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Ancient Mesopotamia is rife with demons and spirit entities. Demons can bring famine, plague, drought, pestilence, childhood disease, wasting sickness, insanity and bloodshed. Where exorcism is needed, Ḫulbazizi (Hulbazizi) is the process. Jump to: The Exorcists Manuals See also: Demons - Evil Udug of Mesopotamia Apep - Primal Chaos God of Egypt Warrior Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books It's written on clay tablets in Sumerian and later Akkadian in the late Bronze Age. The language of trade, Akkadian is the best known across the land (3rd - 1st millennium BCE). Legible writing is barely invented (c. 3400 BCE) and scribe schools are booming. Knowledge of languages is required. Scribe is a popular occupation for women, who in general have more societal freedom in the ancient days. See also: Sukkals - Mythic Viziers to the Gods Chaoskampf: Order & Chaos Battle Out Kothar (Kothar-wa-Khasis) Artisan God Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Written language allows the Mesopotamians, Greeks, Egyptians and Anatolians to keep records. Mesopotamians compile extensive and detailed kaluti, god lists or offering lists. The lists identify deities, their place in the hierarchy and their entourages. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Demons appear on no god lists. They populate the Underworld and the realm of mortals, some Sumerian, some Babylonian, some Akkadian. Rarely helpful, they're agents of conflict, pain, anger and war. See also: Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Various demons appear in texts and tales, including the sickness-causing udug and those relating to demonic possession and exorcism. Some, like the master of evil wind spirits Pazuzu, are also known in western culture. The name of the ritual Ḫulbazizi means "the Evil That Is Eradicated" or "Evil be gone". The incantation banishes mimma lemnu or evil overall and includes a spell, ša malṭi eršiya. See also: Tollense Valley Battlefield: Ancient Germania Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The spell is specifically for getting rid of monsters under the bed. It's true. Many people of the ancient world believe nightmares, insomnia, impotence or similar conditions are caused by a demon or demonic entity under the bed. Or it could be the sum of one's fears. The incantation is as follows: He who transgressed the privacy of my bed, made me shrink for fear, and gave me frightening dreams: on the command of Ninurta, the first son, the beloved son, and on the command of Marduk, who lives in the E-sagil in Babylon, he must be handed over to Bedu, the chief gatekeeper of the Netherworld. You, door and door bolt, you must know: (from now on) I fall under the protection of these two divine lords. — ša malṭi eršiya incantation See also: Bronze Age Cultures - the Hittites Cyclades Islands: Paradise of Ancients Asteria - Starry Gems of Myth & Magic Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Much of the Ḫulbazizi text and ritual is missing or illegible. The final incantation calls to planet Jupiter, the Pleiades or Seven Sisters in the constellation Taurus; and the deity Irragal (Nergal) to deflect evil from the subject. Nergal is an Underworld God and the consort or husband of Erishkigal, Goddess of the Underworld. Nergal rules war, death, and disease. He's described as the god of inflicted death or murder. See also: Stone Age Botai - First Horse People Wine God Liber: Liberty & Liberal Libation Cult of the Fire God - New in 2024 Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Exorcists Manuals Back to Top The Exorcists Manuais also known as a vademecum or handbook, is a collection of scholarly material for those wishing to learn the craft of exorcism, or āšipūtu. The manual includes exorcism rituals, royal rituals, medical knowledge, incantations and omen series. It begins, "Incipits of the Series belonging to the art of exorcism (mašmaššūtu), established (kunnu) for instruction (izhu) and testing (tāmartu), all to be read out." The handbook is actually two manuals. See also: Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Silver - Queen of Precious Metals Arzawa - Rebel Kingdom of the Bronze Age Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The first revolves around kakugallūtu, “exorcism corpus,” and išippūtu, “esoteric knowledge.” The second is the manual of the exorcist according to the scholar Esagil-kin-apli. It goes on to list works such as the great omen series of astrological (Enūma Anu Enlil) and terrestrial (Šumma Ālu) portents. See also: Industry & the Age of Monsters Herbology & Lore: Poison Hemlock Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Back to Top

A demonic class of spirits, the evil udug arise in ancient Mesopotamian mythology. Home to deities noted as far back as 7000 BCE, the fertile crescent is abundant with spiritual entities, gods, elementals, creators and demons. In myth, the evil udug are born of primordial chaos. See also: Owl - Death, Messages, Mystic Wisdom Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Apep - Primal Chaos God of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Collectively the gods comprise the Dingir, and their erstwhile servants are the Igigi. The Gods are dissatisfied, kick out the Igigi and create humans to take their place. At the basis of Mesopotamian mythology is the belief humans are made to serve the Gods. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 The demons, udug, are malicious creatures whose greatest pleasure is in the pain of others. From this mire of malevolence comes the demon Pazuzu, who's happy to fight with either gods or other demons, such as the baby-eating goddess demon Lamashtu. See also: Warrior Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea Sukkals - Mythic Viziers to the Gods Chaoskampf: Order & Chaos Battle Out Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Pazuzu is probably the most famous of the Mesopotamian demons. He possesses Linda Blair's character in the 1973 cult classic "The Exorcist" and the later "Exorcist II". Long before that, the udug frolic in the flames of destruction. They can appear in any sexual form or genderless. From a primal source, they are evil epitomized. Descriptions include a dark shadow or absence of surrounding light. They have poisonous breath, bilious skin or infectious spittle, and a thundering horrific voice. See also: Kothar (Kothar-wa-Khasis) Artisan God Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Or, they can be beautiful. Incantations known as Utukkū Lemnūtu in Akkadian and Udug-hul-a-kam in Sumerian are intoned against evil demons. They're among the earliest Mesopotamian incantations, dating to c. 3000 BCE. The texts also include healing of diseases caused by demonic malice. The Udug Hul texts include instructions for exorcizing the evil udug. These texts emphasize the evil udug's role in causing disease and the exorcist's role in curing the disease. See also: Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Lama or Lamassu is a type of benevolent demon who guards gates and doorways. It's inspired by the Sphinx, who has the head of a human, body of a lion and wings of an eagle. The Sphinx are originally female. Lamassu often appear in pairs in front of portals. The Lama has a man's head with full beard, body of a bull and eagle wings. Sometimes an udug accompanies the Lama, and may be known as a "good udug". See also: Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Evil udug also haunt gateways, portals, doors and entrances. They have toxic breath and are the ones responsible for causing sickness or madness when a tomb or burial site is opened. When they go underground, explorers, miners and archaeologists are in the domain of demons. Udug also can cast a sickness when a person passes by. Over a wider range they can send many afflictions including plague, pestilence, spontaneous abortion, infections, bleeding and childhood diseases. They can fly, pass through material earth and travel great distances in a heartbeat. See also: Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Butzemann, Witches & Nyx - Scare 'em Good Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In earliest appearances the udug are nameless and formless. Later, the God Asalluḫi, one of the Old Gods, explains the appearance of the udug to his father, the God Enkil. In a bilingual incantation, written in Akkadian and Sumerian, he says: "O my father, the evil udug, its appearance is malignant and its stature towering, Although it is not a god its clamor is great and its radiance immense, It is dark, its shadow is pitch black and there is no light within its body, It always hides, taking refuge, [it] does not stand proudly, Its claws drip with bile, it leaves poison in its wake, Its belt is not released, his arms enclose, It fills the target of his anger with tears, in all lands, [its] battle cry cannot be restrained." See also: Nixies - Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Lusatians - Nordic Bronze Age Cultures Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Although the udug are often nameless, some such as Pazuzu and his father, Hanbi or Hanpa, bear personal names (listed below). Hanbi or Hanpa is described as the personification of evil, lord of all evil forces. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Mesopotamian gods and spiritual entities tend to be well described in meticulous god lists, also known as offering lists or kaluti. Demons are not worshipped, and have no temples or cult centers, though they can be invoked by name if it's known. See also: Kumarbi - Castration Gods of Creation Wiedergänger - One Who Walks Again Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In one source, King Gudea of Lagash (ruled c. 2144–2124 BCE) asks a goddess to send a "good udug" to protect him and a Lama (Lamassu) to guide him. Exorcisms often invoke the "good udug" as guardian and support. The exorcism of the evil udug is an elaborate ritual written on sixteen clay tablets. A later text from the Old Babylonian Period (c. 1830 - 1531 BCE) reads, "May the evil udug and the evil galla stand aside. May the good udug and good galla be present." The galla class of demons are especially known for dragging the reluctant dead into the Underworld. See also: Lucifer, Venus & Anti-Gods of Mythology Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity German Myth - Lindwyrm, Mare & Pig Demons Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Mesopotamia the galla demons are linked to Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal. They pursue Ereshkigal's sister, Goddess Inanna upon her resurrection and flight from the Underworld. The phrase for "evil udug" is Udug Hul in Sumerian and Utukkū Lemnutū in Akkadian. Magical texts of Mesopotamia refer to a specific "evil udug" and plural "udugs". Udug can refer to an individual or the whole group. See also: Zababa - Bronze Age War God of Kish Arsenic: Murderous Metal & Miracle Cure Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Without an adjective the udug is considered evil by default. Exorcism focuses on driving out the demon causing sickness, and in that way treating the illness. As well as physical, an evil udug can convey all manner of mental illness conditions and disease, including anxiety, depression, strange behavior, hostility, hearing voices or having nightmares. Association of mental illness with evil spirits or demonic possession is a cross-cultural belief in the ancient world. See also: Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Nature Spirits of German Mythology Volcanic Wipeout - 1600 BCE Eruption of Thera Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The evil udug so far identified include: Mimma Lemnu - shadow demon connected to witches; also a magic spell Hanbi - personification of evil, lord of all the demonic forces udug Ardat Lili - shadow demon with features of women, dogs and scorpion; child devourer Vardat Lilitu - vampire shadow demon, predator of children Alu Lilu - shadow demon without a face Pazuzu - shadow demon king of all the evil wind spirits Mukil res lemutti - shadow demon of misfortune; capable of possessing people Namtar - shadow demon, ally of Ereshkigal; keeps demon mimma lemnu chained in the underworld Ti'u - shadow demon, will ally with the Gods (Dingir) Akhkhazu - shadow demon of pestilence, ally of Lamashtu Kilili - shadow demon connected to the owls, ally of Inanna Labasu - shadow demon in the text of an exorcism Abyzou - shadow demon responsible for spontaneous abortions, childhood diseases See also: Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Song of the Loreley Primeval Deities: Goddess of the Dawn Back to Top

Chaoskampf means 'battle against chaos' in German. It's a favorite motif of myth throughout the known lands. Chaoskampf typically involves the fight of a hero deity, the personification of control, against a monster of Chaos, often a serpent or dragon. See also: Kothar (Kothar-wa-Khasis) Artisan God Kotharat - Bronze Age Birth Goddesses Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The term Chaos comes from the ancient Greek χάος, romanized: Kháos. It refers to the void or nothingness preceding the creation of the cosmos. In Christianity it's the abyss between the realms of Heaven and Earth. The themes and conflicts of Chaoskampf appear the myths of the god Baal and the sea monster Lotan; Marduk and the goddess Tiamat; or the Egyptian tale of epic battle between Horus and Set. See also: Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Ebla - Shining Jewel of the Bronze Age Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle As a personification of Chaos and the primordial connection of opposites, Set rules the Red Lands (desert), while Horus rules the Black Lands (fertile). They finally mitigate their differences with the unification of Egypt (above). Despite his depiction as an entity of disorder, Set acts as a helper God to Ra when the Sun God sets out to battle Apep, the great serpent of Chaos. The Serpent Apep is also a fierce enemy of Ma'at (Maat), winged Egyptian Goddess of Justice, Truth and Order. See also: Tiamat - Queen of Chaos & the Sea Mušḫuššu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the Hebrew Bible, the legend of Leviathan illustrates the concept as the sea monster of Chaos is slain by God. Like other sea creatures such as Tiamat, the monster is a female entity. In Norse mythology the Chaoskampf is a medium of mass destruction in the tale of Ragnarok. The Chaoskampf explains not only mastery by the powers of Order, but also the concept of creation arising from Chaos. Even the death of the Gods at Ragnarok leads to a new world order. After Ragnarok many deities are resurrected. See also: Ancient Marsh Muse - Rough Horsetail Fertility Rituals - the Sacrificial God Sprites: Ethereal Creatures of Faerie Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Chaos and order cannot exist without each other, and without Chaos there can be no Creation. Tales of Sacrifical Twins embrace this concept, as bloodshed leads to the creation of the world, or part of it. Popular dragon-slaying is an offshoot of the Chaoskampf, in which the mythical hero/ine kills a dragon for a) the good of humanity, as in Lord George the Dragon Slayer at Frankenstein's Castle, or b) the good of himself, as in the legend of Siegfried in Germany. See also: Elixir of Life: Alchemy & the Emperor Ziu - Ancient Sky God of Germania Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Chaoskampf rings true as it's a normal part of the reality of life. Artists and makers spend a lifetime cultiviating worlds from the environmental jumble or abyss of nothing. Today's humans battle dragons of time management, rejection, multi-tasking, self-doubt, personal fears, misinformation, hostile forces, financial despair, grief or fear of losing control in a world moving too quick too fast. The Chaoskampf speaks to the collective unconscious. See also: Magic of Music & Cats Zircon - the Primordial Gemstone Amber Trade - Bronze Age on the Baltic Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The battle Order vs Chaos never ends. Given the intrinsic nature of these essential elements, it's not supposed to. The theme forms the basis for cultural beliefs and traditions, illustrating such relationships as the yin and Yang of Eastern lore. See also: A Viking Christmas Yule Aufhöcker - Cursed Undead of German Myth Before the Viking Age - Gods of the Sámi Back to Top

Part of the cosmology of Anatolia, Mesopotamia, the Levant and related sites, the sukkal acts as a vizier or advisor, helper, attendant, messenger and secretary to a god or goddess. A deity almost always has a sukkal. Even the sukkal can have a sukkal. See also: Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Mušḫuššu - Snake Dragon Animal of Marduk Ebla - Shining Jewel of the Bronze Age Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Originally, sukkals are mortal humans. They dispense advice and carry out orders of the royal rulers. In documents from Ebla, Syria, the word sukkal refers to a religious initiate or priest of the deity. In southern Mesopotamia and the city state Mari, the sukkal acts as an intermediary between royal administration and foreign envoys. Sukkals know more than one language and are valued as translators. In today's tales of the middle East the human sukkal appears as the storybook vizier of the King, and is often cast as a villain corrupted by power. See also: Chaoskampf: Order & Chaos Battle Out Kothar (Kothar-wa-Khasis) Artisan God 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 The concept carries over to the territory of divinity. For major God/desses, the sukkal is often a minor God or Goddess of the same gender as the ruling deity, with some exceptions. For example the sukkal of Underworld Goddess Ereshkigal is male. The sukkal of Kumarbi, King of the Gods, is the tutelary god Mukišānu, whose name means 'from Mukiš'. Nabu is the scribe god sukkal of hero god Marduk. The sukkal of Inanna (Ishtar) is the Goddess Ninshubur (below). See also: Kotharat - Bronze Age Birth Goddesses Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Goddess Ninshubur is considered by scholars to be the earliest and most important of sukkals. She sets the original standards to follow. The Sumerian Mother Goddess Ninḫursaĝ (Ninhursag) has a sukkal named Ekigara and a host of other divine attendants. They appear on god lists or offering lists among the entourage of the primary deity, and are also honored with sacrifice and gifts. See also: Owl - Death, Messages, Mystic Wisdom Suri (Śuri): Ancient Etruscan Fire God Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Sukkals carry staffs, their symbols of rank. At times a staff may be used to represent the sukkal, at the temple or on the road. On kaluti, the sukkals rank high, sometimes placed even before the deific family members. They wield a certain amount of power as go-betweens for mortals and Gods. In some circumstances they can act as guides to mortals in the spirit world. This is more a necessity than a duty. See also: Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Separately, the deity has servants. While the sukkal isn't specifically a servant, having a higher rank, it's sometimes included in the first class. Three classes of divine servants are: advisers and representatives deities dealing with the personal needs of a god those tasked with upkeep of their household, such as divine cooks or gardeners See also: Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Herbology & Lore: Rowan (Mountain Ash) Chicken Soup: Chickens in German Folklore Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The sukkal travels on behalf of the deity, to bring messages, report on circumstances or as a representative or ambassador. Wisdom and perception are two of their strongest traits. Much of their work at home involves seeing to the comfort of the deity. In the context of theater, they are the stage managers. More prominent sukkals might have their own servants or entourage. Sukkals who have sukkals include Niĝgina, sukkal of the Sun God Utu; and Alammuš, sukkal of the Moon God. See also: Ishara - Goddess of Death & Desire Pagan Solstice Fests: Mithras & the Sun 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 On journeys the sukkal precedes the God/dess and general entourage. Papsukkal is the vizier of Anu and his wife Antu. He can also be called bēl ḫaṭṭi, "lord of the staff." In earlier times he attends Zababa, War God of Kish. Like Warrior & Portal Gods Lugal-irra & Meslamta-ea, sukkals are patrons of doorways. Part of this attribute derives from the "screening process" of mortals, as some requests take precedence with the Gods or attending priests. See also: Add Photo: Phone Cases, Tags, Wallets, Playing Cards German Myth & Folklore: Dwarfs Kumarbi - Castration Gods of Creation Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Incantations, prayers, songs or rituals may be required to worship one's God/dess or sukkal of choice in the temple. The worshipper may need to complete a task or answer a question. As in the Egyptian afterlife and the journey to Aaru or paradise, each door represents a step closer to the divine. See also: Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Pagan Solstice Fests: Saturnalia Back to Top

These two ancient Mesopotamian Gods are seen as brothers, a dyad or divine twins (maštabba). Both warriors, they guard the gates to Kur, the Underworld. They're also protectors of doors, portals and doorways. See also: Divine Twins: Germanic & Greek Mythology Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Sukkals - Mythic Viziers to the Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In Mesopotamian astronomy, the two Gods are called the Great Twins. Stars associated with their names are Alpha Geminorum (Castor) and Beta Geminorum (Pollux). The constellations appear in the zodiac as Gemini. The ruler of the Underworld is the Goddess Ereskigal. She officially declares a person dead, while her scribe records the names and reason for death. After that, the dead are free to make themselves at home. See also: Chaoskampf: Order & Chaos Battle Out Kothar (Kothar-wa-Khasis) Artisan God Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Problem is, all they have to eat is dry dust. If the descendants or relatives don't supply grave goods, which help the deceased in the Underworld, or provide liberal libations and offerings of food, the dead have a miserable life. A descendent who wants libate his dead kin pours wine down a tube connected to the grave. He can also make a sacrifice or leave a gift of victuals or give money to the priest to ensure quality care of the ancestors. See also: Ebla - Shining Jewel of the Bronze Age Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As time goes by tombs become more luxurious. From these traditions come the City of the Dead, or Necropolis. Pyramids, and gravesites include weapons, vessels, personal items, gold, precious stones and sometimes a sacrificial servant to attend the needs of the deceased. Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea work in the Underworld and are thus connected, but are not specifically Underworld Gods. As guardians of doorways and portals they oversee entrances of magical and mortal origin. See also: Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Their job is to let people in. Whether they let people out again is unknown. They did allow Inanna out, but she outranks them. In the Underworld, doors usually open only one way. Their major cult centers are Kisiga and Dūrum in the old Babylonian Empire, from c. 1894 BCE. They have no temples but are worshipped in other locations too. Bows and arrows are the weapons of Lugal-irra. His animal is a black raven. Meslamta-ea favors the mace and axe, and his animal is a white raven. See also: Owl - Death, Messages, Mystic Wisdom Suri (Śuri): Ancient Etruscan Fire God Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients The wife of Meleamte-ea is Mamitu. She's consort to the God Nergal and any gods conflated with him, such as Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea. Nergal is translated from Sumerian as Lord of the Big City, a euphemism for the Underworld. His cult center is at Kutha in what is now Iraq. In Mesopotamian mythology Nergal is the god of war, disease and death. He's considered the husband of Goddess Ereshkigal, and becomes Lord of the Underworld when he marries her; however it's the sultry Ereshkigal who features in most of the Babylonian myths. See also: Asray: Ugaritic Underworld Goddess Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Nergal is Lord of the Underworld and like many powerful gods he has trouble with commitment. Tales of Ereshkigal dealing with his sexual exploits appear in much of his surrounding mythology. The warrior twins Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea are always together. Sacred figures are made of these gods, as figurines or statuettes with apotropaic powers. The divine twins are invoked against the evil eye. See also: Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Nefertari Queen of Peace Ancient Egypt Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In the 22nd - 21st century BCE they're associated with judgment, especially river ordeal. The river ordeal is a judicial practice of establishing a person's guilt or innocence by ordeal, such as fire or water. In c. 1750 BCE the Code of Hammurabi states if a person is accused by another, the accused has to jump into a river. If the accused survives, that person is acquitted. See also: Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Allani - Hurrian Underworld Goddess Pretty Poisons: Holly, Yew, Mistletoe Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Jumping into a river in ancient Babylon is no fun - it's fraught with danger from deadly crocodiles, venomous snakes and hippopotamus. But, if the accused passes the test the accuser is then put to death, and the accused takes possession of the accuser's house. The practice of trial by ordeal gains popularity after the fall of the Roman Empire. Medieval texts also record the trial by ordeal. In the late Middle Ages, by law a man accused of poaching must be put in a barrel and submerged thrice, and if he sinks he's innocent. See also: Reiker For Hire, Victorian Era & Nixies Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt German Folklore - Irrwurz or Mad Root Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books During the river ordeals offerings are given or praises sung to Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea, whose divine justice will prevail. In the 9th century the church banned the ordeals. They rise again to prominence in the witch hunts of the 16th and 17th century. By this time, Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea have long passed into myth. See also: Puduhepa - Queen of the Hittites Earth Mother - Goddess of Life Your Photos on Totes, Coasters, Laptop Sleeves Back to Top

In ancient Mesopotamia the Šassūrātu (Sassuratu) filled important roles as divine midwives, childbirth goddesses and protectors of mothers and infants. Their equivalent in North Syria are the Kotharat. Hurrian fate goddesses Hutena & Hutellura take a similar role. See also: Kotharat - Bronze Age Birth Goddesses Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Childbirth in ancient times was a hazardous event. Infant deaths, childhood deaths, youth of mothers (13 - 15 yrs), little understanding of medicine and rampant infection causes the average population age to plummet to 25 years. People do live long lives in the ancient world. Queen Puduhepa of the Hittites lives to age 90 and there are records of people living longer, even in regions of poverty. Early death of course is more widespread in crowded urban centers and poverty due to disease, fire, malnourishment and violence. See also: Divine Twins: Germanic & Greek Mythology Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Mythical Pagan German Gods & Spirits Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Women feel the same type of pains, experience elation, relief or even dismay contingent to the circumstances. The birth process is unique to each but the same to all, the dangers equal whether a woman is a queen or peasant. Knowledge of hygiene is limited. Antiseptic isn't used until the late 19th century CE, dramatically changing recovery rates in hospitals. The experience women share is intrinsic to life since the beginning of time. See also: Spagyria - Botanical Science of Alchemy Kothar (Kothar-wa-Khasis) Artisan God Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In ancient times a woman might wear a talisman or hold an artifact representing a goddess of birth or protection. Protective birth deities include Taweret the Egyptian hippopotamus goddess or the Hittite fertility deity Ashera. In some areas, even a demon might be invoked. One of the threats to pregnancy, childbirth and infants is the baby-eating monster demon Goddess Lamashtu. Her dire enemy is the demon Pazuzu. Below, he displays a protective plaque against Lamashtu, who is pictured bottom middle. See also: 1st Peace Treaty 1258 BCE - the Queens Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Pazuzu is often called upon as a protective entity for a woman in childbirth. His motivation is not that he likes children, but that he hates Lamashtu. Because his magic is so strong, his popularity as a protection symbol grows. Šassūrātu comes from the Sumerian word šassūru, which translates to 'womb' or 'midwives', used in the plural. The Sassuratu are a heptad or group of seven goddesses. They are the tutelary deities of pregnant women and childbirth. See also: Sukkals - Mythic Viziers to the Gods Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books As such, they're seen as assistants of the goddess Ninmah (Ninhursag, Ninḫursaĝa, also Damgalnuna), the ancient Sumerian Mother Goddess of the Mountains. The seven deities help the Mother Goddess create humans from clay. They all assist during childbirth, except the male aspect of Ninmada. Patrons of childbearing women, they may have other duties too. Their names are: Ninimma - divine scribe, scholar & librarian Shuzianna - 'the just hand of heaven' Ninmada - two deities, brother 'worshiper of An'; sister 'divine snake charmer' Ninšar - associated with the preparation of meat Ninmug - patron of artisans, divine statues & metal workers, aka 'tibira calamma' Mumudu - dreams & dream interpretation Ninniginna - shadow goddess See also: Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Animal Spirits - Bear, Stag & Eagle Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The heptads of birth Goddesses Šassūrātu and Kotharat may have influenced the Hurrian divine duo of deities Hutena and Hutellura. Usually plural, the Šassūrātu can also be depicted as a single goddess. She's perceived as an alternate of the goddess Nintur, whose name means 'mistress birth hut'. In turn Nintur is an aspect of the Mother Goddess of the Mountains, Nihmah or Ninhursag. See also: Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Ptah: God of Creators & Creation Egypt Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Midwifery is an occupation of skill and esteem. In ancient times it requires knowledge of herbs, rituals, magic, stages of birth, psychology, leadership, decisive action and a gentle touch. Around 300 BCE midwives come to be demonized, as male-only physicians hurl the science of medicine back to prehistory. See also: Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Stone Age Botai - First Horse People Back to Top

In the bustling trade town of Ugarit, Syria, art is big business as local wares hit the market during the Bronze Age c. 3300 - 1200 BCE. Trade roads lead from the ancient Indus Valley to the mystic East, from the stormy Baltic Sea to the olive groves of the Mediterranean. See also: Kotharat - Bronze Age Birth Goddesses Hutena & Hutellura: Dyad of Birth & Fate Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Ugarit and nearby cities shine as traffic and abundance pour through the gates. In the Golden Years of the Bronze Age, opportunities abound for eager minds. Trade includes wares in artistic media and objects of faience, copper, bronze (copper + tin) and amber. Over this prosperous landscape, Kothar the Creation God presides. He's a powerful creator, on a par with Ptah of Egypt and the Mesopotamian Ea or Enki. See also: Owl - Death, Messages, Mystic Wisdom Ishara - Goddess of Death & Desire Kumarbi - Castration Gods of Creation Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle His major cult center is Ugarit, but his dwelling places are also named as Memphis, Egypt, the home of Ptah; and the ancient Egyptian town of Caphtor. Both Memphis and Caphtor are on the busy trade routes for crafts and resources. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 In Ugarit and other centers of worship, Kothar is the divinity of architects, artisans, crafters, smiths or metal workers, musicians and magicians, and in a broad sense artists and creators in general. Some scholars suggest his name Kothar-wa-Khasis is a combination of two gods, Kothar and Khasis. See also: Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Sobekneferu - Queen of the Pharaohs Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Kothar means "skill" and Khasis is "cunning" in West Semitic. Cunning comes from the Old Norse meaning "to know", referring to estoteric wisdom. Kothar is also equated with the Greek Hephaestus, blacksmith god of the forge and metallurgy. Hephaestus originates in Asia Minor and nearby islands, particularly Lemnos in the east Aegean. His worship travels to mainland Greece around 600 BCE. See also: Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minos Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt Allani - Hurrian Underworld Goddess Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Like Hephaestus, Kothar makes weapons, furnishings, tools, decor and supplies for the Gods. His forge is beneath an unnamed volcano in Crete. He makes a bow for the mythical hero Aqhat. He builds his own palace in the realm of the gods. In mythology, Kothar is believed to be the first poet. The Phoenicians consider him the patron god of magic and magical incantations. Due to his ties to architecture he's associated with construction of temples or ziggurats. See also: Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Ammitt - Devourer of the Dead Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Kothar is credited with creating the first weapons and naming them. In one myth he makes gifts for the Goddess Asherah (Atherit) to win her support for Baal. The God wants to build a palace but needs permission of Creator Father God El. She likes the gifts, gives her support and Baal gets his palace. Kothar-wa-Khasis also makes weapons for Baal to win his fight with the Lotan, Sea Serpent of Chaos. The serpent works for sea god Yam. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 While the first weapon is too weak, the second weapon Kothar makes strikes true and Baal defeats the monster. This progression is also found in the story of Siegfried's fight against the dragon Fafnir. See also: Ancient Greece - the Mycenean Invasion Before the Vikings - Nordic Bronze Age Rosemary: Immortal Essence & Balm of Kings Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In the Ugartic god lists or kaluti, Kothar appears as sixteenth in importance in the kingdom. He's placed after Mount Saphon, in the mountain range north of Ugarit, and before Pidray, sister of Underworld Goddess Asray. These are the order of sacrifices during a feast day ritual. He receives the sacrifice of a bull or two rams. God lists or sacrifice lists can vary from town to town, depending on the tutelary deity of a town or region, allies of the town and the specific desires of Gods. See also: Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Kothar is connected to the Underworld due to his workshop below the earth and his power over metals and fire which come from the earth. Volcanic activity throughout the known world is assumed to be caused by fiery deities such as Hephaestus and Kothar. See also: Warrior Queen: Kriemhild of the Burgundians Primeval Deities: Goddess of the Dawn Zircon - the Primordial Gemstone Back to Top

The first Kingdom of Ebla (now Tell Mardikh in Syria) is considered one of the earliest empires, and the first recorded world power. The influence of this cosmopolitan city state lasts for hundreds of years. See also: Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Suri (Śuri): Ancient Etruscan Fire God Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Ebla means 'white rock', referring to the limestone outcropping where the city is built. Composed of early Syrian centralized states ruled by a King, Ebla evolves from a small Bronze Age trading settlement to a prosperous kingdom c. 3500 BCE. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Destroyed in the 23rd century BCE, Ebla is rebuilt as the Second Kingdom by a new ruling dynasty. Again it's destroyed. This time the Amorites, another Levant people, move in. They raise the city to a crowning jewel of civilization, the Third Kingdom of Ebla. See also: Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients German Nature Folklore - Fruit Trees Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Trade goods from Sumer, Cyprus, Egypt and Afghanistan attest to the wide-reaching exchange networks and the importance of Ebla as a trade and commerce center in the ancient world. The Kingdom has its own official language, Eblaite, and Ebla is a vital center of administration. Regions have their own governors. A legal system develops. See also: Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Reiker For Hire Victorian Crime Trilogy Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The city becomes an ally and subject of Aleppo, another great trading center. Some scholars consider Ebla part of the Kish civilization. The majority of inhabitants are Canaanite. First Kingdom (c. 3000 - 2300 BCE) Ebla grows to become the most significant kingdom in the Syrian lands. At the height of the First Kingdom, Elba has more than sixty vassal kingdoms and city states. See also: Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Myth & Metallurgy - Metals of Antiquity Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Between c. 2400 - 2300 BCE the population of the city of Ebla is 40,000. The Kingdom's population is about 200,000. At least three temples to the god Kura exist, two near the royal palaces. Kura is the tutelary deity of Ebla and local King of the Gods. During the First Kingdom Eblaites revere the dead kings. Deities are often worshipped in pairs, dyads or divine duos. Gods and goddesses given homage include Ishara, Ishtar, Haddad and Hepat (Hebat). See also: Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Ancient Deities: Proto Indo European Gods Hepat - Sun Goddess of Aleppo Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Over thirty deities comprise the local god / offering lists Through all three periods people also keep figures or symbols of Gods, Goddesses or even demons in the home to guard the household. In the 3rd millennium BCE the development of the Ebla tablets inspires the cross-cultural "Age of Archives". Over 20,000 clay tablets have been found. The reason for Ebla's fall in 2300 isn't known, but the fires of destruction have a positive side. See also: Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek German Myth & Folklore: Elves Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Fire bakes the clay tablets upon which records and accounts were written. High heat hardens them into long-lasting slabs of pottery. This changes the way archives are preserved. The tablets are full of insights to political affilications, trade records, housing, law, economic and administrative information. See also: Lucifer, Venus & Anti-Gods of Mythology Ornithomancy - Prophecy by the Birds Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Second Kingdom (c. 2300 - 2000 BCE) Rebuilt under a different dynasy, Ebla becomes a vassal of the city-state Ur, perhaps for political or trade reasons. Not much is known about the Second Kingdom. After three hundred years of crumbling it fell, an event again marked by burning. According to a written epic, an Eblaite assembly led by a man named Zazalla prevents King Meki from showing mercy to prisoners from Ebla's former vassal Ikinkalis. This provokes the wrath of powerful Hurrian Storm God Teshub, who destroys the city. See also: Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Zircon - the Primordial Gemstone Arzawa - Rebel Kingdom of the Bronze Age Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Third Kingdom (c. 2000 - 1600 BCE) The inhabitants are Amorite, part of an empire of rapid expansion, trade and business success. They already live in much of the Levant, having spread throughout the lands in the 3rd millennium BCE. By c. 1700 BCE, Ebla becomes a vassal of the Amorite kingdom Yamhad. Its center is Aleppo, 33 miles (53 km) northeast of Ebla. See also: Alchemist Dippel: the Frankenstein Files Wild Women and Winter Tales A Viking Christmas Yule Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Worship includes the God Haddad and the Goddess Queen of Heaven, Ishtar as the two most important deities in Ebla. Some minor or previously major god/desses, such as Ishara, have fallen by the wayside. Among the rulers of Ebla during the Third Kingdom is King Immeya, who receives gifts from the Egyptian Pharaoh Hotepibre, exemplifying the important connections and significant influence of Ebla. See also: Pretty Poisons: Holly, Yew, Mistletoe Industry & the Age of Monsters Pagan Christmas Yule Fests: Frau Holle Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Marriage alliances include an Eblaite princess who marries a son of King Ammitaqum of Alalakh. The King belongs to a branch of the royal Yamhadite dynasty. Despite efforts to rekindle the fading flames of glory, Ebla falls to attacks by the Hittites in c. 1600 BCE. At this time the Hittites are rising to their greatest power. Led by King Mursili I, they reduce Ebla to rubble. See also: Pagan Solstice Fests: Saturnalia Pagan Solstice Fests: Mithras & the Sun Folk Magic: Fly Agaric Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Later rebuilding attempts are ineffectual but the city stumbles along. By c. 1200 BCE it's been reduced to a small town. Early Iron Age settlers bring life back into Elba and the city continues for a few hundred years, but never reclaims its former might. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 After the Bronze Age collapse, the Hittites perish (c. 1180 BCE) but the city of Ebla survives. It goes through stages of evolution until about the 7th century CE, when it's abandoned. See also: Sun God of Heaven - Hittite Solar Deity Egyptian Blue Faience - Ceramic Glass Neolithic Europe - Danube Valley Culture Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Role of Women Men and women share equal hierarchal roles. Women receive the same wage as men for the same work. They assume important positions and take part in affairs of state. Queens rule beside Kings in their own right, and have influence in affairs of state. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 The Kunga A hybrid type of horse, the Kunga is a valued draught animal and used by the elite to draw carriages. The use of Kungas grows in importance throughout the empire. See also: Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Agrippina & Son: Poisonous Plots of Rome Spiritual Alchemy: Obsidian Volcanic Glass Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Records of Kunga date from c. 2600 - c. 2000. Modern investigation reveals the equine animal was offspring of a female domesticated donkey and a male Syrian wild ass. Arts & Architecture Music, acrobatics and other arts have a strong presence among the Elbaites. Festivals and festivities abound. A training school for acrobats is found by later archaeologists. See also: Nibelung - Of Worms & Heroes 3 Great German Artists for Art Lovers Wine God Liber: Liberty & Liberal Libation Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The King lives in a grand palace as does the royal vizier or adviser. Building materials include stone and red mud clay brick. Corbel vaults are used in tombs and other architecture. Tombs Royal tombs are built upon natural caves, at first outside the city then inside, in a type of necropolis. Known tombs include the tomb of the Princess (c. 1800 BCD); tomb of the cisterns, a double burial chamber (end of 17th century BCE); and the tomb of the Lord of the Goats. See also: Rise of Pan: Fertility Goat God Péh₂usōn Ambrosia: Divine Nectar & Immortal Gods Kumarbi - Castration Gods of Creation Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle The Tomb of the Lord of the Goats is the largest tomb yet found in Ebla. It features a bronze throne with two goat heads, for which it's named by archaeologists. A silver cup identifies the burial site as belonging to King Immeya. See: Cult of the Fire God - New 2024 Administration The government of the First Kingdom centers on a king, the grand vizier, council of elders (Abbu) and Kingdom-wide administration. The second kingdom is also a monarchy but due to lack of written records, not much is known about this period. See also: Happy Saturday! Tidbits & Trivia Before the Viking Age - Gods of the Sámi Herbology & Lore - Chamomile Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The third kingdom is a city-state monarchy under the authority of Yamhad, or Aleppo. For centuries thereafter, Aleppo is the largest city in Syria. It's one of the oldest inhabited sites. Aleppo is the westernmost stop of the Silk Road when that route comes into popular use in the 2nd century BCE. See also: Minoan Genius (Genii) Helper Spirits Hesperus (Vesper) the Evening Star Amethyst - Divine Purple Quartz Gemstone Back to Top Back to Blog

Suri (Śuri) emerges from the myths and lore of the Etruscan civilization. He's eventually adopted into Roman myth and religion under the name Soranus. Suri is also equated with the Norse deity Surtr, a jötunn or magical entity who guards the entrance to the Realm of Fire. See also: Mythic Fire Gods: Hephaestus of the Greek Sphinx - Mythical Monster of Ancients Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Etruscans occupy central Italy or Etruria hundreds of years before the rise of Rome. At first they're a loose federation of states. By 900 BCE inhabitants identify themselves as a distinct Etruscan nation. The name Suri name means 'black', 'the black one' or 'the dark one', pertaining to the charred and blackened earth. He's also called 'one from the black place' (Underworld). A chthonic god of Sun and Light, Suri has similar traits to the Hittite Sun God of Heaven, who has an underworld aspect. See also: Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Primeval Deities: Goddess of the Dawn Cult of the Bull - Prehistoric Aurochs Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In some ancient beliefs, the Sun travels east to west through the sky to sink into the Earth and disappear at night. Thus are many myths born of the Sun or Solar Deities entering the Underworld to rule at night, or journey through the realm to the east, where the Dawn Sun rises in the sky. The powers of Suri are vast. He's an important figure in Mediterranean mythology. Who controls fire controls life itself. Fire can nurture or destroy, like other elemental powers. Deep in his underground domain, Suri is associated with volcanos, lava, magma, fire and volcanic flames. See also: Earth Mother - Goddess of Life Baltic Amber - Gold of the North Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Much of the Mediterranean landscape is created by volcanic action, faults and shifts in the Earth. Humans feel powerless over the eruptions of the Earth. Sacrifice can placate a passionate God, but in many volcanic regions people stand ready to abscond, as in the Thera eruption (Santorini) in c. 1600 BCE. Later excavations find the settlements empty of humans and animals. Early rumblings are clear warnings. The people heed them and flee, saving many lives. See also: Volcanic Wipeout - 1600 BCE Eruption of Thera Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Cult of the Fire God - Coming 2024 Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Suri also has oracular powers. He can control health and plague. A God of volcanic lightning, he's one of the nine thunder gods or Novensiles of the Etruscans. His symbols include a solar disc, halo, bow and arrows, pilum (javelin) and the metal lead. Wolves and goats are sacred to Suri. His major cult center is Mount Soratte, Italy. See also: Animal Spirits - Wolf, Mouse, Swan Sun Goddess of the Earth: Hittite Underworld Stone Age Botai - First Horse People Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books When the Romans appear c. 8th century BCE, they merge the cult of Suri with their own Apollo. The Etruscan god gets a new name - "Apollo Soranus." The priests of Soranus are called the wolves of Soranus or Hirpi Sorani. According to legend, during a sacrifice to Pluto, wolves ran up and stole the sacrificial meat. The shepherds chased the wolves into a cave in Mount Soracte. See also: Destroying Angel: Nature's Deadly Poison Gnomes: Earth Spirits of Renaissance Mythology Sun Goddesses of World Mythology Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Toxic fumes blast from the cave and all the pursuers fall dead. Pestilence spreads through the country, associated with the deaths of the shepherds. An Oracle says the plague will end if the people, like the wolves, lead a robber existence. They take the name Hirpi Sorani and devote themselves to the cult of Soranus. Soranus himself is later equated with Dīs Pater (Pluto), due the volcanic properties of the mountain and the underground nature of the god. See also: Happy Wednesday! Tidbits & Trivia Sobekneferu - Queen of the Pharaohs Mythic Fire Gods - Vulkan of Germania Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The priests and worshippers of the cult are fire-walkers. During ceremonies they walk upon hot coals holding entrails of sacrificed goats. They walk without burning their feet. This so impresses the Romans they release the adherents from Roman military service forever. The Feast of Lupercalia in February may be based on the Hirpi Sorani. They were also skilfull at mystic divination by observing the flight of birds. Ornathomancy, prophecy by bird flight, first emerged among the Hittites c. 1400 BCE. See also: Lapis Lazuli: Vibrant Blue Gem of Ancients Shakhar & Shalim: Divine Twins of Ugarit Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Back to Top

From the tradition of female deities of death such as Lelwani, Ereshkigal and Allani comes Asray, the underworld Goddess of Ugarit. A bustling center of trade, Urgarit appears about 1800 BCE in written form, although its roots go back to the Early Bronze Age c. 3000 BCE. See also: Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Sobekneferu - Queen of the Pharaohs Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Despite being a vassal of the Hittite Empire, the kingdom city of Ugarit in northern Syria is a powerful region, with crossroads of land and sea meeting within its borders. It rises to a golden age of prosperity c. 1450 BCE, and crumbles away during the cataclysmic events of the Bronze Age collapse c. 1200 BCE. Pleas for help from attacking marauders, the Sea Peoples, appear on clay tablets, the most popular form of correspondence in the ancient near East. They offer a glimpse into the desperate circumstances of Ugarit and neighbors. The city is abandoned in c. 1185 BCE, just before the Hittite collapse of c. 1180. See also: Ancient Greek Cultures: People of Minos Hepat - Sun Goddess of Aleppo Allani - Hurrian Underworld Goddess Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle Battle and death attract the attention of Underworld divinities and Asray is no exception. She is sometimes compared to Allani (Allatu) of Hurrian myth. The two Goddesses both have temples in Ugarit. A significant Syrian deity, Asray appears on the god lists between Canaanite Sun Goddess Shapash and the Goddess Ashara, another deity with Underworld connections. Ashara, also called Astarte, is equated with Ishtar, Shaushka and later Aphrodite and Venus. See also: Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Ereshkigal & the Mesopotamian Underworld Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Common in many societies, god lists and offering lists determine the placement of the god/dess in the overall heirarchy, the divine entourage or deific family, sukkals if applicable, and the offerings expected. Even hostile gods or demons are included, as offerings are important to placate them, or enlist their help. One example is the Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu, who can be invoked to protect against Baby-Eating Goddess Lamashtu. See also: Pagan Pantheon - Anu, Oldest of the Gods Cult of the Bull: Divine Sacrifice Lelwani - Hittite Underworld Goddess Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In the 13th century BCE, Queen Puhudepa of the Hittite Empire, a priestess in her home town, dedicates herself to organizing the thousands of Hittite gods. Many locales follow her example, leaving precious glimpses into the mythologies of bygone eras. Asray is one of the three daughters of Creator God Baal. He's an Sky Deity of fertility, weather, rain, wind, lightning, seasons, war and sailors, often equated with the Greek Zeus. See also: Teshub: Hurrian Bronze Age Storm God Ziu - Ancient Sky God of Germania Ancient Greece - the Mycenean Invasion Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Baal's three daughters are Asray, Pidray and Tallay. The 'y' at the end of the names denotes feminine entities. He's considered to have more children. Pidray is thought to be the tutelary deity of the Kings of Ugarit. Tallay is associated with weather such as dew and light rain. They're mentioned in the Baal Cycle, one of the earliest written works of Ugarit, a collection of Baal legends. See also: Primeval Deities: Goddess of the Dawn Ancient Wild Predators - Eurasian Lion Rhinestones: Treasures of the Rhine Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Arsay's name translates in Ugaritic to Earth or Underworld. She's associated with water, specifically groundwater and freshwater sources, which are seen to originate from deep in the earth. She and her sisters take the appellation klt knyt or 'perfect brides', though at least one Goddess is unmarried. According to Nicolas Wyatt, Arsay is a deity "governing meteorological phenomena and fertility" alongside Baal, Pidray and Tallay. Arsay is further mentioned in local offering lists. See also: Tollense Valley Battlefield: Ancient Germania Nefertum: He Who is Beautiful Gods of Egypt Steppe Trade Routes: Before the Silk Road Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In one listing, Asray receives a ram after Sun Goddess Shapash and before Ashtart (an equivalent of Ishtar). In another, she receives two ewes and a cow, a customary offering to an Underworld Goddess. Her role in the Land of Death is not as clearly defined as that of other Goddesses. She lives in a palace, as befits her station. From below the Earth she helps determine the fertility of the land, signifying life arising from death. See also: Lucifer, Venus & Anti-Gods of Mythology Ḫurri & Šeri - Hurrian Divine Bulls Volcanic Wipeout - 1600 BCE Eruption of Thera Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books She may also control drought and flood conditions. Because Underworld Goddesses are linked to fertility, such as water and nourishment from beneath the earth, they also incorporate elements of sexuality. In the Mesopotamian Underworld, people are not judged by the lives they lead. The way they are buried or honored by their descendents, and the richness of their graves determine their qualitiy of life in death. Some areas create a necropolis, or City of the Dead, for departed souls to inhabit. See also: Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Blacksmiths: Iron, Metal, Gods & Myth Gold - Precious Metal of the Sun Back to Top

In the ancient near East, divine twin brothers Shakhar (Shahar) and Shalim are the Ugaritic Gods of Dawn and Dusk. As markers of the beginning of the day and the edge of night, Shahar and Shalim represent the fundamental structure of daytime. See also: Divine Twins: Germanic & Greek Mythology Al-Mi'raj: Unicorn Hare of Arab Myth 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 In most cases Shakhar and Shalim are masculine. Shakhar represents Morning or Dawn as well as planet Venus in her morning star phase. In some stories the God Attar takes that role. Shalim represents Evening or Dusk, and Venus in her evening star phase. Divine Twins appear in the mythology of various cultures, such as the Hurrian bulls Seri and Hurri, who pull the cart of Teshub the Weather God; and the Twins of Creation Manu and Yemo, who form the world through sacrifice. See also: Amorites - Titans of the Bronze Age Mot - Death & the Ugarit Underworld Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Divine Twin Horse Brothers are a benevolent pair from Proto-Indo-European mythology who help people. Goddesses also appear as twins, duos or sisters. Twins may look alike or manifest as opposites, for instance a warrior and a healer. Twins appear in myth for various reasons. They might be created that way, or one god may become a duo with another for purposes of empire unification in the mortal world. Triads are also common. Although Shakhar and Shalim are usually depicted as masculine, Shakhar is female in the Hebrew Bible. See also: Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria 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 She has 'beautiful eyelids' and sometimes wings. She or they create the morning dew, which is called the 'womb's offspring'. In one origin version the Twins are born of a human woman (or women) hungry for love from the God El. He obliges and the woman/women give birth to Shakhar and Shalim. In this version Goddess of Fertility Asherah nurses the twins, who have enormous appetites. See also: Hepat - Sun Goddess of Aleppo Zircon - the Primordial Gemstone Arzawa - Rebel Kingdom of the Bronze Age Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books In other versions, Asherah (Athirat, Aširat) or Lady Asherah of the Sea, is the mother of the Twins. For this liaison her partner is the God El. She has over seventy children with major Gods of various religions. Shalim is also mentioned separately in the Ugaritic god lists. Forms of his name appear in personal names of the time. Many scholars suggest that the name Shalim is immortalized in the name of the city Jerusalem. See also: Bronze Age Europe - The Amber Road Cult of the Fire God - Coming 2024 Taweret - Hippopotamus Goddess of Egypt Back to Top

It's a long rocky road for the Amorite people but their influence is remarkable. Amorites make their first recorded appearance in a Sumerian text c. 2500 BCE, during the progressive pace of the early middle Bronze Age. The Amorites speak a northwestern Semitic language from the Levant. See also: Ugarit - Trade Hub of Bronze Age Syria Sobekneferu - Queen of the Pharaohs Wadjet - Winged Snake Goddess of Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books Once in place the civilization blazes across the land. The Amorites build several important cities including Ebla and later Babylon. They occupy most of the Levant, with its desert jewels and turquoise seas. By the time of the 3rd Dynasty of Ur (22nd - 21st century BCE) comes to an end, the Amorites are pouring in at an alarming rate. Kings are forced to construct massive walls to keep them out. See also: Divine Light - Sun Goddess of Arinna Bronze Age Cultures - the Hittites Allani - Hurrian Underworld Goddess Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle By the 21st century BCE they control Mesopotamia, Levant and parts of Egypt. While in Egypt they also establish the 14th Dynasty in the Nile Delta. In the near East, the Amorites reign until c. 17th century BCE. Akkadian and Sumerian writings use the term Amurru to identify the Amorites, their principal deity, and an Amorite kingdom. The Amorite King of the Gods, Dagan, rules the Upper Eurphrates. He's called Amurru in Sumerian and Akkadian sources, from the name used to refer to the Amorite people. See also: German House Spirits: Beer Donkey (Bieresel) 1st Peace Treaty 1258 BCE - the Queens Sekhmet - War Goddess of Ancient Egypt Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books The Amorites are shown as nomadic tribes in a chieftain based society. Neither their looks nor manners go over well, as one Sumerian myth explains: "Now listen, their hands are destructive and their features are those of monkeys; (An Amorite) is one who eats what (the Moon-god) Nanna forbids and does not show reverence. "They never stop roaming about ... they are an abomination to the gods’ dwellings. Their ideas are confused; they cause only disturbance. (The Amorite) is clothed in sack-leather ... lives in a tent, exposed to wind and rain, and cannot properly recite prayers. "He lives in the mountains and ignores the places of gods, digs up truffles in the foothills, does not know how to bend the knee (in prayer), and eats raw flesh. He has no house during his life, and when he dies he will not be carried to a burial-place. My girlfriend, why would you marry Martu?" See also: Mot - God of Death & the Ugarit Underworld Shapshu: Sun Goddess of Canaanites Egyptian Blue Lotus: Visionary Beauty Sylvia Rose Books on Smashwords Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction Series Reiker For Hire Murder Mysteries Sylvia Rose Art on Zazzle In Egypt, the Amorite influence takes hold from c. 19th century BCE. Rulers of the Fourteenth Dynasty have Amorite names. In Syria, the Ugaritic language is thought to be a dialect of the Amorites. By 1650 BCE the Hyskos, a West Asian group in northern Egypt, overrule the Amorites and establish the 15th Dynasty. After the fall of Babylon shortly thereafter the Amorites lose power as their cities struggle to survive the takeover attempts of aggressive incoming groups. See also: Ouroboros Glyph: Snake Eating Tail German Deities: Sonne the Sun Goddess Turquoise: Precious Stone of Ancients Today's Zazzle Specials Smashwords Books After the mid-2nd millennium BCE, Syrian Amorites fall under the power of the Hittites. In the 14th century BCE the Amorites mingle with other tribes of people, who speak the West Semitic language, during the Late Bronze Age collapse. After c. 1200 BCE, the Amorites have disappeared from public records. See also: 12 Days of Zagmuk: Chaos & the King Nekhbet - Vulture Goddess of Egypt Inanna (Ishtar) - Goddess of Ancients Back to Top