Annuna
|
|
In Sumerian mythology, the Annuna, the fifty great gods, whose domain appears to be principally but not exclusively the underworld. Some of them are associated with specific cities, while others bear a strong resemblance to the functions of patron saints of the Roman Catholic Church. To mention a few:
- Ashnan: The cereal grain goddess.
- Enkimdu: The god in charge of canals and ditches.
- Enbilulu: The god in charge of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
- Ereshkigal: Queen of the Underworld.
- Ishkur: The god of the winds.
- Lahar: The goddess of cattle.
- Nanshe: The patron goddess of the poor, widows and orphans.
- Nidaba: The goddess of writing, particularly documents in the palace archives.
- Ninkasi (the lady who fills the mouth): One of the healing children of Enki and Ninhursag; she governs the art of brewing. Some speculation on the activities of Ninkasi has lead researchers to ask, "Which came first? Beer or bread?"
- Uttu: The goddess of weaving and clothes.