Many Deities in One (Syncretism)

[madness]

Takayoshi Oshima offers in his book Babylonian Prayers to Marduk a list of (all?) known texts in which the attributes or body parts of one deity is made up of many other deities (or other such syncretism).

p391:



Fs. Meek = McCullough, W.S. ed.: The Seed of Wisdom: Essays in Honour of T.J. Meek, Toronto 1964.
Fs. von Soden = Dietrich, M. and Loretz, O. eds.: Vom Alten Orient zum Alten Testament, Festschrift fur Wolfram Freiherrn von Soden zum 85. Geburtstag am 19. Juni 1993, (AOAT 240), Kevelaer/Neukirchen-Vluyn 1995.
Fs. Matouš = Hruska, B. and Komoroczy, C. eds.: Festschrift Lubor Matouš, I and II, Budapest 1978.
Fs. Kraus = Van Driel, G. ed.: Zikir Šumim: Assyriological Studies Presented to F.R. Kraus on the Occasion of His Seventieth Birthday, Leiden 1982.
CTN IV = Wiseman, D.J. and Black, J.A., Literary Texts from the Temple of Nabu, London 1996.


In this thread I hope it will be possible to provide (at least) the translations to these texts.

[madness]

Number 1: Marduk

Conveniently provided by Oshima on p389 of his book.


KAR 25, ii 3-26

1. Incantation: Sîn is your divinity, Anu is your sovereignty.
Dagan is your lordship, Enlil is your kingship.
Adad is your might, Ea the wise is your understanding.
The holder of the reed stylus, Nabû is your [a]bility.
5. Your status of first rank is [N]inurta, your strength is Nergal.
The adviser for your desire is Mua[ti], your superb [vizier].
Your judgment is brilliant Šamaš, who makes protection appear.

Your honourable name is the sage of the gods, Marduk.
Your furious arrow is a [m]erci[less] li[o]n.
10. The honourable lord, the one who tramples all the enemies, the one who staves off the battle.
The one who goes at your side is the Pleiades, the judges of truth and justice of the gods and the goddesses.
Your greatness is the Igigi-gods, your sovereign dignity is heroic Irnini.

Your (pl.) ritual water basin is Apsû, your incense-burner is the heaven of Anu.
15. The outspread earth is your (pl.) daises, Lor[d]^?,
Where, in the temple, rich sacrifices are multiplie[d]
A widow with madga-flour and a ric[h (man) wi]th sheep
are approaching you (pl.) (for offering).
On the bread and the water of those who revere you (pl.),
20. Come quickly!
By your (pl.) command which will never be changed, clear away your (pl.) taboo.

Let me proclaim your greatness, let me offer you praise.

---

Prayer: Šuila-prayer to Marduk.

Its ritual: Recite either using (lit.: in) the knot or using (lit.: in) the incense-burner.

---

---

[madness]

Number 5: Ninurta

Amar Annus offers this text in The God Ninurta (SAAS 14) pp205-206.

[KAR 328 rev. and STT 118 (= number 6) are parallel but not duplicates]


KAR 102

1. [...] are/were made [...]
2. [The ...]s [... yo]ur^? praise
3. [The Assembly] of the great gods has magnified [you ...]
4. Ninurta, warrior, you [...],
5. Gatherer, their authorities you [...],
6. you have taken their offices and you [...],
7. kingship of lords [is entrusted] in yo[ur] hand,
8. lord, your anger is flood [...],
9. warrior of the gods, you are exalted, lo[rd ...]
10. lord, your face is the Sun, your locks [Nisaba],
11. your two eyes, lord are Enlil and Ninlil,
12. your eyeballs are Gula and Belet-il[i]
13. your eyelids, lord are the twins Sin and [...],
14. your eyebrows are brilliance of the Sun, which [...],
15. your mouth's shape, lord - Ištar of the stars [...],
16. Anu and Antu are your lips, your speech - [...],
17. your Mover (= tongue?) is Pabilsag, who [...] on high,
18. the "heaven" of your mouth, lord is circumference of heaven and earth, dwelling place of the [great] gods,
19. your teeth are the Seven, the slayers of evil,
20. your cheeks, O Lord are the rising of bri[lliant] stars,
21. your ears are Ea and Damkina, sages of wisdom [...]
22. your head is Adad, who [makes] heaven and earth [...] like a kiln,
23. your brow is Šala, beloved spouse, who makes [Adad's heart feel happy],
24. your neck is Marduk, judge of heaven [and Netherworld], deluge [...],
25. your throat is Zarpanitu, creat[ress of peop]le, who [...]
26. your chest is Šullat, who examines [...]
27. your shoulders are Haniš, who establishes p[lenty, r]ains down abundance,
28. your right side is Utaʾulu [...],
29. your left side is Ninpanigarra [...],
30. the fingers of your fists are [...],
31. your nails are the bright star [...],
32. your [...] are Dagan, who [...],
33. [......] in the feet [...],
34. your navel, lord is [...],
35. your [...] is Z[ababa ...].

[madness]

Number 9: Ištar

From W.G. Lambert "The Hymn to the Queen of Nippur" in Zikir Šumim.

Not too interesting as a syncretic text; the goddess is given several different names. If there's anything to be learned here, it is that three gods, Anu Enlil and Sin, all appear as a "father" of Ištar.


Hymn to the Queen of Nippur

I

1 Extol Šīdūrī [............]..
2 Apart from her [.......]..
3 The queen of Uzumu'a [......]..
4 They trust in you who ..[.....].
5 Do not ....[......]..
6 Do not .....[......]..
7 When you grasp her message(?) [......]..
8 Do not give your support [to .....].
9 [...]. her in prayer day [and night],
10 Let her continually be your concern [......]..
11 Do not seek any [other god(?)],
12 Do not address a prayer [to another(?)] goddess.
13 ... Innin [.....] her yoke.

---

14 [Guard(?)] yourselves, watch [.....]
15 [..]. stand reverently at her order
16 [...] ground [......]. when confronted by her message
17 .[..]. supplication .[.....]..
18 .[..]. her heart, favour [.....].
19 .[..]. honour [......].
20 [..].. how well arranged they are, her mind [.....].
21 [..].. supplication .[...
22 [...]. among their rejoicing women and .[...
23 [...].. think, the grasping of [...
24 [..] constantly place (?) and ..[...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


II

3 [Young man] and young woman danced and [made merry].
4 His street was hushed, his neighbour .[..]
5 He used to cross his city square ....[.].

---

6 There was a man (who) did not look after the Wise Goddess,
7 I was the [..] (who) did not speak to Innin.
8 [She] roared at him like a storm, was filled with anger at him,
9 [She ..] the guardian spirit, scaring off his protecting angel.
10 His [god ...], his goddess abandoned him,
11 The ... of (his) family(?) kept his distance and did not come near.
12 He bent his lofty stature like a crook,
13 Resting his head beside his feet.
14 His city shunned him, his people stood aloof from him,
15 He used to walk bent outside his city.
16 Since his word did not abide(?),
17 Since he did not seek her shrine nor render her service,
18 The one of fierce strength, her appointed messenger,
19 Kilili, who peers into bedchambers,
20 Leaned malevolently out of the window, heard him,
21 Heaping terror upon him so that suddenly(?) he fell silent.
22 She appointed Barīrītu his devil,
23 Deranging him [.....].
24 [ . ] .. made him afraid ..[...
25 He knew [no] guardian spirit, another [...
26 Naked he walked about [...
27 Her .[..] were gathered ..[...
28 [..].. child, husband [...
29 [..]. chamber, abode of [...
30 [...] her chamber, her living quarters [...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


III

1 No one [but she is able].
2 [The guide]-ropes of the heavens [...
3 No one [but she] is [able].
4 Mountains and seas [...
5 No one [but she] is able.
6 To grant kingship, lordship [...
7 No one [but she] is able.
8 [..] habitations [...
9 No one [but she] is able.
10 [ . ] ... staff of office [...
11 No one [but she] is able.
12 To fill the city square [...] with choice things,
13 No one [but she] is able.
14 [ . ] .to have everything created [...
15 No one [but she] is able.
16 To get their declarations heard [...
17 No one [but she] is able.
18 To hand down their holy judgment [...
19 No one [but she] is able.
20 To become angry (and then) relent, to show kindness [...
21 No one [but she] is able.
22 To punish (but then) show compassion, to take a mild view [...
23 No one [but she] is able.
24 Where there is fury . [..] .. [....] .
25 No one [but she] is able.
26 To take by the hand on a difficult stretch,
27 No one [but she] is able.
28 To bring back her worshipper from the grave,
29 No one [but she] is able.
30 To bring the dead to life, to ..[.] the pit(?)
31 No one [but she] is able.
32 To give long life to him that hears her,
33 No one [but she] is able.
34 [ . ] .... [...] to act without realizing it,
35 No one [but she] is able.
36 Ištar controls the [..]. regulations of land and peoples.
37 She has brought everything that exists to completion,
38 Has perfected the rites, has achieved mastery of all things.

---

39 Which god brought forth her sign?
40 ...] is equal to her?
41 ...] . all gods
42 ...] .. habitations
43 ...] is their ...
44 ...] .. [ . ] in front
45 ...] . ear
46 ...] . she is broad
47 ...] she is queen
48 ...] . she is skillful
49 ...] . she holds
50 ...] is her greatness
51 ...] her names are superlative.

---

52 Anu, Enlil and Ea magnified her, the Igigi honoured her.
53 Her first name, her great title
54 Which Anu, her beloved father, called her of old,
55 Is Ninanna: "Queen of Heaven,"
56 Mistress of habitations, who loves the peoples, twin sister of Šamaš,
57 Minû-anni, fierce with terror,
58 Minû-ulla, the lofty, the splendour of the Bull-Calf.
59 Her second great title,
60 With which her begetter, God of Duranki, made her great,
61 Is Ne'anna: "She whose Strength is Lofty,"
62 [The ..]. of mankind, goddess who is the strength of Anšar,
63 [ . ] . Anu, she bears terror,
64 [..].. of heaven, fierce, yet goddess of compassion.

---

65 [Thirdly] Ninšiku, the warrior Ea,
66 [With] his sophisticated skill gave her a superior name:
67-68 Zannaru, the Wise Goddess, [..] of the four world regions, honoured by Dagān,
69 Anunu, creatress of the human race,
70 Who [turns] men into women and women into men.
71 [...] Namra-ṣīt, father of [her twin] brother,
72 ...] . fourthly honoured her . [...
73 ...] ... the universe . [...
74 ...] bond of the peoples, life [...
75 ...] light of men,
76 ...] she is awesome, she throws down [...
77 ...] conflict, terror,
78 ...] she is a women, she is a man, and . [...

---

79 ...] ... [...]
80 ...] goddess of all [...]
81 ...] ...... [..]
82 ...] high, shining
83 ...] .. star of the heavens
84 ...] glow, the Ferocious One . [ . ]
85 ... its] bright effulgence
86 ...] .. resplendent with horns
87 ...] . high
88 ...] . who holds the divine rites
89 ...] of royalty
90 ...] . sparkling . [..]
91 ...] earth [..]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


IV

1 Nippur, bond of heaven and earth, junction of the world regions,
2 Growing on the inaccessible mountain,
3 [The city] Nippur, filled with choice things, sprouting from it,
4 Enlil built it for his own dwelling.
5 He approached her and gave it to her that she should act as its queen,
6 He appointed Ebardurgarra for her as its cella.
7 .. a shrine as his seat.
8 The .. of Enlilship lies within it,
9 Its head is raised: it rivals Ekur.
10 Its light is resplendent, covering all habitations,
11 Its brilliance penetrates the mountain.
12 It fondles (?) her and seeks her welfare,
13 Constantly it is filled with rejoicing.
14 Ebardurgarra fondles (?) the mistress,
15 So that all the world regions bring it (their) abundance.
16 She decrees destinies in front of Enlil's sign,
17 She issues regulations for the great gods, like Anu.
18 Every day the gods gather to her,
The Anunnaki to take council.
19 The Igigi always run
20 That (she) assign their portions and (they) receive their orders.
21 All the goddesses of the peoples bow down to her,
22 They pray to her without exception and bow beneath her.
23 She supervises their shrines, inspecting their living quarters,
24 She assigns portions to the gods of the cult centres.
25 She is great, the most honourable of the goddesses,
26 Mighty daughter of Nannaru, the joy of Enlil's heart,
27 Honoured goddess, noble one of her twin brother.

---

28 Offspring of Dagān, rival of Anu,
29 Beloved of Ea, lord of understanding,
30 Cared for by Mami, the wise, the princess,
31 She is royal, honoured, goddess and mistress,
32 The spouse, the mistress, beloved of Amazilla.
33 Daughter-in-law of Pirigbanda, mistress of Eridu,
34 Goddess (?) of Anu, who dwells in a sanctum of Eanna.
35 She is elevated, is superlative, she is lofty and she is queen,
36 Songs to her are sweet, it is great to honour her.
37 the Queen-of-Nippur, she is lofty and she is queen,
38 Songs to her are sweet, it is great to honour her.
39 Who is so honoured as the Queen of Nippur, their deity?
40 The Igigi have proclaimed her seven names.

---

41 O Ištar, may this song gratify you,
42 May it be recited without cease in your presence, be established at your command.
43 Where there is lamentation, your dirge should be sung,
44 Where there is rejoicing, honour for you should be expressed.
45 People should hail you in the house of your rites,
46 They should acclaim you where your rituals are performed.
47 In the house of the monthly festival, (wherein is) joy and mirth,
48 Harken, mistress, that your reins rejoice,
49 Let your heart be glad and ask for mirth
50 That the day bring you pleasure, the night repose.
51 Let Inimmanizi bring you ..... [...]
52 Sirāš and Ninkasi [...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

59 ....... beer (?) ..[...
60 .. sweet (?) beer (?) the mountain (?) [..]
61 Sweet beer, clear ale . [..]
62 ...... oil and saliva.
63 Sit on high, O Ištar,
64 Let Anu, Enlil and Ea sit with you,
65 .. [ . ] ....... sweet liquor in a lapis ..
66 Let them drink ale, "Drink, drink up!"
67 ...... her heart (?) within (?) you.
68 May your countenances [ . ] . and shine,
69 May your hearts be glad and filled with joy.
70 Be glad, Ištar, let .. [ . ] . rejoice,
71 Relax, daughter of Sin, .. [ . ] .
72 They have decreed for you the destiny of the god of Duranki, your begetter,
73 Relax in Ebardurgarra, take respite in your abode.
74 When you [decree] destinies with Anu, Enlil and Ea,
75 Grant a superior destiny to Duranki .... [...]
76 [Command] the well-being of Uruk,
77 [Grant] favours to Akkad.
78 Larsa [...] . [..] .. [ . ] to heaven,
79 May it shine [...] .. [....] ....
80 Bad-Tibira [...] . [..] .. [..] . rest,
81 Concerning the temple of Bad-Tibira [...] ...... [..] .
82 Let Kish ..... [...] ...
83 Let Hursagkalamma be an abode . [....] .. [ . ] .
84 Let Ur be renewed [ . ] .... [ . ] .
85 Etilmunna ...... [..] .. [ . ] .
86 ..... the world regions .. your . [...]
87 Let the .. of heaven and underworld ......

---

88 ..... [ . ] ........ [..] your ..
89 . [ . ] ... [....] .. [....] your .
90 ......... [...] . [..] your ..
91 . [ . ] . [...] .. [....] . [....] . of his god (?)
92 . [ . ] .. [ . ] .. [ . ] . [...] . [....] turn (?)
93 The mention of his name ....... for ever.

---

[madness]

Number 2: Marduk

From W.G. Lambert "The Reign of Nebuchadnezzar I" in The Seed of Wisdom.

What should have been an interesting text is made frustrating by its poor state.


KAR 304 and 337

---

8 . . . ] . . he took firm control [ . . .
9 . . . ] authority over everything that is [ . . .
10 . . . ] bow beneath him . [ . . .
11 . . . ] wide [ . . .

---

12 . . . ] . apart from him all [ . . .
13 . . . ] who [does] clever things [ . . .
14 . . . ] Enlil . . . . [ . . .
15 . . . ] . . . [ . . . . . . ] wide, broad . [ . . .

---

16 Your [ . . ] is Adad, who overshadows the whole extent of the lands, dark [ . . .
17 [At] whose bellow heaven and earth [ . . ] . tremble [ . . .
18 [ . . ] . the sea . . . . . [ . . ] . . . . . . [ . . .
19 Canal supervisor of heaven and earth, the open country (?) . [ . . ] . . . . . . [ . . .

---

20 Your [ . . ] is Nannar . . . [ . . ] . of day and night, the [ . . .
21 [At] his rising he gives decrees [and] raises his symbol [ . . .
22 Whose sign no one knows . . . , who is equipped with horns [ . . .
23 Whose station [in] heaven is awesome, without whom the fate of the peoples is not decided [ . . .

---

24 Your [ . . ] is Šamaš, the light of heaven and [ . . ] . . . . the great gods . [ . . .
25 [ . . ] the sum of everything, who directs the [black]-heads, who turns the peoples' darkness to light [ . . .
26 [ . ] . which extends over everything, with splendour [ . . ] . . . . . . . [ . . .

---

27 Your [ . . ] is Ninurta, the mighty lord . [ . . of the storm] flood, the rider of the tornado [ . . .
28 [In] whose terrible battle . . [ . . . ] . . . not . . [ . . .
29 [ . . ] . . fierce Girra . [ . . . ] . . [ . . .

---

[madness]

Number 3: Marduk

This translation has come out of W.G. Lambert's article "The Historical Development of the Mesopotamian Pantheon" in Unity and Diversity since I have not been able to get a copy of Parpola's more recent edition. I suppose they would be more or less the same though.

One of the more pleasing texts so far.


CT 24 plate 50, BM 47406 obverse

Uraš (is) Marduk of planting
Lugalidda (is) Marduk of the abyss
Ninurta (is) Marduk of the pickaxe
Nergal (is) Marduk of battle
5. Zababa (is) Marduk of warfare
Enlil (is) Marduk of lordship and consultations
Nabû (is) Marduk of accounting
Sin (is) Marduk who lights up the night
Šamaš (is) Marduk of justice
10. Adad (is) Marduk of rain
Tišpak (is) Marduk of troops
Great Anu (is) Marduk of . . .
Šuqamuna (is) Marduk of the container
[ ] (is) Marduk of everything

[madness]

Number 7: Ninurta

CTN IV 181
Plate 106 of Literary Texts from the Temple of Nabu

Field numbers are ND 4405/3 + ND 4405/36
No museum details other than "BM" are provided

Oshima lists this as a Ninurta text. Wiseman and Black however describe it as a "Hymn (?) to Marduk with etymological interpretation of names (?)."

No transliteration or translation exists. Only thing available is the drawing of the tablet.

[us4-he2-gal2]

Madness: Thank you for you continued loyalty to this very specialized and focused thread! Your collection of material really is turning into a new little study here and offers a helpful look at the phenomena syncretism in Mesopotamia. I now have a good access to all the material of this field and could find anything you may need (although you are also well connected). But what I am thinking about at the moment is taking a stab at that untranslated text you have just posted. As an intermediate student, it is still quite difficult to process an untreated text like this, but I may make some sense of it or get assistance. It will have to fit between regular classwork obligations though (currently, Sumerian, Akkadian, Eblaite text work).

[hukkana]

I'm sort of interested if there is some information on the other Godesses syncretised with Ishtar over time. Two examples I found refferenced without much actual textual evidence is Agašaya/Agasaya and Asakhira, the latter of which I can only find in reffence to the exact same quote being passed around with no real source.