Table of Contents
Who was the first known god?
Inanna is among the oldest deities whose names are recorded in ancient Sumer. She is listed among the earliest seven divine powers: Anu, Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag, Nanna, Utu, and Inanna.
What was Shamash the god of?
Shamash, (Akkadian), Sumerian Utu, in Mesopotamian religion, the god of the sun, who, with the moon god, Sin (Sumerian: Nanna), and Ishtar (Sumerian: Inanna), the goddess of Venus, was part of an astral triad of divinities.
What Egyptian god is equivalent to Shamash?
Utu
Utu
| Utu (Shamash) | |
|---|---|
| Siblings | Ereshkigal (older sister) and Inanna (twin sister), Ishkur/ Hadad (in some sources) |
| Consort | Sherida |
| Children | Kittu (“Truth”) and Misharu (“Justice”) |
| Greek equivalent | Helios |
Is Shamash an Egyptian god?
Shamash was the sun god in the mythology of the ancient Near East. The son of the Sumerian moon god Sin, Shamash was the brother of the goddess Ishtar. His wife Aya (youth) bore him four sons—Giru (fire), Kittum (truth), Mesharum (justice), and Nusku (light).
Is Shamash a Marduk?
In the city of Babylon, Marduk was worshipped in the temple Esagila. Marduk is associated with the divine weapon Imhullu. His symbolic animal and servant, whom Marduk once vanquished, is the dragon Mušḫuššu. “Marduk” is the Babylonian form of his name….Marduk.
| Marduk (Bêl) | |
|---|---|
| Roman equivalent | Jupiter |
How old is Shamash?
The first literary hymns addressed to this god by the name Shamash (Samas) date from c. 2600 BCE, but he was referenced as Utu or Shamash regularly throughout Mesopotamian history from the advent of cuneiform writing (c. 3500 BCE) until its abandonment c. 100 BCE, well over three thousand years.
Is Shamash a female?
In Canaanite tradition, the sun god was Shemesh, the “torch of the gods,” but was described as female. The worship of Shemesh/Shamash was also practiced among the Israelites, although it was forbidden by the prophets and biblical writers.
What is Shamash the god of in the Bible?
Shamash was the son of Sin. Shamash, as the solar deity, exercised the power of light over darkness and evil. In this capacity he became known as the god of justice and equity and was the judge of both gods and men. (According to legend, the Babylonian king Hammurabi received his code of laws from Shamash.)
What does Shamash mean in Mesopotamia?
Shamash, (Akkadian), Sumerian Utu, in Mesopotamian religion, the god of the sun, who, with the moon god, Sin (Sumerian: Nanna), and Ishtar (Sumerian: Inanna), the goddess of Venus, was part of an astral triad of divinities. Shamash was the son of Sin. Shamash, as the solar deity, exercised the power of light over darkness and evil.
What does Shamash hold in his hand?
Shamash was not only the god of justice but also governor of the whole universe; in this aspect he was pictured seated on a throne, holding in his hand the symbols of justice and righteousness, a staff and a ring. Also associated with Shamash is the notched dagger.
What is the significance of the shamash dagger?
The dagger is a representation of Shamash cutting through the mountains at sunrise to bring light to the universe (Mark). His right foot in placed on a stool, which is another indication to the viewer that this is a god, not a ruler. This object is a testament to the widespread symbols and worship of Shamash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qttxqt4sFnA