Ninurta
Encyclopedia
Ninurta in Sumerian and Akkadian mythology was the god of Lagash
, identified with Ningirsu with whom he may always have been identical. In older transliteration the name is rendered Ninib and Ninip, and in early commentary he was sometimes portrayed as a solar deity.
In Nippur, Ninurta was worshiped as part of a triad of deities including his father, Enlil
and his mother, Ninlil
. In variant mythology, his mother is said to be the deity Ninhursag
.
Ninurta often appears holding a bow and arrow, a sickle sword, or a mace named Sharur: Sharur is capable of speech in the Sumerian legend "Deeds and Exploits of Ninurta" and can take the form of a winged lion and may represent an archetype for the later Shedu.
In another legend, Ninurta battles a birdlike monster called Imdugud (Akkadian: Anzû); a Babylonian version relates how the monster Anzû
steals the Tablets of Destiny
which Enlil requires to maintain his rule.
Ninurta slays each of the monsters later known as the "Slain Heroes" (the Warrior Dragon
, the Palm Tree King
, Lord Saman-ana
, the Bison-beast
, the Mermaid
, the Seven-headed Snake
, the Six-headed Wild Ram
), and despoils them of valuable items (Gypsum, Strong Copper
, the Magilum boat
http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.1.6.2&display=Crit&charenc=&lineid=c162.122#c162.122), and finally Anzû is killed by Ninurta who delivers the Tablet to his father, Enlil.
The consort of Ninurta was Ugallu in Nippur and Bau when he was called Ningirsu.
of Ninurta can be traced back to the oldest period of Sumerian history. In the inscriptions found at Lagash
he appears under his name Ningirsu, "the lord of Girsu", Girsu being the name of a city where he was considered the patron deity.
Ninurta appears in a double capacity in the epithets bestowed on him, and in the hymn
s and incantations addressed to him. On the one hand he is a farmer and a healing god who releases humans from sickness and the power of demon
s; on the other he is the god of the South Wind as the son of Enlil, displacing his mother Ninlil who was earlier held to be the goddess of the South Wind. Enlil's brother, Enki, was portrayed as Ninurta's mentor from whom Ninurta was entrusted several powerful Me
s, including the Deluge.
He remained popular under the Assyrians: two kings of Assyria
bore the name Tukulti-Ninurta. Ashurnasirpal II (883—859 BCE) built him a temple in the capital city of Calah (now Nimrud
). In Assyria, Ninurta was worshipped along with Aššur
and Mulissu.
In the late neo-Babylonian and early Persian period, syncretism
seems to have fused Ninurta's character with that of Nergal
. The two gods were often invoked together, and spoken of as if they were one divinity.
In the astral-theological system Ninurta was associated with the planet Saturn
, or perhaps as offspring or an aspect of Saturn. In his capacity as a farmer-god, there are similarities between Ninurta and the Greek harvest-god Kronos
, whom the Romans in turn identified with their fertility-god Saturn
.
Parts of this article were originally from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article on Ninib.
Lagash
Lagash is located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and east of Uruk, about east of the modern town of Ash Shatrah. Lagash was one of the oldest cities of the Ancient Near East...
, identified with Ningirsu with whom he may always have been identical. In older transliteration the name is rendered Ninib and Ninip, and in early commentary he was sometimes portrayed as a solar deity.
In Nippur, Ninurta was worshiped as part of a triad of deities including his father, Enlil
Enlil
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death.-Early life:Members...
and his mother, Ninlil
Ninlil
In Sumerian religion, Ninlil , also called Sud, in Assyrian called Mullitu, is the consort goddess of Enlil. Her parentage is variously described. Most commonly she is called the daughter of Haia and Nunbarsegunu...
. In variant mythology, his mother is said to be the deity Ninhursag
Ninhursag
In Sumerian mythology, Ninhursag or Ninkharsag was the earth and mother goddess, one of the seven great deities of Sumer. She is principally a fertility goddess. Temple hymn sources identify her as the 'true and great lady of heaven' and kings of Sumer were 'nourished by Ninhursag's milk'...
.
Ninurta often appears holding a bow and arrow, a sickle sword, or a mace named Sharur: Sharur is capable of speech in the Sumerian legend "Deeds and Exploits of Ninurta" and can take the form of a winged lion and may represent an archetype for the later Shedu.
In another legend, Ninurta battles a birdlike monster called Imdugud (Akkadian: Anzû); a Babylonian version relates how the monster Anzû
Zu (mythology)
Zu, also known as Anzu and Imdugud, in Persian and Sumerian, is a lesser divinity of Akkadian mythology, and the son of the bird goddess Siris. He is also said to be conceived by the pure waters of the Apsu-gods and the wide Earth...
steals the Tablets of Destiny
Tablets of Destiny
In Mesopotamian mythology, the Tablet of Destinies - Dup Shimati in Sumerian - was envisaged as a clay tablet inscribed with cuneiform writing, also impressed with cylinder seals, which, as a permanent legal document, conferred upon the god Enlil his supreme authority as ruler of the universe.In...
which Enlil requires to maintain his rule.
Ninurta slays each of the monsters later known as the "Slain Heroes" (the Warrior Dragon
Dragon (Ninurta)
the Warrior Dragon in Sumerian mythology was one of the Heroes slain by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. It's body was hung on the seat of his chariot according to the ancient source ....
, the Palm Tree King
Palm tree king
The Palm Tree King was one of the monsters later known as the "Slain Heroes" in the Sumerian epic, Lugale, which centred around the quest of Ninurta The Palm Tree King was one of the monsters later known as the "Slain Heroes" in the Sumerian epic, Lugale, which centred around the quest of Ninurta...
, Lord Saman-ana
Lord Saman-ana
Lord Saman-Ana in Sumerian mythology was one of the Heroes slain by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. Almost nothing else is mentioned of this "hero", his appearance is lacking. ....
, the Bison-beast
Battle Bison beast
the Bison-beast in Sumerian mythology was one of the Heroes slain by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. It's body was hung on the beam of Ninurta's chariot .-External links:...
, the Mermaid
Mermaid (Ninurta)
the Mermaid in Sumerian mythology was one of the Heroes slain by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. Her body was hung on the foot-board of Ninurta's chariot .-External links:...
, the Seven-headed Snake
Seven-headed serpent
The Seven-headed Serpent in Sumerian mythology was one of the Heroes slain by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. Its body was hung on the "shining cross-beam" of Ninurta's chariot .-External links:* The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature...
, the Six-headed Wild Ram
Six-headed Wild Ram
the Six-headed Wild Ram in Sumerian mythology was one of the Heroes slain by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. It's body was hung on the dust-guard of Ninurta's chariot ....
), and despoils them of valuable items (Gypsum, Strong Copper
Strong copper
the Strong Copper in Sumerian mythology was one of the valuable items seized by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. This spoil was hung on "on the inside pole pin" of his chariot according to the ancient source .-External links:* The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature...
, the Magilum boat
Magilum boat
The Magilum Boat in Sumerian mythology was one of the valuable items seized by Ninurta, patron god of Lagash, in ancient Iraq. This spoil was hung on an unknown part of his chariot according to the ancient source .-External links:* The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature...
http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/etcsl.cgi?text=c.1.6.2&display=Crit&charenc=&lineid=c162.122#c162.122), and finally Anzû is killed by Ninurta who delivers the Tablet to his father, Enlil.
The consort of Ninurta was Ugallu in Nippur and Bau when he was called Ningirsu.
Cults
The cultCult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
of Ninurta can be traced back to the oldest period of Sumerian history. In the inscriptions found at Lagash
Lagash
Lagash is located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and east of Uruk, about east of the modern town of Ash Shatrah. Lagash was one of the oldest cities of the Ancient Near East...
he appears under his name Ningirsu, "the lord of Girsu", Girsu being the name of a city where he was considered the patron deity.
Ninurta appears in a double capacity in the epithets bestowed on him, and in the hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s and incantations addressed to him. On the one hand he is a farmer and a healing god who releases humans from sickness and the power of demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
s; on the other he is the god of the South Wind as the son of Enlil, displacing his mother Ninlil who was earlier held to be the goddess of the South Wind. Enlil's brother, Enki, was portrayed as Ninurta's mentor from whom Ninurta was entrusted several powerful Me
Me (mythology)
In Sumerian mythology, a me or ñe or parşu is one of the decrees of the gods foundational to those social institutions, religious practices, technologies, behaviors, mores, and human conditions that make civilization, as the Sumerians understood it, possible...
s, including the Deluge.
He remained popular under the Assyrians: two kings of Assyria
Kings of Assyria
The list of Assyrian kings is compiled from the Assyrian King List, an ancient kingdom in northern Mesopotamia with information added from recent archaeological findings. The Assyrian King List includes regnal lengths that appear to have been based on now lost limmu lists...
bore the name Tukulti-Ninurta. Ashurnasirpal II (883—859 BCE) built him a temple in the capital city of Calah (now Nimrud
Nimrud
Nimrud is an ancient Assyrian city located south of Nineveh on the river Tigris in modern Ninawa Governorate Iraq. In ancient times the city was called Kalḫu. The Arabs called the city Nimrud after the Biblical Nimrod, a legendary hunting hero .The city covered an area of around . Ruins of the city...
). In Assyria, Ninurta was worshipped along with Aššur
Ashur (god)
Ashur is the head of the Assyrian pantheon....
and Mulissu.
In the late neo-Babylonian and early Persian period, syncretism
Syncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
seems to have fused Ninurta's character with that of Nergal
Nergal
The name Nergal, Nirgal, or Nirgali refers to a deity in Babylon with the main seat of his cult at Cuthah represented by the mound of Tell-Ibrahim. Nergal is mentioned in the Hebrew bible as the deity of the city of Cuth : "And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal"...
. The two gods were often invoked together, and spoken of as if they were one divinity.
In the astral-theological system Ninurta was associated with the planet Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
, or perhaps as offspring or an aspect of Saturn. In his capacity as a farmer-god, there are similarities between Ninurta and the Greek harvest-god Kronos
Cronus
In Greek mythology, Cronus or Kronos was the leader and the youngest of the first generation of Titans, divine descendants of Gaia, the earth, and Uranus, the sky...
, whom the Romans in turn identified with their fertility-god Saturn
Saturn (mythology)
In ancient Roman religion and myth, Saturn was a major god presiding over agriculture and the harvest time. His reign was depicted as a Golden Age of abundance and peace by many Roman authors. In medieval times he was known as the Roman god of agriculture, justice and strength. He held a sickle in...
.
Parts of this article were originally from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article on Ninib.
External links
- Texts
- Commentary