A GATHERING OF THE GODS: THE POWER OF MESOPOTAMIAN RELIGION Ancient Art from Mesopotamia — An Exhibit — September 14, 1997 The images in this booklet are symbols and sacred animals representing a large group or "gathering" of Mesopotamian gods and goddesses. They were taken from a Kudurr, a Polished Black Limestone Standing Monument of ovoid shape which originated in Mesopotamia (the "Land between the Two Rivers," the Tigris and Euphrates). Sometimes referred to as "boundary markers," Kudurrus were actually land grant documents used by kings to reward their favorite servants. ‘These monuments were set up in temples to record royal land grants. The full force of the Mesopotamian pantheon was utilized both to witness and guarantee the land grant by carving the symbols and sacred animals of the deities on the kudurru. Each Jeudurri is unique; 2 good deal of variation exists in the number and choice of deities which appear. Recently acquired by the California Museum of Ancient Art, this sculpted monument is extremely rare, Only a few examples are known in North America, 1997 California Moseum of Ascent Artal ight ceereed Origin of artwork: Mesopotamia Text: Jerome Berman Dating: Second Dynasty of Isin, 1157-1025 BC Line drawings: Loa Sprung Size: Height 16.5 inches Cuneiform script: Gary Beckman, PhD. Graphic design: James Robie Design Associates Gift Publication of the California Museum of Ancient Artne An (4x in Sumerian) His symbol isthe horned coon in dieu apa temple facade. Anis the Sumerian word for “heaven,” and isthe name forthe sky od who is ako the prime bower nero Ans the faher of ll che gods, and the dlsant supzeme leader of the gods. He is associated with the Sumerian city of Uruk ot Ths FF Ea (ki in Sureran) His symbol isa curved stick witha ram’s head, atop 3 temple facade pulied by a horned goat. ‘The god of the subceranean fresh water ocean (alld the Abe in Sumerian), Ea was asocated with wisdom and magie as well as che arts and crafts of civilization. He was the Keeper of the Me (pronounced "may"), the laws ‘which govern all human life. Associated with the southera Sumerian city of Frid, Beis the zon of Ane His symbol is che horned crown, also atop a temple facade — the same emblem a Anu One of the most important gods in the Mesopotamian pantheon, Enlilis the god of wind, His sored empl called Bur (the Mountain House") locaced in the city of Nippus, was one of the most revered tcligious centers in Mesopocani. tated docs be pce ‘Anas the supreme leader of the gods. Son of Anas he martied Ninid and isthe father of Sin. wh Pele i Ninhursag Seana dace Ninbnrsag means "Lady of the responsible for the birth of ee eae Minka wes Somtipped inwae Marduk. His symbol is «eiangular headed spade, atop a temple facade pulled by his sacred animal the snakedragon, Mushush, Closely sociated ‘withthe ciy of Babyion, Marduk's importance was ted to the cise ofthe political power of Babylon as capital of ‘anempice. In some cadiions, hicis the son of Za, the god of wisdom. Mardis the Fther of Nabi, worshipped in the nearby city of Borsippa. oe a Ninurta His symbol is che double Tion-headed sceptcs. Ninurta is both a warrior and a frmer god. Heis the ton of Enlil, ad te husband of Gala le was champion of the aide abi Gimdugud)winen i sole the tables of destiny, One of ‘Ninwrta's principal shrines was his temple at Nippu. oh Nabu His symbol isa writing selus, cop a temple facade pulled by the double-horned snake dagon, Mushush, The ‘Mesopotamian serial god, Nabuis patron of witing, His worship may have come from Syria with che nomadic “Amorites in the early second millennium BC. From the Kasste Period on, he was regarded as the son of Marduk Daring the New Year Celebrations, Nabu was broughe from his sacred cic Topas vashis fee ‘Marduk in Babylon, wb Se Adad (stkur in Sumerian) His symbol isthe cvo-pronged lightning bole. The cuneiform sign for his name is the same as the sign for "wind." dad the storm god, was associated wich thunder storms and flood, but was also beneficent a3 god of Toil aw aod mouneon scams. He was the son of Anus, 20d during the Assjtian Period, Adad shaved a evin _Bggurat temple with Ans in the city of Ashueok SET Papsulkal eer! Ishara His saced animal isthe walking bicd. Pepa functioned asa minister ofthe gods. He was a messenger, servant and ate keeper god, especially for nn. Vie is connected with the constellation Orion. nb Gula Her sacced animal isthe dog, usually a seated dog. The sockless Gul, whose name means "great," was a goddess of healing and a patroness of doctors. Her principal shrine was the E-galmah in the city of lsin.. Small model dogs were dedicated to her by worshipers. Her symbol isthe scorpion. Probably of Semitic origin, Iehara’s worship may have come from the middle Euphrates region. She isa Det tltee varand dlvination, She is also a smother goddess and the gaddes of oaths. Ihara is the mother of the Sebitrw, the seven gods, later associated withthe PiciadesHp Nirah mead Sir (enna in Semerian) His symbol is a lage snake which encompass the astral deities of heaven. In Sumerian, his name means "vipec” Nirah isa snake god associated with the ancient city of Dez nt Shamash (vie in Somerien) His aymbol isa multrayed, circular sun disc. Shamash, che sun god, was also regarded 5a god of truth, justice and Fight. In this eapaiey, he appears on the famous Lave Code of Hammurabi giving King Hammurabi laws fr all to follow. Caved on the top of the kuduer, hei one of che heavenly, or astral signs. Shamash is the son of Sin and the sister of Ishtar. His two principal temples were at Sippar and Lassa “hE Nusku His symbol isa lc oil amp, ‘Nusku is regarded as boch the son and minister of uli He isthe god of Gee and light, and is therefore, associated with the other astral dite, In avariane tradition a the Syrian ciy of Hiarran, he was worshipped as the son of Sin, the principal god. Nusku soften iavoked in magical spells and hex. His symbol isthe crescent ‘moon on a circular disc. Son of Eliland his wile Nini the moon god was called Six, ‘His children were the sun gods ‘Shamash, and the goddess of love, Zebtar. Majot centers oF Sin's worship were in the southem Mesopotamian city of Ur and the Syrian dey of Harran. Both urban censers were asociated with the Biblieal peeiarch Abraham, eg Ishtar Goan Sumerian) “Heer symbol is a star inside a disc. shtaris most important female deity of Mesopotamia. Goxdes of love and sexuality, she isa patton of prostitutes ‘She is a goddess of war, seen as violent and lusting afce power. And she is associated with the morning and evening stat, the lanee Venus. Ishrar is che daughter of Sin, the moon god, and sister of Sbamash the sun god. She was che lover of “Tamms, and was responsible for his death. Her sacred city was Uruk, Also associated with the legendary hero Gilgemesh and the god of heaven, Anz