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 Erkalla ~ Also Irkalla; House of Ereshkigal; Netherworld. It means “Great City”. Lamashtu ~ In modern works, Lamashtu became known as a demoness. But, in earlier periods, she was regarded more as a kind of goddess. She is said to have been a daughter of Anu/An, the God of the Heavens. But, she was definitely evil and the bringer of disease. In mythology, most demons acted on the commands of the gods. But, Lamashtu acted solely at her own whim and for her own sake. She was feared as a demon who brought death to the unborn and infants. It was believed that she’d creep into a house where an expectant mother lived and touch her stomach seven times to kill the unborn. Also, it was said she would kidnap a baby from its wet nurse. Mothers would wear protective amulets to guard against Lamashtu’s evil visits. She is depicted as having a hairy body, naked breasts, the teeth of a donkey, head of a lion, talons for feet and long fingers and finger nails. A piglet and puppy are usually shown suckling at her breasts and in her hands she holds snakes. Her symbols are the donkey and a boat in which she floats along the river of the Netherworld. Lilitu ~ A demoness who, like her male equivalent, lilu haunts the desert and open country. As with Lamashtu, she is dangerous to pregnant women and infants. In Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian art, she is depicted as a naked woman (without the horns of a god), with wings. Ishtar is similarly displayed in art, but the thing that makes Lilitu recognizable is her menacing appearance. Mushushu ~ Also known as the snake-dragon. It’s name means, “ferocious snake”. It had the body of a snake, forelegs of a lion and hind-legs of a bird of prey. From the Akkadian Period through the Hellenistic, it was used as a symbol of various gods, or as a generally magically protective hybrid without any associations. Nergal ~ God of plagues. He ruled alongside Ereshkigal in the Netherworld. He doesn’t seem to have a fondness for man, as he is often depicted as trampling one under his foot. He is also associated with forest fires and fever. Nergal’s symbols are the scimitar (sickle) and single or double-headed lion scepter (club). He becomes associated with the Greek Herakles. Originally he and the god Erra were separate deities, but later became so closely related that they lost their independent characteristics. He was the patron god of Kutha and had his temple there, Meslam. Because of this, he is sometimes also known as Meslam-ea, “he who comes forth from the Meslam”. Because of his association to Erra, in the myth “Nergal and Erehkigal”, he is referred to as both and sometimes in the plural. Netherworld ~ Also called: Underworld, Erestum (the Earth), Dannina (the Stronghold), Arali, Kutha (city where Nergal was patron god), Meslam (Nergal’s temple in Kutha), Shaplatu (the Lower Regions), kigallu, gingal (the Great Place), Kurnugi (The Land of No Return), Erkalla (the Great City), kukku, ekur, kigal, and ganzir. This was the place where the dead dwelled. Once you entered, you were never allowed to return. But, in mythology, a handful of gods and men did manage to escape. One had to pass through seven gates, a gatekeeper and follow certain rules in order to be welcome in the land of the dead. It was originally ruled solely by Ereshkigal, sister of Inanna/Ishtar. With the arrival of Nergal, her consort, she shared the Netherworld’s rule. Ereshkigal would judge souls and make certain the taboos were not broken in her domain. Along with Nergal, she had a Recorder (Belet-seri), Judges (Anunnaki gods and Gilgamesh), a Vizier (Namtar) and Gatekeeper (Neti) to help keep order. If those still living neglected their dead, and did not leave them funerary offerings/kipsu, the spirit of the departed might wander about, come above, and haunt the upper world. Kipsu consisted mostly of food, drink and oil. If one did not have any descendants to leave offerings, one was sustained in the Underworld with dust and scraps. Stillborn children and those who “died before their time” were the only ones to escape such a fate. They played at a “gold and silver table” and feasted on good food. These are the only exceptions that Mesopotamians had, no doubt to offer some solace to grieving parents. We learn about the taboos the living who enter the underworld must adhere to in the myth “Gilgamesh, Enkidu and the Nether World”. In it, Kramer states, “There were certain taboos, however, which, according to the author of the poem, anyone wishing to descend to the nether world must beware of violating: he must not wear clean clothes, anoint himself with “good” oil, carry a weapon or staff, wear sandals, make a noise, or behave normally toward the members of his family. If he broke any of those taboos, he would be surrounded by the ‘stewards’ and by the shades inhabiting the lower regions and would be held fast by ‘the outcry of the nether world’.” (Samuel Noah Kramer, “The Sumerians” © 1963 by the University of Chicago, pg 133.) Sebittu ~ Sometimes Sebitti, it means “group of seven”. “The Seven” is a name given to a group of warrior-gods/demons who were the offspring of An (heaven) and Ki (earth). They march with Nergal/Erra into battle. Ugallu ~ Means, “big weather creature”. He is also referred to as “lion-demon“. He is depicted as having the ears of an ass below which is a lion’s head, its mouth is open and showing sharp teeth. The head is perched upon the torso of a man. The arms are also that of a human male, the upraised hand holds a dagger, the one at its side holds a mace. The beast’s feet are not human, but the sharp talons of a bird of prey. It was thought to be a beast of the god Nergal. At his bidding, this creature brought disease and death to mankind. Sources: Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia by Jeremy Black and Anthony Green Myths from Mesopotamia by Oxford World’s Classics and Stephanie Dalley THE SUMERIANS - Their History, Culture And Character by Samuel Noah Kramer |
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