fig trees can grow a distance away from the mother tree, who has less competition for nutrients and water resources. See also: Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Mulberry Tree (Morus): Uses, Folklore & Myth Pagan Solstice Fests: Mithras & the Sun Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Fig trees like rocky environments and can grow in poor soils and higher elevations. Figs are usually found near water. The roots are often shallow with a flattened appearance. They can grow up to 6 m (20ft) deep to reach water. Fig may be found growing naturally in areas of groundwater or underground water sources. In ancient Mesopotamian culture, Queen of Heavens the Goddess Inanna (Ishtar) takes the form of the divine fig tree Xikum. The tree is called 'the primeval mother at the central place of the earth'. She's the protector of Tammuz (Dumuzid). See also: Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Queen Eleanor & the Calamitous Crusade Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Figs and fig trees are associated with female sexuality and, according to scholars, enlightenment through the feminine principle. In Buddhism, Gautama Buddha reaches enlightenment (bodhi) c. 500 BCE after meditating beneath a Ficus religiosa, now known as the bodhi tree, for seven weeks. The site of the tree beneath which the Buddha attains enlightenment is in present-day Bodh Gaya. The bodhi tree has been replaced eleven times. See also: Aufhöcker - Cursed Undead of German Myth Nergal - Ancient Underworld Gods Romanesque - Magic of Light & Stone Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Christianity, the fig is famous for clothing Adam and Eve after their fall from grace. Later sculptures, paintings and other representations use fig leaves to the point of stereotype to cover up anatomical parts considered naughty. The prophet Muhammad enjoys figs and promotes them. In one text he says, "If I had to mention a fruit descended from paradise, I would say this is it because the paradisiacal fruits do not have pits ... eat from these fruits, for they prevent hemorrhoids, prevent piles and help gout." See also: Off to the Black Forest we go! The Way to Aaru - Egyptian Paradise Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Many types of fig cake exist, from loaves to pan cakes to cupcakes. In ancient Mesopotamian one for the favorite fig cakes isn't a cake at all. It's a thick, hardened paste of figs formed into a round or oblong loaf. The ancients create fig-cakes with the most succulent of ripe figs. The maker pounds them in a large wooden mortar with long wood pestle until they're mush. This is kneaded together and formed into loaves in standard molds. See also: Apep - Primal Chaos God of Egypt Aya - Goddess of Dawn, Mesopotamia Ullikummi - Rock Monster of Legend Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The 'cakes' or slices are taken on the road, sold in the market or stored as prepared food. These most ancient of foods are long loved in the Mediterranean and near East countries. According to the Jewish Aggadah the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden is a fig. In the later Christian Bible the fruit is an apple. A pomegranate has also been suggested. See also: Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Mušḫuššu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk Hurrian Bronze Age Gods & Goddesses Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Book of Deuteronomy describes the fertility of the land of Canaan, naming the fig tree as one of Seven Species. These are the seven plants indigenous to the Middle East which altogether can provide food throughout the year. See also: Apples: Myth, Nature & German Folklore Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Anatolia - Alaca Höyük City of the Sun Back to Top

In ancient Mesopotamia the Underworld Kur is ruled by the sultry and temperamental Goddess Queen Ereskigal. As usual among Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses, Ereshkigal has a sukkal or royal attendant. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Her sukkal is Namtar, a man-beast hideous to look upon. He's originally one of the demons of disease who inhabit the nether realm. See also: Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld Gallu (Galla) Demons of Ancient Kur Belet-Seri: Underworld Scribe Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Gods and their sukkals are usually the same gender but it's not a hard rule. Namtar breaks with convention as he's a male sukkal to a female deity. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 His primary role is to attend to the needs of Ereshkigal, run errands, deliver messages, arrange meetings and back her up in fights. She's a high-maintenance goddess needing plenty of attention. The closest equating word to sukkal is vizier. See also: Joyful Arrival of Hapi in Egypt Nergal - Ancient Underworld Gods Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle He lives at the royal palace, a place of luxury, and keeps court along with the scribe of Ereskigal, Belet-Seri or Geshtinanna. Namtar is part man, part monster. Although he's not actively worshipped, some incantations call on him to keep demons and other evil forces in the Underworld. As sukkal to a powerful figure, Namtar may have his own temple beside that of Ereshkigal. Demons are not worshipped in ancient Mesopotamia. However, Namtar's role as sukkal necessitates human contact. Ereshkigal is a popular deity in the Overworld, her worship lasting over twenty centuries. See also: Hattusa Green Stone - Mystic Secrets Papyrus (C. papyrus): Sacred Reeds of Aaru Nabarbi - Rustic Goddess of Pastures Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Sometimes no one is allowed to enter the sacred space except the priests. If the people can't connect with the Goddess directly, they can ask a favor for the intercession of Namtar, her sukkal. A supplicant then speaks or sings incantations and makes sacrifice to Namtar. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 In Sumerian, the oldest written language (c. 3400), Namtar's name means "fate" and he embodies unavoidable fate, generally death. He can be compared to Mot the personification of death itself in Ugaritic sources. See also: Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Namni & Hazzi - Mountain Gods Tin - Essential Metal of Antiquity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In a Mesopotamian flood myth, the god Enlil asks Namtar to spread disease among the humans, because their noise is keeping him awake. The humans survive the plague. Enlil then creates a drought, then a flood. With the last, the world is more peaceful and he can finally take a nap. Back in the Underworld, Namtar is married to Sumerian netherworld Goddess Hušbišag or Hushbishag, called the 'stewardess of the Underworld'. With her he has one daughter, Ḫedimmeku. Both women remain vague figures in the land of the Dead. See also: Kohl: Eye Beauty Magic of Ancients Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Rise of Pan: Fertility Goat God Péh₂usōn Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Namtar is originally a demon of disease residing in the Underworld. He becomes the sukkal of Ereshkigal in the 2nd millennium BCE. This is about the same time Nergal, a god of war and disease, becomes her husband. Namtar soon must put his diplomatic skills to work as fights between Ereskigal and Nergal rage, usually centered around Nergal's sexual infidelity. Nergal's sukkal Ishum might be dragged into the conflict, too. See also: Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Witches' Night - Hexennacht Myth & Metallurgy - Metals of Antiquity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As a disease demon, Namtar is often paired with the powerful malevolent entity Asag in incantations. The two demons are the most dangerous sources of disease. Another demon of diseases, the god Šulpae, is sometimes compared to Namtar. See also: Pazuzu - Demon God of Mesopotamia Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Back to Top

Ninurta (Lord of Barley) or Ninĝirsu (Ningirsu, Lord of the City of Girsu) is a multi-talented God of Sumer and Mesopotamia. In his famous depiction he waves lightning bolts as he pursues the dread demon Anzu through the primordial realm. See also: Nanshe - Nature Goddess of Justice Girsu (Tello): Ancient Sumerian City Kish: Glory Days in Ancient Babylonia Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninurta begins as an agricultural deity in ancient Sumer (4100 - 1750 BCE). He's associated with different types of rain, such as light rain, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Barley and wheat are the two main grain crops of the land. They're especially successful in the fertile delta fields and wadis, or seasonal rivers. See also: Bau - Healing Goddess of Babylonia Dromedary Camel: Animals of Ancient Arabia 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 Associated with healing, Ninurta can cure illness and drive out disease-causing demons. At the time of King Gudea of Lagash (r. 2080 - 2060 BCE) he's held in high reverence. The colossal Gudea cylinders tell of the rebuilding of Ninĝirsu's temple by Gudea, King of Lagash. Gudea was instructed to do so in a dream. See also: Gibil - Fire God of Mesopotamia Giant Cinnamon Birds of Arabia Dumuzi & Geshtinanna: Reasons for Seasons Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books They're the largest cuneiform cylinders yet discovered. They contain the longest known text written in the Sumerian language. Written between 1700 - 1500 BCE is a poem known as the Sumerian Georgica. In it, Ninurta gives detailed advice on matters of agriculture. See also: Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Ancient Arabia - Stone Age to Bronze Ninazu: Healing, Death, Snakes & War Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Entries include how to plant, tend, and harvest crops; how to prepare fields for planting; and how to drive away crop-eating birds. The Sumerian Georgica poem covers nearly every aspect of farm life over the course of the year. Also associated with hunting, Ninurta keeps the mountains, forests and meadows fertile for cattle and prey animals such as gazelles, wild pigs and deer. His name is sometimes invoked before a hunt. See also: Abu - Ancient Vegetation Snake God Gula - Medicine Goddess of Mesopotamia German Myth: Lindwyrm, Mare & Pig Demons 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 law. His sister Nanshe is a goddess of justice. As writing begins in Sumer c. 3400, cuneiform script on tablets of clay, Ninurta is also a deity of scribes. Later, his character becomes more warlike. In the Assyrian age (c. 2100 - 700 BCE) Ninurta is admired as a warrior god. These days he'd have his own action figure. See also: Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Hurrians: Bronze Age Warrior Kingdom Tin Trade Routes - Ancient Networks Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Adventures of Ninurta include his legendary battle with the chaos creature Anzû (Anzu) - Mesopotamian Monster of Mayhem. Anzu steals the Tablet of Destinies from the God Enlil, Ninurta's father, and Enlil wants it back. Another significant myth, preceding Anzu, is the battle of Ninurta and hideous Asag - Horrific Disease Demon of Kur. Kur is the Mesopotamian Underworld. Ruled by Queen Ereshkigal, it's an abode of demons, mortal spirits and gods alike. Ninurta must stop Asag from spreading disease and death, and does so armed with his talking mace Shapur. See also: Shen Rings Egypt - Divine Protection Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Myrrh - Mystique, Death & Divinity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The tales of Ninurta's mythical conquests are translated into Akkadian in the Middle Babylonian period, c. 1600 - 1155 BCE, as Sumerian becomes obsolete and hard to understand. It's now considered an extinct language. The revival of the old stories in new languages show how the reverence of Ninurta survives the centuries. Besides Inanna he's the deity most worshipped in Mesopotamia. See also: Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Bird Woman Elwetritsch: German Folklore Queen Eleanor & the Calamitous Crusade Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Like Inanna, Ereshkigal and others Ninurta is a god of the people. Cities and kings might fall, but it's the people who give the gods life. A number of fragmentary myths present Ninurta conquering cities and smashing skulls. His weapons are bolts of lighting. See also: Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Teshub: Hurrian Bronze Age Storm God Hurrian Primordial Gods & Creatures Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle His other symbols, a plow and perched bird, refer to his prior allegiance with vegetation and agriculture. His sister Nanshe is a goddess of birds of fish. His mother is Ninhursag, Great Mountain Mother Goddess. Ninurta elevated her to the title. He has two consorts: Gula the medicine goddess, as Ninurta; and Bau also a goddess of healing, as Ninĝirsu. He may occasionally be associated with other goddesses such as Inanna. See also: Hatti - Cultures of Ancient Anatolia Myth & Metallurgy - Metals of Antiquity Papyrus (C. papyrus): Sacred Reeds of Aaru Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninurta's planets are Saturn and Mercury. His divine ride is a hybrid monster with lion's body and tail of a scorpion. His sukkal is Inimmanizi, which means "his word is true" in Sumerian. A common given name, Inimmmanizi is attested as the sukkal of Ninurta from the Old Babylonian period onward. He's worshiped in Ninurta's temple Ešmueša in Nippur. See also: Nigella Sativa: Black Seed of Healers Flooding of the Nile - Nature & Myth Lotan - Chaos Sea Dragon of Ugarit

Asag (Azag, Asakku) is a demon so horrific his very presence makes fish boil alive in rivers and lakes. In the Sumerian poem Lugal-e he's a Mesopotamian disease demon and chaos monster of the highest degree. See also: Namtar: Underworld Sukkal & Disease Demon Belet-Seri: Underworld Scribe Goddess Gallu (Galla) Demons of Ancient Kur Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books His name comes from Sumerian á-sàg or disorder. Asag belongs to the most powerful class of gallu demons who reside in Kur, the Underworld. The main work of these demons is to drag unwilling mortals into Kur. They also have the role of hellish torturers, as in the story of Dumuzid, when goddess Inanna turns her wrath on him. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 As demons of disease they may be asked to do other tasks. At one point the god Enlil tells disease demon Namtar to spread plague among the humans because they make too much noise and he can't sleep. See also: Nergal - Ancient Underworld Gods Carnelian - Gems of the Ancient World Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle When Asag gets together with Namtar, the two become together the most dangerous and deadly sources of disease. Asag is best known from his battle with Ninurta, the son of Enlil. A Sumerian god of farming, healing, hunting, law, scribes and war, Ninurta also has the power to cure diseases caused by demons. In Mesopotamian philosophy, most disease is caused by demons. See also: Flooding of the Nile - Nature & Myth German Vampires - Nachzehrer Ullikummi - Rock Monster of Legend Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ninurta gains his fierce reputation by battling the terrible demon monster Asag, who wreaks havoc throughout the known world. At another time Ninurta defeats the bird monster Anzu (Anzû), who stole the tablet of destinies from Enlil. Later, the champion of the story is Marduk. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 The demon god Asag is often allied with an army of rock demons. They are his children, born from an intimate liaison with a mountain. See also: Anzû - Mesopotamian Monster of Mayhem Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Curse of the Evil Eye & Apotropaic Magic Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle After consulting with his father Enlil, Ninurta sets out to slay the dread demon. He brings his enchanted talking mace, Sharur, whose name in Sumerian means 'smasher of thousands'. READ: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Sharur has certain powers. It can fly across great distances, maintaining contact with the thrower. In Ninurta's battle with Asag, Sharur is a method of communication between Enlil and Ninurta. See also: Weapons & Warfare of Bronze Age Europe 1 Immortal - Quest for the Elixir of Life 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The mace can also take the form of a winged lion. Through Sharur, Ninurta receives strategic information from Enlil about how to slay Asag. The demon god is poisoning the rivers and laying waste to the land. In Lugal-e, also known as Ninurta's Exploits, Ninurta confronts Asag to find him surrounded by his army of rock monsters. With the help of Sharur and the divine protection of Enlil, Ninurta leaps into the fray, smashing heads as stone shrapnel flies all around him. See also: Pazuzu - Demon God of Mesopotamia Kiashe (Kiaše) - Elemental Sea God Warrior Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Asag thunders, and the earth shakes. He gnashes his teeth and breathes toxic fumes of disease upon Ninurta. With a great swing of his mace, Ninurta deals Asag a death blow, and the mighty demon crumbles. From the rubble of Asag's army, Ninurta uses stones to build the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and make them useful for irrigation. Originally Ninurta is an agricultural god of fertility, and even in his warrior role he retains these associations. See also: Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Aufhöcker - Cursed Undead of German Myth Industry & the Age of Monsters As Mesopotamia evolves to become more warlike, Ninurta's image changes to that of a warrior. His main cult center is Nippur. He's sometimes known as Ninĝirsu'. Two kings erect massive temples to Ninurta. By the first millenium BCE he's hailed as a hero among the Assyrians. His major symbols are a perched bird and a plow. See also: Seduction of Hedammu, Father of Snakes Heqet, Frog Goddess of Egypt Flooding of the Nile - Nature & Myth Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the ancient world Ninurta appears in more myths in Mesopotamia than any other deity, except Inanna. Beyond his conquest and apparent demise at the hands of Ninurta, there is no further sign of Asag. See also: Land of Punt: Pre-Bronze Age Kingdom of Riches Benu - Ba Heron God of Ancient Egypt Aya - Goddess of Dawn, Mesopotamia Back to Top

A mythological monster, the Greek Sphinx has the body of a lion, head of a human and wings of an Eagle. Jump to: Greek Sphinx Egyptian Sphinx Assyrian Sphinx - Lammasu In the ancient world the Eurasian lion still roams the Mesopotamian outback, a symbol of vigor and strength. The Sphinx also features in Egyptian, Assyrian and other mythologies. See also: Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Nature Spirits of German Mythology Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Greek Sphinx Back to Top Greco-Roman poet Statius, writing c. 1st century CE, describes the Sphinx as 'a winged monster with pallid cheeks, eyes tainted with corruption, plumes clotted with gore and talons on livid hands.' Animal iconography in hybrid monsters is focused on qualities of the animals involved. They can be positive or negative, usually a combination. Lions inspire awe and respect from the people. They carry traits of courage and dangerous ferocity. See also: Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Sobekneferu - Queen of the Pharaohs Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle These apex predators represent royalty, power and a certain influence over life and death. They inspire awe and respect. As a bird of vision, the Eagle relates to strength, dominance and the all-seeing eye, with mighty wings allowing her to soar higher than any other. Sometimes the tail of the Sphinx ends in the head of a snake or serpent, another significant animal in mythology. The snake is associated with healing, death, rebirth, sensuality and arcane knowledge. Serpents can also represent the primal dragon. See also: Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Greek Sphinx can be ruthless and treacherous. She has the head of a woman, body and legs of a lion, and powerful wings. She is summoned by Hera or Ares from her homeland Aethiopia to the gates of Thebes. In the myth of Oedipus, those who meet the Sphinx must answer a riddle correctly. If not, they become her next meal. Q. "What goes on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?" See also: 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minos Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books A. "A person, who crawls on all fours as a child, walks upright as a youth and adult, and uses a cane or third leg in old age." Oedipus is the first to answer the riddle correctly. Shocked, the Sphinx throws herself into the sea and drowns. In this way Oedipus wins freedom of the Thebans, who have been terrorized by the Sphinx, and the lovely Queen Jocasta as his wife. See also: Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Later he discovers Jocasta is his mother, and he's already killed his father on the road, without recognizing him. In the 20th century Freud names a complex after this. Egyptian Sphinx Back to top The Sphinx is also the symbol of the ancient city-state Chios, an island in the North Aegean Sea. Her image appears on seals and the obverse side of coins for almost a thousand years, spanning the 6th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Egyptian Sphinx is possibly the most familiar, especially the Sphinx at Giza (c. 2550 BC) with its vast size and broken nose. From chisel marks and other signs it's thought the breakage of the nose is an act of intentional destruction. The Giza Sphinx is carved from solid rock, a big chunk of limestone. Beneath the Sphinx are rooms thought to be used for ceremony or meetings. No tombs have been detected. See also: Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt Bird Woman Elwetritsch: German Folklore Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Egyptian Sphinx above is thought to be the earliest known, dating to c. 2600 BCE. Made of painted limestone, the Sphinx represents Hetepheres II, daughter of Khufu and royal princess of Egypt. She marries, has a daughter and becomes Queen of Egypt. She marries again after her husband dies, wedding her ambitious half-brother who covets the throne of the Pharaoh. When he dies, she marries her daughter to her late husband's successor, thus making her mother-in-law of the Pharaoh. See also: Mulberry Tree (Morus): Uses, Folklore & Myth Nefertari Queen of Peace Ancient Egypt Tollense Valley Battlefield: Ancient Germania Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books While the Greek Sphinx has a nasty reputation, the Egyptian variety represent kingship, proud achievement and divinity. The Egyptians think of the Sphinx as a representation of Horemakhet or Horus of the Horizon. The sphinx symbolizes royalty and sacred status or divine connection. Lamassu - Assyrian Sphinx Back to Top The Assyrian Sphinx or Lamassu is originally the Sumerian goddess or goddess group Lamma. She's shown here as a protective winged deity in female form with long ruffled dress, c. 2000 BCE. She wears a horned tiara, the details lost over thousands of years. See also: Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Lamma goddess figure represents the zodiac or zodiacs, parent-stars or constellations. Her hands are raised in a sign of prayer. With her cosmic connections, wings of protection, a holy tiara and beneficent ambiance, the Lamassu figure could be a forerunner to the perception of angels in Christianity. Assyrian astrology comes from the earlier Akkadians and is used to chart the movements in the heavens in context of kingship and the destiny of kindoms, rather than applied to the individual as today. Its influence moves into Babylon, and eventually to the Greeks. See also: Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Zababa - Bronze Age War God of Kish Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Guardian spirits Lamassu and their male counterparts the shedu had their start in the folklore of Assyria, when they were used as human winged talismans for luck and protection of the household. The idea caught on in royal circles, and became monumental. The Goddess Lama becomes a hybrid with human head, wings of a bird and body of bull or lion. Lamassu are usually female, with the exception being shedu (šēdu), or male form of Lamassu. See also: Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Early Fire Gods - Vulkan of Germania Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle After the Assyrians the Goddess Lamma is always depicted in a hybrid animal form and her aspect as a winged maiden fades away. In the Epic of Gilgamesh the Lamassu have masculine qualities. Architecturally, the Lamassu unearthed from various sites are predominantly male, with man's head and bull's body. The massive sculptures are commonly placed as pairs at the entrance to cities and palaces. Some weigh up to forty tons. Gypsum is the favored material for carving Lamassu. It's a soft white rock used to make plaster. The sculptures would be painted bright colors. See also: Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt 1st Peace Treaty 1258 BCE - the Queens Urnfield Culture: Bronze & Iron Age Europe Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As a male deity Lamassu has the body of a bull with stylized wings of an eagle. He wears the horned crown, the sign of divine status. Symbolically the human head represents intelligence. The bull relates to might and virility, and the eagle wings signify freedom. Lamassu repels evil and has strong protective powers. See also: Sulfur - Treasure of the Underworld Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Volcanic Wipeout - 1600 BCE Eruption of Thera Back to Top