MYTHS

OF

"

LEGENDS
"

BABYLONIA
ASSYRIA
BY

LEWIS
"

SPENCE
OF THE OF MYTHS ANCIENT OF AND THE LEGENDS ETC. OF MEXICO
"

F.R.A.I.
" "

AUTHOR

AND
"

PERU THE POPOL INDIANS

"

THE
"

LIZATION CIVI-

MEXICO NORTH OF AMERICAN

VUH
"

"

THE
"

MYTHS MYTHS

ANCIENT

EGYPT

WITH EVELYN

EIGHT PAUL OTHER

PLATES
AND

IN

COLOUR

BY

THIRTY-TWO

ILLUSTRATIONS

NEW

YORK

FREDERICK

A.

STOKES

COMPANY

PUBLISHERS

IV

AT PKINIED BY

THK

BALLAJxTYNK

PRESS
AXD EKCLAND

SPOTTISWOODE,
LOiTOON

RALLANTiTsE AND

CO.

LID.

COLCnESTER,

ETON,

PREFACE
book
of

THE
but
of of of
to
romance

purpose
a

of

this

is

to

provide
religion
and the

not

popular account mythology of ancient

only
and latent has been

the

and

Babylonia
the reader

Assyria,
treasures

extract

present
in the

to

which

subject, the peculiar richness recognized since the early days

in

archaeological
few

effort

Chaldea.

Unfortunately,
the

with
a

made have exceptions, writers who able to special study have rarely been the

field

triumph
in works that the

over

limitations and

which

so

often It

obtrude is
true

of

scholarship
of
at

research.

pages

Rawlinson,
and

Smith,
with

enlivened

intervals

Layard, and Sayce are pictures of Assyrian

"

splendour
as

Babylonian
which
"

glory
the

gleams
wondrous

which

escape
are

the

curtains

veil

past

but such glimpses are partiallylifted in lengthy disquisitionswhich too tedious It

was

only
often

interludes
must

be

for

the such of

general
a

reader. which

consideration this volume.

prompted
not
a

the book

preparation
be written

Might
the the
so

which
romance

should freed
?

contain
from

pure

gold
ore

of

Babylonian antiquarian
in the

darker
But

of

research

So

far,

good.

gold

and is notoriously unserviceable, state pure renders it of an utility may alloy which greater detract Romance its brilliance. or no nothing from
romance,

in these

days

it will

not

do
some

to

furnish

stories of

of

the

gods
nature

without and

their
romance

attempting origin. For more

are a

definition than
ever

before blend in

and

knowledge
a

necessary
on

the

making of Nevertheless,
reader

satisfactory
loves the

book

mythology.
it will be
to

it is

anticipated that
romance

the that
5

modern

who

of

antiquity

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

this the the it that is

book

will

especially
of

appeal.
romance

It

is

claimed

that around

greater
wonderful therefore this

part

Chaldean and

clusters
of

mythology
of

religion
of

that

land
lore of

these

departments
treats.

Chaldean
the

volume and in in these

tale of

chiefly Assyria
its has records

But been will be

history
The
to

Babylonia
great
names

not

neglected.
found instances will illuminate
to

recur

constantly

pages,
or

in

most

panied accom-

by
circumstances these connexion will find of
as

legend
their
careers

which and

the retain Biblical reader

to

serve

in

the

mind with he
most

of

the

reader. been

Nor

has

the the

Chaldea

forgotten

proceeds

frequent
Book

references

the

pages

the

picturesque

in

the

world.

L.

S.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE

I.

BABYLONIA LEGEND

AND

ASSYRIA

IN

HISTORY

AND
II

II.

BABYLONIAN

COSMOGONY

70
RELIGION

III.

EARLY

BABYLONIAN

88

IV.

THE

GILGAMESH

EPIC

154
OF

V.

THE

LATER

PANTHEON

BABYLONIA

184
HIS CULT
1

VI.

THE

GREAT

GOD

MERODACH

AND

99

VII.

THE

PANTHEON

OF

ASSYRIA

203 231
AND TEMPLES

VIII.

BABYLONIAN
THE

STAR-WORSHIP

IX.

PRIESTHOOD,
MAGIC AND AND ASSYRIA

CULT,
DEMONOLOGY

239
BABYLONIA

X.

THE

OF

257
MONSTERS AND ANIMALS

XL

THE OF

MYTHOLOGICAL CHALDEA

289
THE BABYLONIAN AND

XII.

TALES KINGS

OF

ASSYRIAN
2

99

XIII.

THE

COMPARATIVE AND ASSYRIAN

VALUE RELIGIONS

OF

THE

BABYLONIAN 313

XIV.

MODERN ASSYRIA

EXCAVATION

IN

BABYLONIA

AND

339
OF THE GODS

XV.

THE

TWILIGHT

377

GLOSSARY

AND

INDEX

381

LIST

OF

ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE

Sacrificing
Assault
on

to

Bel

{Evelyn

Paul)

Frontispiece
i6

City engraved
Laws with the Text of Khammurabi's

Basalt Code

Stele of

20

Sennacherib

receiving
of

Tribute

30

The The

Death

Sardanapalus
of

(L. Chalon)
at

32 Nineveh

Library

King

Assur-bani-pal

[Fernand
Daniel

L.

Qiiesne)

36

interprets

the

Dream

of

Nebuchadrezzar

{Evelyn
Grant of

Paul)
I

38
40

Privileges
the

to

Ritti-Marduk

by

Nebuchadrezzar

Birs

Nimrud,
Murder

Tower

of

Babel

48

The

of

Setapo
of

{Evelyn
Creation
"

Paul)

58
70

The

Seven

Tablets

"

Mighty

was

he

to

look

upon and

{Evelyn
Tiawath

Paul)

76
80

Conflict

between

Merodach

Types

of

En-lil,
Nin-Hl

the

Chief

God

of

Nippur,

and

of

his 94

Consort

Ishtar,

as

(i) Mother-goddess,
of Love Ishtar

(2)

Goddess

of

War,
124

(3)
The

Goddess

Mother-goddess
Rock

{Evelyn

Paul)

136

Assyrian Assyrian

Sculpture
of makes

148
162 the Gods

Type

Gilgamesh Offering
to

Ut-Napishtim
Nebo Hall in

{Allan

Stewart)

176

184
Assyrian
I Palace

{Sir Henry by
Ninib

Layard) {Evelyn

196

Tiglath-Pileser

directed

Paul)

216

MYTHS Assur-nazir-pal
Zikkurats of the
at

OF

BABYLONIA
by
a

AND Winged
Ashur

ASSYRIA
PAGE

attended Anu-Adad Samarra of the of

Mythological

Being

222

at

242 242

Stage-tower
Excavated

Ruins Demons

Temple

of

E-Sagila

250 262

Exorcising Clay

Disease

Object resembling

Sheep's
Being

Liver

282

Eagle-headed Capture
The Fatal of

Mythological
Sarrapanu by

296
II

Tiglath-Pileser

{Evelyn Paul)

300

Eclipse
I

{M, Dovaston,
out

R.B.A.)
Dust of
a

306

Shalmaneser

pouring Dudley)
Market

the

Conquered

City
308

{Ambrose
The A

Marriage Royal
Hunt

{Edwin

Long, R.A.)

310

318
over

Elijah prevailing
The
'

the
'

Priests

of

Baal II

{Evelyn Paul)

326
342

Black of

Obelisk the of Mounds

of Shalmaneser
at

Outline The Work Ruins The

Nimrud

{Sir Henry

Layard)

346 348
354

Palaces of of the

Nimrud

{James Ferguson)
in

Excavators

Babylon

Babylon
of

366

Hanging"_Gardens

Babylon

{M. Dovaston,

R.B.A.)

370

10

CHAPTER

BABYLONIA AND LEGEND

AND

ASSYRIA

IN

HISTORY

TO
here ruin which and
of

our

fathers
was

until
no more

well-nigh
than whose sands But
remains of
now a

century

ago
"

Babylon
a

gigantic
there and
from from

skeleton
the

mighty name ribs protruded Syria in colossal

the of grey the glow

tower

temple.
view the

shroud and

hid

glitter of

splendour has to some been of and withdrawn, through the labours lives and work of scholars and explorers whose
ancient be the classed
as

her

extent
a

band
must

among of

the

most
we

romantic
are now

passages

in
to

history
the
it

human

effort panorama

enabled

view
as

wondrous in

of

human
of

civilization

evolved

the

valleys
'

the

Tigris

and

Euphrates.
it the sound of carries with Babylon a deep, mysterious spell,such a conjuration as might be uttered the It of in secret recesses temples. awakens It thousand echoes in the imagination. a holds music of Egypt. richer than that a Babylon, is as the of the charm word Babylon a sonorous line from It falls on the ear epic. some great
'

The

name

"

of

the

historian
of

like and thick

of

distant the

thunder.
of

Behind Greece which

the

grandeur
as a

Rome and

beauty
over

it looms

great
and and

darkness uncertain
conquerors pass
"

flash

at

intervals

streams

light
and

as

half-forgotten
tyrants, the
gods demi-

kings
from

priests,

in the full obscurity sometimes often in the glare of historical recognition, but more of uncertainty. half-light and partially relieved dusk Other like shapes, again, move ghosts in complete
II

mighty obscurity to

builders

through

gloom

MYTHS and
numerous

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

utter

darkness,
of all.

and

these

are

by
soft
or

far

the

most

spiritof Babylon is no wonders thing eloquent of Oriental

But the the
a

alluring charged with

Rather
is it fate

and

delicious

fascination and

of

the

East.

thing

stark

strong,

informed

with

and

epical in its intense recognition of destiny. In but two Babylonian history there are figures of the soldier and the priest. We moment are dealing with and of rigorous austere a race race a stern, and the Romans of religious devotees conquerors, the East but for the not an unimaginative race, and of that stock Babylonians Assyrians came which the world its greatest to religions, gave and Mohammedanism, a race Judaism, Christianity,
" "

not

without
was

the the

sense

of

mystery
of

and

science,

for

Babylon
and
stars

mother

established
;

the

astrology and magic, beginnings of the study of the

for houses her the of first
true

and,

financial
were

lastly,of commerce, operations and the first

in the

founded

shadows

of

exchange temples and

the
races

palaces.
The boundaries and of the land where of of the most one Assyria evolved remarkable and original civilizations in the world's the two Asia, history are mighty rivers of Western the Tigris and Euphrates, Assyria being identical with the more portion, northerly and mountainous clined inand Babylonia with the southerly part, which Both of country be flat and marshy. tracts to that inhabited save were by people of the same race, of a the Assyrians had acquired the characteristics and had population dwelling in a hilly country Hittite become extent to intermingled with some

Babylonia

and
12

Amorite

elements.

But

both

were

branches

THE of
an

AKKADIANS

ancient into oldest

Semitic the land

stock, the
it is

entrance

epoch impossible to
we

of

whose In

fix.

the

Semitic

inscriptions at immigrants
of
were

discovered
strife

find the

those

with the

ous indigenwith

whom

subsequently to mingle and whose occult beliefs and magical and conceptions ally especiafterward their to incorporate with they were
own.

people they

the

country,

Akkadians,

The

Akkadians

Who,

then,
Semites

were
came

the
to

Akkadians

whom with has

the whom been the that that

displacebut
and bitter

Babylonian they
the

finally mingled
controversy
affinities
were were

Great
has

which this

raged
Some

around have held others

racial

of

people.
of

themselves
of
a race more

Semitic

stock,

they they

the

Lapp, and the is to present the object of which account an Babylonian mythology, it is unnecessary the protagonists of either theory into
whither the conflict has led them.

nearly approaching the Mongol, Basque. In such a book as this,

of the
to

follow dark the

the But

recesses

are probability is that the Akkadians, who usually their beardless monuments as a represented upon connected with that people with oblique eyes, were has thrown out Mongolian family which great tentacles its original home from in central Asia to the frozen regions of the Arctic, the north of Europe, the Turkish Empire, aye, and perhaps to America itself ! Akkadian its in and linguistic features shows structure especially in its grammatical a resemblance the Ural-Altaic of languages to group which embraces Turkish and this is Finnish, and in itself good evidence that the people who spoke it

13

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

But the question belonged to that ethnic division. and volumes is a thorny one, might be nay, pages, for and occupied in presenting the arguments against such It
a was

belief.
from

the

Akkadians,
received be well avowed
on

however,
the
germs

that
of

the their

Babylonian
culture
;

Semites
it may

indeed

that

this

aboriginal

people

carried Not in

them did

only
the

strongly biased
them that old with the the
later

they of writing and arts reading, but they their religiousbeliefs, and so inspired idea of the sanctity of their own faith Babylonian priesthood preserved the
among

toward tion. civilizaway instruct the Semitic comers new-

the

Akkadian

tongue
as

them

as

sacred

guage, lan-

just
the proper
use

the

Roman

of

the

dead

priesthood has retained Latin speech. Indeed, the

absolute was an pronunciation of Akkadian necessity to the successful performance of religious that the ritual, and it is passing strange to observe in religious texts Babylonian priestscomposed new of the a species of dog-Akkadian, just as the monks Middle Ages composed their writings in dog-Latin ! the religious with such zeal have in all ages clung of the cult halfthe ancient, the mystic and to the vulgar. to forgotten thing unknown first encounter When we Babylonian civilization about find it grouped round two nuclei, Nippur we
"

in the
grown

North
up sway

and

Eridu
a

in the

South.
of

The

first had

around
over

sanctuary

held
at

the

god En-lil, who ghostly animistic spiritswhich

as
'

the

his
men.

bidding might
A
was
'

of

more

pose civilized
of

the

friends

or

enemies

which

the

home

who light and wisdom, the healing art^forthe

14

deity held sway at Eridu, Ea, or Cannes, the god of exercised his knowledge of
of his votaries.

benefit

From

THE

SEMITE the Persian

CONQUERORS

the

waters

of

Gulf, whence
of

he all

rose manner

each
of

morning,
crafts
of of

he

brought knowledge
arts

and

trades,

and the

industries, for the

behoof
art

his

infant

city, even

mystic
on

and

difficult It

impressing written beautiful picture which

of this sea-born
little white
a

characters
we

clay.
the

is

have

from

old

legend
the life Semites love
of

wisdom

daily enlightening
the almost
waters.

of the

city near
and

The

possessed
wisdom. and those in the

deep
the rich

instinctive
to

In

writings
and
of song

attributed Psalms
"

Solomon David find

"

wondrous and and

of

deep mines glories of wisdom

yet
there
are

again
and

sagacity ^we again extolled.

whom the

the

Even love is
more

few

peoples
own

among

of

scholarship, erudition,
cultivated These
for its

religiouswisdom
than with
of

sake

the the

Jews.
North
met

rather

different toward
a

cultures
common

and and
of

South, working
fused
at
a

centre,
commencement

period prior
we a even

to

the the

history, and
Abram
came,

near

city of Ur, whence neighbour of Eridu, colonized

of

find

by Nippur
and
centre

The
its

culture

Eridu

prevailed nevertheless,
was

mightiest
of

offshoot
"

the

ultimate

of

Euphratean
stock
vogue
"

civilization the

The

first founders

Sumerian that older with in

*

the
among

city were expression

modern therefore

'

Babylon itself. undoubtedly of Sumerian being

'

scholars

for

the

Akkadian,'

and

interchangeable

it.

The

Semite

Conquerofs

It
of

was

probably
civilizations entered the the

about
of

the

time

of

the

juncture
that the

the

Eridu

and There
as

Nippur
are

Semites which

country.

indications
case

lead

to

belief

that,

in

the

of

the
15

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
in

AND

ASSYRIA

Semitic
from

immigrants
Arabia. The civilization
of

Sumerian the

valley
what
manner

the
of

Sumerian
in

system

Egypt, they came originally Semite readily accepted the which he found in flourishing Euphrates, and adapted the writing to his own language,
be
were

will

indicated
not

later. above

But

the

Sumerians
from

themselves

borrowing
of the

the rich Semitic

texts
we

tongue,
encounter

and
are

many

earliest

Sumerian But

strongly Semitized.

although

Sumerian definite
are

have filtered into to appear by way of Eridu and Ur, the first territory notices have it of their presence within we
monuments

the

Semites

in the

of the what

more

northern
as

portion of
in the
a

that

territory, in
of in the

is known where
same

Akkad,

neighbourhood small kingdom Jutes founded

monuments,

Bagdad,
much the

they
manner

founded
as

the

kingdom
come

of

Kent.

The

earliest

Lagash, the modern Tel-lo, some thirty miles north of Ur, and recount the dealings of the high-priest of that place with other neighbouring dignitaries. The priests of extended Lagash became kings, and their conquests the on beyond the confines of Babylonia to Elam
however,
from east,
A

and

southward

to

the

Persian

Gulf.

Babylonian
But the that is the

Conqueror

was

first great founded by with

are

As

case

whose
for

deeds

many remembered

empire in Babylonia the famous Sargon of Akkad. popular heroes and monarchs
Semitic in
song

and

story

"

example, Perseus, (Edipus, Cyrus, Romulus, and the our own early years of Sargon King Arthur of were passed in obscurity. Sargon is, in fact, one He the fatal children.' legend stated, born was, in concealment and sent adrift,like Moses, in an ark
"

i6

"^

Assault From bas-relief

on

City

representing
Photo W. A,

the

Campaigns
and Co.

of

Sennacherib

Mansell

i6

MYTHS

OF messages

BABYLONIA
at

AND

ASSYRIA

carried

stated

intervals, the

letters

veyed con-

by these being stamped or of Sargon. seals, bearing the name

The
First

franked

by clay

Library
is

in

Babylonia
as

Sargon
contained

also

famous

the

first founder
to

of

Babylonian regard
of
to

library.
of
a

This
most

works the
was

library appears surprisingnature,

it
was

have

having
One

period at
entitled
no

which The

instituted.

these

Observations

of Bel, and
books

consisted with

of

less than
matters

seventy-two
of

dealing
plexity com-

astronomical
;

considerable the and

it

of comets,

registered and conjunctions of

described the
sun

appearances

moon,

and

the

phases of the planet Venus, besides recording many book was long afterward eclipses. This wonderful Greek translated into by the Babylonian historian it demonstrates the Berossus, and antiquity great of science this at Babylonian astronomical even work famous contained early epoch. Another very in the libraryof Sargon dealt with omens, the manner their of casting them, and interpretation ^a very important side-issue of Babylonian magico-religious practice. of this great monarch, the conquests whose Among of antiquity splendour shines through the shadows flash of arms like the distant the a on misty day, was of Cyprus. Even fair island imagination reels at
"

the
seven

well-authenticated hundred
cut

assertion
ago
waves

that
of

five
a

thousand

years

the
of

keels the

Babylonian
and Semitic
stern

conqueror

the

Mediterranean

landed

upon
of

the shores

of

flowery Cyprus
with returned Cesnola

warriors, who,
statues

booty.
i8

In

loading themselves their royal leader and a Cyprian temple De

loot, erected
with their

discovered,

GUDEA

down which

in

the

lowest
its

vaults,
owner so as

a a

hsematite
servant
a

cylinder
of

described
the
son

Naram-

Sin,

of

Sargon,
must

that

certain

degree

of

communication

Babylonia
and and Crete
commerce.

and
were

kept up between the distant island, just as early Egypt each other bound to by ties of culture
have

been

Gudea

But

the
to

doomed diverted
one

Sargon empire which The precipitate ruin.

to

had
seat

founded
of

was

southward the
a one

Ur. who
of

In ruled the

the from

was power reign of Dungi,

of

monarchs great
of vassal

this

southern stands in

sphere,
out
as

throne, Gudea,

the

most

remarkable

characters

Gudea (c. 2700 early Babylonian antiquity. This high-priest of Lagash, a city perhaps thirty B.C.) was miles
the
western

north

of

Ur, and
and

was

famous
arts.

as

patron
ransacked

of

architectural Asia with

for

allied

He Arabia the

building materials.
for

supplied
Amames Lebanon Palestine
for
use

him

mountains with
stone,

copper with

ornamentation,
the deserts
stones

cedar-wood,
the
rich

while with

quarries of adjacent to
of all
on

furnished
in

him

kinds
the

decorative Persian

work,
Gulf
His

and

districts
for

shores

of

the

with

timber

ordinary building
vouched
for is
to

purposes.

architectural his the

ability is
his

by

plan

of

carved Louvre. There

upon

palace, measured of lap of one

in
this

scale, which
statues

in

the

is

no

intention
events

sketch

to

follow and the

standing out-

minutely Assyria.

the The

in the
is

purpose

history of Babylonia to depict and describe

times of its
most

circumstances,

deeds,

and

figures,its

most

typical and
B

characteristic
19

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA this

AND

ASSYRIA

rulers. able
to

By following
present
the of

plan
with

we a

hope
more

to

be

better and

reader

faithful the

genuine
which
space
we

picture
are

the
to

about in

and

time

the

of myths if we than squandered peruse, description of the reigns of of

civilization

kings during of importance

Khammurabi Like that

whose

tenure

the

throne

no

event

is recorded.

the

Great

which
or

preceded it,
Canaanite

the

dynasty
the

of

Ur the

fell,and

Arabian

invaders

usurped

the same in much manner as royal power Kings seized the sovereignty of Egypt. thrown foreign yoke, that of Elam, was

Shepherd A subsequent off by Khamand

most

murabi,

perhaps
famous

the
name

most

celebrated

Babylonian history. This did not brilliant,wise, and content politicmonarch himself with Elamites, merely expelling the hated
but that advanced in the
to

popularly

in

further

conquest

with
his
a

such

success

thirty-secondyear of he had formed Babylonia into with the Babylon capital at

fostering
literature
care

reign (2338 B.C.) single monarchy

Under
art

itself.

the and

of

Khammurabi,
and blossomed
at note
one

Babylonian
with
a

unfolded

luxuriance
of

surprising to
It
is

contemplate
too,
to

this

distance

time. he

astonishing,
in elements So

how

completely
carved
out

succeeded the various

welding
of

into the he

homogeneous
he his

whole
for

empire
unify
years.

himself. the
for

surely Babylonian power

fifteen all
of of
races

did
as

conquests
welfare
his
care.

that

he left it survived The

undivided
of

nearly

hundred
was

his No
to

subjects
one

constantly
his which

satisfied him.

the The

approach
and which

justice of legal code

as

cause

feared formulated
to

he

remains

his

greatest

claim

the

Basalt of The the

Stele

engraved

with Code of

the Laws

Text

Khammurabi's

scene

Laws

the represents from Shamash,

Photo W. A. Mansell

King
the
and

receiving Sun-god
Co.
20

KHAMMURABI

THE

GREAT

and of wisdom applause of posterity is a monument equity. If Sargon is to be regarded as the Arthur is its of Babylonian history surely Khammurabi Alfred. monarchs had The
circumstances
a

of

the

lives

of

the

two

present

decidedly
to

similar their

picture.
country
were

Both
a

in their

early

years

free
a

from

foreign yoke, both

of
wants

instituted
in

legal code,
their

patrons
to

letters

and

assiduous

attention

the

of their
a

If

code such and

of
an

subjects. people has frequently great sterlingmerit there are cases

institution
is has
no

evolved
on a

legal
where

record

served

to

make
to

people
of

it

probably
to

injustice
them
that

the

great, Semites of murabi Khamof

Babylonia
made

say them

of

the
were.

code
A

what
was

they
at

world-famous and
is
now

code in the
the

found

Susa

by

copy J. de

this

Morgan,
'

Louvre.

the Babylonian chronologists called First Dynasty of Babylon it is fell in its turn, and that Sumerian line of eleven claimed a kings took its place. Their lasted for 368 years ment statea sway is obviously open which to question. These Kassite themselves overthrown and were a dynasty from of Elam the mountains founded was by Kandis lasted for nearly six centuries. {c. 1780 B.C.) which

What

'

"

These much

alien
of

monarchs
Asiatic
to

failed

to

retain

their

hold

on

the

paid

tribute
was

had Syrian territory which and the Babylon suzerainty of

and

Palestine

likewise
that the

lost

to

them.

It

was

at

this

epoch,
north been
grew

and folk

in the high-priests of Asshur took the title of king, but they appear have to subservient to degree. Assyria Babylon in some Its people were hardier gradually in power. warlike the art-loving and than more religious of Babylon, and little by little they encroached
too,
21

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA of

AND

ASSYRIA

upon
at to

the

weakness
an

length
direct

affair of

interference

kingdom tragic proportions entitled in Babylonian politics.

the

southern

until them

Court

Murder

The

circumstances
are

which those

necessitated
of

this

vention interof

not

unlike
of

the

assassination his

King
that

Alexander

Serbia

and

Draga,

Queen,

Kassite happened 3000 years later. The king the married of Babylonia had daughter of Assurdid not meet yuballidh of Assyria. But the match Kassite the approval of the faction with at court, murdered the This which atrocious bridegroom-king.
act met

with
of

yuballidh
of
of of

the hands at vengeance Assyria, the bride's father, statesmanlike series

of

swift

of Assura

monarch

active the

and

celebrated

qualities,the author letters to Amen-hetep IV

Tel-el-Amarna. He led a at Egypt, unearthed into from the Babylonia, hurled punitive army throne the pretender placed there by the Kassite with scion of the legitia faction, and replaced him mate This king, Burna-buryas, reigned royal stock. for
over

twenty
still

years,

and

Assyrians, Babylonian
of
measure,

nominally
declared with
content

upon the

his

decease
of

the

vassals

the

Crown,
Not

it.

under
to

Shalmaneser

I
of

claim

the

suzerainty
their
far

independent such a revolutionary (1300 B.C.) they laid the Tigris-Euphrates

even

themselves

region,
boundaries

and

extended
of

conquests

to

the

and Cappadocia, the Hittites confederacies other submitting to their numerous took the Tukulti-in-Aristi, yoke. Shalmaneser's son, thus city of Babylon, slew its king, Bitilyasu,and of the older state the claim to completely shattered He had reigned in Babylon for some supremacy.
22

MYTHS in hand with,

and

OF

BABYLONIA

AND records
successor,

ASSYRIA of

being long
and

humanity, the revolting. His

insatiable

his

cruelties

Shalmaneser

II, possessed an

thirst

for

military glory,

overthrew during his reign of thirty-five years included confederacy of Syrian chiefs which a great He disturbed Ahab, was King of Israel. during of his the latter part of his reign by the rebellion

eldest
came

son.

But

his

second

son,

Samsi-Rammon,
his
to

to

his

father's

assistance, and
the succession

faithful throne

adherence in

secured

him

the

824

B.C.

Semiramis

the

Great in

It
the

was

probably

known queen been have would

of her
name

in

reign legend as
connected

the

of

this

monarch lived. the

romance

that It

Semiramis had with !

wonderful been

indeed

magic

not

by
name

the

Oriental

imagination.

Semiramis

The

of legend and sparkles and scintillates with gems encircle it and Myth, magic, and music song. sweep surround island round it as fairy seas some paradise. It is a central in the chaplet of legend, it has rose in music been enshrined divine perhaps the most and melodious which the songful soul of Italy has
ever

conceived
us

"

yet

not

more

beauteous iron the chain

of

than
of

itself.

Let

introduce
the

into link

the
of

Assyrian
Helen
of

history
of

golden
us

legend
the

this

the

East, and
let

having
attempt
Sammuramat

heard
to
remove

fictions the veils look

her

greatness
hide her and
as

which
upon queen

her

real
was
"

personality from
of

view the

and

she

Babylonian,
who crushed and

favourite

Samsi-Rammon,
of

the whose

assembled

armies

Media
upon

and
a

Chaldea,
describes

glories are
forth
24

engraved
tale
of

column

which,
her

setting
in all

the

her

conquests,

SEMIRAMIS

THE
woman

GREAT

simplicity as Rammon, King Legend says conquered

"

A
of

of

the

palace

of

Samsi-

the

World."

ing King of Assyria, havthe Babylonians, proceeded toward the Armenia with object of reducing the people of But its politicking, Barsanes, unable that country. mission, him force, made to meet a by armed voluntary subof such cence magnifiaccompanied by presents that

Ninus,

that his desire he

Ninus for

was

placated. But,
he turned His the his
next

insatiable
to

in

conquest,
his

eyes

Media,
was

which
to

speedily subdued.
under the than rule

ambition between

bring
no

territory
great
task

the him all

Tanais
for Asia of

and

Nile.
seventeen to

This

occupied
which time

less
had

years,

by
the

submitted

him,

with

Bactria, which
laid the
to

still maintained foundations of

single exception its independence.

Having
he army
was

the

city of Nineveh,

resolved

said

to

be

His proceed against the Bactrians. of dimensions truly mythical, for he was of infantrymen, accompanied by 7,000,000
of

2,000,000
200,000

horse-soldiers,

with

the

addition

of

chariots

It that

was

equipped with during this campaign,

first
or

scythes.
says

Diodorus Her obscure.

Siculus,

Ninus

beheld

Semiramis.

precise
Some

legendary
writers
aver

mythical
that she
was

origin
the

is

daughter of the fishthe Derketo, and Oannes, goddess Ataryatis, or has who Babylonian god of wisdom, already been alluded in to. a Ataryatis was goddess of Ascalon Syria, and after birth her daughter Semiramis was until she found miraculously fed by doves was by the Simmas, one royal shepherd, who brought her
up

and

married

her He took

to

Onnes,
fell

or

Ninus's Ninus

generals.

by

his

of Menon, one hand, and own

to

thereupon

Semiramis

wife, having
25

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA her
ever

AND

ASSYRIA her

profoundly
the

admired
of

since she

conduct

at

capture

Bactria, where
Not

had

greatly
Ninus
her

tinguish dis-

herself.

long

afterward

died,
son's the of

leaving minority

son

called

Ninyas.
the
was

During

Semiramis

assumed undertook she

a

she first great work her husband, whom and mile

after raised
over a

and regency, the interment

buried
of

with

great
no

splendour,
less than
a

him

mound

earth

and which

quarter
she made
went

high
an

built

finished, she
wherever munificence. lakes and she

proportionally wide, city being Babylon. This expedition into Media ; and
of

and

left memorials erected

out vast

her

power

and

She

structures,
of

forming

laying
in

gardens
and raised her and

great
In of for

extent,

Chaonia

Ecbatana. mounds
name

particularly short, she immense After

levelled

hills, and
which invaded

an

height,
this with she

retained

ages.

the

with cope resolved She and and

2000

conquered Ethiopia, of Libya ; and complished having acgreater part her wish, and there to being no enemy her, excepting the kingdom of India, she Egypt
direct
army

to
an

her
of

forces

toward

that

quarter.

had

100,000

foot, 500,000 3,000,000 chariots. For the passing of

the be

horse,
rivers

engaging ships, to
for

by water enemy constructed so

of
men

she
as

had be

procured
taken
to

to

pieces
were

the in

built

advantage Bactria by
With these

carriage :
from

ships Phoenicia, Syria,

a

which

and

Cyprus.
with
encounter

she

fought
of

naval

ment engageat

Strabrobates, King
sunk
a a

India, and
of his

the After and Here

first this

thousand
over

ships.
Indus,

she

built into

bridge
the

the
of

river

penetrated
Strabrobates
numerous

heart her.
of

the

engaged
appearance

Being her elephants,

country. deceived he

by
at

the first

26

SEMIRAMIS gave had way, for

THE

GREAT
in

being

deficient
3000

those black with

animals
oxen,

she

procured the hides of and being properly sewn

the
this
was

which,

stuffed
so

appearance

of

many

presented elephants. All

even

straw,

done
of the
was

so

elephants
the
was

naturally Indian king

at

that
were

the

real

deceived.

But

stratagem

last

discovered, and

Semiramis

obliged
army. her to

to

retreat,

of her

Soon
son

having lost a great part after this she resigned the government died. Ninyas, and According to
after

some

writers,
It
was

she

was

slain
the

by

his hand.
of
true

through
of

researches
that
was

Professor

Lehmann-Haupt significance of
year

Berlin

the

personal
Until
the
were

Semiramis

recovered.

held

the and others legends of Diodorus 1910 been have to completely disproved and
was

ramis Semi-

regarded

as

purely

mythical

figure.

Old the
status

Bryant in his Antient Mythology^ published at the beginning of last century, proves legendary
of
"

Semiramis
must

to

his

own

satisfaction. the

He

says

It

be confessed

that

generalityof
as a

torians hisand

have

represented
her
as a

Semiramis

woman,

they describe in Babylon ;

situation had she

great
are

princess
writers who

who
from

reigned
their

but

there

opportunities
is mentioned

of better
as a

by
says that

those

and intelligence, deity. The Syrians, adds and

was

Athenagoras,
she
same was as

worshipped Semiramis, and esteemed the daughter of Dercatus

the Suria born
at

the said
was

Dea.
. . .

Semiramis because
name

to

have

been

Ascalon the

there
the
same

worshipped
memorials

under
were

Atargatus of Dagon,
there
as

and

preserved
memorials
was

at

Hierapolis and Babylon. the to a history of which

type.
It
was

These dove

related

the that

principal
she
was

upon

the

same

account

27

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
to
a

ASSYRIA

said found
that

to

have
her

been

changed

dove

because

they
under

always
. . .

depicted
the
an

and

worshipped
I think and that
it is

form.

From
was

above

plain
name

that
was

Semiramis
a

emblem

the

it Sama-ramas, or ramis, and com.pound signified the divine token,' a type of providence, and as a military ensign, (for as such it was used) it be interpreted the standard with latitude some may of the of the most High.' It consisted figure of a was dove, which probably encircled with the iris,as often emblems those two were represented together. that All who under standard, or who went paid any that deference to emblem, were or styled Semarim
of
' '

Samorim. had this

It device
more

was

title

conferred
national

upon

all

who

for of of

is much

mythic

science

insigne." There this sort of thing, typical of the the eighteenth and early nineteenth
to
see

their

busy myth became with the name Assyrian Queen, whose exploits the enthusiasm not undoubtedly aroused only of but of the the rounding Assyrians themselves peoples surthem. in ancient Just as any great work
centuries. It is easy of the how Britain
was so

ascribed such
monuments

to

the
as

agency

of
not to

Merlin otherwise Semiramis.

or

Arthur,
be Western and been
one

could

accounted Asia the

to

for

were

attributed

is

even

monumentally eloquent Behistun inscriptionsof

her of

of her

name,

Darius
states

have that

placed
of the

credit.

Herodotus
was

gates

Babylon

called that

after

her, and
the into well

that river

she

raised

the

artificial banks

confined

fame lasted Euphrates. Her the Middle Ages, and the Armenians round Lake Van, Shamiramagerd.

until called

the district

There

mingled
28

became little doubt that her fame is very with that of the goddess Ishtar : she pos-

THE
sesses

SECOND
same

ASSYRIAN

EMPIRE

the

Venus-like her
that

attributes, the
so

dove

is her

emblem,

and with

story
of the
a

became

twined interinextricably Babylonian goddess that she of her.

ultimately
Semiramis

became is
a

variant

The

story

of

of the manner triumphant vindication human in which a being by certain mythical processes the rank of a god or goddess, for Semiramis attain can real indeed. A column discovered originally was very her as describes of the palace of in 1909 a woman Samsi-rammon, King of the World, King of Assyria, of the World." This Quarters King of the Four indicates dedication that Semiramis, or, to give her her Assyrian title,Sammuramat, evidently possessed
"

an

immense

influence and lasted that

for
a

over

her
as

husband,

Samsithat the she may

rammon,

perhaps
more

influence

than

legend
delivered have made

that up

after the

regency
to

kingdom
in

queen-mother one reign, so that of forty-two years her son, Ninyas,

She
seems

some war

foundation

fact.

to

have

and Chaldeans. The against the Medes that she turned on relinquishing her power story into dove and that her a mean disappeared may with the Sammuramat, was easily connected name, the for dove for a word and Assyrian summat, ; of her subsequent legendary fame the mythical person
' '

connexion

with

Ishtar

is

easilyaccounted

for.

The

Second

Assyrian
known
with
as

Empire
the

What commenced who

is

Second
of

Assyrian Empire

the

reign

organized a great scheme This to plan appears

of the

III, Tiglath-pileser of provincialgovernment.

have been
the

first

forecast
a

feudal and
were

system,
a

for

fixed Great

tribute
efforts

provided
made

province paid militarycontingent.

render the
army
as

each

to

29

MYTHS

OF
as

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA of

irresistible
an

possible with
supremacy upon

the the

object
entire

imposing
world. and the
of

Assyrian
overran

known Medes

Tiglath
trade

Armenia,
the

defeated
of

the Phoenicia

Hittites, seized
routes

seaports
them and

and
centres

connecting
he
was

with

the

Assyrian
where
of
'

commerce,

in 729 b.c. Asia.' Two

finallyconquered Babylon, invested with the sovereignty

died, but his
successor,
on

years

later he the

Shalmaneser He do

IV, carried

policy he
of

had

initiated.
to

had, however,
so,

only
end

five years
of that claim

life in which the

a

for

at

the

period
to

usurping

general Sargon, who of Sargon the Great

of
son

laid
of

be

descendant

Akkad,
murdered

seized

the

royal power
b.c,

Babylon.
unable

He

was

in 705

and
to

his have

Sennacherib,
to

of

Biblical

fame,

appears

been
or

abilityof

on carry his father.

affairs

with

the

feelings of
The

the

outraged people by razing to the

because made of the revolt

He

prudence the religious ground the

citizens.

city of Babylon,
campaign
was

of the

he

against Hezekiah,
a

King
Hezekiah

of

Judah,
had Ascalon

marked himself

by

complete
the when
of

failure.

allied and

with but battle

Philistine he
saw

princes
his endeavoured

of

Ekron,
at

Egyptian
though
of

allies beaten
to

the

Eltekeh

he

buy

off the
success.

invaders The

by
forces

numerous

presents,

without

wonderful
of

deliverance recorded Hebrew

the Jerusalem from in Scripture, and

Sennacherib,

sung

by
a

Byron
good
was

in

his

Melodies, appears
It
seems

to

have

foundation

in fact. and nacherib Sen-

that

the

almost

decimated
to return

Assyrian army by plague,

to

attacked

which but in

obliged
it is the
not

Nineveh,
occurred
was

likely
of
a

that

the

phenomenon
Sennacherib
sons,

watch

night.
his
30 two

who,

the

by eventually murdered deed accomplished, fled to

SARDANAPALUS Armenia.

THE the

SPLENDID

Of
the

all
most

Assyrian
and
Nineveh in

monarchs
the least

he

was

perhaps
rule.

pompous

fitted
the

to

The
of
at
son

great

wall
built

that his

palace at city, eight miles

successor,

and

great
were

circumference,
initiated

command. and

His

Esar-haddon,
the sacred which

his

reign by sending
to

back

its
was

shrine

at

Babylon,
declared

image city

of Merodach

he

restored.

He
of

solemnly
and

king

in the

restored

during his reign both War and contentment. Assyria enjoyed quiet and with Egypt broke out in 670 B.C., and the Egyptians thrice defeated with were heavy loss. The Assyrians entered over a Memphis and instituted protectorate Two later Egypt revolted, part of the country. years while Esarand to marching quell the outbreak the his fate haddon died road on resembling that
Merodach,
"

temple Babylonia

of

Edward
the

I,

who

died

while
then

on

his in

way

to

come over-

Scottish

people,

rebellion

against

his

usurpation.
the

Sardanapalus
Esar-haddon known the
to

Splendid
was

succeeded

legend as legendary description

it is
was

Greek

by Assur-bani-pal, far Sardanapalus. How

him
the with squares The former states

of

historical that he

difficult last

to

say.

king of Assyria, and the thirtieth in succession from Effeminate and Ninyas. corrupt, he have been the of roi to seems a perfect example faineant. The populace of the conquered provinces, disgusted with his extravagances, revolted, and an led by Arbaces, army satrap of Medea, and Belesys, a him in Nineveh and Babylonian priest, surrounded threatened his life. Sardanapalus, however, throwing off his sloth, made such for that a vigorous defence

the

MYTHS
two at

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

in the issue was years this juncture overflowed

doubt.
and

The

river

Tigris
part
of

undermined the
was

city wall, thus permitting ingress to Sardanapalus, seeing that resistance army.
the collected and It then
is
a

hostile

his it
on

wives

and

treasures

in

his

hopeless, palace
which

set

fire,so

that

all
that
was

perished.
the
fate

strange
to

coincidence

legend
which

ascribes

Sardanapalus
the
is

really overtook It Samas-sum-yukin. of Sardanapalus

of
a

brother

of

probably that Assur-bani-pal,

is

rite well

known

tion likelythat the self-immolament merely a legendary stateSemitic which to religion,

time of

was

down the to practised at Tarsus of which Chrysostom, and the memory Greek other legends, especially those and
was

Dio in

survives
of
an

Heraclesannual the

Melcarth festival local annual fire

an

Queen
held
or

Dido.
a

At

Tarsus upon
in

and Baal

pyre
was

erected burned the death the

was

which

Heracles

commemoration had
or

of

effigy. This of the god in

rite in which
as
^

probably
man

its

origin in
animal The

older

actual

sacred

burned

the
an

deity.
Sir

Golden

Bough
the writes
name

representing contains
of

instructive

passage

concerning
Frazer the
that

myth
"

Sardanapalus.
seems

James

There

to

be

no

doubt

is the
of

only
name

the

Greek
of

the But
come

Sardanapalus of representingAshurbanapal, way nearly the last King greatest and

the
to

Assyria.
have

records

of

the
recent

real

monarch

which

light

within

years
to

give
name

little support the fables to in classical tradition. For

that

attached
prove

his
far
to

being
Greeks
^

the
of
a

effeminate later age, 167.

and

they weakling
was a

that,
seemed and
kind

from

he

the

he

warlike (By

enlightened
permissionof

Vol.

iii,p.

Second

Edition.

Messrs

Macmillan

Co.)

32

The

Death

of

Sardanapalus
32

L. Copyright,

Chalon
Braun and Go.

SARDANAPALUS

THE the
arms

SPLENDID
of

monarch,
lands and and

who

carried
at

fostered

home

letters.

Still, though

Assyria to distant the growth of science historical the reality of

that of as Ashurbanapal is as well attested be no Alexander wonder Charlemagne, it would or the great figure if myths gathered,like clouds, around of Assyrian that loomed sunset large in the stormy features that the two stand out most glory. Now his prominently in the legends of Sardanapalus are his violent in death debauchery and extravagant

King

the

flames

of his

and
into said the

great pyre, concubines to

a

on save

which

he

burned
from

self him-

them

falling
It
face in is and

hands
the in of

of

his

victorious

enemies.

that

womanish female
the

king,

with

painted

arrayed
seclusion
his

attire, passed his

days

the

harem,
and

concubines that his

ate

spinning purple wool among wallowing in sensual delights ;

which that
he

and
on

in the he

epitaph
recorded and

caused

to

be

carved life life

tomb and and

he

drank

days toyed, remembering

fortune is
soon

all the

of his

that

is short

full of trouble, that would leave

to

uncertain,

and
which

that
he

others
must

enjoy

the

good
traits

things
bear

behind. the
;

These

little resemblance either

of the

portrait of
for
after
a

Ashurbanapal
brilliant in old
career

in

life

or

death

conquest

the
of

Assyrian king
ambition,
the his
foes.

died with

height
the

human

and and

triumph abroad,
terror

admiration But
if

of

peace his

at age, home at

subjects
but
of

of of

the

traditional ill that

characteristics with
name,
can

Sardanapalus
of

harmonize monarch

what

we

know

the

real

life
the

or they fit well enough with all that we know led a short kings who conjecture of the mock and a during the revelry of the Sacsea, merry Asiatic We can equivalent of the Saturnalia.
c

33

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
for the
most

AND

ASSYRIA
with
a

hardly
death

doubt

that

in the face staring them and deaden care days, sought to drown plunging madly into all the fleetingjoys

part such men, of the end at

few

fear

by
still their and

that

offered brief their

more

themselves

under

the

sun.

When
over,

pleasures and
bones natural the
of
or

sharp sufferings were ashes the mingled with

on

dust, what
mounds
graves of

that

their
not
"

tomb

"

those

in which the
some

people
as

saw,

untruly, the
should tradition

lovers such mouth

Semiramis those

there which

be

carved in

lines of the

placed
remind

the

great
of

Assyrian king, to
the shortness and

the
of

heedless life ?
"

passer-by
to

vanity
the

According

Sir

James
have but

Frazer,
one

then,
of

real mock

Sardanapalus kings who led

a

may
a

been

those

short their in

sacrifice

ended instances that

merry convivial

existence
career.

before have
at

We Sandan

analogous
Tarsus and

the

sacrifice

of

of the The

representative

of the

Mexican is
a

god, Tezcatlipoca.
thus
a

legend
in
name

of of

Sardanapalus
the of
a

distorted

reminiscence sacrificed

death

of

magnificent king
When the

god.

EsarAssur-bani-pal succeeded haddon as King of Assyria, his brother Samas-sumcreated Viceroy of Babylonia, but shortly yukin was the kingship itself, revived the old after he claimed of the official tongue the Sumerian language as Babylonian court, and initiated a revolt which shook end the other. A the to Assyrian empire from one between and the northern struggle ensued great and last Babylon was forced southern at to powers, surrender through starvation, and Samus-sum-yukin
was

real

put

to

death.

Assur-bani-pal, like
34

Sardanapalus,

his

legendary

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA the the best

as

AND

ASSYRIA
sees

derogate greatly from king solely fired with retaining all that was
literature in the beside which north
for

view idea in
as

that
of

in him

preserving and ancient Babylonian

in the

well
own

south, and
use

having
records

him

his

personal
prove

those he
was

find him obtaining. Thus we obtain on to special missions copies works. It is also significant of certain that Assurbani-pal placed his collection in a library and not fact which discounts the theory that in a temple a of literature had his collection a religious-political

extremely sending officials

many desirous of

circumstances

"

basis.

The

Last

Kings
the

of Assyria of

Assur-bani-pal the Scythians succeeded in penetrating into Assyria, through which they pushed their way as far as the borders of Egypt, of the took the remains and Assyrian army refuge
After death in Nineveh. last The of
of

end

was

now

near

at

hand.

The

King
who

Sarakos and

Assyria was the Greeks,

tells he land.
us

even

the probably Sin-sar-iskin, who reigned for some years the medium of inscripti through
to restore out

that

intended War

the with

ruined

Babylonia, however, Cyaxares, Scythian King of of the Babylonians. the assistance to Ecbatana, came Nineveh and captured by the Scythians, sacked was end. at an destroyed, and the Assyrian empire was temples
and the Nebuchadrezzar

of

his

broke

strangely enough Babylon, still flourished

But

the
to
some

older

seat

of

power,

extent.

exertions, Nebuchadrezzar
who 36

II

(or

human superNebuchadnezzar),
sent

By

reigned

for

forty-three

years,

the

The

Library

of

King
Fernand

Assur-bani-pal
Le

at

Nineveh

Quesne
Hutchinson and Co.

36

By

permission

of Messrs

NEBUCHADREZZAR standard world.

of In

Babylonia 567 b.c. he

far and

wide

invaded

through In Egypt.

the known
one

of his

against Jerusalem and put its campaigns he marched the king, Jehoiakim, to death, but the king whom in his place was set deposed Babylonian monarch up vested in Zedekiah. Zedekiah the royal power and and revolted in 558 b.c. once more Jerusalem was and taken were destroyed, the principal inhabitants the city was reduced carried captive to Babylon, and of insignificance. This, the first exile condition to a The of the Jews, lasted for seventy years. story of of Nebuchadrezzar's this captivity and treatment of the Jewish exiles is graphicallytold in the Book the Babylonians called Belteshazzar. of Daniel, whom of the Babylonians, the meat Daniel refused eat to it was not probably because prepared according to Jewish rite. He and his companions ate pulse and
drank
water,
on

and

fared
meats

upon

it and

better

than The
them

the

Babylonians hearing of
found them and

strong

wines.
sent

King,
and

this
much

circumstance,
better informed

for

than

all his

cians magi-

astrologers.
and informed

Nebuchadrezzar the

dreamed

Babylonian astrologers unable that if they were to interpret them they would be cut to pieces and their houses destroyed, whereas did they interpret the visions they would be held in that if the King would high esteem. They answered tell them his dream show the interpretathey would tion thereof ; but if they were the King said that wise in truth know the dream men they would without of some requiring to be told it, and upon the astrologers of the court quest replying that the reunreasonable, he was was greatly incensed and
ordered the all of
the

dreams,

them
secret

to

be
was

slain. revealed

But
to

in

vision

of

night

Daniel, who
37

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
men
a

AND
of
court

ASSYRIA

wise the begged that destroyed, and going to to interpret the dream. his dream and
was

Babylon
official he the

be

not

offered that in

He
a

told

King

he form

had
were

beheld

ness brightgreat image, whose terrible. The head of this image

breast and
arms

of

fine

gold,
parts

the
of

of

silver, and

the
were

other
of

brass, excepting the

feet

iron, and

the of

which
a

were

legs which partly of that

was

metal
it which

and

partly
smote

the the had

clay. But image upon

wind
smitten

stone

cast

at

its feet
away

and the

it brake
remnants.
tain moun-

into The

pieces and
stone

swept
earth. the

that

it became

great

and Then

filled the Daniel

whole

King, image
rise brass The
as

he
;

proceeded to said, represented

silver
an

the

interpretation. The the golden head of the inferior kingdom which would
death rule
over

after

Nebuchadrezzar's should bear from

and all

third

of

which fourth

the

earth. be

dynasty
as

Nebuchadrezzar the
toes

would
of

strong
were

iron, but

since

the

image's

partly of iron and partly of clay, so should that kingdom be partly strong and partly broken. Nebuchadrezzar awed with the interpretation so was fell upon his face and that he worshipped Daniel, the God who greatly he honoured tellinghim how
feet

could
set

have
as

revealed ruler him

of
over

such the
of

secrets

to

him
of
over

and

he

him made
men

whole the

province
governors

Babylon,
all the

and wise

chief

that

kingdom.
three
"

But

Daniel's

companions
refused had
set to

"

Shadrach,
a

Me-

shach, and

image
that which

which

Abednego the King

worship
and he

golden

up,
a

commanded

they should be they passed

circumstance

cast

into

fieryfurnace, through
turned the heart

unharmed. still
more

This 38

Daniel

interprets

the

Dream
Paul

of

Nebuchadrezzar

38

Evelyn

MYTHS Twelve in the

OF months midst
of

BABYLONIA
after

AND this

ASSYRIA
was

Nebuchadrezzar

palace at Babylon, boasting of what he had accomplished during his reign, when from heaven voice 0 a spake, saying : King thee it is spoken, the kingdom to Nebuchadrezzar, is departed from chadrezzar Nebuthee," and straightway was
"

his

driven
an ox

from
was

man

and with

he

did dew

eat

grass

as

and

his

body

wet

the

of heaven, and
his

till his

hair

was

nails like bird's At the

grown claws.

like

eagle's feathers
time of

termination his
eyes

of his
to

rezzar trial Nebuchad-

lifted Most earth.

heaven,
domination

and
over

praising the
the the whole boaster

High
Thus

admitted
was

his the

punishment
some

of

completed.
It has that the been stated with upon weird Greek It show of

probability
was
as a nected con-

judgment
with that the

Nebuchadrezzar disease words known

lycan-

thropy, from anthropos,a man.

and victim
too,

lukos,
a on

wolf, and
of

is characterized that he has for

develops as by a belief
an

kind
the

hysteria
of

part
There the

the
are,

become

animal. and

cravings
runs

strange
on

food,
fours. ascribed
"

afflicted

person

about
a

all
is

Among
to
common

peoples

such and

seizure
or

primitive supernatural
scourge

agency, of vampires

garlic
"

onion the

the

is held

to

nostrils.

The

Last

of the

Babylonian

Kings

the last the of (555-539 B.C.) was position of a religious disBabylonian kings a man very desired He and of antiquarian tastes. to Harran and the temple of the moon-god at restore of the such to restore images of the gods as had

Nabonidus

"

been
40

removed

to

the

ancient

shrines.

But

first he

Grant

of

Privileges

to

Ritti-Marduk, by
Mansell

famous
I

Babylonian

Captain,
Photo
W. A.

Nebuchadrezzar
and Co.

40

THE desired
meet

LAST
to

OF
out

THE

BABYLONIAN
this

KINGS

find
the he

whether
of

with

approval
and drew

the

procedure god Merodach.

who favourable
the

would
To

this liver
But

end
of
on a

consulted

the

sheep
another

augurs, thence he

opened
omens.

the

hostility of the god and incidentally of the priests of E-Sagila by preferring the sun-god to the great Bel of Babylon. He tells us in an inscription that when restoring the at temple of Shamash Sippar he had great difficulty old the in unearthing that, foundation-stone, and
when
as

occasion

aroused

at

last

it

was

unearthed,
the
name

he of

trembled

with

awe

he

read ruled

thereon
3200 for

Naram-sin,
him. the

who,

he

says,

lay

in

wait

years him, for

B.C.,

before

But Persian
the

destiny
invaded
native

Cyrus
after

Babylonia
at army he entered

in 538

and

defeating

to Babylon, which pressed on Nabonidus without blow. striking a in was was hiding, but his place of concealment discovered. Cyrus, pretending to be the avenger nidus Naboof Bel-Merodach for the slights the unhappy the people, had put upon the god, had over won who their monarch with were exceedingly wroth for attempting to remove images of the gods many the from provinces to the capital. Cyrus placed himself the about of Babylon and throne a upon before his death the regal (529 b.c.) transferred year his son, to Cambyses. Assyrian-Babylonian power Persian. is merged and into history here ceases the recovered after its independence Babylonia death of Darius. rezzar NebuchadA king styling himself III who a reigned for about arose, year time the sians Per(521-520 B.C.),at the end of which

Opis

he

once

more

returned
b.c.

as

conquerors.

second

revolt
of the

in

514

caused

the

walls, and

finallythe

partial great city

destruction
of

Babylon
41

MYTHS became the

newer

OF

BABYLONIA than Seleucia

a

AND
quarry

ASSYRIA
out

little better

of
towns

which
were

city

of

and

other

built.

The

History
be

of Berossus of

It will the

interest

to

examine
upon

at

least

one

of

Babylonian history. Berossus, a priestof Bel at Babylon, who lived about native documents a history of 250 B.C., compiled from his country, which he published :"nGreek. His writings have them been from have perished, but extracts Eusebius. There is a preserved by Josephus and when good deal of myth in Berossus' work, especially he deals with the question of cosmology, the story forth ; also the which facts of the deluge, and so be reconciled he places before us as history cannot
' '

ancient

authorities

with indeed

those
to

inscribed have

on

the his

monuments.

He

seems

history so that it should ginning exactly fill the assumed period of 36,000 years, bethe creation with and of man ending with the of Babylon the Great. by Alexander conquest tells of a certain Berossus Sisuthrus,^ whose history will be recounted in full in another chapter. He relates of the fish-man then a legend of the advent the of the Persian waters or fish-god, Oannes, from Indeed Gulf. he alludes three beings of this type, to the after who, one another, appeared to instruct Babylonians in arts and letters.
arranged
Berossus* More There is
:

Account

of the
is
one

Deluge
his
account

important
more

of

the

deluge.
of

than which in the

Babylonian
to

version

the

deluge

that

is

be

found

in the with

Gilgamesh
that poem.

Epic
42

is

given

chapter dealing
*

Ut-Napishtim.

BEROSSUS'
As

ACCOUNT
account

OF

THE

DELUGE

shall important, we words before commenting give it in his own upon of Ardates, his son After the death it : (Sisuthrus) succeeded In his time and reigned eighteen sari. is happened the great deluge ; the history of which The Deity, Cronus, appeared given in this manner. Berossus'
is

quite

as

"

to

him

in

vision

and

gave

him

notice, that

upon

the

Dsesius there would day of the month mankind would be destroyed. be a flood, by which commit therefore He to to enjoined him writing a clusion history of the beginning, procedure, and final conthe present term of all things, down to ; and to bury these accounts securely in the City of the Sisuthrus build then ordered Sun at Sippara. He to fifteenth

vessel, and
relations
;

to

take and

with

him himself

into
to

it his the

friends The
on

and

trust

latter board in also

upon

implicitlyobeyed : and having sustain to life,he thing necessary every all species of animals, that either fly,or the of the surface earth. Having asked
to

deep. conveyed

took
rove

the To

he was Deity whither the which gods : upon the good of mankind. admonition five stadia he
of
:

go,

he

was

answered,
up
a

he Thus

offered
he

obeyed
he

for prayer the divine

and

the

vessel, which

built,

was

this Into two. length, and in breadth thing which he had got ready ; and last put every all conveyed into it his wife, children, and friends.

in

After

the

flood

had

been

upon
sent

the
out

earth, and
some

was

in the

time

abated,
;
rest

Sisuthrus
not

birds

from any

vessel

which

finding
he

any

food,
them

nor

place to
an

their feet, returned

of
: some

to

him
sent

again.
with
a

After
a

interval time

second
feet

and mud.
:

days ; they now

He but

forth

returned made trial

their time
no

tinged
these

with birds

third
to

with

they

returned

him

43

MYTHS
more :

OF from of

BABYLONIA he

AND formed
a

ASSYRIA
that

whence the
earth

judgment,
above in the vessel
the

the

surface

was an

now

waters.

Having finding
to

therefore upon side

made

opening
that he the

vessel, and
was

looking
of
a

out,

driven

the

mountain,
with his

immediately quitted
the

it, being attended

wife, children, and

pilot.
to

Sisuthrus earth
:

the

offered

sacrifices

immediately paid his adoration and altar, an having constructed the to gods. These things being
both with

duly performed,
out

Sisuthrus, and

those

who

came

of the

vessel
in

remained
return,
came

him, disappeared. They, who the vessel, finding that the others did not
out
on

with
the
name

many

lamentations
of

and
Him

called

continually
saw
no more

Sisuthrus.

they
voice
to

but

they
the
upon

could him
;

distinguish his
admonish and
of

in
pay

the due

air, and

could
to

hear

them

regard
it
was

gods
account

likewise his
;

inform that he

them,
was

that

piety
that

translated

to

live with the he

the

gods
that

his wife the

same

and

children, with
To make
for

had pilot,

obtained he
to

honour. them search made

this the

added,
of their
at

would

have and be

best

way

Babylonia,
to

the
to

writings
was

known

all mankind. in

Sippara, which were The place where

Armenia. The sacrifices
to

these

things happened

remainder the

having heard gods ; and, Babylonia."

vessel
were

these

words, offered
a

taking
Berossus
to

circuit, journeyed adds, that the remains

in his time
;

towards of
of

the the

be

seen

upon

one

Corcyrean
used been
to

mountains off the

in

Armenia

and

that

people
it had

scrape

bitumen,

with

which

of it by way use outwardly coated, and made of an antidote In this manner for poison or amulet. the to Babylon ; and having found they returned building cities writings at Sippara, they set about
44

MYTHS
ancestors

OF of
a new

BABYLONIA human
race. or

AND It is

ASSYRIA

possible also
which the
was

that

the

great
the

sea-dragon,
may
as

serpent,
flooded is
an

slain with Indian

text,
"

by
his

Creator,
he
to

have

earth

blood

expired :
effect.

there In
an

Algonquin
cuneiform

myth

this
year

old

deluge is alluded to as of the the year raging serpent." The wise man takes who refuge in the ship or ark is warned by a of the dream North forthcoming deluge. In some Indian American myths he is warned by friendly The animals. mountain, too, as a place of refuge for the ark, is fairlycommon in myth. in have dealt the creation We Chapter II with in Berossus, and with this ends the myth found is of any importance. part of his history which
Babylonian
Until
our

in fact, the

of the

Archaeology
about the middle
of of

the

nineteenth

tury cen-

the history and knowledge antiquities of The Babylonia and Assyria was extremely scanty. which unrolled deeply interestingseries of excavations the the circumstances almost
of these

ancient

civilizations learned the

before
are

incredulous
at

described volume.
of

length
we

of eyes towards say

at

Europe
close
of

this

Here and

may

shortly
Nineveh
of
a

that

the

labours quaries anti-

Layard

Botta the

convinced

that awaited

remains

Layard's the first great library of Assur-bani-pal was step life of the toward two reconstructing the ancient followed by Oppert and Loftus, kingdoms. He was but of the country the systematic excavation was
discovery.
yet
but
to

civilization great excavation of the

be

undertaken.

This,
Smith died
on

as

we

shall British way

see,

was

commenced

by George unfortunately he

of the

Museum,
from

his

home

46

THE

TOWER

OF

BABEL
was

the
Mr

East.

His

work

at

Nineveh

taken in in

Hormuzd

Rassam,
tables and afterward

who bronze
Mr

succeeded gates Rassam

by unearthing
up A

inscribed
few years of the site

bas-relief.

discovered

the

temple
the

of the

habba find

to

south-west
was or

sun-god of Sippara at Abuof Bagdad. An important

of of the

by

de
the

Sarzec Patesi

that

diorite

statues

of

Gudea,

Lagash, about 2700 of which, according to the inscriptions the stone B.C., had been the Sinaitic brought from them, upon university of Pennsylvania sent peninsula. The Mr at J. H. Haynes in 1889 to excavate Nippur,
where
of he

Ruler

unearthed
heart
names

the

remains
is

of the
a

En-lil,in the
with Naram-sin.
the

of which of

great temple mound of bricks

stamped
son,

the

The
ruins of

explored

and his Sargon of Akkad German expedition of 1899 chadrezzar, Babylon, the palace of Nebu-

and

the

site of Asshur.

The

Towei*

of Babel

Many legend
towers

attempts
of in

have

been
of

made
to

to

attach

the

the

confusion

tongues

certain

ruined

the upon

great
this
at

place

Babylonia, especiallyto that of E-Sagila, and remarks some temple of Merodach, be out most of not interesting tale may is not this point. The found in myth

and in its best form be discovered Babylonia itself, may the Bible in Scripture. In we are story of one told that and mode region was tongue every of speech. As from their men journeyed westward in the East, they encountered original home a plain Shinar where of in the land In this they settled. building operations, conregion they commenced structed of a tower, a city,and laid the foundations of which summit the reach they hoped would to
47

MYTHS

OF itself. It

BABYLONIA would with

to
over

AND appear that of that

ASSYRIA this edifice

a

heaven
was

constructed landmark scattered down

the

great
not

the

object people so
face of

serving as they should

tower, what and

be
came

the view
as

the

earth, and
the
one

the

Lord
he

to

the

city and
were

considered
gave

that

they

all of and such

language
they

this

them
to

undue

power,

that

imagined
would them be

themselves
to

under So
over

conditions Lord
face

they
every

able

achieve. thence
of
'

the the
tower

scattered
of

abroad and of

from the it

region,
the
name

building
was

the

ceased
at

and that

called

Babel,' because

place the singlelanguage

Of
course

of the

people was
name

confounded.
of

it is

merely
means
as

the
'

native

Babylon,
has the
or was
"

which
no

translated

such

etymology
confusing
with the

of the god,' and gate the Scriptures pretend,

Hebrews

their

verb

balal^
habel.
of

'

to

confuse

confound,'
no

word

The

story

suggested by one temple towers Over and find of in over again we Babylon. with the connexion Jewish religion that anything of presumption or unnatural which savours tion aspiradoubt
is of
to

the

strongly
Tower Hebrews
of

condemned. Babel
of

The
thus

ambitious
seem

effort

the

would The

abhorrent

the

old.
or

strange
the
as a

thing
link

is that

these

ancient

towers
were

zikkurats, as
to
as

Babylonians
between
of

called heaven

them,
and

intended

serve

earth, just
mosque. of the

does

the

minaret

the

Mahommedan The traced

is

legend
in other in

confusion than

of

tongues
of

is

to

be It

folk-lores

that where

Babylon.
story
runs

found

Central
one

America,
of

the

that the
order

Xelhua,

the

seven

deluge, built to besiege

the

great

from giants rescued in pyramid of Cholula

structure

heaven.

The

was,

how-

48

".;ajt".j;"^it." .t --f"

f-?-;*"."iS!aiiiatiff

t:

tq

6
^

NIMROD
ever,

THE the

MIGHTY

HUNTER

destroyed by
confounded found Lake

it

and

Livingstone
tribes and around

some

fire upon gods, who cast down the language of its builders. the African such myth among Ngami, and certain Australian
a

Mongolian
the

peoples possess
Huntet*

similar

tradition.

Nimrod,

Mighty

the dispersion of that It is strange the with connected be should name who

tribes
of

at

Babel

Nimrod,

tion Babylonian tradithat Epiphanius states this of the foundation from city (Babylon) very immediate of conspiracy, commenced there scene an which carried was sedition, and by on tyranny, of Chus this the ^thiop. Around Nimrod, the son dim versy controlegendary figure a great deal of learned his legendary has examine raged. Before we let us and what see legend mythological significance,
as

figures in Biblical as as a mighty hunter.

well

and

Scripture say (chap. X, 8, f.)

before Nimrod
was

of he

him.
is
:

In

the

Book
"

of
a

Genesis

mentioned wherefore hunter

as

mighty
Lord."
"

hunter
as

Yahweh the

it

is

said, Even
the

mighty
ruler of

before

He

also
of

the his

great
was

kingdom.
and
of Shinar.

The

beginning
and
that of

kingdom
Asshur

Babel,

Erech,
Out
of

Accad, and
land
went

Calneh forth

in the land
"

(that is,by compulsion

and
is may

Nimrod)
In descendant
of

"and the
of his

builded

Nineveh,"
Nimrod
this
as

other

great
as

cities.
a

Scriptures
Ham,
but
name

mentioned
arise from

the

reading

father's
a

Cush, which
race.

in

the
may

Scriptures indicates possibly be Cash and

It appears

coloured should the

to

The
to

name

relate
sons

the Cush

Cassites.
or

then

that

of

Chus,

the
of

Cassites, according
the

legend,
the
D

did

not
race

partake
after the
49

general

division

of

human

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

fall of himself

Babel,
remained

but

under

the

leadership of
were.

Nimrod

where

they
said the

After

the

Nimrod around and

at

built
It is

Babylon
also

and

fortified the he
of

dispersion, territory
Nineveh
so

it.

that

built

trespassed
last
he

upon

land
to
name

Asshur,
that

that

forced
gave
or

Asshur
the

quit

^ territory.

The and him which

Greeks

him

of Nebrod
many

or

Nebros,
tower

preserved
and he his is

invented and

tales

concerning
the

apostasy,

concerning

erected. He is described supposed to have of as a gigantic person mighty bearing, of everything divine ; his followers and a contemner and are represented as being equally presumptuous have to overbearing. In fact he seems appeared to the Greeks Nimrod the tutelar
very much

like

one

of their

own

Titans.

has

been
of

identified

both

with

Merodach,

Babylon, and with Gilgamxcsh, of the the hero with Orion, and epic of that name, The with others. according to Petrie, has name, been found in Egyptian documents of the even XXII Nemart.' Dynasty as be one of those Nimrod to seems giants who rage against the gods, as do the Titans of Greek myth All and the are Jotunn of Scandinavian story. in fact earth-gods, the disorderly forces of nature, defeated for who stood were by the deities who god
'

law
may

and
mean

order.
'

The rebel.'
of

derivation In
all

of the his
are

name

Nimrod
for

later related proves

race

legends,

instance, those
his
was

them

that

by
that

Philo Nimrod

in

De

Gigantibus (a
with

title which the

connected
*

giant
been
out

by

tradition),
some

This
to

passage
mean
"

has, however,
that
"

interpreted by
of this land

BibHcal Asshur
"

scholars

Nimrod

went

into

(or Assyria)
vol. vi, pp.
^

and

built

Nineveh."

See

Bryant,

Antient

Mythology,

9 1-2-3.

50

MYTHS

OF upon

BABYLONIA
which, the

AND

ASSYRIA

brought,
axe

larger
was

one

had

seized

an

and
must

he

mate impossible that inanicould Abram statues act so ; and immediately his father retorted his on own words, showing him the But absurdity of worshipping false deities.

destroyed the be in jest,as

others. it

Terah

replied

that

Terah, who
delivered
the

does Abram
of

not to

appear

to

have who

been then
was

convinced,
dwelt in rod, Nim-

Nimrod,
exhorted be Let
as

Plain

Shinar, where
in
him
"

Babylon
thrown
your

built.
to
a come

having
fire, ordered
out."
saw

vain
to
"

Abram into God

worship
nace, fur-

burning
and

exclaiming
you As the
to
come

take

soon

brother,
to

fate

of

Haran, Abram's youngest the Patriarch, he resolved

conform

Nimrod's
out

religion;
of the

but

when he
him

he

saw

his brother
for the
"

fire unhurt, which caused he

a was

declared
to

God
turn

of

Abram,"

be

thrown

in

A
of
to

certain Haran's snatch had

furnace, and writer, however, narrates

death. Terah's been He idols thrown
says

into the

consumed. version

different he

that the

endeavoured which burnt

from

they
to

by

flames, into and Abram, was

death

in consequence.
Version

Persian

The who

Persian
was

Mussulmans in
to

allege that
after

the

Patriarch,
had fested mani-

born

Chaldea,
him,

God

Mecca, and proceeded to Kaaba When built the celebrated or temple there. he himself home returned he publicly declared it to the Prophet of God, and speciallyannounced who Nimrod, King of Chaldea, a was worshipper of Nimrod in Mesopofire. Abram at town met a tamia, called Caramit, and now Urga, afterwards Diarbekr, in which was a large temple consecrated
himself
52

A
to

PERSIAN

VERSION the
true

fire, and

his

publicly entreated idolatry and worship the

his
a

King
God.

to

renounce

Nimrod

consulted such

wise

men

and

inquired

what

ment punish-

blasphemer deserved, and they advised A pile flames. the be consigned to he should that Abram be ordered of wood to prepared and was it astonishment it, but to their was placed upon the asked Nimrod kindle. would priests the not and of this they replied that phenomenon, cause the pile and constantly flying about an angel was from burning. The King asked preventing the wood and be driven the angel could how they replied away, rite. dreadful it could that by some only be done Their advice was followed, but the angel still persisted, his Abram from and Nimrod at length banished
dominions. The
war

Mussulmans

also

relate

that
when him

the he with
was

against the Patriarch, and against him, he sent a person to

"
"

King made marching

Abram
?
"

!
"

it

is

now

time

to
"

this message fight ; where

It

is

thy army immediately

immense

Abram and

answered,
of

will

come

an

which gnats, devoured Nimrod's bones. soldiers to the very is Another tradition East, preserved in the
to

immediately sun-darkening cloud

there

appeared

specially referring a at fiery furnace

which
seems

to

be

casting of Babylon by order corrupted story of

recorded
for

the

Abram
of the

into

Nimrod,
ance deliver"

of

the

three

Hebrews substituted exists

that

Nimrod
as no

merely
evidence
"

by Daniel Nebuchadrezzar,
ever was

Abram
"

at

it is said, dream in a Babylon. Nimrod," saw the star a rising above horizon, the light of which of The the eclipsed that sun. soothsayers who
were

consulted

foretold

that

child

was

to

be

born
S3

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

Babylon prince, and

in
him.
to

who
that
at

shortly would he (Nimrod)

this
an

become had Nimrod

reason

great
to

fear

Terrified
for

answer,

gave

orders
this

search

such

infant.

Notwithstanding

precaution, however, Adna, the wife of Azar, one the of Nimrod's guards, [hid her child in a cave, she diligently closed, and of which she mouth when she told her husband that it had returned perished. Adna, in the meantime, proceeded regularly to the the cave to infant, but she always found nurse of his fingers, one of which him suckling the ends milk him and the furnished other honey. This miracle surprised her, and as her anxiety for the thus welfare child's greatly relieved, and as was
she
saw

that

Heaven

had herself

undertaken with

the

care,

she time much

merely
to

satisfied She

visiting him
that he
grew

from
as

time. in
so

soon
as

perceived
common moons
were

three

days
as

children had

do

in

month,
before Adna whom

that

fifteen

scarcely passed
that the of age. of son

he
now

appeared
told had her been

if he

fifteen years

husband,

Azar,
that

she

delivered, and

whom God

she had Azar his the

had
vided prowent

reported dead, was miraculously immediately to the

and
as

living, and
for his
cave,
to

subsistence. where
convey

he

found
him
to to

son,

desired he
was

his

mother
to

city,
and

resolved about the

present

him

Nimrod

place him
In
his

court.

the

evening
and cattle
to
were

Adna

brought
him
to

him
a

forth

out

of

den,
of

conducted

meadow
was was
a

where

herds

feeding.
young

This who

new entirely

the

Abram,
and
was

sight tive inquisi-

to

learn
of

their

nature,

informed

by
Abram

his

mother

their his

names,

uses,

and

qualities.
to

continued
54

inquiries and

desired

know

who

PERSIAN

VERSION Adna and told

"

produced things had

said

the

animals. Lord
me

him

that

all

their
"

Creator. into
the your
"

Who,
? ?
"

then,"
"

he,

brought
"

world Lord Who

He

I,"

replied
Abram.

Adna. She

And

who
"

is

"

asked

Lord

"

answered, told She him,

to

Azar." Nimrod.

is Azar's

showed but

an

inclination checked
to

carry

his

inquiries farther,
that
it
was

she

him, tellinghim
into
came

not

convenient

search he

other
to

matters

because

of

danger.

At

of which city, the inhabitants he perceived deeply engaged in superstition and his grotto. to idolatry. After this he returned One going to Babylon, he evening, as he was the others stars Venus, shining, and saw among adored He said within self himwhich by many. was and Creator of the Perhaps this is the God time but after this world that observing some ; said This be star was certainly cannot set, he last the
"
"

"

"

"

the

Maker be

of

the

universe,
to

for
a

it is

not

possible he
after this

should
he

subject
the
moon

such
at

noticed

but possibly be the when he perceived this the the same his opinion of it was in the case horizon of as the city he At length, near Venus. multitude saw a adoring the rising sun, and he was tempted to follow this luminary decline their example, but having seen

might

Soon change." full, and thought that Author of all things ; planet also sink beneath

like the rest, he his Lord, and Abram

to

concluded
his

that

it

was

not

his Creator,
his
a son

God. who
of

Azar
was

presented
seated
on

Nimrod,
a

lofty
both father

throne, with
sexes

number

beautiful

slaves
his

of

in
was

attendance. the
person
"
"

Abram
so

asked exalted

who Azar

much

above whom
"

the

rest.

answered

The
as

King
their

Nimrod,
God."

these
is im55

people

acknowledge

It

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
"

AND that

ASSYRIA he

possible," replied Abram,

their

should
quently conse-

be

God,
not

since
so

he

is

not

so

perfect, as
took about into
an

beautiful, and the generality of

those

about

him."
now

Abram with
his

father
him

drew
men

of Nimrod's in the

opportunity of conversing the unity of God, which wards afterwith the princontests cipal great would who by no means court,
he

acquiesce
of

truths

declared.

these

disputes, commanded
to
came

Nimrod, him, as
into
a

formed inwe

have

already mentioned,
out

be

thrown without

furnace,
least

of which

he

burning receiving the

hurt.

The

Babylonica

Fragments
historical
authors
romance,

of

Babylonian
occur

in

history, or the writings

One
of

rather
of

early
is
to

other in
no

than
the

Berossus.
of

these
a a

be

found

Babylonica
than

lamblichus, books, by
much
of

work native

embracing
of Chalchis of

less

sixteen

the

who was Ccele-Syria, life mysterious ancient in and

of

enamoured and that

may

Babylonia
333. All

Assyria,
remains
have
an

who what is

died

about
a

a.d.

palpably
upon

romance,

which

been

founded
of

epitome
Attracted

the

probability,is Babylonica by Photius, which,

is
as

historical

still further

condensed,

follows

by

great
to

power,

beauty and relying on Garmus, King of Babylon,

her
a

his

own

decided

marry

Sinonis,
was

maiden

of

surpassing beauty.
love with
every
to

She, however, Rhodanes, and

Her did the attachment
not

already discouraged
became

in

another,
advance.

Garmus'

known

the and
to

King,
the

but

alter

his

determination,
attempt
at

prevent part

of possibility

any

flighton

56

THE of the

BABYLONICA

and
for

lovers, lie appointed two their movements. Saca, to watch

was

eunuchs,
The
and In
nose,

Damas

penalty
and
of that their

negligence

loss

of

ears

penalty the eunuchs close vigilance the

Saca
and
were,

suffered.

spite
head

lovers

escaped.
at

Damas
of

and

however,
to
was

placed
recapture
not

the the

troops

despatched
search

relentless
in

the
some

seeking refuge they encountered shape of a goat

demon,
sorts to

with
a

fugitives. Their lovers' only anxiety, for shepherds in a meadow,

a

demon

"

satyr, part
of

which the

in

the

haunted Sinonis'

that

country.
pay her

This
all

of

horror, began to weird, fantastic attentions, and

and Rhodanes
for
were

finally
the
protection offered

compelled
of

her
the

to

abandon
concealment

by
and for

cavern.

shepherds Here they

must

the

discovered been
attack the

his
the

forces, and
opportune
bees
were

have and

by Damas captured but

a swarm

arrival which

of

of When

poisonous
the
some

routed

eunuchs.
tasted

runaways of the

alone

again they
and Damas lovers
there almost

and

ate

bees'

honey,
Later
the

lost
the

consciousness.
cavern,

immediately again attacked

dead. and who
of

but

finding

still unconscious

he

and In

his troops

left them

for

time, however,

they

recovered
man,

continued afterward
the

A flightinto the country. poisoned his brother and accused offered them Only sanctuary. their
man

them the

crime,
of this

suicide and

saved

them and
of

from from
a

serious his
house

trouble

probably

recapture,
the Damas
to

company
came

robber.
them

Here and

into they wandered again the troops of their

upon the in

the

ground.
as

dwelling In desperation the fugitives masqueraded ghosts of the people the robber
his house. Their
ruse

burned

had

murdered

succeeded
57

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
were

ASSYRIA thrown
of
a

and
scent.

once

again They next

witnessed door and
of

their

pursuers encountered her

off

the

the funeral
return to

young

and girl,
at

apparent

life almost

the

the

sepulchre.

In

this

sepulchre
and and
to
once

Sinonis
more were

Rhodanes believed
to

slept
be dead

that

night,
Damas tried

by

his

soldiers.
of

Later,
grave

however,
and

Sinonis
was

dispose
the
act. to

their

clothes

arrested the

in

Soracchus, the
send her
to

magistrate

of

district,decided

Babylon. In despair she and Rhodanes took some poison with which they had provided themselves This had an against such emergency. been with anticipated by their guards, however, stituted result that the a sleeping draught had been "subthe for time later the some poison, and
lovers in the
to

their

amazement

awoke

to

find

themselves

vicinity
of
not to

of

Babylon.

Overcome

by

such

succession

though
moved his

misfortunes, Sinonis fatally. Soracchus, on

and consented

stabbed

herself,
was

learningthis,
to

compassion, prisoners.
this the
even more

the

escape

of

After

lovers

embarked

on

new

series which

of adventures had
gone
on

thrillingthan

those

before.
an

The

situated first
of

island
after

destination

Temple of Venus of the Euphrates, the escaping from

Sinonis' wound with
some was a

(Ishtar),
was

their

captivity
healed,
cottager, trinkets

Soracchus. afterward

Here

and whose

they sought refuge

consented In and
to

daughter belonging to Sinonis.

mistaken been
seen

dispose of
doing
news
so

the

girl

was

for

Sinonis,
the

that

Sinonis

had

sent at once neighbourhood was While Garmus. to selling the trinkets the cottage alarmed so by the suspiciousquesgirlhad become tions hurried of and the that she manner purchasers

in

58

THE home

BABYLONICA

with

all

curiositywas issuing from

was

possiblespeed. On her way back her excited by sounds of a great disturbance hard house by, and on entering she a

of in the very act appalled to discover a man Terrified taking his life after murdering his mistress. and sprinkledwith blood she sped back to her father's On house. hearing the girl'sstory, Sinonis realised Rhodanes the safety of herself and that lay only in but before to flight. They prepared at once go, the kissed girl. Sinonis, starting Rhodanes peasant he had done discovering what by the blood on his furious with jealousy. In a transport lips, became the girl,and she tried to stab of rage on being prevented house of Setapo, a rushed the to wealthy her Setapo welcomed Babylonian of evil repute. cordially. At first Sinonis only too pretended to time but as his mood, went meet by she relented of of Rhodanes her treatment and began to cast about As the of escape. for some means evening wore she cated, intoxion plied Setapo with wine until he was then during the night she murdered him, left the first early dawn in the house. The and overtook of Setapo pursued and ever, slaves her, howher and committed for to custody to answer her crime.

the news Babylon rejoiced with its king over So great was Garmus' of Sinonis' discovery. delight that all the prisoners throughout that he commanded be released, and his dominions should in this general the shared. Sinonis Meanwhile boon anes dog of RhodAll had

scented witnessed
his the

out

the

house

in which
of

the

peasant
who had
was

girl had
murdered

the

suicide

the

lover the

mistress, and
remains
at

while the
woman

animal the
father

devouring
Sinonis

of
same

of the
59

arrived

the

house.

Thinking

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
was

AND of he his

ASSYRIA he

mutilated

body
on

that

daughter
the

buried

it, and
"

the

tomb beautiful that

to

placed
and And he

: inscription

Here

lies the

Sinonis."
way,

Some
on

Rhodanes

passed
In had
not

days later reading the

beautiful stabbed been
the

inscription added
Rhodanes." himself
cause

it,

"

also would

the have had

him

his the

grief
peasant

girl who

of

Sinonis' in

him

who

jealousy prevented buried there. reality was

lovers
of

by
had escape,

telling
been and

adventures During these imprisoned for allowing the

Soracchus
to

this,
induced

added

to to

the

threat the

further

punishment,
to trace
was

him

help
in
a

Babylonian
time

officers

Rhodanes.
once

So and

short the

Rhodanes
of

prisoner
was

again,
to
a

by
In

command him and with

Garmus

nailed

cross.

delirious

with
a was

sight of revengeful joy,

arrived
to

the while the

King
he
news

danced
was so

engaged
Sinonis

messenger

that

about whose taken

of the'

be

Syria, into
was

dominions down

espoused by the King of she had danes escaped. Rhothe army.

cross

from

and This

put

in

command

Babylonian
was

seeming

change
of

of fortune

really dictated
inferior officers

by
were

the

treachery
defeat
the

Garmus,

ascertain
to

commanded he
to

by Garmus Syrians,
Rhodanes the
of

and
won

should slay Rhodanes alive to bring Sinonis a sweeping victory and and
trust

Babylon.
regained
officers
claimed pro-

also

affection

of

Sinonis. his

The

Garmus,
the

instead victor

of

obeying
and
all

command,

king,

ended

auspiciously

for

the

lovers.

Cuneiform

Writing
manner

The of
60

in which aAd

the

ancient

cuneiform and

writing
restored

Babylonia

Assyria was

deciphered

CUNEIFORM
to
as
'

WRITING

the
a

world

of

science of

and

letters

may

be

regarded
name

great cuneiform
is

triumph
'

human

reason.

The

is

most

sign wedges.
or

composed
It
to
a

appropriate, for of a wedge or

as

each

character

combination

of

is

written,

most

Oriental

from

left

noticed

by
as

right. The European

year
a.d.

cuneiform
at

such

period
a

the

Venetian

1470, when it traveller, observed in Persia.

way

languages first script was a relatively early Josaphat Barbaro, the cut on form platItalian, Pietro
a

of Rachmet

Another in

della
of

Valle, passing that

1621, copied

few

the

John
found
three

back he sent Sir to Italy, and signs, which Chardin accurately reproduced an inscription

Persepolis in 171 1. languages were separate

at

It

was

obvious in
to

that

written found

this

script,
visited
all the

and

these

have and in

since Susian. less

were

been In
a

be

Persian,

Babylonian,
texts

1765
month

Niebuhr

and Persepolis,

than

copied
for

with and which

of

decipherment. he occupied himself Returning to Denmark he had down set at studying what Persepolis, the smaller divided into three classes, inscriptions
ready
he described three
as

there, which

then

Classes

I, II, and

III

instead Class
I

into

embraced and
but

languages. Discovering that only forty-two signs, he set these

in order,

had has be to subsequent addition made them. to Deciding that the language of the written in alphabetic characters, he found signs was himself But other scholars two obliged to call a halt. fortunate than he. were more a Tychsen hit upon certain diagonal sign as that employed to separate words, and correctly identified the alphabetic signs for s.' Munter of a,' d/ u,' and hagen Copencareful was more to verify his historical data than able Tychsen had been, and to was identify
' * ' '

little

61

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA of the

AND

ASSYRIA

before him. inscriptions He, too, independently identified the oblique wedge as a separativeof words, and hit upon the significance But b.' after these of the sign for the letter

distinctly the

authors

'

achievements done.
no

it
must

seemed be

as

if little

more

could
to

be

It

remembered
was

that

such
the

assistance
case

vouchsafed

up the

this time
as

searchers

in

of

the

Greek
an

inscriptionhad Egyptian one.

a Egyptian hieroglyphs, where been found side by side with

Gfotefend

But resolved

man

of the combat

greatest
the

to

ingenuity difficulty presented by

natural

was

the

took the script. Georg Grotefend up of the nineteenth task in the early years century. Beginning with the assumption that the inscriptions of these represented three languages, and that one ancient of the inscriptions Persian, he took two was be Persian, and he understood which to placing them that certain signs were side by side found of frequent him the This indicated to recurrence. possibility cuneiform that
their
contents
were

similar. the

certain

word

but inscriptions, it seemed a longer and a shorter, and this Grotefend, adopting a suggestion of Miinter's, took to mean king in the short form and kings in the longer, the juxtaposition of the two signs thus to being taken signify king of kings.' In both the inscriptions studied he found by Grotefend this that followed was expression king of kings he took to word, which mean by the same great.'

appeared

frequently in very have to two forms,

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

But

there

were

no

definite
to

facts

to

support
found

these

hypotheses.
which
62

Turning

certain

Sassanian

inscriptions
that

had

recently been

deciphered, he

GROTEFEND

the

expression
occurred,
it
was was

'

king, king of kings great this and strengthened his

in
the

'

ably inevit-

opinion
studied.
his

that

present
so,
must
names name

inscriptions he
the
set two texts

If this

thought he,
have
were

under

observation

been
not

up
same

by
at text

two

different

kingSjforthe
Moreover

the

the

the in the

with line
be
'

which
of
text

appears the word

third
to

No.

beginning. I began No. II, following

which
that
a

supposed
'

king,' and
thus the

another

might
in of
to to

mean

son.'

Grotefend had

concluded
names

the

two

he inscriptions
son,

of

triad

rulers,
the find

father, and
Achasnenian which
of

list of three

the
names

grandfather. Applying dynasty in the attempt

would
suit the

conditions,

he

selected

those the he
name

Xerxes,
at

Darius, and
of

Hystaspes.

Supposing
to

the

beginning
himself

be Darius,

thus

considered
"

in

I as Darius, great translating text II as of Hystaspes," and text Xerxes, kings, son of Darius." Considering great king, king of kings, son the Persian that be Darwould spelling of Darius
"

I inscription to be justified king, king of

heush,
letters

he
of has

applied
the

the

letters

of

that

name

to

the

cuneiform
that

script. Subsequent
the
name

gation investibeen

shown

should
at
'

have

read
in

Darvavush,

but
the

Grotefend letters
for

least
'

succeeded
'

discovering
But this
was

d,'

a,'

r,' and

'sh.'

practicallythe end of Grotefend's discoveries. Burnouf, by a careful study of Persian to managed decipher a large geographical names, number of the characters of the Persian alphabet, and Professor of Bonn, Lassen by similar means, achieved like end. These ments a two independent achieveraised fierce controversy a to as priority of the more discovery,but Lassen's system was perfect,
ex

MYTHS
as

OF
out

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

he

found

that

the

ancient
were

not

entirely alphabetic
is,
that

but

that

certain

signs
meant

signs were partiallysyllabic represented syllables

"

Persian

instead

of

letters. had

This been

that

Grotefend's
was now

system,
to
a

which
extent

almost

vowelless,
the necessary

great

filled in with

vowels.

Rawlinson

At
a

this

juncture
of

certain India

Major Henry

Rawlinson,
with
a

servant

the

East

Company,
to

good

knowledge of Persian, went of assisting to organize the

was

Persia

for army

native when because

the purpose there. He

to

far away

from

books, and
texts

he
of

began
strenuous

copy

certain interest. which worked strange lines as

once

cuneiform
He
was

it was
unaware

deep personal
toil and The
same

quite
lavished

of the them

had

been

upon

in

Europe
on

quite independently of thing is that he laboured

Grotefend he had
of
a

all assistance. almost He

saw

the almost

had three

done.

at

that

being a man the signs in

great

languages to deal natural gifts he soon

names

with, and

correct
same

manner.

applied

the

very

"

grouped Strangely enough he those of Hystaspes,

as

Darius, and Xerxes them done, and found

"

to

the
answer

texts

Grotefend
same

had

in

the

manner.

Turning
at

his

attention

Behistun, high up rock there, Rawlinson

at

inscriptionof Darius in the face of the living wall of succeeded in copying part of
to

the

it

great

personal
of the

risk.
two

In

1838 he

forwarded

his sian Perthe

translation
text,

first
the

containing

paragraphs of the genealogy of Darius, to

London. he
was

Royal
a

Asiatic

Society

of

The

feat

made

tremendous the

sensation, and

all

the on principal works correspondence from European

supplied with much subject and

scholars. He
was,

64

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
of

Longprieer published
entire
text.

in

1847

translation
to

the

He

was

only
texts

able
;

read
not

it

by
But

analogy
the forms

with
of
once

the the

other

he

could

provide study, signs were

of others

Assyrian
came a

words
to

themselves. aid
of of
a

Rawlinson and it
was

more

the

the

shown

that

large

number

ideographic. This paved the who by their united efforts the complicated script.
Origin
This
of Cuneiform

for way succeeded

band in

unravelling

of writing originated in peculiar system or being the Sumerian nonBabylonia, its inventors inhabited that Semitic before people who country its settlement by the Babylonians. It was developed and indeed of the from some more picture-writing, still highly significantof the pictorial signs can in their cuneiform be faintly traced equivalents. inscribed This on early picture-writingwas stone, but adopted as a medium eventually soft clay was found that for the straight lines script,and it was this medium tended the shape of to impressed upon The a pictures therefore lost their original wedge.

character
of

and

came

to

be

mere

conventional

groups

The wedges. plural was represented by doubling the term a might be intensified sign, and by the the sign for of a certain stroke addition : thus house,'
'

if four
*

small

strokes
so

were

added The

to

it, would

mean

great
suited

house,' and
to

forth.

script was

badly

Assyrian language, as it had not been It consists originallydesigned for a Semitic tongue. of a vowel of simple syllables made by itself up and vowel a or a ideograms or signs consonant, entire word, and closed which an syllables express of the signs have bal. bit or such Again, many as
the
66

THE
more

SACRED than
one

LITERATURE

OF

BABYLONIA

be syllabic value, and they may used as ideograms as well as phonetically. As in the cate are employed to indiEgyptian script,determinatives the word class to which the belongs : thus, a of persons, certain sign is placed before the names another
the of
names

before
of

territorial

names,

and

third

before
date
to

gods

and

sacred

the

persisted The until the first century b.c. Assyrians employed until about the beginning of about it from b.c. 1500 This ancient form of writing the sixth century B.C. first by the Sumerians, then thus used by their was then by those Babylonian and Assyrian conquerors, the who Persians Babylonian and finallyoverthrew Assyrian empire.
used
b.c.

this epoch in which was probably about 4500

beings. The writing first began

and
it

be

The

Sacred

Litefature

of Babylonia

peculiar and individual is chiefly religious, to us script has brought down and gories magical, epical, legendary. The last three catedealt with elsewhere, so that it only falls are the first class, the religiouswritings. consider here to These are usually composed in Semitic Babylonian
The
literature

which

this

without
cannot

any

trace

of

Akkadian

influence, and

it

they display any especial natural In address an literary distinction. eloquence or the to sun-god, which begins nobly enough with a high apostrophe to the golden luminary of day, we find ourselves phere atmosdescending gradually into an
of

be said

that

almost
desires the

ludicrous

dullness.

The

sun-god to free him praying of family and domestic cares commonplace ances, annoyall his of relatives enumerating spellsagainst that in order ban not they may place their upon
'
'

person from the

E2

67

MYTHS him. In

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

addresses that and that

in Akkadian, the penitent another, written and other siring Gubarra, Merodach, gods, de-

they

direct

their

eyes

kindly

upon

him

reach them. supplication Strangely may enough the prayer fervently pleads that its utterance do good to the gods I that it may let their hearts may like gladden them rest, their livers be quieted, and father and mother who have a a begotten children. This the is
nature not
so

his

of

when strange these hymns,

we

come

to

consider
come

the border-line perilouslynear is, they closely resemble spells. those

many of

of pure

which

magic
as

"

that that the those

of

We

find, too,
such trend Gibi than
sense

which

invoke
more

the

older

deities their when

a

are fire-god,

addressed

to

the

magical in later gods

had
seem

higher
say

religious feeling
it does these later
not

probably
too

been
to

evolved. that
some

deed, Inof of

much

early hymns
incantations.
to seat

may

have
of

served those from

'

the

purpose
'

Most emanated

appear ancient relics

were

have
of time

magical hymns that extremely

are

religion, Eridu,
when
as

of

the

yet
in

scarcely differentiated popular mind.

Hymn
A
storm to

probably magic and religion the priestly or the

and

Adar

fine

hymn

to

Adar

describes
'

the
of
in the

in the
The
terror

abyss, the
of the

voice
Anu

'

rumbling the god :

midst

of the

splendour of

of heaven.

The the upon words

68

gods, it is said, urge deluge, the champion

the hostile land. Adar him in
:

Adar
of

on,

he

descends swoops
messenger

like down
of

the

gods
the

Nusku,
the

Mul-lil, receives
of

temple

and

addresses

praise to

HYMN

TO

ADAR

Thy
To
The

chariot the

is

as

voice hands

of thunder. is the shadow

hfting of thy
the

turned.
return to

of spirits

earth,

the

great

gods,
us

the winds.

Many
as

of of

the the

hymns
duties their that

assist

to

better

standing under-

precise nature
and
appearance. he is alluded

of

the

gods, defining
even

they do their describing

Nebo
we

offices

and

ally occasionin
a

Thus
to
"

hymn

to

note

as

the
"

messenger of all that

who
has
"

binds
a

all

things together,"
"

supreme the scribe

name,"
"

the

lifter
"

up

of

the

stylus
of the

director of the world," supreme," of strange reed of augury," traverser

of

possessor

lands,"
and
the
"

"

wells,"

"

fructifier the

of

the

corn,"
and
texts

opener the god

are

without

whom

irrigated land
such

canal

unwatered."

It is from
to

that
true

the

ogist is

enabled the
to

piece together
of ancient

the

mytholsignificance fire-god is
"

of many of A hymn

deities

peoples.
of

Nusku

in

his

character

is alluded to descriptiveand picturesque. He he wise who as prince, the flame of heaven," hurls down whose clothing is splendour," terror, the forceful fire-god," the exalter of the mountain the peaks," and uplifter of the torch, the enlightener of darkness." Such valuable the most are descriptive hymns of the judicious student assets possible in the hands of myth or comparative religion.
" "
" "

also

69

CHAPTER COSMOGONY
The

II:

BABYLONIAN

Babylonian

Myth

of Creation

FEW
example,
found the In
from

creation than

myths
those
are

are

more

interest

which few in in

replete with have literary

as,
to

sanction. the

These creation

story

number, Genesis, those

that Central the of
a

for

be in

in

Egyptian
Vuh
account

Popol
such the
an

of

papyri, and the of Maya

we can

contained America.

trace

creation

story
to to

first dim and

conception
final
effort

the

polished
a

of

world-shaping priestly caste

the intentions

give
the with old
any

theological interpretationto

of

creative

the case deity ; and this is perhaps more the creation had its rise among the myth which Akkadian with population of Babylonia than known other In the account to mythic science. of the

in

Genesis

framing
two

of

the

world

it has have creation

been been tale

discovered fused
of
to

that form
a

different

versions
;

single story
is
may

the

the

Popol

Vuh

certainly a
and be
of

and

similar

suspicions

myths of Scandinavia of Babylonia we may

influences

composite myth ; the analogous rest upon Japan. But in the case
that who been and it
no

convinced the
races

other

except

those

inhabited

Babylonian
bear

territory

could

have

this ancient upon examination has critical materials

one

story,

brought to that although

to

proved
drawn
are

consist
more

of

which

have these

been
sources

from
not

than and

source,

yet
not

foreign,

they
of

sophisticationat the alien mythographer or interpolator. any It would that this Babylonian cosmogony seem
have

undergone

hands

was
con-

drawn
70

from

various

sources,

but

it

appears

to

be

[fpiiiflillrtpi
li'i! "Ill

fif

^^^)yt|f^^a^
""
3

lU

MYTHS and
'

OF of

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
names
we

Host

Earth.'
as

These

latter

may

symboHcal of the spiritsof heaven and of earth days afterward respectively. Many their son forth Anu, god of the heavens. came At this point it should be explained that the name affords Tiawath a parallel to the expression T'hom of the Old Testament. or deep Practicallythe word is used in Assyrian in the form same Tamtu^ sea.' The reader will recall to signify the deep the face of the deep that the spirit that it was upon of God brooded, according to the first chapter of perhaps
accept
' '

'

Genesis.
are

The

word

and

the

idea

which

it contains

equally Semitic, but strangely enough it has an Akkadian origin. For the conception that the watery the of all things originated with source abyss was Eridu. the worshippers of the sea-god Ea at They of knowledge termed the house deep apsu^ or a their tutelar wherein god was supposed to have his of Akkadian descent. dwelling, and this word was This or abyss,' in virtue of the animistic apsUy ideas prevailingin early Akkadian times, had become who was regarded as the personalized as a female of Ea. She was known mother name as by another well as that of Apsu, for she was also entitled Zigarun, the mother that has the heaven,' or begotten
' '
'

'

heaven had
a

and
form
as

earth
or

'

and in
it
was

indeed which
not

she

seems was an

to

have earthor

variant But

she the

goddess
heaven but
were

well.
she

existing earth
of her

that

the

represented in primeval abyss, out of point

for
a

either which

forms,
of these

both

fashioned. At
this

the

narrative
of

exhibits
it
we

numerous

defects, and
to

continuation last of
the

must

apply
was

Damascius,
^

the

Neoplatonists,who

Sayce, Hibbert

Lectures,p. 374.

7"

THE

BIRTH about

OF
a.d.

THE

GODS

born

in

Damascus

by
to

most

480, and Assyriologists as having

or

who had

is
access

garded re-

valuable author
the First

written
of
a

traditional entitled

material.
and
states

He

was

the

work

Doubts

Solutions
that Anu

of
was

followed
of the

he Principles, in which by Bel (we retain

names

the

Babylonian
Greek
Ea

form

rather

than
Eridu.

Damascius'
"

and titles), Dawkina,"

or as can

Ea he

the

god

of

From

and Belos

writes, "was whom Bel-Merodach,

creator

born
the

son

called

Babylonians
From the
us

regarded
we

the

of

the

world."

Damascius

nothing further, and of the tablet does not permit degree of certainty until we
learn

defective
to

character

proceed
at

with
name

arrive

the
a

any of of

Nudimmud,
the
name

which of Ea.

be to appears From obscure

simply
passages

variant
it may
once

be
one,

and generally gleaned that Tiawath rather or originallyrepresenting the Akkadian

mates
"

Apsu,

forms

of

the

deep,
the

are

^Tiawath

being
case a

female

Babylonian and now regarded as and Apsu, once

have
one a

female, in this
Moumis
to
we or

the
name

male. which
so

These
at

son,
seems

Mummu,

time

have
may

been

given
to

to

Tiawath,
the

that

in these

be able

trace

hand

of the

grapher, who,
is
to

with in

less skill and

most

be the

myths, of manufacturing responsibility

one. aware

found

greater has taken

changes later mytholevity than

upon three deities in
self him-

out
was

of

It

may

be
his

that

the

scribe

question

literaryeffort must square with and belief or placate popular popular prejudice, and in no and time has priestlyingenuity at era no been unequal to such task, as is well evidenced a by of late alteration. exhibit traces myths which many But in dwelling for a moment this question, it is on only just to the priesthood to admit that such changes
73

well

that

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
emanate

AND from

ASSYRIA
were

did work
or

not

always
of

poets
of

and

them, but philosophers who, for

it upon

the

aesthetic
to recast

rational

reasons,

took
race

themselves
to
*

the
a

myths

their
or

according
interests
of

the

dictates

of

nicer

taste,

in the

reason.'

Darksome

Trinity

Apsu, and Mummu, have formed bore to a no trinity, which appear good-will to the higher gods.' They themselves, deities of a primeval epoch, were doubtless as regarded by the theological opinion of a later day as dark, that dubious, and unsatisfactory. It is notorious in many lands the early, elemental into gods came
three, then, Tiawath,
'

These

bad

odour

in

later

times of

and trio

Akkadian their

descent

this the

it may did not

be

that

the
to

conduce

Babylonian people. Be that as it may, alien and aboriginalgods have in all been looked times quering coninvading and by an upon of magic with distrust the workers race as of evil, and the sowers and even although a Babylonian popularity
with
name

had been the

been

accorded

one

of

them,

it may

not

have

Whereas with

employed in a complimentary sense. high gods regarded those of the abyss

darker the deities
of of
tone

distrust, the
towards be

chaos

took which

up

an can

attitude

divinities

light

only
Satan into
of

compared to the sarcastic adopts against the Power darkness. outer Apsu was
There the his
was new-comers
no as

which

Milton's him

which the
most

thrust

ironical
so

all.

long
was

for peace dwelt

was
sarcasm more

him, he
on

declared,
:

high

their

way

not

way,

neither

it that

of

Tiawath,
than
.

who,
a

if

Apsu

represented
much
we

deified, exhibited

fierce

truculence
'Of whom

overpowering
for the first time.

now

hear

74

DARKSOME

TRINITY

The trio discussed how irony of her mate. they desired of those a beings who might rid themselves reign of lightand happiness,and in these deliberations the

Mummu,

the
the

son,

was

the
us

prime
us

mover.

Here
we

again

Tablets
further
on

fails
to

somewhat,
assure war

but that
the

learn

sufficient

Mummu's

project
heaven.
In

was

one

of

open this

against

gods

of

connexion
most

the

waters

of

made campaign, Tiawath elaborate panions. preparations along with her comShe laboured the without ceasing. From the she which presided great abyss over
forth

with

she

called
us

the

most

fearful

monsters,

who

strongly of those against which Horus, the strive in his wars to Egyptian god of light, had the Set. with From gigantic serpents deep came armed with stings, dripping with the most deadly poison ; dragons of vast shape reared their heads the flood, their huge jaws armed above with row upon of formidable teeth ; giant dogs of indescribable row
savagery created
;
men

remind

fashioned countless other

partly
battalions

like

fish-men, and
and of referred
as a

horrible

scorpions ; beings, were

the
mand com-

formed

into

under whom
to

god
her
'

named

Kingu,
husband heaven
of
'

to

Tiawath whom
fate

only
of

and and

she when

promised
once

the

rule

of

the
arm.

detested

gods
of

light are being

as

removed

by

his

mighty
The Tiawath

introduction
seems

this

the

husband

of

point either to a fusion of legends the to or popular in interpolationof some passage Babylonian lore. At this juncture Apsu disappears, Mummu. it be that does Can this point a at as scribe or mythographer took up the tale who did not with his predecessor in describing Tiawath, agree
to

75

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
as

ASSYRIA three

Apsu,
deities
the
on

and
?

Mummu,
This is
an

originallyone,

separate

would obscure
are

explain
one,

the

point slight
resume

and

divergence, but hasty conclusions

to

evidence
our was

usually
to

doomed

failure. her

To

narrative,
resolved

Tiawath,
retain

whoever
own

coadjutors,
the which
source

in her

hands
over

of

all

living things, that

great

deep

presided. But the gods of heaven were into peaceful security,for they
will which and plot,
was

she

by
were

no

means

lulled of the
of

aware

illher

Tiawath

bore

them.

They

learned

great
first

was

their wrath. hear

of

the

to

it,and
his

Ea, the god of water, it to related Ansar,

his cries of anger.

his

father, who
betook
"

filled heaven himself

to

with other

Ansar the

son,

Anu,
he

god

of

Speak to the sky. him speak to her, my ; her wrath assuaged and
"

great
son,

dragon,"
her
anger

urged
will be

and

vanish." the
monster

Duly
of snarled his back
to

obedient,
to
so

Anu
reason

betook with

himself

to

realm

Tiawath
at

her, but
dread Next
success.

the he
came

him

that in fiercely and departed. with that

no one

turned

upon

her

Nudimmud At

her, but
decided should the written

better of

length
called

the

gods

their the

number,
of

Merodach,

undertake terrible.
that

task

Merodach should
was

asked

Tiawath combating that it might be

this
was

he He
to

be then

victorious, and

granted
universe,

him. and

given
or

rule
not

over

the entire

test to

whether him
a

the
was

greatest

placed of the gods and Merodach commanding spoke words that it should disappear. Straightway it vanished and Once not. more was spake the god, and the re-appeared before the eyes of the dwellers garment describes in heaven. The portion of the epic which
garment 76

passed

had power in the midst

"Mighty

was

he Evelyn

to
Paul

look

upon"

76'

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND of the

ASSYRIA

gleaming
from

with

the

waters

abyss, flame
as

darting
have

her

issuing

and such nostrils, and eyes her widely open from mouth but
the

terrific sounds would

terrified any

bravest
for
to

of the

gods.
Like the

Merodach and ended

reproached Tiawath by challenging her

of in all

her

rebellion

combat. appears
to

dragons
versed

time,

Tiawath

have

been

the most magic and hurled against her adversary. She cast

potent
many
over a

incantations

spell.
his
sent not

But

Merodach,
net,

unawed caused
to
an
on

by this, threw
evil wind which that
rushed

her had

and him

he

great fore beon close

blow The

her,
tempest

so

she

might

her and
her

mouth. held
frame.
a

between

her

jaws

them

her body and racked ; it entered open Merodach his club on high, and swung blow he her shattered
cast

with slew then the

at

mighty
Down
cut out

her

great

flank

and

her.
he

it ; corpse and stood upon evil heart. Finally he overthrew which had followed

her

host

of

monsters

her,
and

so

that

length they trembled, turned, and These also he caught in his rout. in bondage." them Kingu he bound
him the tablets
of

fled in
net

headlong
"

kept
from

and

took

had been granted destiny which him to by the slain Tiawath, which obviously means the power that the god of a later generation wrenches earlier hierarchy,just as one of fate from an earthly overthrow and The replace another. dynasty may north wind bore Tiawath's blood away
to secret

the at sight Ea, places, and heavens, rejoiced exceedingly.

rest

sitting high
Then Merodach
a

in

the took

and

nourishment,
cut

and

as

he

rested

plan
her

arose

in his skin
that

mind. and
the

Rising, he flayed Tiawath

her asunder. bore the We her have blood wind

of

scaly
seen

already

north

probably symbolises
78

distribution

which away, of rivers over

A
the

DARKSOME did

TRINITY Merodach with

one

earth.^ her
vast

Then

take
of

the he
next

two

parts
a

of

body,
for from

and

them

framed divided

covering
the
the upper

the

heavens.
the

Merodach
waters,

lower
the

made

dwellings
ordained

for

gods, set lightsin regular courses.

As the

heaven, and
"

their

tablet

poetically puts it,

upper

he

lit

establishing the
Bel, and
instituted each
chief
new

firmament,
it."
for He the

and then great

up the sky caused Anu,

Ea

to
as

inhabit stations

founded

the and
for

constellations
the

gods,

year,

setting
firmament.
to

three
own

constellations

month,

and
in

placing his

light
moon,

the

star, Nibiru, as Then he caused forth and him

gave
a

the the him

of

Nannaru,
the

shine

the
rest

rulership of
in
the

night, granting
the month.

day
that

middle
at

of

There
we

is another the

mutilation
net
was

this

point,
which heavens winds

and he
as

gather
snared

of

Merodach,
in
the

with

had
a

placed
his
or

Tiawath, constellation along

with bound the

and

bow. tamed
;

The and but

also

placed
whole
of

have been to appear in the several points of is very obscure, surpassing interest has
of

compass

the

passage

doubtless lost

information the

been We
the

through
of
an

mutilation
not

the
error

tablet.
if
we

shall

probably
the

be

far

in

regard
and wath Tia-

myth
as

combat

between

Merodach

light and peoples, the

to encounter

explanation of the darkness. Among

solar
a

primal
the
one

strife between

most

primitive
of his
career

hero

has

at
or

stage

grislydragon
In which

serpent, who
cases

threatens
monster

his

very
a

existence.
treasure

many

this of
a

guards
ago is

mythologists

invariably explained as the sky at the hour spread over

^

almost

that
of

generation gold which

The
39. 79

sunset.

See

Pinches,, The

Religion of Babylonia and

Assyria, p.

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
to

ASSYRIA all
of

assigning of dragons and

school
of

solar
their

characteristics kind
was a

slayers
the

of

weakness its such

older based
as

mythology, akin grounds ; on philological directed been against the

been and the extensive
"

to

deductions criticism
"

but

has

solar

theory

and

it has

has

not

has in many cases solar theory suffered with which

always been pertinent, been merely futile. In fact because of the philological
was

arguments
critics
nor

it

bound

appeared to But should these. that we constantly bear in mind elucidate to or to explain myths by any one attempt hard and fast hypothesis, is futile. or by one system, hand the other which On have nearly all systems or disentangle the terms yet attempted to elucidate of myth are capable of application to certain types The of myth. dragon story is all but universal : in which China it is the monster temporarily swallows it was the great the sun during eclipse ; in Egypt battled with Ra and Horus, serpent Apep, which
both
or

readers

neither up, and discriminate between

solar

heroes
is

in

India

it is the

serpent
;

Vritra,

Ahi, who
in
some

vanquished
of North of the

by

Indra America In

in
a

Australia

and takes

parts

great story

frog
of

the the

place
last

dragon.
hero which

the

Beowulf
a

terrible

exploit of the fire-breathingdragon

; and

is the

slaying of guards a hidden

a

treasure-hoard in the encounter. Faffnir These which is turned

must
cause

Beowulf In the
a

receives

mortal the

wound
covetous

Volsung Saga
and with

into be

dragon
and

is slain the It

by Sigurd.
monsters

not

confounded

drought
monster

pestilence.
which
to
we

is

sun-

swallowing
The
the

with

have

here

to

deal.
man

tablets
it is that

here

allude
so

the

creation
the

of

gods,

stated,

admired
to

handiwork him
execute

of

Merodach,
80

they

desired

see

""*
'1

':"{'

.."^^-.

'I

s:

^\VlV'

t^

1.

.^

DARKSOME

TRINITY

still further

marvels.
or

Now
them

worship them suggested to

of his

pay

gods had homage, and

creation
more

the

none

to

Merodach
man

his

father, Ea, the

Here
turn
once

of the

out

divine and
we

blood.
must

tablets
of
no

fail us, Chaldean than

states

to
as

the

narrative

the

writer
authors
a

Berossus,
of
woman

preserved
classical Thalatth
age.

by

less

three that had

the

Berossus

certain

wath)
Belus

many

strange

creatures

at

(that is, Tiaher bidding.

cut

and (that is, Bel-Merodach) attacked earth half of one in twain, forming the out the heavens of other, and out destroying
creatures
over

her
the the

and
all

which
and

she
as

ruled. his

Then blood
the

did flowed

Merodach forth the

decapitate himself,
other
man

gods
from

mingled
it. has From
a

it

with
this

earth

and

formed
is

circumstance
of the

mankind in
it.

rational, and
did Merodach
from

spark
the

divine

Then
the of the

divide
the

darkness,
order animals bear
the
states

separate
details

heavens entire created

A

earth, and
But

the

universe.
were

those
to

which

he

had died.
stars,

not

able
occurs

light, and
that

then passage the sun and moon,

and
two

which the the

the

and
from

it would

seem

planets were repetition that

was a

five

created,
there
were

creations, that had,

the it
as

the

first

failure, in which
a'; first

Merodach

it were,

essayed

attempt,
Of have those

perfecting
course

drawn
who

may from

second creation. in the process be conjectured that Berossus may

two

conflictingaccounts,
have

or

that

quote
The Semitic
of

him

inserted

the

second
is

passage.

Sumerian

incantation, which
adds

provided
to
our

with

translation,
this

somewhat It
states
none

ledge knowin the

cosmogony.
as

that of

beginning nothing
cities of

yet

existed,
been

the

great
there

Babylonia

had

yet

built,

indeed

MYTHS
was
no

OF

BABYLONIA
sea.

AND

ASSYRIA
was

land, nothing but

of Tiawath had appear

It

not

until

the

veins and
the

been
to

cut

through
been Also and

the

abyss
created

have

paradise separated and

did he
create
a

that

gods

annunaki wondrous Then

men

by Merodach. or gods of the earth, city as a place in which

were

established

formed

with

the

they might dwell. aid of the goddess

and animals.
of

Aruru,
Then and

and did

finally vegetation,
raise this alluded their
the
account to creator.
a as

trees,

Merodach From

great
we

temples
see son

Erech instead

Nippur.
is

that

of Merodach he

being regarded as
was

the In

of the

gods,
tablet

the
of

library of
a

Nineveh written

also the

discovered

copy

for

great
is

Nergal
which and other did
of

himself it contains.

temple supposed to
He tells
us

of

Nergal
the the

at

Cuthah.
statement

make how

hosts

of chaos

confusion
accounts,

great birds, and them

the

being. At first,as nothingness reigned supreme, the with warriors gods create
came men a

into

in

the

then bodies

with

the the

faces

of and

ravens.

They
the fostered the
care

founded great in the

of the

city in
suckle
the of

ground,
and

Tiawath,
were

dragon,
midst
'

did
of

them.

They

mountains,
the
of

under

mistress
heroes
over

and who
was

became ruled
the

gods might.
and

'

six

thousand

they greatly increased Seven kings had they, people. Their father
mother almost
he

god
These
of

Benani,

their

the be

queen,

Melili.
tame

gods
^

beings, who evil, Nergal

has been

might
states

called

that

destroyed.^
version of the that host these

This
of the

account

claimed

as

weak the that the

part

creation

story

which

deals with

creation he

of

of the
monsters

abyss. The fact that Nergal states might justifyus in believing that
so

destroyed
was on

myth
an

this

occasion for 82

edited

as

to

provide

the

monarch

with

opportunity

boasting.

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA of

AND the

ASSYRIA

defeat

instead

En-lil, or
of

predecessor as
that from

monarch

the

was deity who gods. Jastrow

his holds

the
an a

entire
account

cosmological
of
a a

tale has
a

been

constructed
monster

conflict with

primeval
Ea
;

and
two

story

of

rebellion

against

that

these

tales

have

become into the

again
at

divisible and The

that the first is fused, and three versions, originating one

two at

Uruk

other

Nippur
Ninib

at

different
of

epochs.
over

first celebrates
the

the

conquest
as

Anu
queror, con-

Tiawath,
and how
or

second

exalts

the

the it

third
was

replaces

him

thus

see

possible for popular dynasty to

over

by En-lil. We the god of a conquering have a complete

at

myth

made

to

him,

and

how

last

it

was

competent

for

the

mighty

replace an entire line of a myth which must generations of Akkadian

Type
We
of Babylonian
must
now

Babylon to of deities as the central figure have been popular with untold and Babylonian people.
of

Merodach

Cosmology
consider and the the
of the precise nature its place among other cosmological efforts of peoples it does not partake much creation myth so from

Babylonian cosmology Like creation myths.

most

primitive or
of

barbarian of
a

the

character of
of
an

as

an

account

evolution

chaos

and

the

establishment
cannot out

physical laws.
idea the
of the

The creation

grasp
of
not

the

primitive mind of something

and Akkadians
races

nothing,

and

Babylonians
from

did
same we or

differ in this respect stage of development. when

other whatever

in the direction

In

look

examining

the

cosmologies

of barbarian

peoples,we find a total inabilityto of and beyond the idea that the matter get behind creative of the creation lay already to the hand
semi-civilized 84

TYPE agency, to draw the

OF

BABYLONIAN

COSMOLOGY
to

and
the

that
material

in order

shape
from

world

it had

but

therefor

the

body of a hostile monster. the idea of creating land and out water absurd the primitive mind, but well to seem man as be framed from must dust, mud, clay, or the blood of Yet able to Merodach the creative god himself. was of nothingness and out to return bring a garment it thither by merely speaking a word ! Why, then, the theology which admitted did not the possibility of such a phenomenon carry out its own conception and likelihood the of to own a logical conclusion the god's abilityto create entire universe in the an self-same ? bold too manner Perhaps the step was
for
an

slain

teeming deep or Not only does of nothingness

individual

to

take

in

the

face

of

an

entire

in any and what would case seem theologicalcollege, a perfectly feasible act of magic to the theologians of Babylon when might not applied to a garment for applicationto the making of the earth and serve all that The is therein. cosmology of Babylon is those of Scandinavia, China, therefore on a par with

and

many it reach

North
so

American
an

Indian

tribes,

nor

does
of

ancient in
some

imaginative level as Egypt, India, or the Maya of Central high

of
to

those

America,
a

which

the

vocal

command creation

of of the

god

is

bring about the the waters surrounding it. The making of the sun,
sufficient

earth

and

the
more

moon,

and

the

other

heavenly
of
stars

bodies

is, as
have
a

will be in

great

importance
to to

later, fully shown The Babylonian myth.

to

appear of heaven as

been

attached Across

the the the

moon,
stars

firmament
sun

cloth.

this

passed
likewise,

daily,his
of

function

the

other

being to inspect The heavenly bodies.

course,

movements

had

her

fixed

and

certain

were

also 85

MYTHS

OF
to
move

BABYLONIA
across

AND

ASSYRIA

picture of the night less regularity. The with heavens or were greater and guarded at either end by a great gateway, of these the sun through one passed after rising from the whilst in setting he quitted the heavens ocean, by the opposite portal. The terrestrial world a was imagined as great the hollow structure resting on deep.' Indeed, it would been have island to seem regarded as an This an floating on abyss of waters. conception of the world of earth was by no means peculiar to the shared with Babylonians, but was by them many of the nations of antiquity. of Merodach As emanating from the blood himself, looked man as was directlyof heavenly origin. upon supposed
'

the

An had

older been

tradition assisted

existed in the who

of

to

the

effect that
of

Merodach

creation in

mankind

goddess
as

Aruru,
creatress

figures
Eabani belief

the of
a

the also

out

We owed

find

an

ancient the

current

by the Gilgamesh epic piece of clay. that humanity

Merodach
of
course,

origin to displaced this god

take well
was
'

its

god Ea,
record

but

when

he politically,

would,

'

over
as

his

entire and
as

and

creative At
man.

deeds

as

his

powers
up
to

Bel these and and

looked beliefs

sovereignties. the originator of

Nippur
But

in remoter times, probably obtained be quenched by the advance would full to finally of the great god Merodach. unquestioned power
with the

Connexion

Jonah
see

Legend
in the

Some hidden

mythologists
allusion
to

story
of
was

of

Jonah

the

circumstances

Babylonian
summoned

cosmology.
to

Nineveh
to

instead
S6

Jonah, as we remember, to prophesy against it, of the Joppa (the scene

but

proceeding later myth of

CONNEXION Perseus
was

WITH

THE

JONAH

LEGEND he the
"

and

Andromeda)
he

the

ship
did
'

in which advised
so,

set

sail

storm-tossed, and
cast
"

himself

sailors
a

to

him

overboard.
him.
a

They
This
marine the it three
"

and

fish

swallowed
is of

fish,' it
of and

has

great been

claimed,

merely

form

dragon Jonah
This
manner

chaos, and
inside
seem

days
the

Tiawath, the nights which

months."
^

remains
not

are

winter Hercules

does

bellyof a fish and emerged again after three days, according to the Phoenicians. of Jonah may be compared The with that of name The Ea. Cannes Vishnu or love-god, in the Hindu into the sea, is swallowed thrown Purana, by a fish, there local like the Was a ring of Gyges. seaand is it of Tiawath, monster at Joppa, a variant the in the same Jonah myth as that in the tale of A Perseus fountain ? at thought Joppa was tawny
descended
to

very into the

clear.

in

like

derive

its colour

from

the

blood

of the

sea-monster

slain
monster

by
of

Perseus,
who

lay

Pausanias. then Was says in wait off Joppa, Tiawath

was

the the

goddess
Ea she months
or

darkness, and Cannes, her mortal

of winter
^

would

than other Jonah none foe, the god of light,whom during the sere mythologically swallow ?

Bible

Folk

Lore, London, 1884. Anonymous.

87

CHAPTER RELIGION

III:

EARLY

BABYLONIAN

The

Beginnings
true

of

Babylonian
of

Religion
a

THE
and

beginning history
or

in its

when

it

religion is that epoch of succeeds, by reason

and
itself

local

national

circumstances in

ment environthose

by
faith if

racial

genius,
from

raising
are

from

purely
of

animistic and

influences which
not

which

characteristic

early

all great able

religions have

emerged,
themselves

they
from the

have

been

entirely to
reason on

free

associations hold

which achieve

by

of their

antiquity
humanity

and
are

they

the

mind

of

particularly difficult to cast off. Thus the attainment of nationality and of a high a sense standard of righteousness assisted in shaping Jewish necessity for military efficiency and religion. The sacrifice the of therefore to gods was moulding a
real if terrible

religion
and
to

in

ancient the

Mexico hideous lent

when masque air an

of

the

invading tragedy.
ethical Thus
to

Spaniards
Insight

ended

of
of

meditation the Vedic

exaltation in
a manner

religion

India.

the

trend
a

of

evolve basis. If
we

suitable

and according peculiarly its own, its particular genius, did each race an original animistic religion from

are or

to

discover
if

the
we

foundations
are

of

any the

system
soil the

cult, however,
would

to

excavate

religiousas we hope of coming

we

the

soil basis work

faith,
delves
or

must
as

upon undertake
of the
to

the the

arch^ological in of any particular

in
a manner as

thorough
his

that
way

antiquary who, pick

lowest foundations

in

hand,

the

of

palace
"

temple. The earliest Babylonian religious ideas of that that is, subsequent to the entrance people

SPIRITS into
"

AND

GODS the

the

country Sumerians

watered

by

were

undoubtedly adopted
strong
the

coloured

Tigris and Euphrates by those of the nonfound

that

Semitic

whom

they
of

in the
race,

They
affords

alphabet presumptive
as an

country. this and

the migrant im-

evidence

that

Semites,

naturally accept
more

much

if

cultured
soil. is of
no

folk

whom

people, would all of the religionof the not they found in possession of
unlettered in this
at

the

There
nature

necessity
so

animistic in many

belief

place to outline length. This any

volumes
of
to

the
has series

been
and

done
in

other

this
state

such

detail
that

that

it is sufficient
is
a

here

succinctly
or

animism
man

condition

belief

in

which

considers
himself least
to

thought everything in the

the possessor
the of

of

universe
' '

soul,' animals, the water,

and have their
for

along with at or spirit,'

be

volition.

Thus,
all

wind,
move,

heavenly bodies, of being, and because

man

live,

his fear

of

or

them placates or adores until at length he almost unconsciously exalts them of godhead. into a condition Have to reason we any think that the ancient Semites of Babylonia regarded the universe as peopled by gods or godlings of such The a proofs that they did so are not a few. type ?

admiration

them,

Spirits and

Gods

Spirits
reader

swarmed observe with

in when

ancient
he

Babylonia,
comes

as

the

will

to

chapter dealing
And here it
or

the

magical

ideas

peruse of the

the
race.

is

is the

same

as

the

spirit must
The

that minative deterthe important to note symbolic written sign for spirit for that the god and god.' Thus in Babylonia have had a common
' '
'

descent.

manner

in

which

we

can

distinguish
89

MYTHS

OF
a

BABYLONIA
a

AND is

ASSYRIA

between
of the

texts,

however, spirit, official gods are provided and demons whereas spirits

god

and
'

simple.
the
not

Lists

'

in
are

historical included

therein. had in been

But made

this
to

is

that no say systematize the belief

not to

attempt
in

spirits

Babylonia, for just as the great gods of the universe the were apportioned their several offices,so were Thus spiritsallotted almost exactly similar powers. the Annunaki were perhaps regarded as the spirits and the of earth Igigi as So, spiritsof heaven. least, are at they designated in an inscriptionof The I. Rammannirari grouping evidently survived from animistic which times, when perhaps the spirits embraced in these classes the two were are only the of Sumerians, and Babylonians or gods of the ranks whose from some great gods of future been evolved. In any have times case they may early period in the Babylonian belong to a very religion and play no unimportant part in it almost of the The ancient the end. god Anu, the most to regarded as the father of Babylonian deities, was of their both use companies, but other gods make be well disposed to services. to They do not appear invoke The wont to Assyrian kings were humanity. when them they desired to inculcate a fear of their majesty in the people,and from this it maybe inferred that objects of peculiar fear to the lower they were of the population for the people often orders cling the elder pantheons elder cults and the despite to of ecclesiastical innovations the the or politicians, religiouseccentricities of kings. There can, however, the truly animistic character of doubt be no to as tions early Babylonian religion. Thus in the early inscripkinds reads of the of spiritsof various one of the south of wind, the spirits diseases, the spirit
' '
"

90

MYTHS synonymous
most

OF
terms

BABYLONIA
;

AND
we

ASSYRIA
not

and

must

look in
a

for

the

Semitic of faith primitive form where not society was primitive. In it would society and religion alike seem,
on a

region
based

Babylonia,
were

fusion

of

two

races,

and

so

were

not

complex. Moreover, the official system and to us Assyrian religion,as it is known from and bears priestly texts public inscriptions, clear marks of being something more than a popular traditional faith ; it has been moulded artificially statecraft and in much the same by priestcraft way the official religionof Egypt ; that is to as say, it is
in great
measure an

but

primitive of Babylonian

artificial combination, drawn

from
a

for

perial im-

of

of elements purposes, local worships. In all the

masses

number

religionof
the
seem was

was

probability the actual always much simpler than

in
later times

official

system
different These

and

it would

that, both
little

in

religion
from

and

in

race,

Assyria
Aram^an
to

the
are

adjacent
not meant

countries. doubt
on

remarks

throw

studies importance of cuneiform for the history of Semitic religion; the monumental for valuable what data are we comparison with and Semitic of faith know the worship of other because, in religion peoples, and peculiarlyvaluable the civilization of the Euphratesin other matters, as historical influence a Tigris valley exercised great a on large part of the Semitic field."
the

great

Totemism

in

Babylonian
totemism

Religion
are

Signs
as

of

not

wanting

in

the

lonian Babyof

in

other

backs of gods are pictured as indication certain that almost animals, an time they had themselves possessed the form
9?

religioussystems. the riding upon

Many

the

certain
at
one

of

the

THE

GREAT

GODS

would Religious conservatism tlieybestrode. of the abolition probably not tolerate the immediate taken of gradually was totem-shape, so this means form some gods retained animal shelving it. But times. Thus the until comparatively late sun-god of an the that find form of Kis had eagle, and we took as lovers a horse, an Ishtar eagle, and a lion represented in equine, aquiline, surely gods who were leonine forms. The fish-form of Oannes, the god and relic of totemism. Some of wisdom, is certainly a of the old ideographic representations of the names the of connexion. gods are eloquent of a totemic the name of Ea, the god of the deep, is expressed Thus by an signifies antelope.' Ea ideograph which is spoken the of as antelope of the deep,' the forth. He so was also, as a lusty antelope,' and with the universal water-god, connected serpent, a The symbol of the flowing stream. god Uz, strange Akkadian survival, was probably an worshipped the form of a goat. The under sun-god of Nippuj, connected with the pig, and called Adar, was was animal
*
'
"

'

'

'

'

lord

of

the
In

swine.'

Merodach astronomical
the his of

bull-god.
him
alluded
as

early
to
'

have may literature

been
we

find
storm-

as

bull

of

light.'
retained

The
his
was

god Zu,
form.

is

seen
name

by
of

myth,
the

birdlike

Another

storm-bird

Lugal-

city of Marad, near ^also once Like Prometheus a bird-god, as he stole the sacred analogous myths by many
"
"

banda, patron

god

the

Sippara. is proved
fire from
of
man.

heaven

for the

service

and

mental

illumination

The

Great

Gods

In
to

the

us,

it becomes phase in which Babylonian religion is neither but

first Semitic

known
nor

Akkadian,

Semitic

-Akkadian

that

is, the

ele93

MYTHS
ments

OF of

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

are so religious forms intermingled be in it that from distinguished one they cannot is trustworthy can another but little that ; very be advanced Each concerning this shadowy time. in early Babynumerous (and these were lonia) petty state tutelar deity, and he again possessed its own had number of lesser gods. command When a over all those added together, as was pantheons were the case in later days, they afforded the spectacle of perhaps the largest assembly of gods known to religion. The most outstanding of these tribal any divinities,as they might justly be called, were Merodach, who was worshipped at Babylon ; Sha-

both

mash,

who who and

was

adored
at

at

Sippar ; Sin,
who held
of

the
sway

moon-

god,
Erech

ruled Der
;

Ur

Anu,

over

legend, whose Eridu ruled at Nippur, or Niffur ; city was ; Bel, who and Ishtar, who Nergal of Cuthah was goddess ; of Nineveh. The peoples of the several provinces identified with their prominent gods one another, and indeed when to lonia, Assyria rose rivalrywith Babyits chief naturally divinity, Asshur, was
Ea, the
identified In the with Merodach.
on

Cannes

Merodach

chapter gained
that

the the

cosmology lordship
rise of

we

have heaven.
to

seen

how It has
was

of

been

shown

this
to

god
from

comparatively
rabi in
a

recent.

Prior

the

days
In

power of Khammu-

rather

different

pantheon

that

described
more

inscriptionsheld sway. primitive days the principal gods

been
Bel
or

later

those

girsu, Ea,
between the

En-lil, Belit or Nin-lil vSin,Anu, Nergal, Shamash,

There and had
is indeed
a

to appear his queen,

have Ninother

and

lesser divinities. pre-

sharp post-Khammurabic
been made
to

distinction

types
a

of

religion. Attempts
94

form

pan-

Types

of

En-lil,

the his

Chief

God

of

Nippur,

and

of

Consort,
Practice Morris

Nin-lil
in

From

Religious

Beliej and bj' Professor

Babylonia
Jastrow

and

Assyria,

By

permission

of Messrs

G.

P.

Putnam's

Sons

94

BEL

theon
of the

before

Khammurabi's
the

day,
of

but

his
to

exaltation head
of

Merodach,

patron

Babylon,

the

destined to destroy pantheon was Babylonian A of the great gods these. glance at the condition will assist ns before the to days of Khammurabi understand their
later

developments.

Bel

Bel,

or,

to

give
very

him

his

earlier

name,

En-lil, is

spoken
those of

of

in

Nippur;
was

early inscriptions,especially in of which tutelar the city he was

as seems

deity.
to

He

described
effort

the
to

'

lord have
his

of

the

lower
made and

world,' and
reach
a

much

been

definite
His
name

conception
had title
'

of

position
been
1200

attributes.
'

also
Bel
'

been
had

translated

lord

of

mist.'

The

given
B.C.,

to

Merodach which chief

name

by Tiglath-pileser I
he
seat
was

about
'

after

referred
his

to

as

the

older

Bel.'

The
the
came

of
to

be He

at worship was Nippur, where his temple, E-Kur or mountain-house,' all over applied to a sanctuary lonia. Baby'

of

was as

also
the
'

addressed

as

the and

lord
his

of

the

'

storm

and

great
to

mountain,'
'

consort

Nin-lil

is also

alluded

as

lady
"

of the
are

mountain.' substantial

that Jastrow rightlyconcludes for assuming that his reasons the

case

there

top
the

of

some

mountain,
. . .

as

of storm-deities.

There

on original city was is so generally the being no mountains

in is

Euphrates
that
was

valley, however,
En-lil
in
a was

the

conclusion
a

warranted
home

the

whose

mountainous
them

brought their god with Euphrates valley."^

En-lil
^

when

god of region they came

class
of

people
who
to

and

the

is

undoubtedly

of

the
and

tempest-

Religious Belief in Babylonia

Assyria, p. 69.
95

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
on

AND

ASSYRIA

deities appears
of the
a

who
to

dwell have been The

mountain
found

peaks.
alludes the

No
to

text

which

him

as

red

colour. which
a

flashingof
mind

clouds

veil the

mountain
of

generates
the

belief in the is concealed and

text

lightningthrough summits usually that primitiveman

screen

god
in
of

who hue
a

by
in
as

the

of

vapour
second
'

is red tablet

quick
known

movement.

The
'

crying storm En-lil as alludes to a storm-god. Addressing him it says : no evildoing, spirit Spiritthat overcomes that has no that has no that mother, spirit wife, spirit has no that has no sister,spirit brother, that knows tates no abiding place, the evil-slaying spiritthat devas"

the

the
son away it tears

fold, that
and
away

wrecks like
a

the reed.
consumes

stall, that
As
a

sweeps

mother

huge deluge

dwellings,
smites

of

the

home,

mankind
of

provisions everywhere, and

the
men

the

the harvests wickedly drowns temples it devastates, devoted that clothes himself in him When the
'

land.

Devoted

it afflicts, him

robe
of

of

majesty
pasture
word
"

the

spirit
with

lays low with cold, hunger it lays low.

cries
unto out at sunset

wide

lands
of

En-lil, the lord

dreadful

lands,
forth

goes

spacious shrine, Destroy.' Sumerian of En-lil, was Nippur, the city of the earliest cult of En-lil must connect origin, so we Sumerian of his lesser the with aborigines. Many But he greatly names point to such a conclusion.
the

outgrew

all

local

circumstances,
to

and
a

among

other fostered

things he appears vegetation. Some

that because
the

have

been

god
to
a

who be of

authorities
was

appear

opinion
from
a

En-lil

mountainous The
truth

change was region

is, it would

regarded as owing to his

a more

god

of vegetation

removal

to

level
to

be

difficult

neighbourhood. discover a god

96

MYTHS
mariner

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
at

in how

which
he
was

Bel

was

worshipped
to

and devour The

supposed
behave
very

take
as

human
a

food, and

much

man

Babylon, shape, might.

that the Babylonians lavished legend states the idol of Bel twelve day upon great measures every of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine. had overthrown the King Cyrus of Persia, who

kingdom, went daily to worship Bel, asked do likewise. The and Daniel why he did not prophet replied that his religiondid not permit him to worship idols, but rather the living God who had Babylonian
created
'"'

the

heavens said

and
:

the
*

earth. Thinkest thou

'

Then is the and

Cyrus
?

thou
not

not

that he

Bel

living God
drinketh

Seest

how

much

day ? Then Daniel smiled and said, 0 King, be not deceived, for he is but clay within and brass without, and drink eat never or can anything.' calling for exceeding wroth, and Cyrus was his If ye tell me who not priests said to them,
every
" ' " *

eateth

this but

is that if ye

devoureth
can

these
me

show

expenses that Bel hath this

ye

shall

die,
them

devours

Daniel

shall Bel
;

die,
' "

for

he
to

spoken
Daniel

against agreed.
It

and

blasphemy cheerfully
the the visions prohad

would

have

been

surprising had
we are

not

vanished, because
of

told in So

that

priests
Daniel the

Bel

were

threescore wives and

to to

and children. the bless door

ten

number

and and

numerous

Cyrus
of

betook

themselves
them shut

temple
the
fast
meat

Bel, and
wine
it with
on

priestsasked
Bel, and
to

and seal

before the the all

the

and
if

King's
morrow

own

signet,stating
find

that

they
had

came

of

the

they would provisions.

that

Bel

eaten

up

98

BEL

AND

THE

DRAGON
care

But

tliey had taken made for they had

table
that
set

good
a

to entrance

protect

selves, them-

secret

underneath
stantly, they used conthe good things

the

great
so

in

temple which they might consume

the the the the
to

that

were

before
did
as

idol.

And
meat

Cyrus
and wine

priests asked, setting

statue

the

before
servants

commanded strewed

his

Bel, but Daniel bring ashes, which they

of

of throughout the temple in the presence shut the and door the King ; then out they went the sealed it with and King's signet. the And in the night time priests with their wives the entered families and temple by the secret way the consumed and provisions. speedily betook Daniel selves themIn the morning Cyrus and the the seals the temple, and to King broke

and
all
a

opened the door, the provisions had

voice,
deceit
at
"

and

when

he he

perceived
called
out

that with
thee

vanished

loud
no

Great all.'

art

thou,

Bel, and

with

is

But

Daniel into
the

way there. And

women,

pavement

and

barring the laughed, and look to temple requested him mark well whose footsteps

King's
at

the
saw

he

Cyrus
and
at
once

replied,
children." called

"

see

the

footsteps

of

men,

He
saw

the had

priests, who
been the

when

they
showed in
his

that the

their
secret

stratagem
way

discovered
;

him rage

into and

temple
Bel

and into

Cyrus

slew

them

delivered

Daniel's idol and

The prophet speedily destroyed the power. the temple which it. sheltered Now in that

by

the
:

a temple was people of Babylon,

"

great and

dragon worshipped the King said to

this
is of

Daniel

Wilt

thou

also
G 2

say

that

brass,
gq

MYTHS for

OF ! lie

BABYLONIA

AND he eateth

ASSYRIA

behold

liveth,
thou
his

and !" said

to

drinketh,

therefore
But
"

shouldest shook

worship
head and

him

Daniel
me

and I will

Give

leave, O
sword Daniel
or

King,

slay this

Cyrus : dragon

without Then

staff."

pitch and fat and hair and boiled them all together, and shaped them into great pieces. These he placed in the dragon's mouth, and shortly the dragon burst asunder. became Now the people of Babylon greatly incensed these clamoured at to doings and Cyrus, deliver Daniel to to them, or else asking him up destroy him and all belonging to him. they would the And, continues legend, Cyrus being afraid for delivered Daniel the people, who his crown to cast he remained for six days. him into a lions' den where
Seven removed and
from

took

lions
from

were

in
so

the that

den

and

their be

food the

was

them

they might
differs

fiercer,
Book took
of up

the

Apocrypha that given in

states

story, which
the the called sixth

considerably

Daniel,
a

that

certain
carry
a

prophet
mess

chapter of the angel of the Lord Habbacuc, who was

to

about and him with

to

of

pottage
hair
of

certain

reapers,

taking
all the the

him way of

by
which the

the

the
to at

head,

from

Palestine
he
set

conveyed Babylon along

feet.
was as

food,
to

Daniel's

Daniel

partook
back which And
to
was
mourn

meal,
in

and the

Habbacuc
same manner

conveyed
that in

Palestine had the

for
come.

he
on

seventh

day Cyrus
when
was

came

to

the

den

Daniel, and

he

looked with

in Daniel the
power

there. Daniel's

So God and

impressed
that

Cyrus
to

of in

he

resolved who

worship
been into the

Him

future,
in

seizing those casting the Hebrew

had

mental instru-

prophet

den,

100

THE he

TEMPLE

OF

BEL

thrust

them in
a

before
moment.

the

lions, and

they

were

devoured

Beltis

Beltis,

or over

Nin-lil,
back

the

wife

of

En-lil, shared
she

his

authority
which Ur.
of
at went

As the

has

been

Nippur, where in antiquity to said, she was

and
of
as
'

the

also
she

temple of First Dynasty called the lady

a
'

had

mountain,'
a

as

such

had

sanctuary

Girsu,
she

quarter
Beltis

Lagash.
'

In
mother and

certain
of
as

is described
meant
as

the

inscriptions the gods.'

such
was

The

name

lady,'
'

accorded afterwards

to

her

being
many

the

'

lady,

but

it

was

given
of Bel Mr

to

other

goddesses.

The

Temple

In

1876
text

George giving a
at

Smith remarkable This

discovered
account

lonian Babyof the

temple
of
a

of Bel

Babylon.
founded great
of

Babylon, place of no
until furnished
that

was

very

temple, the wonder that still while city was importance, but its fabric
and
of it.

lasted have
states
one

the

days
us

Herodotus
accounts

Strabo,
The
or

who

with

former
towers

it

consisted

of

eight
a

stages

above

another,

forming

holies the feet

"

being placed upon height of the entire a questionable dimension. very

the
court

pyramid, the holy of the highest stage of all, 600 building being about
the
measurements

In
outer

cuneiform
are

tablet
as

of

the

56 feet in length and 900 feet in breadth. An adjoining court, that of Ishtar and Zamama, was 1056 feet by 450 feet, and had six which admitted worshippers to the temple gates the grand gate, the gate of the rising sun looking given
11
"

eastward,

the

great

gate,

the

gate

of

the

Colossi,
lOI

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA the figures,

AND

ASSYRIA gate, and the

flanked

by
the

enormous

canal

gate
A
as

of

tower-view. space, the four stood

walled
face

to

Inside

this

platform or birut, orientated so cardinal described. points,is next of which is a building the name
was or

indecipherable. It with the Ziggurat

of

connected

in

some

manner

great
the
one

tower,

around
of

the

base

which

were

ranged
faced

temples
or

the

principal
four chief

gods,
On

all of which
of the

other

of the

points temple
less
were

the

compass. side eastern

feet

of

the

117

by
Nebo,

6j
the

feet

large broad, containing no

group
a

stood

than sacred

sixteen
to

shrines, the
son
were

principal
of

of

which wife and and the 50

Bel, and
to

his Ea

Tashmit.

To the

the

north feet

Nusku,
the

first 142
a a

temples long by 50 feet

feet

broad To feet

second
was

south
feet.

square shrine to

58
Bel

either Anu

way. 117

and

by

The side

of purpose of the great

the
tower

buildings is only to
the couch

on

the

western

be
of

conjectured.
Bel
were

It is known, throne in
one

however,
alluded
of
to

that
to

and

his

of
or

gold
other

the

by Herodotus buildings on
measured 15

housed The 6
feet

this
feet

Side.

couch

is said

have

by

8 inches.

In

the

centre

stage
The and
was

stage, upon first stage was

was

Ziggurat, rising its sides facing the cardinal points. and feet high no 300 feet square
towered the

great

ornamented
feet

with

buttresses.

The

second

260

feet

square
was

60 feet high, the third 200 and square the seventh feet high up and to 20 stage,
80 feet feet the

long, 70 entire high. The height of feet, exactly equal to 300

102

which

broad, and

50
was

feet

Ziggurat
breadth

thus
of

the

the

THE

TEMPLE the

OF

BEL

base,

or

only

half

height

attributed

to

it

by

Herodotus.

Regarding
Smith
near

the
"

says

Babylon

possible site of this temple Mr The existing at or only ruin now be supposed to which can represent
is the

the

temple
the

of

Belus

mound

and

enclosure
the
account

of

Babil,
of

ruins
structures

corresponding fairlywith
in
the

these

Greek
the

authors

and

in

the the

of sides inscription. The cardinal points, like those remains of the

a

building
the

face

in

two

sides

of the

indicate

circumference

about

the inscription ; enclosure now existing equal to the Greek

excess

measurement,

and but
of there of the

slightly in
it
the
are

of

that

in

the the
not to

inscription ; exact length

known,
the

must

be

remembered

that is
as

and

Babylonian measures different opinions even

stade, while
careful their On
the

length
of

Greek

present
to

remains determine

the
more

wall

require

measurement

exactly
a

length
the

and

the

sions dimenof the

sisting con-

they

indicate. stands

other

side

Euphrates
of
tower
an

ruin, Birs
the its

Nimrud,
site of

also
a

enclosure, various
this

temples, and
angles,
not

but
at

represents
and

the

templetemple
of its

of

Nebo

Borsippa,
the cardinal dimensions

instead
a

sides, face
of its known

points, while
agrees

singleone

with

the

corresponding

of Babil, which point in the inscription.The mound is already identified by the best authorities the with of of the lower temple of Belus, consists now stage the tower the ruins of the and it."^ buildings round

Yet
was

Herodotus'
not

account

of says

the
"

temple
It

of

Bel of

wholly
and
;
was

false.
two

He

had

gates

brass,

stadia
of
Feb.

in the
^

middle Athenaum,

way, every the temple

iz,

rangular being quada

solid

tower

1876.
103

MYTHS
was

OF

BABYLONIA
in

AND and

ASSYRIA

built, a
tower

stadium
was

height

breadth,

and

on

this
on

this, to
was

the
on

placed another, and of eight towers number

outside, and
the
a was

another in all.

still The

ascent

the

made

by
about

winding
half
up

passage

round there

all is

towers

and
seats

the

ascent

landing
repose

and
;

those
tower

ascending
there is
a

may

and and

for rest, where in the highest in the

large temple,
erected
a

large bed
but
one

well is
no

furnished, and
statue

beside in it

there

temple a it a golden table ; by night no ; and

of the

lodges
the

in it,except

singlewoman
from

country,
say

whom

god

has
are

selected
the
was

the

rest, and

as

the

Chaldceans, who
An

priestsof
discovered in which

this

god."
translated rezzar Nebuchadthis

inscription
H.

by
tower
now

Sir

C.

Rawlinson,
of of

King

boasts in the

having repaired and

his

completed
"

honour

god
'

Merodach.

Behold

The building named Stages of the Seven of Borsippa, had wonder the was Spheres,' which been built had king. He by a former completed forty-two ammas (of the height), but he did not it had finish the its head. From lapse of time become taken of the ruined not care they had ;
exits of

the into

waters,

so

the

rain
;

and

wet

had
of of

the

brickwork out, in
my

the the

casing
terraces

trated peneburnt crude

my

brick brick great I did

had

bulged
scattered

and

lay
not

heaps.
heart
to

Then

Merodach,

lord, inclined

change

its site,nor in I
a

did

repair the building. I destroy the foundation

month,
the

an

platform ; but auspicious day,

crude the
I

fortunate

and

on

undertook and
the

the

brick

terraces

burnt

rebuilding of brick casing

(of
and

temple). I strengthened its foundations, placed a titular record in the parts that I had
I
set

rebuilt.
104.

my

hand

to

build

it up,

and

to

finish

MYTHS

OF the

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

unlike

Scandinavian
of

Loki

who

typifies the

malevolence

fire.

Dibarra

Dibarra his

was

guise as myth strange

"

of Nergal, probably a variant solar destroyer. Concerning him

in
a

is recounted
of

as were

follows
as

The

sons

Babylon
In
a

birds

and

thou

their enclose

falconer.

net

thou

didst 0

catch

them,
Dibarra.

them,

and

destroy them,

warrior

didst the to outside, Leaving the city, thou pass of a lion, thou didst the enter taking on the form The thee and drew their palace. people saw weapons." So spoke Ishum, the faithful attendant of Dibarra, of the havoc by way of beginning an account wrought in the valley of Euphrates and by the warplaguegod. Spare no one," is the gist of his commands his satellites. fear Have neither to nor pity. Kill the young rob Babylon well as the old and as
"
"

of all its treasures."

was

Accordingly against the dispatched to carry

the battle with
so

first
out

city
these

large

army

instructions,
was

and

bow

and

sword

begun,
soldiers and
torrents

strife which inhabitants of the

water

ended that

disastrously for
blood flowed

the
"

their

like This
to at

through
lord
to

the

city's highways."
was

defeat

great

Merodach
or

powerless
enemies because From

help
overcome

avert

it. with
to

and until of his this

compelled Enraged fury, he

lost

witness,
his his

lessness help-

cursed

he

is said

have

consciousness

grief.
scene

of

devastation

Dibarra

turned

his attention
to
1

to to

Erech, appointing others

this

of his host

mete

out

city the

fate of

Babylon.

Ishtar,

06

DIBARRA

goddess

of

Erech,

saw

her

devoted

city exposed

to

plunder, pillage,and bloodshed, and had to endure the of inactivity experienced by Merodach. agony Nothing she could do or say would stay the violence
of Dibarra's
"

vengeance.

warrior dost

Dibarra, thou

dost

dispatch

the

sins dispatch the unjust ; who dost thee thou who does not dispatch, and the one dost dispatch." sin against thee thou used by Ishum, Dibarra's words These were servant, the god of war. knew He in a subsequent address to still bloodshed his lord's craving for battle and was more unappeased, and he himself was planning a war thou terrible
not

just, against

than

any

he

had

yet

conducted,
was

conflict embrace
consent
tinued con-

only
the

world-wide So

but

which
to

to

heaven
to

itself.

in order

gain

Dibarra's

hideous
to

destruction
to

he

anticipated, he
tendencies.
of

pander
"

his

war-like

Said will

he

The

brightness

Shul-panddu

of the I will tear out tree destroy, the root that it no longer blossom. Against the dwelling of the king of gods I will proceed." the with To all of which warrior-god listened growing pleasure, until fired by his myrmidon's

words
coast

he

cried

out

in

sudden

fierce

resolve

"
"

Sea-

Subartu against sea-coast, against Subartu, Assyrian against Assyrian, Elamite against Elamite, Cassite against Cassite, Sutaean against Sutaean, Kuthean LuUubite against Kuthean, against LuUubite, country against country, house against house, is to Brother show man no against man. mercy towards
"

brother

they
he

shall

kill

one
"

another."
carry
out

Go,

Ishum,"
hast

added in

later,

the

word desire."

thou

spoken

accordance

with

thy
107

MYTHS And
countenance

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
"

with

alacrity
to

Ishum mountain

obeyed,
of

directing

his

the the

Khi-khi.

This,

god Sibi, a warrior unequalled, he attacked and destroyed all the vineyards in the forest of Khashur, the city of Inmarmaon. and finally These last atrocious roused acts Ea, the god of humanity, and filled him with wrath," though what
the

with

help

of

attitude
"

he

adopted
all

towards
to

Dibarra
my

is

not

known. of sin and

Listen
I

of

you

words,
heart
was

because

did
I

formerly plan evil, my peoples away." swept

This
was

enraged

eventually he was gathered propitiated and all the gods were this point Ishum at together in council with him. the necessity changing his tactics urged on Dibarra for pacifying the gods he had incensed. land the gods of the who Appease," said he, flourish, msay mounare tains May fruits and corn angry. and seas bring their produce."
" "

Dibarra's

defence

when

As

he

had

listened and the

to

Ishum of the

before, Dibarra

listened

again,

council

those promising prosperity and who would honour him. fittingly He will rule the world. who name glorifiesmy Who will be without proclaims the glory of my power rival. deeds will not The singer who sings of my die through pestilence, to kings and nobles his words will be them writer who pleasing. The preserves
"

by

his

gods was protection to

closed

will

from escape the temple where his up,

ear.

the

grasp house
rage

of

the my

enemy,
name,

in

the

people proclaim
the
may

I will tablet
is

open
set

In
war

where and the

this

though
sword dwell

god

Sibi

work

havoc,
"

and in

he
ever

will

for
1

and

endure

him touch pestilence will not resound safety. Let this song all lands hear for eternity. Let

08

SHAMASH It and

proclaim
learn

my

power.

Let

the

Inhabitants

of

all

places

to

glorify my

name."

Shamash

Shamash,

god

of of

the the him

sun,

was

one

of

the

most

popular deities pantheon. We

of
son

Babylonian
mentioned
b.c. 4200 which

and

Assyrian
reign
the ence refer-

find
or

first in the He

E-Anna-Tum,
of
to

about

is called

Sin,
the in any

the fact

moon-god,
that

perhaps
calendar

has

the
as

solar

succeeded tions civiliza-

the

lunar
of

Babylonia
to

in

practicallyall
The
as a
'

advancement.
his is of
status

due and

prominence
in

inscriptions give great lord of light,

illuminator
'

them
'

he

called

the

of

the
one

regions,'
of the

lord

living creatures,'
so

lands,' and
open

forth.
of

He

is

gracious supposed

to

morning and raise his the head and horizon, lighting up the heaven over his beams. of justice with The earth knowledge and injustice and the virtue of righteousness were attributed to him, and he was regarded as a judge between good and evil, for as the light of the sun be hidden everywhere, and nothing can penetrates
throw gates
from
as

the

the

its the head

beams,

It Is for

not

strange

that

It should

stand
at

symbol
of the

justice.
here he
at

Shamash bears
as w^as

the

which inscription and stands

appears the laws

the

of

Khammurabi,
for

justice. The worshipped were

was

towns

which

he

symbol principally
his
'

SIppar
as was

known
Larsa

Larsa, where the E-Babbara, or

the older of of

and

tuary sanc-

shining
two

house.'
centres, the
more

probably
the times and
after

the

but

from

Sargon, SIppar
of

became

Important,

In the

ranked
to

Immediately
threatened

days Babylon.
supremacy

Khammurabi

have

the

In fact it appears of the capital

X09

MYTHS
to
some

OF extent,
as we

BABYLONIA

AND
the

ASSYRIA last

and shall his

Nabonidus,
remember,
too

King
Merodach

of

Babylon,
and his

offended notice
of

priestsby
the

During
however,

whole

course

eager of his

Shamash.

Shamash

retained

Babylonian history, popularity, and was

was

perhaps the by Merodach.

in
not

only
One

sun-god
finds where

who the various

not

absorbed

same

phenomenon
solar deities did the

ancient succeed

Mexico,
in
of

displacing or
the
sun

absorbing Totec,
But local that Shamash small used
as were

ancient succeeded and

god
in

far
many

excellence.

absorbing
find his

sun-gods,
of

indeed

we

name

the

sun

throughout

Semitic

lands.

There

several

solar

Ninib, whom as Nergal, and deities,such did not absorb, probably for the reason

Shamash that is
reason
was

they
to not

typify various
believe
an

phases
in ancient

of

the times

sun. even

There Shamash

that

entirelybeneficent
figure as
he life
was
a

solar
on as

deity, but,
occasion.

like But

Nergal,
in later

could
times

warrior

regarded
all in

the

and

upon

created
nature

god things,
from

who and
man

brings light
upon
to

whom

depends everything
His
consort
was

Aa, who
Her cult she

was seems

vegetable. worshipped at Sippar

to not
own.

along
of

with

him.

have appear She

been
to
was

one

great

antiquity, but
character the
sun

does
her

have posed sup-

any this

distinctive
to

of

receive

upon

his

circumstance
the he
*

it has double
at too

been

and from setting, argued she perhaps the but this

represents
disk which is

sun,'
sunset

from
;
on

magnified

presents
rather

tion explanaevolved
of

perhaps Jastrow thinks

from the

much may
on
"

allegoricallines.
been side other
an

that
of
a

she

have the

sun-god

city

the

Such Sippar. Euphrates from deities of two originally male

no

amalgamation
a

into

combination

EA

of he

male
says,

and
"

female, strange
is in

as

keeping
male and In
to

with

it may the lack in the

seem

to

us,"
tinction disforms

of

sharp

between
of

female
the

oldest

Semitic
same

the when

religions. sign is used

to
as

old

cuneiform
'

writing
'

indicate Ishtar

lord

'

or

lady
the

'

attached both
of

deities. male and

;

appears

amongst
was was

Semites
a as

femile.
the
as

Sex

primarily
viewed

question

strength
the

masculine,

weaker

stronger feminine."

god

Ea

Ea
of

was

the which
a

third

of

the of

great

Babylonian
En-lil, and
like

triad

gods,
was
'

consisted
of the the

Anu,
and
As
a

himself.
is called

He the
he

god
of

waters,

Anu

father

to appears occult power,

have
thus
or

god of the abyss also a deity of wisdom been and with the allegoricallyassociated gods.'
He
on was

idea

of

depth
who

profundity.
consulted with him
his

the
most

father

of

Merodach,
matters

the

connected
he desired
was

kingship
individuals
upon

of of

important the gods.

all classes
crafts

Indeed
who
or

consulted

by
be
was

light
Thus

to

thrown the

their
of

businesses.
"

he

god
also

artisans

in ficers artiof

general

^blacksmiths,
every

stone-cutters, He
was

sailors,and
the

of

kind.
seers.

patron

abyss is the place where of everything were the seeds supposed to fructify, he appears have fostered to so reproduction of every description. He was supposed to dwell beside Anu, inhabited the site who pole of the ecliptic. The of his chief time at at Eridu, which one temple was
prophets
stood,
the before the
waters

and

As

the

receded,
have
of
seen

upon

the

shore

of

Persian his

Gulf. Greek
name

We

under

Cannes,
to

bring knowledge

and

culture

the

already that Ea, was supposed to people of Eridu.

Ill

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
connected
to enter

There

are

many he
seems

confusing
in
some

myths

with into
the

him, and

measure

Babylonian myth of histor, Apollodorus,

Berossus,
time of
state

the

deluge.
Eusebius,
from

Alexander

Polyfrom

and
he
rose

copying
sea

that

the says the

civilizingmission,
Daon,
"

the

Abydenus shepherd king of

'

and

upon that in

his the

city of
from

Panti-

books city where were (meaning the Annedatus appeared again together '), biblon Eruthrean showed fish
sea,

gathered
the had
of
a

in

the

same

form

as

those
the

who

themselves blended
of

before, having
that
of
a

shape
Then
of

with

man.

Aedorachus sari. from the his In the

same

Pantibiblon there

for

the

term

reigned eighteen
personage

his
sea

days
of

appeared
like
form

another

Eruthra,

those

above, having
fish and
man
:

complicated
was

between From

name

Odacon."
seem

remarks

by Apollodorus
messengers obscure. very
of

it would from The

that

these

beings were
are

Cannes,
chief

but

the whole
from
states

extract

passages the fragments that

from upon
"

Berossus

concerning
there made
sea,

Cannes

: a

In

the

its appearance bordered which with

reason,
accounts
was

part

first year of the Eruthrean

an

Babylonia,
was

animal

endowed

who
of

called

Cannes.
the whole had
feet

According to the body of the animal

under
a

Apollodorus
of
a

like that another

of
a

fish's
to

head those

head,
man,

fish ; and and also

to

below,
and in

similar His
was

subjoined
and
to

the
;

fish's tail. there the time

articulate speech,too, was a representation of him

of

human be the
seen

Berossus. with
he gave

This
men

Being
;
an

in
no

time dayat

used that and

to
112

to

converse

but

took

food

season

and

them
of

science, and every houses, construct

kind
to

art.

insight into letters He taught them

to

found

temples,

compile

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA. of every

AND of

ASSYRIA

with

the

limbs

species

animals. other

Add ful wonder-

to

these, fishes, reptiles, serpents,

animals
countenance.

with

which Of

assumed
all

each
were

these
Belus
to

shape and tions preserved delineaThe

over

other's

in the who had

was

temple of supposed
of
;

at

have

Babylon. presided
This
the in

person,

them,
Chaldaic tha^

the

name

Omorca. w^hich

the

language
lassa, the

is Thalath
sea :

Greeks
most

express

theory, it is things being

the
woman-creature

according to the equivalent to selene,

this

but

probable
moon.

the
came,
out

All and
one

in

situation,
asunder
:

Belus

cut

and

of

half
the

of her heavens. in
the

he

formed
At

the
same

earth, and
time

of the

other

half

the

he

destroyed the

animals

gorical allesaid,^ was an abyss. All this, Berossus For the whole universe descriptionof nature. consisting of moisture, and, animals being continuaMy generated therein, the Deity (Belus) above-mentioned which off his own the other cut head, upon gods the mixed blood, as it gushed out, with the earth, and
it from

this

men are

were

formed.

On

this

account

is, that

they
This

knowledge.
the earth animals

rational, and Belus, whom men

partake
heavens
to

of

divine

call Dis, divided

from

darkness,
;

and

separated
the
not

the

the the the

a

and
so

reduced

universe

order. able
to

But bear

lately created, prevalence of light,died.

vast

being
upon

Belus

this, seeing

quite uninhabited, though by nature very space the take ordered of his head off fruitful, one gods to ; it was taken the blood and when to mix off,they were
the
men

with other
^

soil of the and

earth

; and

from

thence be

to

form

animals, which
speaking. The the to myth of
and
"

should

capable
obscure,
"

Polyhistor is
of
course

still

passage
Merodach

is somewhat and
"

and

relates

Tiawath

Bel

Merodach, representing
114

the

woman-creature

Tiawath.

THE of

WRITINGS

OF

CANNES

bearing the light. Belus also formed the stars, and the sun, and together with the five planets.' moon, Oannes This or by Ea regarding myth, related
"

the
to

creation that
not

of the

world,
and
one we

bears

of Merodach often that

Tiawath,
finds
a

It is
culture certain flesh."

hero, although

find
"

Ea

deity alluded to as the have Allegorical mythology would clime hero another in arriving from
vessel, who Gulf, and
in the
little
manner a

Chapter IL fish-god acting as a in Mexican myth a old fish-god of our

seen
a wave-

very told

close

relation

in

in

tossed Persian thereof is very in some

had had

landed instructed
of
a

on

the rude

shores

of

the

the

inhabitants There

culture

higher
Ea Noah
text

civilization.
a

doubt with

that the

has

close

connexion

legend
exists
was

of the in

deluge.
it the
as

For would

example,
seem as

Sumerian

which

if the its

ship
the

of Ea

described,
were

timbers
are

of

which and

various

parts

constructed
consisted and of

mentioned,

refugees
with

it saved

Ea the

himself, Dawkina
Of
it would

his

wife, Merodach,
natural Gulf
As
to

Inesh,

pilot of Eridu, along

course

Nin-igi-nagir-sir.

seem

to

whence

regard the Persian all things emanated.

"

Babylonians the as great abyss Jastrow very justly

a

the

remarks

In

the
that

word
of

of

Ea,

of

character

more

than spiritual he plans comes power

most

En-lil, he
existence
fields and
"

commands,
a

and

what

into the

wholly

beneficent
His

he

blesses

heals
of

mankind. In

strikingtrait
between
on

is his

love and

humanity.
he

flicts con-

the

gods
of of the

mankind,
latter.
as

is invariably the

the

side

When
'

gods,

at

the

instance
to

En-lil
a

the
to

god
away

of

storms,'

decide
it

bring
who

on

deluge
the who
H 2

sweep
to

mankind, favourite,
his

is

Ea

reveals

secret
saves

his

Ut-Napishtim (Noah),

himself,

family,
IT5

MYTHS and his

^

OF

BABYLONIA
a

AND

ASSYRIA

belongings on
The
waters

build."
of of

ship that he is by him personified

treacherous and

instructed
are

to

not

those those

the

turbulent

and

ocean,

but

irrigatingstreams
is thus of
very
'

He
'

different who

commerce-carrying canals. from the god En-lil, the

lord

heaven

of

destruction. purpose
of

Ea the

the

attributes so many possesses in his benevolent thwarts way riotous which god of tempest, that
one

En-lil, and it has been thought greatly enrages this myth the rivalry which perhaps at suggests time existed between the two religious centres
Eridu and

of

Nippur, cities of Ea and En-lil respectively. In Ea an eloquent manner implores En-lil not to another deluge, and begs that instead of precipitate be such wholesale destruction man punished may or by sending lions and jackals, or by famines lences. pestiis En-lil hearkens his speech, his heart to touched, and he blesses Utnapishtim and his wife. If this it argues is a myth piece of priestcraft,
better
at

relations
and of

between

the

ecclesiastical had
many
'

authorities
names,

Eridu chief

Nippur.
to

Ea

other

the

which, Nin-a-gal, meaning

alluded his called earth
a
'

god
the

of

great

strength,'
art.

patronage

of

smith's describes

He
'

was

also
of the such

En-ki,

which which

him

as

lord

through
as as

his

waters

meandered.
and
water water
are

In

country

Babylonia
under of
a

earth

closely associated,
to

that
few Ea.

soil
feet
:

is

always
interior

be found earth

at

distance domain

thus

the

of the

is the

of

The

Story of Adapa
is the

and

the

South

Wind
son

Here

story
to

of

Adapa,

the

of Ea,

who,

but have

for his obedience

his father's and

command,
and

might
p. 88.

attained
^

deification

immortality.
Assyria,

Religious Belief in Babylonia

n6

STORY

OF

ADAPA

AND

THE
out

SOUTH

WIND

One
the

day
South

when Wind

Adapa
blew
the

was

in

his
and

boat

fishing

with boat

sudden and

malicious

violence, upsetting
into
the shore the
sea.

Adapa
had
thou

Wind,
"

which

man flinging the fishersucceeded in reaching he When vowed against the South vengeance used him cruelly. so

Shutu,
my
go

demon,"
and for

he

cried,
!
"

"

will

stretch shalt

forth
not

hand

break
this

thy
outrage

wings.

Thou

unpunished
hideous
monster

in the laughed as she soared her air above him, flapping her huge wings about his in ungainly body. Adapa fury leapt at her, broke her seized them, so that she was wings, and earth. the broad Then no longer able to fly over The
he
went

his

way,

and

related

to

his

father

what

he

had

done.

Seven waited Shutu

days passed by, for the coming

came

and
of

Anu,
the

the

lord

of

heaven,
But

South
the

Wind. floods
were

not

the

rains

and

layed, deto

and
him
"

Anu

grew

impatient.
Shutu
chanced

He

summoned

his

minister

llabrat.
doth hath

Wherefore
"

neglect
that

her she

duty

"

he
not

asked. afield
?
"

What

travels

llabrat O

bowed and
I

low will

as

he

made

"

answer

Listen,

flieth not why Shutu abroad. the of of all Ea, lord creator deep and named hath crushed things, hath a son Adapa, who broken and the Shutu, so that wings of thy servant is no she able to fly." more If this be true," said the Anu, summon youth
thee
" "

Anu,

tell

before
"

me,

and 0

let him Anu !

"

answer

for

his

crime."

Be

it so,

When heaven

Adapa
he

received

the

summons

to
was no

appear

in

trembled

greatly.

It

light thing

MYTHS
to
answer

OF
to

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

servant,
to set

the

of their great gods for the ill-usage demon Shutu. Nevertheless he began the for

make
out

preparations
his father Ea

his

journey,
him
as

and
to

ere

he he the

instructed

how
of

should

comport

himself

in

the

assembly
of

gods. Wrap
"

thyself not
thee

in

vesture

gold,

but gates zida

clothe
of

in the thou

heaven

of the dead. garments wilt find Tammuz and

son, my At the

Gishdue ing showfavour

Salute the guarding the way. respect, I charge thee, baring thy
all deference
to

twain head dost

thee

with

and find before

them.

If

thou
of

in their And

eyes

they
thou the

will

speak

well within

Anu.
of

when don

standest

the

precincts
thee
to

heaven,
and But them and pass
these

garment
head with
offer

that the thee will be

of
now,

is

given
is

wear,

anoint when
not

thy
the
;

oil that food the Death

my
son,

brought
of

thee.

gods
the the

and
*

drink, touch Death,'

neither
'

for

food
'

Meat
;

the

drink

Water

let

within

thy lips.

Go

and with

remember

and

instructions. my all will be well." bade

to

Bear

thyself
and
as

humility,
out
on

Adapa journey

his

father He

farewell found

set

his had

heaven.

all

his

father

Gishzida and received him at predicted ; Tammuz divine the portals of the dwelling, and so humble that moved with they were was Adapa's attitude him. into the They led him compassion towards presence
of

Anu,
in

and

he

bowed

low

before

the

great he.

god.
"

am

come

answer

to

*'

Have Anu
"

mercy

upon upon
of the

me,

thy summons," thou Most High

made
"

said
!
"

frowned

him.
answer,

It is said

thee," he

that

thou Wind.

hast
ii8

broken

wings

of

Shutu,

the

South

STORY

OF
manner

ADAPA of
man

AND
art

THE

SOUTH darest
not

WIND

What Shutu

thou, who
thou nourishment
lie

destroy
that that
on

in

thy

wrath for

Knowest of

the

people
herb

suffer

lack
the

the
the

droopeth,
"

and
?

cattle
me

parched
hast thou

scorching ground this thing ?

"

Tell

why

done

was

out

on

the

sea

""

and

the

South

Wind

blew

fishing," said Adapa, violently, upsetting miy

Therefore And lo ! I
am

boat seized
come

and

Then
favour

into the water. casting me them. broke her wings and seek to thy pardon." and Tammuz Gishzida, the

deities

whose

Adapa
and

had
at

won

at

the

forth
"

knelt

the

feet !

gates of heaven, of their king.

hath

stepped sorely

Be

merciful, 0
now

Anu
he of

tried, and
Let
his Anu

is

Adapa truly humble

be words turned
of

been

and

repentant.
and zida, Gish-

treatment

Shut^

forgotten."
Tammuz
away.
"

listened and
his

to

the
was

wrath
he hast
now

"

Rise, Adapa,"
well. Thou and
we

said
seen

kindly
the

thy
in

looks
of

please
our

me

interior remain
a

this

kingdom,
ever,

must

thou thee
of Ea
?

heaven
unto

for
us.

and

will

make
son

god
of

like

What

sayest
bowed
him

thou,
low
for

"

Adapa
thanked

before

the

king
for

the

gods

and
of

his

pardon

and

his

promise
be
'

godhead.
Anu and Life and
'

therefore
that
I be

commanded
'

that
Life
'

feast

made,
of

the

Meat

of

and

the

Water

placed before Adapa, for drinking of these could he attain

when
the feast
was

only by eating immortality.

refused
to

But

spread Adapa

his father's partake of the repast, for he remembered injunctions on this point. So he sat in silence at the table of the gods, whereupon Anu exclaimed :

MYTHS
"

OF
now,

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

What
?

Adapa
thou

?
taste

Why
of
not

dost the

thou food

not

eat water

or

drink
set

Except
thee

and
to

before

thou

canst

hope
offended
"

live

for

ever."

Adapa
host,
most
so
so

perceived
he hastened Anu. that table. thee."
"

that
to

he

had

his
not

divine

explain.
is because

Be

wroth,
Ea hath drink
from

mighty
commanded
at

It I

my

lord
nor

break
not

not

bread
countenance

water

thy

Turn

thy
Ea

me,

I beseech

Anu seek he in shame

frowned.

Is

it

that

feared food

I ?

should

thy
that
so

life

by offering thee
so

deadly
hath is for

Truly
thee
to

knoweth
many

much,

and

schooled
once

different

arts,

put
of heaven

"

Adapa
silenced
"

would him. !
"

have

spoken,
;

but

the

lord

Peace

he
a

said

then

to

his

attendants clothe

"

"

Bring
oil When

forth

and

bring
the

that he may garment his head." also to anoint

himself,
out

King's
himself head

command in the
the

had

been

carried

Adapa
anointed Anu
"

robed his
:

heavenly
oil. Then

with

and garment he addressed

thus

Anu,
I that in
my

I salute

thee

! but

The
never

must

indeed

forego,
thou shall
memory
me

of godhead privilege shall I forget the

honour

wouldst
I

have

conferred
the

Ever

heart

keep
of
not

words

upon thou

me.

hast
I

spoken,
ever

and

the

retain.

Blame Ea

thy kindness exceedingly,

return."
not

shall I pray

thee.
"

My
even

lord

awaiteth

my
censure

Truly,"
it

said
as

Anu,

"

thy

decision. peace
of

Be
go

thou
"

wilt.

Go,
to

my

son,

and

with And

thee thus

Adapa

returned

the

abode

Ea,

1 20

MYTHS fits in
moreover

OF

BABYLONIA with the

of

AND

ASSYRIA

period
the A
of

when and

the

seats

comparatively advanced the gods were placed

with with
of
to

in
^

skies

merely
animism

gods identified acquaintance superficial and the sky-myths

the would
is the

the the

stars."
nature

primitive
the

and

barbarian that
the

Egyptian, Polynesian, and North American Indian myth the sky itself is directly personalized. Egyptian logical mythoillustration depicts the sky in female form, the sky is the mother for in Egyptian myth and the father of earth the everything. Lang has shown that the sky-father is frequently personalized as a which man races magnified non-natural among We do not that no theological schools. say possess
case.
" "

peoples opposite

lead

us

conclusion

In

the is

arrangement
not
"

of of

Anu,
did
the

Ea,

and

En-lil

into

triad

bit

learned

that and When asked

earth
cast

early animism
the

speculation," but to state first personalizethe sky not

sea

earth Deucalion

and

is rash

in the

the Greek

extreme.

and how human

of

the with
"

gods
the

Pyrrha in they might they race,

their
mother

m^th
to

best
were
"

replenish the
instructed behind

the

bones bones acted

them,
and

and rocks
man

these and

they interpreted as So accordingly.

over

the would

stones

primitive

all the world

have

interpretedthis advice,
the very

for

universally he
walks
to

believes
the of

he his

be
out

great
whose

mother dust and

"

soil upon which which produced

ancestors,

or

clay they
preserves

were

formed, and

who

still nourishes

him.

that Anu was nally origiJastrow proceeds to state definite power of the personificationof some and having everything points to this power nature, heavens. been this the in the Starting from sun
^

Religious Belief in Babylonia

and

Assyria,p,

8i.

122

ISHTAR

point
the

of

view

we

quite
should
an

understand
have

how

the

great
with

illuminer

of heaven

been

identified

heavens

in

devised artificially became

and
^

theological
system
above
that expanse fact the the the in

system,
earth the

just as designation of the

viewed
as

En-lil
earth
a

in
of the

this

region
very with

whole."
was

The

earliest times

Anu

identified the

of the

and sky itself,

'

him

meant

Again,
what

the

other
at
converse one

who The have

rule

symbol used to denote heaven,' is against this supposition. lack of analogy. In theory suffers from mythology is there to be found a sky-god time possessed a solar significance? Some sky-gods might be the case.
the solar

that

attained
over

connexion
of the of
at
a

because

of

their
as

the

entire

expanse
the
we

heavens, just
loss
to

they
and

have
the

attained

power
are

wielding lightning
recall
any

wind.

But of

deity originally the position of a sky-god. later took the Anu of was regarded as head
father
Aruru
must

distinctive

solar

attributes

who

triad
the

and

the

of first thus He

En-lil.

We
man

are

told
the

that

goddess

shaped
have appears
of
a

in
an

attained also

to

image of Anu, who dition. conanthropomorphic have been regarded as

His form
consort
was

the

conqueror

primeval
later

chaos.

Anatu,
Ishtar Ishtar

probably

feminine

of himself.

was

origin
She
was

and the

undoubtedly symbolized the

'

goddess fertilityof
who

of

Semitic
earth. vegetation her cult

the
all

great

mother
It

'

fostered that
of

and

agriculture.
at

is

probable
the
course

originated
and under
^

Erech, and
many

in

centuries itself

nominal

changes
and

dispersed
p. 82,

Religious Beliefin Babylonia

Assyria,

1-3

MYTHS

OF the

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA of
western

throughout
and
that
even a

length
Greece
of

and

breadth

Asia

into

number
may

Anunit,
of
same

have

It is probable Egypt. lesser goddesses, such as Nana and become merged in the conception

and

this

divinity, and
as

that

lesser
may

local

deities her She

of
name

the

character assisted
to

herself swell
as
'

have

taken

and

her
'

reputation.
of
a were

is

quently fre-

addressed indeed
for

mother
'

the
'

name

Ishtar But
at

became these

gods,' and generic designation

later honours.
to

the

goddess.'
cult centred

When

her

Erech,
many

it appears

have
as

speedily blossomed has been said, lesser

themselves
so

out

in

directions, and,
great

cults
of

probably eagerly
the

identified

with in time cult.

to

that her

earth-mother,

that

Babylonian speech were

Ishtar.
to

be

than more a worship became Indeed, wherever people of Semitic the worship of found, there was
or

As

Ashteroth,
that in

Astarte, she
and
cult of

was

known there had shall

of the

Canaanites,
some

Phoenicians,
the
that

Greeks,
of

and

is

likelihood
its

Aphrodite
We Esther identified

also

beginnings

Ishtar. the

she can enquire later whether Scriptures. Astrologicallyshe the planet Venus, but so numerous from surrounding her taken

be
was

with

were

the attributes

other that

which
to

she

had

become
her

identified
real

goddesses with they threatened

was

overshadow the her

character, which
mother. More with

that

of

great

and

fertile

especially
consort

did

identification

Nin-lil, the

of

En-lil, the
nature, of war. love
as

her real alter to storm-god, threaten in this guise she was regarded as a goddess that a goddess of fertility It is seldom or

possessing an are agricultural significance nearly always wargods, but that is because they bring the fertilizing
a

achieves

such

distinction.

Gods

124

f^

"S

THE

DESCENT

OF

ISHTAR

INTO

HADES the

thunder-clouds
arrow

and
But

therefore
Ishtar is

possess

of the

tion Persephone or Isis,and her identificabe regarded as purely accidental. with battle must the conceived in Assyria she was In later times as of the Assyrian pantheon, in of Asshur, head consort war god or goddess who did not breathe a days when of little use to a people like the Assyrians, who were was this circumstance and constantly employed in hostilities, like naturally heightened her reputation as a waracter divinity. But it is at present her originalcharwith
we

spear. class of

or

lightning a goddess specifically

which
so

we

are

occupied, indeed
being
are

in

some

texts

find

that,
and

far from

able made
"

to

protect
the prey

herself,
of
sent to
me

Ishtar
savage

her

property
the
"

the
me

En-lil,
she

forth,"
casts
me

storm-god. often as complains ;

upon
courts, my face. my

His
as

word
comes

it

it

prostrate
and he

The
his

unconsecrated hands forth

foe upon

entered
me,

placed
me

unwashed

caused
me

to

tremble.
fear. He
:

Putting
tore

his robe
my
a

hand and

smote

with wife

clothed

his

therein
upon

he

my stripped off

away

jewels and placed quivering dove upon

from my
a

them
a

his
I I
me case

daughter.
Like
a

Like

beam

sat.

fleeing
my is

bird

cranny

swiftly
caused

passed.
to

From

temple
the

like

bird

they

fly."
appears

Such
to

plaint of Ishtar, who quite helplessbefore the The best myth which
that

in this
enemy.

be

illustrates her

her
to

character

is

which

speaks

of

journey

Aralu,

the

underworld.

The

Descent

of Ishtar

into

Hades its

The
of

137

poem, lines

which in We

in

existing
therein

form appears what

consists
to
was

cuneiform
are

characters,
told

be
the
125

incomplete.

not

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
'

purpose
of

of

the

No-return,'
from the

and

House journeying to the but various we gather from legends the concluding portion of poem
went

goddess

in

itself that

she

thither the

in

search of

of

her The

groom brideportance imlies

Tammuz,
of

sun-god
of

Eridu. and

the the

myth
fact of

Ishtar

Tammuz

partly
Greece

in

by
for

way

that, travelling westwards to Phoenicia, it furnished a work ground-

which endless
of

the of Adonis-Attis myths type, still provide mythologists with for matter mythological significance speculation. The poem

classic

the

and

the

persons

it

mentions the

will

be

dealt

with
status

later ; the of Tammuz

more

theories and than

one

concerning
Ishtar
of them
are

tive primi-

numerous

and

distinct,

plausible
Consideration
till
we

to

call

for

ciently being sufficareful scrutiny. therefore be

of

the

have
some

myth glanced
its

at

itself

and

of

Babylonian principal variants

may the

ferred destory and

analogues.
Tammuz The
and

Ishtar of

myth
and
of

Tammuz 4000
were

is
B.C.

one or

of
even

high antiquity,
earlier.
Both

dating possibly from

Tammuz the
name

Ishtar
the former
'

originally non-Semitic,
derived
'

deity being
son

from

the

Akkadian

Dumu-zi,

of

life,' or

the

only son,'
'

of Dumu-zi-apsu, offspring perhaps a contraction of the spirit of the deep,' as Professor Sayce indicates. The the wateris, of course, spiritof the deep god Ea, and Tammuz apparently typifiesthe sun, though he is not, as will presently be seen, a simple the solar unites in himself deity, but a god who attributes An of various departmental divinities. ancient Akkadian as Shephymn addresses Tammuz
' '

"

126

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA Aralu
we

there
of
to

is little doubt

that

Ishtar The
a

enters

in search
are

youthful husband. deals with consider briefly

her

poem

about

part
into

only

of the

myth
It

"

the thus

story
"

of

Ishtar's
the

descent
of

Aralu. the

opens
of

To

land

No-return,

region

darkness,
ear,
to
even

Ishtar, the
Ishtar, the
of

daughter of Sin, turned daughter of Sin, turned her

goes
never no

her
ear,

the

abode

darkness, the
enterer

dwelling of Irkalla, to
not

the

house

whose the

forth,
to

to

the the

road house where

whence whose dust

wayfarer
see

returns,

inhabitants
is their

light, to
their

the mud

region
;

bread

and

food

they

see

no

light,they
birds, in
bolt hath
a

dwell

in darkness,

they
The

are

clothed, like the

the door and the in who contained
man

garment
the

of feathers.

On

dust
a

fallen."

moral

this passage the enters he

is doomed

is

dread
to

for mortal gloomy one precincts of Aralu remain for mud lies
ever

;
not

he

goes in the

forth,

enveloping
The
and
tion men-

darkness, his
of strikes
a

sustenance

and
"

dust. door

the

dust

which

on

bolt

"

peculiarlybleak and dreary note ; like other the ancient Babylonians painted the primitive races world other not as a or place of reward definitely reflection of the punishment, but rather as a weak and earth-world, a region of darkness passive misery have offered which must a singularly uninviting being. The garment prospect to a vigorous human is somewhat should the of feathers puzzling. Why
dead that with dress follow similar
wear a

garment

of

feathers
some

Unless
of

it

be

the the
of

sun-god, identified in into eagle, descends

feathers, and
must

his

aspects
in who in
a

the

underworld mortals

that in

therefore the nether

him

appear The

regions
of

guise.

descriptionabove
tallies with that

Babylonian
12S

Hades

quoted given in

the

dream

AT
to

THE

GATES

OF

ARALU

Eabani

epic, tablet
At the Gates

by the VII).
of Aralu
to

temple-maiden

Ukhut

(Gilgamesh

Coming menacing
door and admitted endeavours
announce

the

gate
and

of

Aralu,
to

Ishtar break

assumes

aspect,
shatter

threatens and

down be

the
not

its bolts The the

to

bars

if she

straightway.
to

soothe presence

her

keeper of the gate irate deity, and to goes Eresh-ki-gal (Allatu), the
words it would in
search

mistress that
waters
muz

of Hades.

From

hi?

Ishtar
of
to

has

journeyed
to

thither
restore

appear of the Tamsister's

wherewith life, Allatu

a

her husband
news

life. with

receives

the

of

her

advent the

bitter tirade, but admit

nevertheless he

instructs
to

keeper
on

to

her, which
the sombre
at

proceeds
is

do.

Ishtar
to

pass

entering through seven

of in
some

domains each
or

obliged
she
is

gates,
of

of which adornment
custom

relieved

article

dress the

dently (eviof

accordance
at

with she

ancient

Aralu),
the
crown

till

last the head

stands takes the

entirely
from, her second
;
at
"

unclad. the

At

first gate of her

;
at

keeper
"

at

her

mighty earrings are

fourth the her

taken
ornaments

the
of

third her
sixth

her

necklace
;
at

the

breast

the
;

fifth and
at

jewelled
not

girdle ;
the

at

the

her bracelets

the seventh

cincture these

of her
save

body.

The

goddess
but the

does

part
of the

with

under

protest,

keeper
"

all her querieswith the words : gate answers 0 lady, it is the command The of Allatu."

Enter,
divine
of

wayfarer
the the head
to

at

length
who

underworld,
foot

appears shows

before
her
scant

the

goddess
her

courtesy,
smite

ding bidfrom

plague-demon,
with disease head.

Namtar,
"

^in her

eyes,

side, feet,
129

heart,

and

MYTHS

OF the time

BABYLONIA that

AND

ASSYRIA

During
bounds

Ishtar

is confined

within
is

the

suspended, and vegetable kingdoms. both in the animal ledge Knowof affairs is conveyed to of this disastrous state the first Pap-sukal, who gods by their messenger, tells the story to Shamash, the sun-god. Shamash
weeps
as

of Aralu

all

on fertility

the

earth

he

bears and

the the

matter
moon

before

Ea

and but
a

Sin, Ea,
the

gods of the to remedy

called underworld
is

earth the

respectively ;
earth,
he release
of
creates

of sterility

the

being
to

Ashushu-namir,
to

whom the

dispatches
Ishtar. is
curses

demand when

Allatu
"

greatly enraged
name

the

demand and

made

in

the namir dwell of

of with

the
a

great
of

gods,"
curse,
a

Ashushu-

terrible

in the

darkness
for

to condemning him dungeon, with the garbage

the

city
the

his of

food. the

Nevertheless

she

cannot

resist

she conjuration, wherefore bids plague-demon, release the Annunaki, and a or on earth-spirits, golden throne, place them power Namtar, the and
pour

the

waters

of of

life the

over

Ishtar. he
"

Namtar
smote

obeys ; in the words firmly-built palace, he

bore earth
up
come over

poem

the which

shattered

the bade
of

threshold the did

the

stones

of
on
a

light,he
throne

spiritsof
he
seat

forth,
Ishtar her

gold
waters

them,

he

poured
Ishtar

the

of life and

brought
seven

along."
of

is then
at

led each been

through
the

the

gates
attire she

Arula, receiving
she had into
course.

article

of

whereof
emerges

there the Then

deprived.
which lines
a

Finally
resumes

earth-world,
follow the
"

its normal
to

few

addressed
or

Ishtar, perhaps by
the that
for
over

by

the
not

hath

keeper of given thee

to

gates.
for

plague-demon If she (Allatu)

the the
ransom

which

is

paid her, return of thy youth.

130

her

Tammuz,
him

bridegroom
waters

Pour

pure

and

ISHTAR

AND
on

PERSEPHONE
a

precious oil. of crystal on of joy) enter

with Hades revive
not

Put
his the

him

hand. liver.

Let ..."
that the

purple robe, and a ring Samkhat (the goddess

These
Ishtar
waters

lines

indicate into thus does

sufficient in order her

clearness
to

descended
of life and

obtain

bridegroom
whether
left
to
or

Tammuz.
her

The errand
was was.

poem

relate
we are a

not

successful,
There still
tinuing con-

but

conjecture
of

that

it

remain

few

lines

the

poem,

not,

however,
of of the
"

the

addressed,
Mention
men

narrative, but forming a sort it may be, to the hearers

in this

epilogue,
tale.

is made

portion

of mourners,

wailing
and the
the

of a wailing women," burning of incense, evidently

and

funeral in

pyre of honour

god

Tammuz.

Ishtar

and

Pei-sephone
been indicated furnished classic Greece

As and

has

Ishtar of

already,the myth the groundwork

and Rome.
of

of Tammuz
for

certain

myths
Astarte in time
a

The

Phoenician

(Ashtoreth), a development
the

Aphrodite
in the the Tammuz
from

of

the

Ishtar, became Greeks, a deity who

to

plays
of itself

part
in

Adonis

legend analogous
story.
The lord
name

that

Ishtar
is

Adonis word

derived
the

Adoni

('my

'),the

with hailed

which
the the

Phoenician

perhaps
Tammuz,
while
the

setting sun. most nearly

its chief those of

worshippers of Tammuz The of Adonis myth

related
of
are

is of

any

to

that

since

characters in
the

counterparts
tale

acknowledged Babylonian legend,

into
Hades
or

of Ishtar's

descent
the

may

be

regarded as a sequel to to an early Babylonian

outlined,
the fruit
the of
an

Greek

story,
thereof.
:

rather

variant
as

Briefly
was

story

runs

follows

Adonis the

unnatural

union
12

between

Syrian
131

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
his

AND

ASSYRIA

king
Theias

Theias

life for her into

Smyrna (Myrrha). pursued the princess,intending to take her the crime, but the pity of the gods turned
a

and

daughter

tree

from

which,

at

the
a

end boar

of

ten

months,
open

Adonis

was

born. with
see

It is said that its tusk, and thus

rent

the

tree-trunk infant the

to

enabled

the

divine with
care

the

light. Aphrodite,
child,
was so

charmed the her

up.

beauty of the Persephone, who

that she afterwards

gave

him

into of him

of

enamoured
to

charge
The

refused

give

goddesses appealed to Zeus, who decreed that Adonis of each year should with Aphrodite spend six months six with and Persephone in the underworld ; or, version, four months to according to another were be passed with Aphrodite and four with Persephone, the be while his own to at remaining four were afterwards slain by a boar sent disposal. He was (herself, by the way, a by Artemis against him be remarked that development of Ishtar). It may Aphrodite, who figures,like Ishtar, as the goddess of with the love and beauty, is also closelyassociated she was identified nether regions, perhaps because with the Babylonian goddess in her journey to Hades
in search Akin
to

of her

spouse. Adonis is the

one

god
of

Attis, who

likewise,

according
a

to

version his death

his

myth,

is
a

boar.
from

After his the

he

becomes

by pine-tree,
beloved his
timely un-

slain

and
of

blood

Cybele,
end. In the

spring. He is mother-goddess, who laments

violets

of some legend there is evidence here overlapping. Persephone, or Proserpine, who corresponds to the Allatu of the Babylonian variant, well-known myth as the prototype figures in another
of
132

Adonis

Tammuz.

When

she

is carried

off

to

the

nether-

ISHTAR world
corn

AND

PERSEPHONE

by Pluto,
to

her

mother,
her
of

Ceres, will
remains
her

not
a

suffer

the

Like

grow Ishtar seeks

while in

daughter
with

prisoner.
mother-

search

spouse,

the and

goddess

her

child

weeping
pass dark

tation. lamen-

Through the eating of a Proserpine is finally obliged to

months
consort.

pomegranate
four

seed,

(or six)
as

of

every

year

with

her

captor,
with

his

Another
of

myth
and the

which Ishtar

has

affinities

the

tale

Tammuz with

is the
of

deals slain

quest

Isis.

which Egyptian one The god Osiris is

of

through the machinations (who, being identified elsewhere

the

his
a

brother black

Set

with and

recalls his

boar

which in
a

slew

Adonis
cast

hog, Attis), and

the Nile. the
waves,
tree.

body,
round

enclosed
the

chest, is
thrown

into

Afterwards and

chest

is

up
a

by

it

springs miraculously
and

tamarisk

Meanwhile hither due

from

Isis, wife
thither she finds.

sister
of his

to

and time her

in search

Osiris, travels in remains, which

chest the is stolen

However,
into

the
therefrom

by Set, who, taking

the
corpse

Osiris,
he

tears

fourteen the found

body of pieces, which

land. all the Isis
still

scatters

broadcast

through
has

pursues

her

quest,
them.

till she

portions
certain the

and

buried

These ritualistic

tales

mythical correlates bring practices designed to

were

the

of

about

change

of

seasons,

and

other

natural The

phenomena,
burden
of of

by
a

means

of

sympathetic
the

magic.

great
;

duty
with

man

falls upon his rites and universe the

shoulders

primitive
arts

spellsand
in
its
course.

magic
His
of the
even

he

must

assist

the

esoteric
are

plays, typifying
to necessary charms and
ensure

mysterious fact the sprouting of

are

growth,
corn

his the
133

incantations

essential

for

MYTHS

OF the
season sun

BABYLONIA
;

AND

ASSYRIA of its

rising of
that
one

lacking
an

the

shall

follow

guarantee another in

science proper

order,

he

goes

revival of and symbolizing the be the natural order believing that only thus can force of maintained. the Through sympathetic his puny efforts related the mighty to magic he sees results which follow them.

through decay

elaborate

performance vegetation,

This, then, is the origin of the ritual of the Tammuz festival,which conceivably have had an existence may

prior to
of

that death
or

of

the

myth

itself.
of

The the
a

representation
god,
festival whether seasonal

the

and

resurrection

in

myth
the

ritual, had
the

undoubtedly
date of In his

nifican sigvaried

wherefore in different

Babylonia it was celebrated in June, thus showing that the deity slain by the fierce heat of the sun, was burning up all the springtide vegetation. Ishtar's sojourn in
Hades In would and
as

localities.

thus
more

occupy

the

arid

months winter An is that

of

summer.

other

temperate
enemy Tammuz

climes

would

be

regarded
account

the the

of Tammuz. festival

interesting

of

given by
century,

an

Arabic

writing in the tenth in his quoted by Sir James Frazer Tammuz of (July). In the middle
"

author

and

Golden this the

Bough.
month is

the
women,

festival and

of

el-Bugat,
is the
of

that Ta-uz

is, of
Ta-uz. slew then him

weeping
is
women

this

festival, which
The
so

celebrated bewail

in honour because bones The has in

a

the

god

him,
his wind. which
to

his

lord

cruelly,
them

ground
to

mill, and

scattered this
a

the

women

(during
ground
The the in
sweet

festival)eat
limit

nothing
their

been

mill, but vetches,

for of

diet

steeped wheat,
like."

dates,
Of

raisins,and
was

the

material

this

tion descrip-

furnished

by

Syrians

Harran.

134

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND called

ASSYRIA

river down

Nahr
from

Ibrahim the

(formerly
of
saw

Adonis)
the red

bore earth

mountains

Lebanon of the

in which

the boxes

devout
of

the blood

slain Adonis.

myrrh were employed at the Adonia sacrificed. festival,incense was burned, and pigs were sacrificed also to cult, as Osiris, whose Pigs were
has been

Golden

shown,
and

had

much The the

in

common

with
was

that

of

Tammuz

Adonis. into this

as

Egyptian god
of
a

cast

by
may

his be

enemies
that

waters too

the

Nile

and

it

myth
a

had
to

ritualistic

part, counter-

designed
It has
of

charm

been

indicated Ishtar's The

the

and
serve

myth of divergent.
each
to

produce rain. already that the elucidations are journey to Aralu many
above enumerated
from
a

variants

cast

light

on

the

other, and
in

comparison of these we a satisfactory conclusion.

it
must

may

succeed To

arriving at begin with, however,

the cult of
any

be

remembered
a

that

when

deity has reached to assign to

to

say for he

that
may any
to

he

advanced fairly sible stage it is imposhim one department of nature, any is a sun-god, a rain-god,a corn-god, the attributes of all of these. In

possess

giving

god

striving

characteristics

are departmental designation we his primitive or predominant express merely. a

An A

Allegorical Interpfetation of the Myth

truly allegorical elucidation

descent into
of

of

Ishtar's
as

Hades

would

myth of depict Ishtar,

the

seeking in the underworld fertility, for her husband, the sun-god, slain by the icy breath of winter. During her sojourn in the nether regions all fertility the earth, to be resumed ceases on only when she the joyful bride of the springreturns as tide surrender The of her clothing and jewels sun.
the

goddess

136

The

Mother-goddess
Evelyn
Paul

Ishtar

136

AN
at

ALLEGORICAL
seven

INTERPRETATION
of
on

the

gates

Aralu the

represents

the

decay
of

of

vegetation
her
return.

earth, and

the

gradual resumption
verdure

her

garments
mark
with

the

growing
Another

beauty
of
as

and

which Ishtar
Ea

hypothesis identifies
the
consort

Dawkina,
mother this
to

goddess
as

earth, wife
of Tammuz.
not

of

and

therefore

well
Ishtar

According of fertility
of

view
but

represents
earth and

the

the

earth,
of

the

itself,deprived

its

adornments
of
summer.

flowers
or

approach
heat she of

winter,
The

leafage by the variously, by the burning

of

waters

life, with

which

the her restores husband,^ are sprinkles and the give to sun-god his revivifying rains which youthful vigour and glory. Against this view it has there been urged {e.g.by Sir James Frazer) that is nothing in the within the sun's annual course that and he is to tropical zones temperate suggest
"

dead
the

for other

half

or or

third

of

the

year,

and

alive

for

half

two-

thirds."

Alternatively it is a god of vegetation, The role. slaying of

Ishtar each would
thus

suggested
and Tammuz that and
two

that

Tammuz doubles

is the

Ishtar
the

represent

journey of distinct myths,

revival in be recalled become
some

typifying the decay and of vegetation. Other instances which two myths of the same
fused
elements
most

subsequent
may

class

have

into
of

one.

This

view,
not to

then,

presents
Tammuz
a

probability;
variants
appear the Ishtar

only
possess

but

of

his

vegetable
to

while significance,
on

the

same

lines.

is open type Thus Adonis from

pretation interciated asso-

is trunk

with
was

the
and

myrrh-tree,
with
his the with

whose

he

born,
^

Osiris

tamarisk, used
Attis
See p.
1

in the his

ritual

connected
Elsewhere

cult, while
sprinkled.

after
30.

Ishtar herself is

137

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
a

AND

ASSYRIA himself
of
to
a was

death,

became
of
as

pine-tree.

Tammuz
the r midst

conceived

dwelling
roots

in

great
world, under-

world-tree, whose
while This the One
tree

extended reached been had

us an

down
to

the

its

branches
to

the

heavens.

appears which

have

the

cedar, for which

ancient
feature

Babylonians
leads
male

this class, both is their

is

and

especial reverence. to identify the deities of female, with gods of vegetation

with
reason,

association with
much

the
as

moon.
a a

Osiris

regarded,
one a

and

moon-god
lunar

in

of

her

while
to

like

Aphrodite significance belongs

aspects
Ashtoreth. identified
was a

is
to

deity, Proserpine and

herself, it is
moon,

the

Phoenician

Ishtar with
the

was never true, in Babylonia

which she
was

male
as

associated

with

him

divinity; yet his daughter.

Among

is believed exercise a to primitive peoples the moon powerful influence on vegetation, and indeed on all of growth and productivity. The association manner for him of a god with the moon therefore also argues connexion with a vegetation and fertility.It may be remarked, lunar in passing, that a significance has been authorities the story attached to by some of Ishtar's descent into Hades, and to kindred myths. It is held that the sojourn of the goddess in Aralu lunar eclipse, a or typifies perhaps the period between and the appearance of the waning of the old moon the new. But, as has been said, the ancient lonians Babyin the luminary of night a male saw deity, so that lunar characteristics pertaining to Ishtar any be regarded as of merely secondary importance. must

Ishtar, Tammuz,
If it be
are

and

Vegetation
that
is

granted, then,
of

Ishtar

and

Tammuz
to

deities

vegetation,it

still further possible

138

ISHTAR,
narrow

TAMMUZ,

AND

VEGETATION

sphere by associating them particularly with the corn. Adonis and Aphrodite are connected forbids the with the growth of the crops. Ceres, who of to corn spring while her daughter is in the realm Pluto, is undoubtedly a corn-mother, and Proserpine Osiris was nature. evidently partakes of the same introduced the into Egypt. culture-deity who corn A in the representation of him temple of Isis at Philas of his dead growing out depicts corn-stalks the body of Osiris (the grain) is torn to body pieces, the scattered through the land, and pieces buried the corn (or planted) in the earth, when sprouts from it. Tammuz himself Moreover, was cruelly ground his bones in a disposed of by his lord, who the wind them to miU, and then scattered plainly
"

their

"

"

"

type

of

the writer

treatment

meted that
that

out

to
was

the

corn.

An

Arabic

relates

Tammuz
he

cruelly
came

killed
life

several

times, but

always

to

recalls Robert Burns' again, a story which John Barleycorn, itself perhaps based on mythical matter. these May not on examples suggest an elucidation animistic
to cut

lines

Deities

of the

Tammuz and

type

appear
more
"

symbolize
down,

the

corn-grain
and

nothing
in the

bruised

beaten, buried

and
are

life. Who, finally springing to renewed the goddesses, likewise identified with the seek

earth, then,
corn,
deavouring en-

who

in

the

underworld
tears to not
ransom

for

lover the

or corn

child,
from

with dark
earth ?

the

primitive corn-spirits, the indwelling animistic of the standing grain, spirits the doomed wander harvest at to disconsolately through the earth till the sprouting of the corn once ? more an gives them opportunity to materialize The stories of the and mutilation dispersion of
they
the

Are

the

bodies

of

Tammuz

and

Osiris, and

of

the

many
139

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA former

AND furnish
a

ASSYRIA basis
for

deaths another

of

the

god,
of

yet
Sir

explanation
Frazer

the'

Tammuz the

myth.

James
'

Lamentations
not to

intended but
at

theory that the of the ancient Babylonians were for mourning for the decay of vegetation, bewail the cruel treatment of the grain
'

brings

forward

harvest-time,
of

and

cites

in

this

connexion

the

told, was are John Barleycorn, which, we based an on early English poem, probably itself of mythological origin. It the of most is, however, likely that myth Tammuz and Ishtar is of a as composite nature, has already been indicated. Possibly a myth of the sun-god and earth-goddess has been superimposed the on early groundwork of the corn-spirit seeking It would the that Ishtar in corn. certainly seem her descent into Aralu typified the earth, shorn of her covering of vegetation. Then she might in time the to come symbolize the vegetation itself, or which gain new fertility produced it, and so would attributes, and
new

ballad

elements

would

enter

into her
as

the
a

myths concerning her. Only by regarding an composite deity is it possible to reach

of the

standing under-

principlesunderlying

these

myths.

Ishtar

and

Esther

We

have
of

already questioned
is in
some

whether

the

Scripture
with

story
the

Esther

manner

connected the

Writing goddess Ishtar. of Purim, Sir James Frazer From vol. iii,p. 153) : the
"

of
says

Jewish feast {Golden Bough,

of

absence
of

all notice
we

of

Purim

in

the

older

books

the

Bible,

may

instituted | or the festival that was fairly conclude the imported at a comparatively late date among conclusion is supported by the same Jews. The
140

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

for
to

the

royal

honours

which and had he

he

had

looked
was

for

fell
on

his rival

Mordecai,
which he

himself

hanged

ready for his foe. detect a reminiscence, more In this story we to seem less confused, of the or Zoganes of the Sacaea, in of investing a other words, of the custom private the insignia of royalty for a few with man days, and death the then to on gallows or the putting him
the

gallows

made

cross.
"

A
a

strong

confirmation

of of
now

this view the

names

is furnished
of the four

by

analysis philological
It
seems

generallyrecognised scholars that the name Mordecai, which has no meaning in Hebrew, is nothing but a slightly form of Marduk of altered or Merodach, the name the chief god of Babylon, whose great festival was and the Zakmuk further, it is generally admitted ; is equivalent to Ishtar, Esther in like manner that Greeks the the Babylonian goddess whom great called Astarte, and who is more familiar to English
personages. by Biblical
to

be

readers of Haman

as

Ashtaroth.

The

derivation

of

the
some

names

and
are

Vashti

is less certain, but

high

authorities that the is in Haman national like whose

disposed to
is identical

accept

the

view
or

of

Jensen
Vashti
a

with

Humman and

Homman,
that

god
name

of
an

the

Elamites,
in

manner

Elamite

deity, probably

dess god-

appears

inscriptions."

Lang

on

the Esther

Story
his

this theory, Lang in on Commenting The and name Religion (p. i6i) says :
"

Magic
is

Mordecai

resembles

Marduk,
the

Esther Elamite

is like

Ishtar, Haman
there is
'

like Humman,
name

god,
as

and

divine

and
142

read inscriptions, of an probably the name in the

resembling Vashti,' Elamite goddess. Thus

LANG the human

ON

THE

ESTHER

STORY
are

characters and

in Esther
Elamite

in

perilof
But,
that

ing merg-

in should
decai the the

Babylonian
occur,
was we

gods.
to

lest that Morof

ought
name

also
of

remember real

the

real

historical

Jew

Captivity,one
return

of

the
to

from
to

exile be

companions Jerusalem.
ciown-name

of Nehemiah

in

Again,
of the
'

Esther

to me appears wife of Xerxes,

the

Jewish
conceals
'

in the In

Book

of

Esther

Hadassah,
is

that
her
mere

is Esther.'

the

Biblical

story
says

she

Jewish
said
to

descent.
of
*

Hadassah,
the writer
of

Noldeke,

no

invention
mean

Esther.' and
to

Hadassah still
an

is

myrtle bough,'
appears
a

girls are
have been

called assumed
if
a

Myrtle.
name,

Esther after

real
we
or
'

historical know in has

to

royal mixed Jew might be

be the
of
case,
a

marriage.
named

Now

Mordecai,
whether

which in

Jewess,

fact,

this
of

Book

Jastrow, be styled
an

course

Esther.
. . .

Esther, which, says Dr. historical basis,' might some be, as it is, But, if Mordecai
real the
a

historical
may

name

of

be, and Jewess might bear, it

Esther

Jew of probably is,

is
not
an as a

period, while
which that Vashti Yet
a

name

ascertained Elamite

really
Vashti

is
is

the

name

of

goddess.
to
'

quite
'

essential

goddess
says,

Mr.

Frazer's
names

argument.
of

The

derivation,' he
to

of the
some

Haman

and
are

Vashti

is less certain, but

authorities that the Haman national

disposed
is identical

accept

the

view
or

with

Humman and

high of Jensen Homman,

Vashti
a

god
an name

of

the

Elamites,
in

that

is in like

manner

Elamite

deity, probably
"

dess godthese

whose
It
names

is

thus

seen

appears that
an

make

such
Frazer
to

inscriptions.' facts the regarding explanation as is advanced

a

by dying
H3

James according

Sir

rather

hazardous

one.

Haman,
the

his

theory,

would

represent

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

god,
risen

whilst
of

Mordecai

would

play

the

part

of

the

re-

god vegetation. Lang puts forward a is that that Haman Humman theory, and or a conquering god of the Elamites, which for him having been whipped and hanged in
This Humman
of
was,

counterwas

accounts

derision. Elamite

he

thinks, possibly an

god

vegetation.

Nin^Gifsu Girsu
name was
a

part
means

of

the
'

city
of
a

of

Lagash,
one

and

the
quently fre-

Nin-Girsu had

Lord

Girsu.'

Gods

lordship over
instances ruled called
the of
over

best-known

city quarter, this being that

that

of the

of

Huitzi-

lopochtli,who
Tenochtitlan,
its
name

part

of

the

city

of

Mexico,
entire

which

afterwards Girsu

gave

to

community.

had

been a city itself and had become originally merged into Lagash, so its god was probably of ancient is frequently alluded the to as origin. Nin-Girsu broke ^he who warrior of Bel through the hostile ranks aid the worshippers of the great god of the to combatant Like netherworld. ever, deities, howmany local agriculture, and he presided over in this he was known of the connexion as Shul-gur, Lord identified with Tammuz. corn heaps.' He is even
' '
"

'

Bau

In

ancient and

Urbau,
to
as

especiallythose inscriptions, Uru-kagina, the goddess Bau

mother She
to

of

Gudea,
the
of

is alluded
restores

the
to

great
health.
seems

of is

mankind,
called the
'

who chief
of
a

sick

daughter
fate
to to to
some

Anu,'
extent.

and

play
an was

part

She

has

also

agricultural
that she
"

side

her

character. and
144

Gudea left it
on

especiallydevoted

her,
with

has

record

filled him

NANNAR

eloquence." Her temple as quarter of Lagash, and

she
contact

was

the

a Uru-Azagga, bourhood goddess of that neigh-

at

would,
and
was

of

course,

have she

come

into

close
of
as

with
consort,

Nin-Girsu. when

Indeed

is

spoken

his

Uru-Azagga
as
'

became

part

of of

Lagash,
that

Bau and

promoted
designated
with and

tutelar Mother
the

goddess
of

city
has

Lagash.'
watery
has
name

She

been

identified

primeval
between word the
to

depths, the primitive chaos,

been Bau but founded and the
on

this identification the for

*

the

Hebrew

similarity bohu^ the

chaos,'

proof is wanting to support of her seems closely allied form has a goddess who probably a Bau, and who certainly is in some
with
water
"

common

conjecture. A be Ga-tum-dug, origin with

connected

manner

perhaps

with

the

clouds.

Nannar

Nannar
came

was

the and

moon-god
with
that

of

Ur, the
he
"

city
is

whence

Abram,
as was was

place only

was

connected
to

much Ur

Shamash but have

say.
not

with his

Sippar
centre

that

say,

his chief he
came

of adoration.
at

Why
be
so

to to

his

seat principal
name

Ur

it would
'

difficult
it may upon

The
a

Ur

signifies light,'
to

be

that
the

shrine
of

dedicated

Nannar

existed

site

this

its nucleus.

In
the this
to

regarded
to
race see

as

how
prone

Babylonian offspring of conception

astronomical method
of

city and mythology

moon,

constituted
the
sun
was

the
arose

and
the

in

it is easy of a minds

study.

In

all

tions civiliza-

the the
more

lunar The

computing

time

precedes

solar.

more

are regarded as phases of the moon the than trustworthy and more easily followed obscure fore changes of the brighter luminary, thereattached to a greater degree of importance was
K

145

MYTHS

OF in very

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

The early times than to the sun. is usually represented on moon Babylonian cylinders his head and as bearing a crescent wearing a upon described of the colour of as long, flowing beard the
moon

lapis-lazulimuch
"

the

same

shade

as

his beams
was

sess pos-

in alluded horn

warmer

latitudes.
'

Nannar
of

frequently
of

to

as

the
moon

heifer

Anu,'
a

because certain

the

which

the

displays at
to

phase.
in

Many upkeep

monarchs and

appear and

have
his

restoration

of

delighted temple, among

the them

Nur-Ramman

Sin-iddina.

Nannat*

in
as

Decay

But,
to

happens
with
of
some

to

many

gods,
"

Nannar
was even

became alluded monarch Ctesias

cerning con-

confounded
as a

satrap
"

earthly hero Babylonia under the

unknown
a

Median

Artaios hands

personage
to
as us

to

history.

down him

very
^

circumstantial

tale

follows
a

"

There the

was

Persian the

of

the of

name

of

Parsondes,
an

in

service and

of
an

king

the
on

Medes,
foot in and

eager

huntsman, chariot, distinguished in

and of influence with

active

warrior council

and
the

in the

field,
often in

the him who

king.
satrap
wore

Parsondes
of

urged
the and

king to make place of Nannaros,

the ornaments, but the
not

Babylon

women's

clothes

aside, for it could

the

king always put the petition be granted without breaking

had intentions made
of
to

promise
sought
who

which

his

ancestor

Nannaros and take cooks

^

discovered
to
secure

the

Belesys. Parsondes,
and
to to

himself

against them,
great
of the rewards

vengeance.
were

He in
from

promised
the

the

train

king,

if

they

Translation

Prof.

Sayce's Hibbert

Lectures,p. 157.

146

NANNAR

IN

DECAY and of

succeeded One
far

in

seizing king.

Parsondes
the heat

giving
the chase

him

up.

day,
from

Parsondes the

in

strayed
many carried the the for

He the

boars
him
to

and
a

deer, when

killed ahxady pursuit of a wild ass

had

cooks,

At last he came distance. great upon who occupied in preparations for were

king's
wine
;

table.

Being
gave

thirsty,
care an

Parsondes
of his

asked

they
him
to

it, took
food
"

horse, and

vited in-

take
had

Parsondes,
He
to

who them and

of

been
the
ass own

bade
the

send

agreeable to hunting the whole day. he had which captured

servants

invitation

king,
he
ate

tell his the

where
of

he
set

was.

Then

various

kinds
of

food

before

him,
and the
at

and
last

drank asked
But

abundantly
for his

the

excellent
to return
women

wine,
to to

horse

in

order

king.
and and
he

they
him
soon

brought
to

beautiful
for the

him,
and bound

urged
as

remain
overcome

agreed,

as,

love,
him

had

fallen

into
him

night. He by hunting, wine, deep sleep,the cooks

Nannaros.
an

and

brought
to

to

Nannaros effeminate
he

reproached
man,

Parsondes

with obtain

calling him
his

and
to not

seeking
that

satrapy
to

had
ancestors

the

king
had that

thank been

the

satrapy
from

granted
him.

his

taken

Parsondes

replied
office,
to

he

considered he
But
was more

himself

more

worthy
and
more

of the useful

because

manly
swore

the that

king.
called and bathe
on

Nannaros should

by
and
was over

Bel whiter

and

Mylitta
a

Parsondes

be softer who

than
female

woman,

for the

eunuch shave him

the of

players,
and clothes

bade and

him

the

anoint

him,

plait

his

every hair after

body day,
the

Parsondes
women's of the
women

put
manner

women,

paint his face, and played the guitar

arts.

place
and

him

among

who
their and
147

This

was

done,

that he might sang, and Parsondes soon

K 2

learn

played

MYTHS sang
women.

OF
at

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

better

the

table the

of Nannaros

than

any

of the

Meanwhile search since be

he
to

caused and could

some

be

made nowhere

king of the everywhere for

be
he

Medes Parsondes

had
;

could of

found, and
that him
a

nothing
lion
or

heard wild

him,

believed killed loss. in

to

other and
seven

animal

had
for

when

out

hunting,
lived
for

lamented
as

his
woman

Parsondes

had when and

Nannaros

years caused a

eunuch

be

Babylon, scourged

This eunuch Parsondes duced ingrievously maltreated. tell and by large presents to retire to Media which had him. the come king the misfortune upon Then the king sent Nannaros a commanding message Nannaros declared that he to give up Parsondes. him. But the second had a never seen king sent
messenger, he did

with
not

orders

to

put
the

Nannaros

to

death
tained enter-

if

surrender
messenger

Parsondes. of

Nannaros
;

the

king

and

when

the
some

meal

brought, 150 women played the guitar, while

was

entered,
others blew

of whom

the

flute. the

At

the
envoy

end

of

the of

meal,
all the

Nannaros
women
was

asked the
envoy

king's
ful beautito

which and had

most

played
Nannaros whom
next

best.

The

pointed
'

Parsondes. is the person the who on

to at

laughed long
you

seek,' and
returned

said, That released Parsondes,

with the
envoy

and

day

home

the
the

such order

The astonished king in a chariot. king was sight of him, and asked why he had not avoided Parsondes In answered, disgrace by death. that I might see again and by you execute you
'

vengeance

on

Nannaros,
my

which life.'

could The

never

have

been him

mine
that
to

had his

I taken

king promised
soon as

hope

should But

be when
on

realized, as
he the
came

he

came

Babylon.

there, Nannaros
that

defended 148

himself

ground

Parsondes,

ARALU

OR

ERES'KLGAL

though in no way injured by him, had maligned him, the and Babylonia. over sought to obtain satrapy himself The king pointed out that he had made judge had and in his own imposed a punishment cause, of a degrading character days he would ; in ten nounce prohim his for In terror, conduct. judgment upon hastened of Nannaros to Mitraphernes, the eunuch with the influence king, and promised him greatest liberal rewards, lo talents of gold and the most loo of silver, lo silver bowls, if talents golden and 200 his life and the king to spare induce he could retain He of Babylonia. him in the satrapy was prepared talents of to give the king 100 talents of gold, 1000 silver, 100 golden and 300 silver bowls, and costly also should receive robes, with other gifts; Parsondes After of silver and talents 100 costly robes. many the to entreaties, Mitraphernes persuaded king not
order
the

execution but
was

of
to

Nannaros,
exact

as

he

had

not

killed Parsondes, which the the be

for
to

from

him

the

sation compen-

he

king.
feet of
man

Nannaros the who

of

prepared to pay Parsondes himself in gratitude threw

;

and
at

king gold

but

Parsondes

said,
among
a

'

Cursed
men

the the the

first
I
"

brought gold
have been
made

sake

mockery

Babylonians.' what the It is impossible to mythological say this in tale hidden portend. We meaning may tunate unforthe moon-god have an attempting to feminize
enemy. Does this of ?
mean

that

Parsondes
"

came

under he

the

influence
a

the

moon-god

that

is, that

became

lunatic

Aralu,
The

or

Eres'ki'Gal
of

deities
are

the
of

underworld,
later

of

the

region
those

of of

the
the
149

dead,

usually

origin

than

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
are

AND

ASSYRIA

heavens.^ and
*

They
of

discredited shades
are

cold

frequently the gods of an older are religion, and relegated to the dwelling there just as opposition,'
'

the

dead

supposed
regarding
texts at
once

to

dwell

'

in

the
was

grave.

legend
among goes

exists other

Aralu

which

discovered The

Tel-el-Amarna.
gave
a

story

that

the

gods
to

feast
same

to

which that

invited
were

Aralu, apologizingat
go

the her

time

they they
that

unable could
not

down
to
a

to

and

regretting

she

ascend
to

them.

In their dilemma
to

they

requested her
viands the which

send
to

fell and
up
to

messenger her share.

She

bring to her the complied with

arrived all the his mistress's

request,
stood
"

whendo

the him

messenger

gods
sake

honour

for

Nergal. The acquainted messenger with this slight,and Aralu greatly enraged she sent back him to the dwelling of the gods to ask that the that so delinquent might be delivered into her hands The discussion she might slay him. gods after some
all
save

requested
offended
envoy

the the

messenger

to

take and

back in

him order

who
that

had the

dark the

goddess,
more

him, all the easily discover gathered together. But Nergal remained gods were in the was discovered, background. His absence however, and he was despatched to the gloomy realm

might

of

Aralu.

But

he

had the

no

mind

to

taste

death.

Indeed

Aralu

found the
to

tables

turned,
from She her
a

for

Nergal,
throne

seizing her
and be allowed

by prepared
to

hair, dragged her

cut

her

off her and

head.

speak,
offered with the

upon
as

begged to being request

to

granted,

she

herself

wife
over

her which

queror, con-

along
1

dominions
must not

she
the first

These
of
are

deities of the underworld

be

confounded

with

gods
group 150

the

abyss referred
of the

to

at

great second

gods

dead,

the

The length in Chapter II. gods of the primeval waters.

DAGON held
sway.

Nergal
wed.
is the
at
sun

assented

to

her

proposals
the

and

they were Nergal

underworld character and hero
the

which

passes
as

through
the powers
to
one

gloomy
in
of the this

night just
has
to

does

Osiris, and
find
of the

he grave.

conquer

death
sun-

It is rare,

however,
to

allying himself although powers,

Vuh
one

by marriage
in the the

infernal

Central

American

Popol
weds
the

of

the

explorersto
of its is forced

underworld

daughter of one the corn-goddess,

the

overlords, and
to

Persephone,
the
spouse of

become

lord

of Hades.

Dagon

Dagon,
Oannes,
Erech Palestine themselves. Palestine
a

alluded

and

like Scriptures, was, being worshipped in fish-god. Besides its neighbourhood, he adored in was
to

in

the

and
But

on

occasion it
was

among

the
extreme

Hebrews south
of

in

the

its chief importworship attained ance. He had and Gaza, and temples at Ashdod along with perhaps his worship travelled westward that Ishtar. Both of were worshipped at Erech, the cult of the one and where penetrated it is likely

that

his

that

there

would Dagon
And

be found
his
name

the

rites of the

other.
man

; sea-monster,

upward
of the
of the

downward

fish,
most

as

Milton

instances

it,affords one expresses Testament in the Old

idol.
the

dramatic
of
a

downfall

usurping
"

And

Philistines Eben-ezer Philistines the house

took
unto

the

ark

of

God, God,
set

and

brought
"

it from
the

Ashdod. the ark

of

When

took of

brought Dagon.

it into

Dagon,

and

they it by
151

MYTHS
"

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

And

when

they
the him

of

Ashdod
was

arose

early
upon his

on

the
to

morrow,

behold, Dagon
before and when
set

fallen Lord.

face

the

earth

ark

of the

And

they

took

Dagon,
"

in his
arose

And

they
was

place again. early on the morrow

behold, Dagon
before and the him.
"

the

ark the

fallen upon his face to of the Lord the head ; and

of

morning, the ground of Dagon

off
was

both

threshold

palms ; only
neither

his

hands
of

were

cut

the

stump

Dagon

upon left to

Therefore
come

the

priestsof Dagon,
on

nor

any

that
of
"

into

Dagon's
unto

house, tread
this Lord

the

threshold

Dagon
But

in Ashdod

day.
was

the

hand and

of

the

heavy
them,
and

of them

Ashdod,
with

he

destroyed
even

upon and the

them
smote coasts

emerods,
the The
:

Ashdod

thereof.
"

And

when

men

of

Ashdod God
sore

saw

that

it

was

so,

they said.
with
our us

ark

of the is

of

Israel
us

shall and

not

abide

for his hand

upon the In
*

upon
'

Dagon
Thus

god."
in the Bible

story
left this
on

only
to

stump
some

or

fish's tail of Ninevite fish forms while cape the

over

Dagon was sculptures of

a

him.

of of

the the

deity, the
the

head
of
as a

kind

of of

mitre
the

head

the

man,
or sure so

body
his

shoulders

fish appears and back.

cloak is
a a

This that animal

sign
human

to

the is in
form.

adorned

mythological student of quitting the process

"'"

god
for

the

In

sacrifice, too, the

the
skin In the of
a

totemic
worn

often

flayed and
woman

personates

god.

ancient

the skin 152

sacrificed

symbolic animal of the god in this manner who by the priest, the priests of Centeotl Mexico wore annually to that goddess.
or

is

NIRIG

OR

ENU'RESTU

Nirig,
This eldest

or

EnU'Restu

deity
of the

is alluded

to

in

an

was gods." He by the Kings of Assyria, and we into the composition of several

the inscription as especially favoured find his name entering

of
"

"

their of

texts.

In and Anu."

certain described
He

poem
as

he

is called made
"

the in

son

Bel,"
of his

is

being
of

the

likeness
of
onset

rides,
a

it is

said, against the

and lapis-lazuli,

gods
his his

enemies is full of

in the him
Here
a

chariot

fury
to

of the
set

tempest.
for the

Bel,
of

father, commands
of
meets

forth
the

temple
Bel,

Bel

at

Nippur.
he

Nusku,
disturb

messenger

him, bestows
that will

gift upon

him,
the

and

humbly

requests

not

place, nor
from this the is

god Bel, his father, in his dwellingterrify the earth-gods. It would appear that the Nirig was on point of passage

taking
did also the
so a

place of Bel, improbable.

of war,

his As
was

father, but
a

that
storm

he

ever

deity
the

of

he
upon

is

god

but

he

seed-scatterer also
an

mountains,

therefore

he

had in

agricultural
attributes
or

significance. gods possess

those
or a

It is strange
the
same

that

Babylonia tempestand do rain

" "

functions
"

of

war

and

agriculture
or

^as

thunder,
"

rain-thunder,
circumstance

wind
is

and

rain

deities of the

elsewhere

which in

eloquent

climatic In the

conditions

the

manufacture
must

of power of myth. have

fierce Mesopotamia people the idea of rather

texts
now

sand-storms
a

given

savage

and

intractable
as

destructive and We kindred have

than

beneficent,

many

deity, hymns

witness.

examined the elder gods of briefly the Babylonian pantheon. Other, and in some cases more imposing, gods were yet to be adopted by the Babylonians, as we shall see in the followingchapters.

153

CHAPTER

IV:

THE

GILGAMESH

EPIC

it

is

probable
epic,

that
the

the

materials

of

the

Gil-

mythological poem of Babylonia, originally belong to the older epoch of Babylonian mythology, it is fittingthat it
great
should
to

gamesh

be later

described

and

considered Chaldean with

before

the The

developments of Gilgamesh epic ranks

creation
of
as one

passing religion.
the

myth
in its

of

of

the

greatest

Babylonian literaryproductions
element

ancient

composition
drawn
from

main Babylonia. The is a conglomeration of various

sources,

matter,
a

substratum
a

of historic

fact, the

whole

mythic with perhaps being woven

the It the central is
not

into

continuous

narrative

around
of

figure of Gilgamesh, possible at present to

first written. from
of

prince
fix the

Erech. when

date

Our

mutilated

knowledge of it is fragments belonging

epic was gleaned chiefly

to

the

library
dence evi-

and internal Assur-bani-pal, but from least of the at we gather that some embodied in the epic are of much greater his
a

other

traditions

antiquity
2100 b.c.

than

reign.
variant of the
of

Thus
of the

tablet

dated

contains XI

th tablet

deluge story inserted Gilgamesh epic. Probably

the

in

the

this and

other before the

portions
they
were

epic

existed
to

in

oral
"

tradition

committed

writing

that

is, in

remote

Sumerian
was

period.
an

Assur-bani-pal
patron

enthusiastic

and

practical

of literature.
of he

In

(the

nucleus

which had

his great library at Nineveh been taken Calah had from by collection
most

Sennacherib)
volumes,
had also
154

clay
carried

gathered a vast tablets, and papyri,

as

of

of

which He this

been

spoil from
to

conquered
older

lands. and

employed

scribes

copy

texts,

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
most

AND of the time of

ASSYRIA

The

first and may

important
been
at
one

trio, the
a

hero

Gilgamesh,
though Possibly the
have

have

real

age, person-

nothing exploits of
a

is known
some

him

ancient
the

historically.^ king of Erech

His
or name

furnished
time

basis

for

narrative.

(for a
but
now

provisionallyread
to

Gisdhubar,

Izdubar,

known that in

have
was

been
not

suggests
or

he

pronounced Gilgamesh ^) Babylonian but Elamite

indications he furnished
that
a

Kassite
the poem

origin, and
itself
we

from

by
(or

learn
from

relieved
of

the

city
he
a

conquered Erech besieging force) at the

It has with the been
gested sug-

outset

his

adventurous
was

career.

also

that him other

for

identical
of

Biblical
;

Nimrod,
there So His
are

like
no

hero

ancient

grounds

for the

Babylon suggestion.
of

but

much

the

historical

aspect

Gilgamesh.

is more mythological character easilyestablished. In this regard he is the personification of the sun. He represents, in fact, the fusion of a great national hero the epic with a mythical being. Throughout there are indications that Gilgamesh is partly divine is said on that head. by nature,though nothing specific His identitywith the solar god is veiled in the popular that he has some nexion connarrative, but it is evident he pays his with the god Shamash, to whom

devotions

and

who

acts

as

his

patron

and

protector.

The

Birth

of Gilgamesh

Among
related
1

the

traditions

by
is, we
infer
amount

^lian
have from of

concerning his (Historia Animalium,

definite historical notices

birth

is

one

XII,

21)

That
we

no

concerning him,
that he possesses

but
a

may

internal

evidence

in his saga

certain
*

By

the

historicity. discovery by Mr T. Pinches

=

in

tablet lexicographical

that

Gisdhubar

Gilgamesh.

156

THE

BIRTH

OF

GILGAMESH

(Gilgamesh), the grandson Sokkaros, who, according to Berossus, king to reign in Babylonia after the
of

Gilgamos

of
was

Sokkaros. the first

warned should

by
bear
to
a

means
son

of

divination would the

she

that

deluge, was his daughter

who

Thinking
up

frustrate

in

tower,

where
a

deprive him of his throne. designs of fate he shut her But was closely watched.
her

in time how

she

bore
the

son,

and

attendants, knowing
to

wroth

King
from

would the
tower.

be

learn

of

the

event,

flung the child the ground an

to
a

But
him he up
was

before and

he bore

reached him
off

certain for he

eagle garden,

seized where And

of

duly
he
grew

found
to

and
hood man-

cared

by

peasant.

when

Babylonians, having, presumably, usurped the throne of his grandfather. Here have a myth obviously of solar significance, we conforming in every particular to a definite type of been it have that by chance sun-legend. It cannot became of Gilgamesh. attached to the thing Everyperson
with the belief that epic,too, is consonant his connexion with Shamash Gilgamesh is a sun-god been his father in the tradition have (who may given saved him from by ^lian, as well as the eagle which is made of his mention death), the fact that no father is brought in in the poem, though his mother the assumption than once, and more throughout the than human. epic that he is more Given it is not the key to his mythical character hard to perceive in his adventures the daily (orannual) of the sun, risingto its full strength at noonday course (or mid-summer), and sinking at length to the western

became

King

the

in the

"

horizon,
Like and
one

to

return

in
"

due

time the

to
sun

the

abode
itself He
"

of his

men.

all

solar

deities

like in

birth

origin are
of
the
'

wrapped
fatal

mystery.
like

is, indeed,

children,'

Sargon,

Perseus,
157

MYTHS
or

OF

BABYLONIA he

AND

ASSYRIA

Arthur. is

When

first

appears

in

the

narrative and

he

would

already a full-grown hero, the ruler of Erech. His mother, seem) oppressor
a

(it

Rimat-

belit, is

priestessin
he is

the

temple
from

of

Ishtar, and

through
a

her of

descended the in
the

native

Shurippak, and flood-legend. Early

with for
he

hero
the

Ut-Napishtim, of the lonian Babyhe

is
man

narrative

brought into contact originallydesigned

but with whom

wild

Eabani,
the

his

destruction

by

gods,

firm a eventually concludes friendship. The pair proceed to do battle with the whom monster Khumbaba, as they overcome, they bull sent do also the sacred against them by Anu. of the Vlth tablet their Up to the end ing conquerand is without triumphant career interruption; the increases in strength as does Gilgamesh sun the Vllth At ever, tablet, howapproaching the zenith. his good fortune Eabani dies, begins to wane. of Ishtar, whose slain doubtless love by the wrath the and hero, Gilgamesh has rejected with scorn ; with mourning the death of his friend, and smitten decides fear that he himself will perish in like manner, in search of his ancestor, to Ut-Napishtim (who, go from sole survivor of the deluge, has received the as gods deification and immortality), and learn of him the have
secret not

of the

eternal

life.

His

further

adventures

of his earlier triumphal character he of journeys to the Mountain exploits. Sunwise the scorpion-men, and the Sunset, encounters crosses the him Waters of Death. Ut-Napishtim teaches die (he himself that the lesson all men must being an exception in exceptional circumstances), and though he afterwards gives Gilgamesh an opportunity of eating the plant^of life,the opportunity is lost. However, Gilgamesh of a disease Ut-Napishtim cures 158

EABANI

apparently while crossing is finally restored and he the Waters of Death, to these the Erech. In see happenings we gradual into the underworld by way of the sinking of the sun It is impossible for the sun of the Sunset. Mountain attain for ever in the land to immortality, to remain the Waters of the living ; he must of Death traverse Yet the and of return sojourn in the underworld. signifiesthe fresh dawning of Gilgamesh to Erech It is the eternal the day. struggle of day and night, darkness and winter summer light, ; may conquer but light will emerge The contest again victorious. is unending.
which
he has

contracted,

Some

authorities twelve
or

have
a

seen

in

the

division with
the

of

the

epic
of

into

tablets
the

connexion of the

months
a nexion con-

the

year

signs

zodiac.
we

Such consider tablets

probably exists, but

the artificial

when

that

division
the

of the

epic into

scarcely
it

tallies
seems

with

natural

the likelythat the former given to the epic by the scribes of Nineveh, was the who were evidently at some pains to compress tablets. into twelve Of the astro-theological matter itself (one of its most significanceof the narrative important aspects),we shall perhaps be better able to it in detail. considered have we judge when

poem, astrologicalsignificanceof

divisions

of

the

Eabani

mythological important of the various strata underlying the Gilgamesh myth is probably that concerning Eabani, who, as has been said, is a type of primitive man, the beasts of the field living among of themselves. is also, according to But he as one of the certain authorities, a form sun-god, even as hero the of himself. Like Erech, he Gilgamesh
most

The

i-59

MYTHS rises
to

OF

BABYLONIA

AND his powers

ASSYRIA

the then

zenith

of

in

triumphal
He is

progress, lost not his

descends

into but

the

underworld.

sight of, however, friend Gilgamesh ; and

lives in the Xllth

in the

of memory tablet he is

temporarily brought forth from the underworld (that in a dim and shadowy is,his ghost, or utukku), which fashion typify the daily restoration of the sun. may Another is that which of myth important stratum but concerns Ut-Napishtim, the Babylonian Noah ; the myths of Eabani whereas and Gilgamesh, though become still distinguishable,have thoroughly fused, the deluge story of which Ut-Napishtim is the hero been inserted has bodily into the XI th tablet of the epic,being related to Gilgamesh by Ut-Napishtim
himself. has the When he attributes
these

first appears and powers

to fidelity

in of the

the
a

narrative

he

received

for his

god, having gods during the

of all mankind

flood, from

whose The

waters

he

alone

escaped. epic seems

the
most

object of his narrative in the Gilgamesh be to point out the hero that only to to stances, unique circumexceptional circumstances
"

indeed Other with love the

for

"

can

save

man

from
the

his
are

doom. the
of

distinct
monster

portions
the

of

epic

battle Ishtar's

Khumbaba,

the

episode

fightwith the sacred bull of the search for the plant of life. These, Anu, and become their origin, have porated whatever naturally incorbesides with the story of Gilgamesh. But herein the various historical and mythical elements of Babylonian presented, there is also a certain amount in extent to some religious doctrine, evident the tablet that all Xlth (which points the moral tablet, must men die), but doubly so in the Xllth wherein the shade of Eabani to Gilgamesh, appears
Gilgamesh,
relates
160

the

misfortunes

of

the

unburied

dead

or

of

GILGAMESH

AS after
as

TYRANT and
means

those
for may

uncared the deceased

the

for

death,

inculcates

care

the

only
woes

whereby
threaten

they
them

evade

grievous
in

which

in the Let
we

underworld.
us

examine
it

detail

have
us.

in

the and

broken Ilnd
of

Gilgamesh fragments which

tablets
are are

the

epic

as

remain
lated. muti-

to

The
A

1st

much
extant

number
one
or

fragments
of these

which
it is
not

belong
easy One
to

to

other
the

two, and
the

but Ilnd
the

say

where would

1st ends
seem

begins.
very

fragment
of the

to
"

contain
sort

ginning be-

1st tablet

of

general preface

to

the

derived whose
It
no

epic,comprising a from reading it.

title
a

list of the After in this

the

to

inclusion

advantages to be comes a fragment epic is doubtful.

describes mention under

asses

Erech
"

She

siege of the city of Erech, but makes The of Gilgamesh. woeful condition of the siege is thus picturesquely detailed : cows (tread down) their young, (turn upon)
Men
cry

their
mourn
are

calves.

aloud

like beasts, and of

maidens
Erech

like doves.

The

gods
buzz

strong-walled
the
streets.

changed

to

and flies,

about

The

of strong-walledErech are spirits changed to serpents, and For the three glide into holes. years enemy and the doors barred, and the were besieged Erech,

bolts

were

shot, and

Ishtar

did

not

raise

her

head
a

If this against the foe." fragment be have portion of the Gilgamesh epic, we of ascertaining whether the Gilgamesh was raiser the of the he or siege, or whether

indeed
no

means

besieger,
was

cerned con-

in the

affair

at

all.

Gilgamesh
Now
we

as

Tyrant
come

to
on
a

the

real

commencement

of

the

poem,

inscribed

fragment
I.

which

some

authorities
i6i

MYTHS

OF
to

BABYLONIA of the

AND

ASSYRIA

assign
more

the

beginning

Ilnd
of

tablet, but
the

which In
this of

a probably forms find Gilgamesh portion we

part

1st. double

the filling
"

role

ruler
not

oppressor inconsistent with mention here

of of

and

of

Erech

the
of

latter
a

evidently
There
record any

the
a

character

hero.

is

no

of

the

coming

siege,nor is there Gilgamesh, though, as

came as a

has

been
His

indicated, he
intolerable lends
men

probably
to

tyranny
this
his

towards view. in the

fairest
son

the He

conqueror. people of

Erech
young

colour into

presses
of
a

the

service

building
maidens
to

great
court

wall,
;

and
"

carries
not
nor

off the left the

his
nor

he
to

hath

to to

his father, her husband."

the

maid

the

hero,

the

wife

people to to create gods, and they prayed the goddess Aruru who would a mighty hero champion their cause, of whom be and through fear Gilgamesh should his severity. The forced to gods themselves temper their those of the oppressed people, added to prayers and Aruru at length agreed to create a champion Upon hearing these words against Gilgamesh. (so conceived the narrative), Aruru a man (in the runs Aruru washed her hands, image) of Anu in her mind. off a piece of clay, she cast it on the ground. she broke
harshness
"

constrained

the

Finally his appeal to the

Thus creation

she
of

created this
of
a

Eabani,

the
was

hero." finished

When his

the

champion
wild
was man

was

that of his

of the

mountains. with

appearance The
"

whole clothed

with

body long
the
as

(covered)
like the
a

hair,
His He knew
was

he

was

hair
of

woman.

hair

was

luxuriant, like that

the

corn-god.
of

(not)
clothed the his

land

and

inhabitants the

thereof, he
the the
of

with

garments
ate

god

field. he

With slaked his

gazelles he
thirst, with
162

herbs, with
creatures

beasts the
water

the

heart

THE

BEGUILING

OF

EABANI
on as a

pictorial representations Eabani seals and elsewhere is depicted and body of satyr, with the head, arms, the horns, ears, and legs of a beast. rejoiced."
seen,

In

cylindera

sort

of

man,
we

and have

As of

he

is

type
the of

of beasts

beast-man,
of the

sort

Caliban,

ranging with of the things

The The

field,utterly ignorant

civilization.

Beguiling
poem the

of Eabani goes
on

to

introduce

new

character,

Tsaidu,

apparently designed by the gods the meeting of Gilgamesh and Eabani. to bring about first encounters is not he Eabani How quite clear One the mutilated from text. reading has it that the King of Erech, learning the plan of the gods for his
hunter, overthrow,
sent

Tsaidu
with and the

into

the
to to
as

mountains

in

search

of

Eabani,
means

instructions

entrap

him

by

whatever

bring
encounter

him

Erech.

Another accidental.
Erech

reading
However related

describes
this
to

purely
to

may

be, Tsaidu

returned

and

the his of Gilgamesh encounter, story of the strength and fleetness of the wild tellinghim his exceeding shyness at the and sight of a man, human that gamesh Gilbeing. By this time it is evident knows for which or conjectures the purpose is designed, and Eabani intends frustrate the to divine plans by anticipating the meeting between himself the and wild man. Accordingly he bids the Tsaidu him return to mountains, taking with

Ukhut,
Ishtar.

one

of

the

sacred is that
to

women

of

the

temple
her
to

of

His

plan
and

Ukhut
return

with
with
out.

wiles Erech.

shall Thus
the

persuade
the

Eabani

her
"

hunter

the
on

girl set
the third

straight road,
usual

and

They took day they reached

Then Tsaidu 163

the

drinking-place of
L 2

Eabani.

MYTHS

OF
woman

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

and
one

the

day,
the

for

two

place.
with Then follows

With

the

placed themselves days, they lurked beasts (Eabani)

of

in

hiding.
the his

For

by
his

drinkingthirst,
which had
no

slaked heart

creatures

the

waters

rejoiced.

Eabani

(approached)
at
some

..."

The

scene

is described

length.

Ukhut

in enthralling Eabani with the snares of her difficulty nights he remembered beauty. For six days and seven of his love for her. When at nothing because of his gazelles, his flocks length he bethought him that they would and herds, he found no longer follow
him
as

before. him O
traverse

So
of

he Erech

sat

at

the its
art

feet

of Ukhut
"

while
art

she

told

and thou

king.
like
a

Thou

handsome,
dost thou

Eabani,
the

god.

Why

plain with the beasts ? Come, I will take thee to strong-walled Erech, to the bright palace, the dwelling of Anu and Ishtar, to the palace of Gilgamesh, the perfect in strength, who, like a
mountain-bull,
found the wieldeth
power
over

man."

Eabani

delightful. He longed for the friendshipof Gilgamesh, and declared himself willing the woman the city of Erech. And follow to to so their journey. set out Ukhut, Eabani, and Tsaidu on
prospect
Gilgamesh
The reached he
must meets

Eabani of

feast

Ishtar Eabani with

a

was

in

Erech. do that

had

when progress conceived the idea before he

they
that could

battle
as

Gilgamesh

claim in
was
a

hero
or

dream,
stronger

friend, but being warned (whether by Ukhut, is not clear)that Gilgamesh than of the he, and withal a favourite

from combat. Meanwhile gods, he wisely refrained preted a dream, which, interGilgamesh also had dreamed by his mother, Rimat-belit, foretold the coming

of Eabani.

That

part

of the

poem

which

deals

with

164

GILGAMESH

MEETS and
from
we

EABANI

the

meeting of Gilgamesh no longer extant, but

up

Eabani
the

is

nately unfortu-

take
met

the

broken

narrative

fragments gather that

which

they

and The

became

friends.

in order portions of the epic next appear these tablet. find In to we belong to the Ilnd Eabani freedom lamenting the loss of his former the and on showering maledictions temple-maiden who the
or

has

lured

him

thither.

However,

Shamash,
dream
tive), narra-

sun-god,
vision and
;

intervenes

from

his

play a showing him sojourn in the

with various

these

(perhaps in another prominent part in the

the benefits
of he has

derived

haunts

civilization, endeavours
inducements

promises
Erech
"
"

and

to

make and

him

stay

in

Now thee
a

Gilgamesh, thy
great couch
to

friend

brother,
shall
thee shall
a

shall

give
a

sleep on, shall give

the
earth

give
seat

thee
at

couch left

his

carefully prepared, hand, and the kings of

this, apparently,
bewail with tablet
or

kiss

thy
He

feet."
ceases

With
to

Eabani
at

is satisfied.

his

position
In him find

Erech

and

accepts

his

destiny
of the

calmness.
we

the

remaining
about

fragments
another

concerned

dream

vision

and

before

portion of the epic closes the heroes have planned Khumbaba, an expedition against the monster dian guarof the abode form of of the goddess Irnina (a Ishtar), in the Forest of Cedars.
In
go
to

this

the

IlIrd mutilated tablet the very consult the priestessRimat-belit, the and

two

heroes
of from

mother

Gilgamesh,
Shamash

in

through her they ask protection the forthcoming expedition. The

her
son

old
ceed, pro-

priestess advises
and after

and
gone the to
"

his
we

friend
see

how alone

to

they

have

her

in the
his

temple, her blessing on

hands

raised
:

sun-god, invoking
hast thou

Gilgamesh

Why

troubled
i6s

MYTHS the heart of

OF

BABYLONIA
son

AND

ASSYRIA hast
on a

my

thy hand journey

into
a

upon
to

the

combat
a

Gilgamesh ? Thou he him, and goeth away, dwelling of Khumbaba ; (whose issue) he knoweth
unknown
to

laid
far

he

entereth
not

he

followeth till he he land

return

road

him.
the

Till he of

arrive

and till the

return,

till he the

reach

Forest

Cedars,
rid

hath

slain

terrible thou

Khumbaba

and

of all the
"

evil that

let
to

Aya,
thee." tablet

thy
comes

hatest, till the day of his betrothed, thy splendour, recall

this
to
an

him

With

and dignified end.

beautiful

appeal
The

the

Monster

Khumbaba

The of
do

IVth
monster

tablet with

is

concerned whom the

with heroes

a are

description
about
to

the

battle.
the
to

guard
appears

Bel had whom Khumbaba, appointed to cedar one {i.e., particular cedar which be of greater height and sanctity than the
a

others), is
very

creature

of

most

terrifyingaspect,

the

who draw and words in

of whom in the forest makes presence weak As the it grow and impotent. enter Eabani near complains that his hands are his
arms

those heroes feeble

without

strength, but
to

Gilgamesh

speaks

of encouragement passing, that the word has with

be noted, It may Khumbaba is of Elamite led certain Elamite and which

not

him.

origin, a fact which identifythe monster anciently dominated

about
to

authorities

to

an

dynasty
came

which

Erech,
It
is

to

grief

2250 establish and

B.C.

difficult,if
between
event

the
a

connexion definite

the
;

impossible, counter mythical enbut

an

historical

it may

at

presumed that the bestowal a designation on the monster argues between Elam and Babylon. The next fragments bring us into
166

least be

of

Elamite

certain

enmity
tablet.

the

Vth

ISHTAR*S

LOVE reached

FOR
"

GILGAMESH
a

The

heroes, having
to

verdant Cedars. Khumbaba

mountain,"
When
was

paused
entered
to

survey the forest

or

the
the

Forest death
or

of of

they
told fore-

one

other,
of the
we

both
to

of the

them,
combat.

in

dream,
been the

and

they
the

hastened
text

forward
actual

nately Unfortuhas
not

encounter

preserved,
heroes
were

but

learn
in

from

the

context

that

successful

slaying Khumbaba.

Ishtaf*s

Love

ior

Gilgamesh
relates the
the
on

In the Vlth love for

tablet,which

story of Ishtar's
of the

Gilgamesh, and bull, victory again waits

here

slaying
the
arms

sacred

of the

heroes,
the

but

nevertheless which
later

we

have
them. of

the

key
On

to

fortunes misto

befall

his

return

Erech
was

after

the

destruction

Khumbaba,
the

Gilgamesh
and

loudly

acclaimed.
he

Doffing
had
a

soiled
the
a

stained bloodhe

robed Ishtar flowers heart

garments himself as beheld

of
went terms

worn

during
and
his
on

battle,

befitted
the

monarch

King
still

in
fresh

regal
his

conqueror. splendour, the

victory
out to

brow,
her her

and

her

him

in love. him

In
to

moving
be

and

tive seduc-

she

besought
if he the

bridegroom,
house of
"

promising the gloom

should be his horses

that
of

would
"

enter

in

cedar flocks would

all and be

manner

good gifts
increase,

his
and

"

his
oxen

herds

would

without

rival, the river

kiss his feet, and Euphrates would kings and princes would But bring tribute to him. Gilgamesh, knowing something of the past history of this capricious goddess, and with rejected her advances began to scorn, revile
of her. He taunted
"

former
to

lovers whom the

of

her, Tammuz,

too, the

with

her

treatment

bridegroom

of

her
;
a

youth,
of Alalu

she

eagle ;

clung weepingly year after of a lion perfect in might

year and

167

MYTHS horse
of she

OF

BABYLONIA
battle
; of

AND
the of

ASSYRIA
Tabulu
All

glorious in
the

shepherd
her

and these

IsuUanu,
had

gardener
and

father. in
cruel

mocked

ill-treated that
he

fashion,
would

and be love
at

Gilgamesh
meted
out to

perceived
him The

like

treatment

should

accept

of the

goddess.
went

deity was
up
'

proffered greatly enraged

"

the

the

repulse,and
Ishtar and she
on

mounted Anu 0

to

heaven

over MoreAnu

before

(her father),before
my

she has

went

(said):
me

father, Gilgamesh
"

Gilgamesh has counted lying garlands and my girdles.' Undermy love for Gilgamesh there the story of Ishtar's is evidently a nature-myth of some sort, perhaps a spring-tidemyth ; Gilgamesh, the sun-god, or a hero his attributes, is wooed has taken who over by Ishtar, the the mother-goddess goddess of fertility, great who presides over spring vegetation. In the recital kept watch garlands, my
;

of

her

former

love-affairs in which

we

find

mention slew her

of

the

Tammuz

myth,
and that

Ishtar

consort

Tammuz,

other

possiblealso
in this part
The Bull

mythological fragments. It is there is an significance astrological

narrative.

of the

of Anu the

To Ishtar

resume

tale

In

her

wrath

and

humiliation

and appealed to her father and mother, Anu Anatu, and begged the former to create a mighty bull Anu and send it against Gilgamesh. at first demurred, result in seven declaring that if he did so it would the earth ; but finally he consented, on years' sterility
and
a

great

bull, Alu,
The is much
was

was

sent

to text

do

battle which

with deals

Gilgamesh.
with
that the

portion
hot

of

the

combat conflict

mutilated, but
and
to

the

sustained,
a

it appears the celestial from

animal
i68

finallysuccumbing

sword-thrust

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
are

AND

ASSYRIA the the

their

^good. They
of feathers in darkness."

clothed, like
;

birds, in

garment
dwell

they

see

not

light, they

The

Death

of Eabani

This of and

sinister

vision

appears

to

have

been

Eabani's died
at

death. the end

Shortly
of twelve

afterwards

he

presage fell ill

his death
text

is uncertain.

represents
another have who
are

Eabani

of days. The manner One reading of the mutilated as being wounded, perhaps in
to

battle, and
But
"

succumbing
makes him

the
to

effects

of the

wound.

say
my

his

friend
I

Gilgamesh,
not

been
has

cursed,

friend,

shall

die

as

one

been

slain in battle."

The

breaks

in the

responsible for the divergence. The latter Eabani has one reading is probably the correct ; Ishtar, the grievously offended all-powerful,and
text

the

curse

which hers.

has In The
a

smitten

him folk-lore of the

to

the

earth

is

probably
died Vlllth In the of

modern death close.

we

ju-ju.
tablet
to

phraseology he hero brings the mourning

the

IXth

tablet

find

Gilgamesh

loss of his friend.

The

Quest
On the had

of Gilgamesh heart of

Gilgamesh, likewise, the

he determined
to

fear
go

of in

death search

taken

hold, and

Ut-Napishtim, who might be able to show him a way of escape. Straightway putting into effect, Gilgamesh set out his determination On for the abode of Ut-Napishtim. the way he had terrible by made to through mountain gorges, pass
ancestor, the he him
170

of his

of wild beasts. presence delivered was by Sin, the

to traverse

From

the power moon-god, who passes in

of these enabled

the

mountain

safety.

THE At rest,
men.

QUEST
lie
came

OF
to
a

GILGAMESH

length
the This which

mountain
was

entrance
was

to

which

higher than the guarded by scorpionof the set, Sunthe

to

Mashu,
on

the

Mountain

lies the

the

western

horizon, between
came are

earth

and

underworld.
the

mountain
every

of Mashu,
monsters

"Then"] he portals of which

backs
mount

the

guarded
up
to

day by
of Aralu.
;

; their

the

ramparts
beneath

heaven,
strike

and

their

foreparts

reach

down

Scorpion-men "guard
terror

the

Mashu)
to

they

into'fmen, and

(of gate it is death

for
sunset

behold

them. the
the

Their mountains
sun.

splendour
;

overwhelms

from

great, sunrise to

is

it

they guard
his face

Gilgamesh
and

beheld

them,
and
his

and
the

wildness On

dark fear with grew robbed of their aspect the way the
entrance

terror,

him
to

of

senses." gamesh Gil-

approaching
found
his

the

mountain

by these scorpion-men, strain of divinity in him, did who, perceiving blast him with their glance, but not questioned him the in drawing near mountain regarding his purpose of Mashu. When Gilgamesh had replied to their wished reach the he how to queries, telling them abode there of his Ut-Napishtim, and ancestor, learn of perpetual life and the secret youthfulness, the scorpion-men advised back. him Before to turn him, they said, lay the region of thick darkness ; for twelve have kasbu (twenty-four hours) he would he again to ere journey through the thick darkness emerged into the light of day. And so they refused let him with But to Gilgamesh implored, pass. tears," says the narrative, and at length the monsters consented admit him. to Having passed the gate of the of the Sunset Mountain (by virtue of his character solar deity) Gilgamesh traversed the as a region of thick darkness during the space of twelve
"

barred

171

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA the

AND of

ASSYRIA

kasbu. became

Toward
ever

end

that

pronounced ; himself in a beautiful Gilgamesh' found day, and with which garden or park studded trees, among of the gods, thus the tree was charmingly depicted in
the
text
"
"

less

period the darkness broad finallyit was

Precious it which

stones
were

it bore beautiful

as

fruit,branches
to

hung from top'of the

fruit which

behold.
was

The with

tree

was

and lapis-lazuli, the admire

eye

it him

laden

dazzled
to

of

that
of

beheld." the
scene,

Having paused Gilgamesh bent

The with
of
one was a

the

beauty

Xth the
"

his steps shoreward. tablet describes the

hero's
on

encounter

sea-goddess Sabitu,"who,
who had the

the
a

approach

body
made

grief, and long journey,"

the

appearance looked who retired

of
as

god, in whose though he had

fastened her

door.

help was necessary Ut-Napishtim, told

threatened
to to

break last

palace and that But Gilgamesh, knowing to bring him to the dwelling'of in despair her of his quest, and down the door unless she opened
into her consented
to to

him. he

At

Sabitu the the

to

listen

to

him Like that

whilst the

asked

way be

scorpion-men, not Gilgamesh was

so

Ut-Napishtim. sea-goddess perceived

turned
go
to

aside

from

his quest,

at

last

she

bade

him

Adad-Ea,
his

Ut-NapishAdad-

tim's be

ferryman,
to

without

whose in

aid, she said, it would

mission.

by Gilgamesh, advised him to desist, but the hero, pursuing his plan of the intimidation, began to smash ferryman's boat with Adad-Ea his axe, obliged to was whereupon the into his would-be sent yield. He passenger
forest sailed for away.
a

persist further Ea, likewise, being consulted

futile

new

rudder,

and

after

that

the

two

172

THE

DELUGE

MYTH

Gilgamesh

and

Ut'Napishtim

indeed surprisedwhen he beheld Ut-Napishtim was hero The had Gilgamesh approaching the strand. meanwhile contracted a grievous illness, so that he his
was

unable

to

leave

the

boat

but
life
to

he

addressed
the

queries concerning perpetual

who stood
on

deified hero

Ut-Napishtim,
of the

the

shore. and

The

flood

was

exceeding sorrowful,
common

explained
"

that

death
to
man

is the
to

lot of mankind,
the

nor

is it of

given
death

know him

hour the

when

the

hand
the

will
decree of

fall upon

"

Annunaki,
determine
not

great
the

gods,
maker

fate, and

with

them

Mammetum,
death known."

life,but
The

they destiny, and the days of death are

is

and

narrative

continued

without listened

into the Xlth

tablet.
to

Gilgamesh
the

interruption with pardonable

scepticism
" '

behold
not

platitudes of his ancestor. thee, Ut-Napishtim, thy appearance

mine, thou
than
is
stout art
am

differs
art not

from

like
thou

unto art

me,

thou
unto

otherwise heart

like
. . ,

me,

thy
thou thou

for

the

battle
of the

how

hast hast

entered found

the

assembly
' "

gods

how

life ?

The

Deluge
In

Myth
the
as

the

reply Ut-Napishtim introduces Babylonian deluge, which, told

a

story

of

it is without

forms interruption,

complete narrative, and is in itself a myth of exceptional interest. sumably Prethe Utto warning of the deluge came The of the voice Napishtim in a vision. god said : Thou of Shurippak, son of Ubara-Tutu, man pull down thy house, build a ship, forsake thy possessions, take heed for thy life ! Abandon thy goods, save thy life,and bring up livingseed of every kind into
separate
'

and

173

MYTHS the

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

be carefullyplanned to ship.' The ship itself was built according to Ea's instructions. When and the god had spoken Ut-Napishtim promised obedience command. he was But still perplexed the divine to the how he should to answer people when as they asked the reason for his preparations. Ea therefore instructed him how he should make reply, Bel
'

hath of few

cast

me

forth, for he hateth

seems are

me.'

The the

purpose

this lines

reply
of

clear, though
rather broken. Ea

remaining
that

it

intends

the Ut-Napishtim shall disarm suspicions of the people by declaring that the object of his shipbuilding his subsequent departure is to and escape of Bel, which he is to depict as the wrath fallingon alone. him He must prophesy the coming of the rain, but must it, not as a devastating represent of the prosperity which flood, but rather as a mark Bel will grant the people of Shurippak, perhaps to of his from. (Ut-Napishtim's) departure thereby reason

The

Babylonian

Ark

struction employed many people in the conof the ship. During four days he gathered and built the ship ; on the fifth he laid the material the he sixth loaded it ; and it down by the ; on cubits finished. On hull 120 seventh a day it was

Ut-Napishtim

wide

was

constructed into into

great

deck-house
of

120

cubits
was

high,
divided

divided in
turn

six nine

stories, each
rooms.

which

The

outside

of the the

ship
inside

was

made

with

water-tight with bitumen, and pitch. To signalisethe completion of

gave
a

his

vessel, Ut-Napishtim
which
oxen was were

wont

to

be

held

feast, like that great Year's New Day ; on

slaughtered and

great

quantitiesof

wine

174

THE

BABYLONIAN

ARK

and

Ea,

provided. Ut-Napishtim
kind, all
beasts
his. of

oil

his possessions,
every

of According to the command brought into the ship all his and his gold,^ living seed silver of his family and household, the cattle

and
was

the

field,the
at

handicraftsmen,
the

all that

heavy

rain

eventide

was

sign

for

Utdoor. dawn

the ship Napishtim to enter All night long it rained, and

"

and with

fasten the
a

the

early
black and

there

came

Ramman and
over

from up in the midst

went

the

horizon

cloud. Nabu

thereof

thundered,

Marduk mountain There The the

before, they passed like messengers

and

plain. Uragal parted

Ninib, and
carried thereof
he

the

anchorstorm to

cable. burst. with The

went

made

the

Annunaki

brightness
of

flaming torches, and they lit up the earth.

mounted
up

whirlwind and

Ramman

into

the

heavens,

all

During a whole have reigned on

behold afraid each and

light was day darkness

the

turned and Men

into chaos could in

darkness." appear
no

to

earth. The
"

longer
were

other. crouched

very

gods

heaven

like

hounds,"

weeping,

and

of mankind. lamenting their share in the destruction For six days and nights the tempest raged, but on the seventh day the rain ceased and the floods began
to

abate.
the
sea

Then,
and into

says

Ut-Napishtim
aloud,
In I
for all of

"
"

looked
was

upon

cried

mankind
the

turned
swamp the

back

clay.
me.

place

fields and

lay before light fell upon

down,
I sea."
I

opened
my

the

window

my
;

cheek, I bowed
over

myself down,
flowed behold
my

sat

wept
upon

cheek and

tears.
was
1

looked

the

world,

all

The

Inconsistencyin details
is drawn from
two

is caused different

by

the

composite

nature

of

the

which tale,

tablets. 175

MYTHS The At Mount

Bird

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

Messengers
the

length
of

ship
There
text
, "

came
are

to

rest

on

the

summit
of

of
this

Nitsir.
the

various
"

readings
twelve
of

portion
the

thus
"

After the

(days)
twelve

land

appeared
the land

or

At
"

distance
"

(kasbu)
above may dove.
so

Twelve or appeared ; (cubits) the land the water this appeared." However for six days on the mounbe, the ship remained tain, the and seventh on out a Ut-Napishtim sent But the dove found and no resting-place, returned. Then he
sent
no

she

out

swallow, which,
whereon
as

also

returned, having found

raven was

spot
the

to

rest.

Finally a
the
to waters

sent to

forth, and

by

this time drew

near

had

croaking," but did not the vessel. Then enter Ut-Napishtim brought his household and all his possessionsinto the open air, and made an offeringto the gods of reed, and cedarand incense. The the of wood, fragrant odour incense the to came gods, and they gathered, up ship
and
"

the

"

begun wading

abate,

bird

like

flies,"says
the who

the

Among
Gods,

company lifted up

narrative, around Ishtar, the was

the
"

the

sacrifice.
of

Lady
Anu

the had

necklace

which

What ! are given her, saying : gods these By neck the which are jewels of lapis-lazuli my upon I will not in my set days I have forget ! These ! will I forget them Let the gods never memory, the the offering,but Bel shall not to come to come offering since he refused to ask counsel and sent the

deluge,and The god

that vowed
a

handed Bel
was man

over

my

people unto
wroth when the survived

destruction." he discovered

very

mortal that

had

deluge,

and

Ea Ut-Napishtim should perish. But his favourite defended his action in having saved from destruction, pointing out that Bel had refused

176

THE
to

BIRD

MESSENGERS

take

counsel

when him
to

he

planned
to

universal sin human

disaster,
on

and

advising
and

in

future

visit the
entire

the
race.

sinner

not
was

punish
appear retired and them

the He

Finally Bel (into which

the

mollified.

approached
that the the

the

ship
of

it would
race

remnants

human led he took

had

during
his wife his

altercation)
the
"

and where

Ut-Napishtim
bestowed
on

into

open,

blessing.
"

Then

afar off, at and Ut-Napishtim, the mouth dwell." of the rivers, they made to me Such is the story of the deluge which Ut-Napishtim is told No cause to Gilgamesh. assigned for the

they

me,"

says

destruction which
the

of
seems

the

human
to

race

other

than

the
man

mity en-

have

existed

between
Bel.

and
But that it

gods

"

particularlythe
the

warrior-god
of the

appears
the

from

latter

part
the

narrative

in

assembly of the only the destruction

majority contemplated of the city of Shurippak, and entire human of the that not family. It has been suggested, indeed, that the story as it is here given is compounded of two myths, one relating separate universal to a catastrophe, perhaps a mythological the other dealing type of a periodic inundation, and with local disaster such a as sioned might have been occaby a phenomenal overflow of the Euphrates. The acter antiquity of the legend and its original charare by comparison with another clearlyshown version of the myth, inscribed on a tablet found at Abu-Habbah site of Sippar) and dated (the ancient in the before withstandi Notour era. twenty-first century

gods

imperfect preservation of this text it is possible to perceive in it blance points of resemmany the Berossus variant. also to Gilgamesh version of the a deluge myth in his history, quotes for for Ea, substituting Chronos King Xisuthros
M

the

177

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

Ut-Naplsh.tim, and the city of Sippar for that of Shurippak. In this version immortality is bestowed not only on the hero and his wife, but also on his his writer daughter and pilot. One ingeniously
identifies these latter

with

Sabitu

and

Adad-Ea

respectively.
To
served
to return to

the

epic :
purpose his case
the

The

recital of

primary Gilgamesh that

Meanwhile
too

its

in the
was

Ut-Napishtim narrative by proving

that of his deified in the took remained

not

ancestor.

hero
;
to
now

had

boat,

ill to

come

ashore

Ut-Napishtim
him
to

pity

on

him all

and

promised

restore

health,

"bidding him sleep during six days and seven nights. Gilgamesh listened to his ancestor's breathed like a tempest, advice, and by and by sleep, him." Ut-Napishtim's wife, beholding the upon with likewise moved sleeping hero, was compassion, and her asked husband send the traveller to safely home. He in turn bade his wife compound a magic minister adingredients, and preparation, containing seven it to Gilgamesh while he slept. This was
"

first of

done,
When

and

an

enchantment

thus seventh
secret

put

upon

the

hero. his

he

awoke

(on

the

day)
of

he

renewed

perpetual life. he might His host sent him where to a spring of water bathe his sores and be healed and having tested ; the efhcacy of the magic waters Gilgamesh returned his ancestor's to to once more dwelling, doubtless persist in his quest for life. Notwithstanding that it impossible Ut-Napishtim had already declared directed for Gilgamesh to attain immortality, he now him (apparently at the instance of his wife) to the he would find the plant of life, and place where importunate request
for the instructed Adad-Ea
to

conduct

him

thither. and

The eternal

magic plant,which
17^

bestowed

immortality

THE

BIRD

MESSENGERS
of

youth
weed,

on a

him

who

ate

it, appears

to

have

been

which pricked creeping plant, with thorns the of the hands gatherer ; and, curiously enough, have to sought it at the bottom Gilgamesh seems At of the sea. found, and the length the plant was his intention him hero declared of carrying it with the return he set out And Erech. to journey, so on by the faithful ferryman not only on accompanied the

first,and
to

watery,
the

stage
of

of

his

travels, but
When

also

they had kasbu journeyed twenty offering they left an neyed they had jour(presumably for the dead), and when chant. thirty kasbu, they repeated a funeral The narrative well of a on : Gilgamesh saw goes city
"

overland

Erech

itself.

fresh A
. .

water,

he

went

down
the off

to

it and of the

offered

libation.

serpent
and
.

smelled

odour
the

carried

plant, advanced plant. Gilgamesh sat

down
of the

down He

and lamented

wept,

the

tears

ran

his

cheeks."

precious plant, he made his offering when the end of twenty kasbu. At length they reached at Erech, when to Gilgamesh sent Adad-Ea cerning enquire conthe building of the city walls, a proceeding which has possibly some mythological significance.
The
XHth for his

bitterlythe seemingly predicted to him

loss

tablet friend
"

opens

with

the

lament

of has

gamesh Gilnot

Eabani, whose
Thou
;
canst
no

loss

he

ceased

to

deplore.
upon the
are a

longer
who
were

stretch slain
canst

thy
with
no

bow
the

earth

and

those thee.
;

bow bear

round
in thee

about

Thou and Thou

canst

longer
dead

sceptre
taken
upon
on

thy
feet

hand

the

spirits
no

of the

have

captive.
;

canst
no

shoes longer wear raise thy war-cry kiss thy wife whom smite

thy
the

thou

longer
thou
thou

earth.

No

more more

dost dost
more

thou

thy

wife

whom

didst love ; no thou didst hate.

M 2

No

dost
179

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA didst whom love thou hath from

;
no

thou
more

kiss dost The

upon

thou thy daughter whom smite thou thy daughter

sorrow

didst taken

hate.

of
^

the

underworld
went

hold
to to to

thee."

temple, making
restore

Gilgamesh offerings and

to

temple desiring the gods

he
went,

Eabani
and
to

him

to

Ninsum but

Bel,
not.

Sin,

the

moon-god,
cried
to

they
took
to

heeded
passion com-

him

At
on

length
and from earth like

he

Ea, who
A the

him

persuaded Nergal
the

bring
hole dead

the
was

shade

of

Eabani

underworld.
the

opened
issued addressed
me, seen,

in the therefrom

and
a :

spiritof
of Tell
me,

man

breath
"

wind.
my

Gilgamesh
friend,
thou
"

Eabani friend
;

thus
the

tell

my

law

of the

earth

which him
:

hast

tell me."

Eabani

answered
cannot

I But

cannot

tell thee, my

friend, I
bidden

tell thee."
"

wards, afterand

having weep,"
which lot of whose
a

Gilgamesh

sit

down

of the conditions proceeded to tell him prevailed in the underworld, contrasting the the warrior duly buried with that of a person he the fields.
water, oft the
seen
"

for into is cast uncared corpse drinketh couch he lieth, and pure
was
one
"

On
man

who
an

slain in battle his

his father

"

thou his

and

I have

such
his

and

mother
at

(support)
side.
"

head,
man

and whose oft

wife
is

(kneeleth)
cast
an man

his

But

the and
not to
one
"

corpse
seen

upon
one
"

the

field

thou

have in
care

such

his

the for

earth. it
"

The and

whose
I have oft

spirit resteth spirit has none

seen

thou
of the

such of

an

the and

dregs
that

vessel, the
is
cast out

leavings
the
the
be

the
are

feast,
his

which

upon
note

streets,

food."
^

Upon
remarks the

this
are

solemn

epic closes.
of Hterally which any

These

perhaps

not

to
manner

taken in

Eabani.
deceased

They
i8o

represent
was

entirely formal

Babylonian

addressed.

THE

BIRD

MESSENGERS

The
dead

doctrine
is here

of the

necessity for ministering

in
no

to

the

enunciated bodies drink

are

uncertain
buried

fashion.

Unless
of

their
and

decently
at

and

offerings
lives The

food
the

made
must

in
manner

otherworld in into
field

be
meet

their graves, abjectly miserable.

their

which
account, of

they
and battle

their

end

is have

likewise fallen

taken
on

warriors

who

pre-eminently fortunate. is evidently one the Eabani of happy spirits ; his ghost is designated utukku, name a applied not class of to dead, but likewise a only to the fortunate beneficent term edimmu, supernatural beings. The the other lent hand, designates a species of malevoon and being as well as the errant even vampirish due of observance The spiritsof the unhappy dead.
are
' '

the

funeral
which

and
touches

commemorative the

rites
not

is

thus of the

matter

interests
and the

only

deceased

but We

also

of his
seen

relatives
from

friends.

epic of Gilgamesh is partly historical, partly mythological. Around the hero figure of a great national myths have and the twined with passing of the grown these become have in time generations, and woven into connected a narrative, setting forth a myth which of course corresponds to the daily or annual the sun. Within this be discerned other myths may and fragments of myths solar,seasonal, and diluvian. But there is in the epic another important element which has the astro-theological. already been referred to The zodiacal significance of the division of the epic into twelve be set aside, since, tablets may has been as indicated, the significanceis in all probability the a to superficial one merely, added poem the scribes of by forming Assur-bani-pal, and not it is not time an integral part of it. At the same
foregoing
"
"

have

that

the

i8i

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
the

AND

ASSYRIA

epic naturally into twelve episodes, thus : (2) the (i) Gilgamesh's oppression of Erech ; the slaying of the monster of Eabani seduction ; (3) Khumbaba wooing of Ishtar ; (5) the fight ; (4) the death bull ; (6) Eabani's the sacred gamesh's with (7) Gil; of the Sunset journey to the Mountain ; (8) his wanderings in the region of thick darkness ; of death (10) the (9) the crossing of the waters ; deluge-story ; (11) the plant of life ; (12) the return the of Eabani's epic there are spirit. Throughout the exploits of a correspondence between indications the and of heavenly bodies. of the hero movements It is possible,for instance, that Gilgamesh and his relation to the sign Gemini, had Eabani friend some ancient Chaldean associated in also mythology forms of the solar deity, even with the as two were The hero and his friend. sign Leo recalls the slaying the of Khumbaba, allegorical victory of light over monuments darkness, represented on by the figure of lion bull. a a (symbol of fire) fighting with Following the sign of Leo, the wooing of the hero by the goddess Ishtar falls naturally into the sign of is represented Virgo, the virgin. The sign of Taurus by the slaying of the celestial bull, Alu, by Gilgamesh. and his encounter The journey of the hero to Mashu of the sunset the scorpion-men at the gate with are, of the of course, mythological representations sign of also his wanderings in the Scorpio, as are region
hard
to

divide

of

thick

darkness.

It

is noticeable

in

this

respect

the Babylonian astrology often doubled eighth it is therefore sign (Scorpio) to provide a seventh; not unlikely that this sign should correspond with The distinct episodes in the poem. first of these two with Scorpio by virtue of the episodes is associated introduction of scorpion-men ; and the second, on

that

182

CHAPTER
OF BABYLONIA

V:

THE

LATER

PANTHEON

THE
in of in the the

reign
at

of

Khammurabi
to

is

convenient

point
and

wliicli

observe

later

introductions

general changes the to pantheon

the divine circle. of

Babylonian
kingdom
were

gods.

The

politicalalterations
in
the

reflected

Certain

gods

were

relegated

to

cold

shades

deities were obscurity, whilst new adopted and others, hitherto exalted regarded as negligiblequantities, were The the heights of heavenly omnipotence. to worship
of

Merodach Khammurabi.
that

first

came

into his been

prominence
is
so

in

the

days
and with
we

of

But it has and

cult

outstanding
better
to

important
it in
a

deemed

deal

separate
the into

later

chapter.
of
some

Meanwhile the the

shall sprang

examine

nature at

of

gods
era

who the

importance
and
note to

or

about

of

great
with

law-maker,

changes

which

took

place

regard

others.

Nebo The his

popularityof
with
at
was

Nebo

was

brought
His
to

about chief

through
seat

association

Merodach.

of

worship
when the

power cult of Nebo. the Nebo deities

was

the

Babylon, and the seat of the imperial latter city became proximity of Borsippa greatly assisted the
So of the close
two

Borsippa, opposite

did cities

the

association
that
"

between
at

become

length

ship relationa regarded as the son of Merodach descendant that often implies that the so-called elder god is a serious of the rival, or that his cult is had acquired nearly allied to the elder worship. Nebo something of a reputation as a god of wisdom, and which permitted him to stand probably this it was 184

Nebo Son of

IMerodach,
tlie
Photo

God

of of

Wisdom,

and

inventor
W. A.

writing
and Co.

Mansell

NEBO

separatelyfrom
in
the

Merodach
the

without

becoming

absorbed

cult

of

credited,

like

Ea,
'

He was deity of Babylon. great the of writing, the invention with

province of all that department

the
movements

wise
of the

'

of
were

of

Nebo

famous

he presided over gods, and which knowledge interpreted The heavenly bodies. priests as astrologers, and with the

and his consort Assur-bani-pal,Nebo the patrons of Tashmit as were especial favourites writing. By the time that the worship of Merodach had become recognised at Babylon, the cult of Nebo the proxiat Borsippa was so securely rooted that even mity it. of the greatest god in the land failed to shake the temple-school after the Persian Even conquest flourish. But to at although Borsippa continued thus of outlived the Nebo gods greater many almost it is now his original impossible to trace solar or significance as a deity. Whether aqueous the latter appears in his nature and more likely he was during the period of Merodach's ascendancy Thoth the as was regarded as scribe of the gods, much of the is to amanuensis that Egyptian otherworld the of the dictation at higher deities. say, he wrote the in the assembled of When Chamber gods were Fates in Merodach's temple at Babylon, he chronicled their deliberations and on speeches and put them Indeed had he himself record. shrine in this temple a of E-Sagila, or the known was lofty house,' which the firm house.' Once E-Zila, or as during the Year carried festival Nebo from New was Borsippa his father's to Babylon to temple, and in compliment escorted back by Merodach to his was part of the way shrine in the lesser city. It is strange how to own see interwoven. closely the cults of the two gods were The them Kings of Babylonia constantly invoke

bookish

king

'

'

"

"

"

'

'

185

MYTHS

OF
names

BABYLONIA and
those
at

AND of every

ASSYRIA their

together, their
found in
close

temples
and

are

proximity
bow and
the and father and the

turn, pen,
are

the

symbols

of the of the
one

stylus or
the
same

typical
Merodach's
the

son,

respectively covered usually disvictory

Nebo
!
over

in

the

inscription. Even
of his
to

dragon,
forces
of

symbol
is

dark

chaos,

assigned

Nebo But

as

Grairi'God

Nebo
to

seems

to

have In
up

had many
the

also
texts

an

agricultural
he is

side
as

his

character.
"

praised
sources

the

god
to

in order his favour

seems

opens irrigatethe

who

subterranean the and

fields,"and

withdrawal distress.
nature.

of

is followed
favour the the

by
idea

famine
of his

This His
in
was
-

to
'

watery

name,

fixing

his

assigned to
Tashmit Nebo's

proclaimer,'does not assist us much mythological significance,unless it him in the role of herald of the gods.

consort

was

Tashmit. in that
same

It is believed

that cult She Ealur the

Khammurabi,
of
seems

unsuccessful

suppressing
of
as

the

Nebo,
to

succeeded have been

with
the

his
a

spouse.

goddess
mean,
'

who wife
to

became of Merodach.
'

amalgamated
The
name

with
may
to

Zarpanitum,
a

according

some,

the of

hearer,'
the
one

and

others
of

and
was

in

view

character of the

her

revelation,' wise husband,

of

perhaps

original designations
had therefore but

Merodach

himself. None On

Tashmit
the
a

little

individuality.
between
two

popularity.
figures,male
and Tashmit.

able possessed considerwhere seal-impressiondating someb.c.

less she

3500-4500
and The

there

are

outlined

female, supposed
former has
a

to

represent

Nebo
186

wide-open

HADAD

mouth
Both
are

and

the

latter

ears

of

holding wild animals the representation is thought of speech and strength or power
Shamash
and

extraordinary by the horns, be typical of to

silence.

size. and the

Khammurabi that

We

find

Khammurabi
of
at

was

very

devoted His

to

Shamash,
and extensive.
his

the

early type

sun-god.

ments improve-

restorations

The

example, and before Merodach in the paneven placed Shamash theon ! between Merodach The connexion early had and Shamash do with the great to probably much That this was the case, so popularity of the latter.
far from
at

were Sippar and Larsa later Babylonian monarchs followed of them,Mili-Shikhu one {c. 1450 b.c.)

least

as

Khammurabi
of his

was

concerned,
which and

is obvious he

certain
same

in inscriptions,
to

alludes and

in the
to

sentence

Merodach

Shamash

relationship. Khammurabi appears also to have been the cult of a to greatly attached Ninni or or goddess Innana ('lady lady '), great who of some male was evidently the consort deity. He improved her temple at Hallabi and speaks of her There in his hands. as was placingthe reins of power another at goddess of the same name Lagash whom Gudea mistress of the world,' but she worshipped as
'

their

close

'

'

does

not

seem near

to

have

been
she
'

the
was

same a

as

the

Innana

of

Hallabi,
and there that

Sippar, as generation, of the

do the
not

appear

to

be

goddess of fertility mother goddess type, and the assertion any grounds for
'

goddess

of Hallabi

can

be

equated

with

her.

Hadad
Ramman
or

Rimmon,
of

identified
later

with and

Hadad

or

Adad,

is

deity

type

introduction.
187

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA may be
as

AND

ASSYRIA
a
'

Indeed

Ramman
name,

merely
it

variant the

or

sidiary sub-

meaning
title
of

does

thunderer,'
of

quite
The

common

for
was

several

types
in

deities. and

worship

Hadad
was
a

widespread
of
storms
or

Syria

Palestine, and

he

god

rains, whose

thunderbolt the the or symbol was lightning which he holds in his grasp But he bears solar like a fierysword. his apparel, and seems emblems upon
to
wear a

solar

crown.

He

does

not,

however,appear to have had any centre of worship in Babylonia, and was bably procoming a god of the Amorites, and bepopular with the Babylonians,
was

later
At

admitted
Asshur

into in

their
he

theon. panwas

Assyria

with Anu, along with he had whom a temple in common. This building, which excavated in was 1908, contains two shrines having but

worshipped

Hadad From

or

Rimmon

the

one

entrance,

and

the
so

date
far

of its
as

Religious
and tice Prac-

Belief
in and Prof.

foundation
B.C.

is referred

back

Babylonia Assyria, by Jastrow.

that

2400. the
was

There

can

be
of

little doubt Hadad with

was

partnership
a

(G. P. Putnam's Sons.)

Anu
on

late and

one.

Assyrian
from his

not

Perhaps it Babylonian
world. Hadad

soil

that In

Hadad
many

first entered of En-lil.

the

alien

characteristics Like him he

to
was

resembled

closely designated the

'

great
of
as

mountain,'
almost
a

and

seems

have
the

been older

conceived

counterpart
in

of

god.

It is

peculiar that
has old
many

while the

Assyria

and
of

of in

characteristics he

Babylonia Hadad a sun-god, in his

of
a

home who

Syria

possessed
the

those

thundernorthern

god
188

dwelt

among

mountains

of

MYTHS is the word

OF

BABYLONIA
we

AND

ASSYRIA
or

which

have father

in Be-Dad
of the of
;

Ben-Dad,
Old
be

'

the
;

son'^of Dad,'
we

the

Edomite

Hadad

have
or

it also

in the
as

David word Dodo

the
to

Testament.

David,
of
to

Dod,

the

ought
with

read, which
sufhx

is sometimes
the
a

written
is

the

vocalic

nominative,
Phoenician

the

masculine whose called

name

corresponding
'

goddess
was

means

the

beloved of

one,' and who Rome. Dido, in

conceived
the

Dido
the
'

by
consort

the

writers
of the

Sun-god,
and
was

fact, was as Tammuz,

the

beloved

son,'
whom
of

presiding deity
with
I

of

Carthage,
foundress
to

legend city.
and the
as

confounded In the
my

Elissa, the
have that the of the

the
I

article

alluded
names

above,
of

expressed
David title well
soon
as

conviction
a

Dodo under

pointed to
of
'

worship
I had

Sun-god,
at

the

beloved

one,' in
be the

southern

Canaan
the

in Phoenicia.
my the

little idea

time the in

how last the

belief

would
of

verified. Moabite
to
a

Within
stone,
now

year,

Louvre,

squeeze has been German

of

subjected
Professors

thorough
and
the

nation exami-

by
with the

the

Socin of
the

Smend,
received One been

result
and

readings
of the

most

correcting some of filling of some up important discoveries

that
the
a

lacunae. have

that
of

thus

made

is

Israelites Dodo
or

the

northern side
supreme of

kingdom
Yahveh,
God under Yahveh. victories
to

worshipped
or

Dod adored well

as

by

the

rather the
name

that

they
as

the

of Dodo the

under

that

of

Mesha,
which
over

Moabite

king,

in

describing the
enabled him
he

his

god

Chemosh

had
us

gain

his

Israelitish Atarath

foes, tells
'

that

had

carried Dodo Nebo likewise

190

away and
'

from

the

arel

(or altar) of
and which the
from

Chemosh,' dragged it before the arels (or altars) of Yahveh,' Here dragged before Chemosh.'
'

he arel

EA
'

IN is and

LATER

TIMES

or

altar

'

of Dodo
;

arels of Yahveh

placed in parallelismwith the it is quite clear, therefore, that

a name

Dodo,

like
was

Yahveh,

was

under

which
of
an

the

deity
I have
of that
as

worshipped suggested that

by
Dod
in the

the
or

people
Dodo
was

the

land. title

old

the

God supreme Isaiah hence (v

tower

the

of

the

Jebusite Jerusalem, and describing Jerusalem i), when had vineyard the Lord planted
'

in

Israel, calls him

understand

D6d-i,
how
a

my
name

beloved.'
of the

We

can

easily
such
a

kind, with
transferred the

should signification,

have
the

been
to

by popular
whom

affection
'

from

Deity
and

king
him

of
'

it is said that

all Israel

Judah

loved

(I Sam.
Ea in

xviii

i6)."

Later

Times

Ea

developed

with

the

centuries, and

about

the

have achieved to epoch of Khammurabi a appears of godhead, probably because of the high standard of theological moulding considerable amount very

Babylonian described the find him as period we protagonist of the father^ of Merodach, mankind, and, along with and The Anu of a great triad. Bel, a member priests the of Babylon sole mythographers of these were is in the to days. This sharp contradistinction were mythographers of Greece, who nearly always never philosophers and they were priests. But in a secondary sense mythographers only, for they otherwise altered merely rearranged, re-edited, or already existing tales relating to the gods, usually the exaltation with a view of a certain to deity or to enable his story to fit in with of other those gods. It is only after a religion or mythological system less extended has enjoyed a vogue that the more or
191

which

he

had

received.

In

the

later

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
one

ASSYRIA

of relationship

the

gods

towards

another

becomes

fixed.
the to appointment of Merodach supreme in the tated position Babylonian pantheon naturally necessifar as the relationship of the a so rearrangement

The

other

deities
of

to

him

was

concerned.

This

meant

re-shaping
purpose Khammurabi of

myth and tradition ensuring consistency.

such
was
a

generally for
The
men

the
to

fitted age

accomplish
legal, who change of

task

were

to

hand,

for the

of

fertile
be

in

writers, scholastic

and

equipped to carry out a the Ea had not description indicated. exalted in the past enjoyed any sphere. But very the chief in the as god of the important country ancient Gulf, the most neighbourhood of the Persian home of would culture, Ea Babylonian probably have exercised the antiquarian a great influence upon
and
the

would

well

historic

sense

of

man

like

Khammurabi.

As

god

of

wisdom

monarch of

whose

justice and local god of Eridu,

wisdom and and his benefactor and around

strongly appeal to a marked whole career by a love was a insight. From by sagacity and
Ea became
a

he

would

universal

deity of
man,
water. to

beneficence, the

by

the

shield of strong and giftsof harvest

must

Civilized cluster the

softer

emotions

have

begun

the

cult of this resolved

kindly god who,

to

when

angered

deities
for

destroy mankind,
succeeded As
a

interceded

preserving
medicine,
He He his
is the

and humanity poor it from the divine wrath.

too,

in of in

god

Ea

is

humane
arts

and

protective
his

character, and

all the

fall under
of

patronage.
excellence. he became

culture-god
not

Babylon
Merodach,

far
so

might
father.

transcend Thus cults

did of

pagan

merging
192

the

deities

in theology succeed which might otherwise

THE

LEGEND

OF

ZU

have

been

serious

rivals

and

mutually

tive. destruc-

Zu Zu
a

was

bird.

He

storm-god symbolized in typify the advancing may

have seemed
to

the

form

of

storm-cloud,
as was

which
like
a

would

those

of old it

if

hovering
about
such
to
a

the great bird above strike. The North-American

land

which Indians

possess

mythological conception in the Thunder-bird, and it is probable that the great bird called roc, so well known of the readers Arabian similar to a Nights, was the Zu-bird. of monster perhaps the descendant
"

We
upon off.
to
more

remember the

how

this

enormous

creature

descended carried
roc or

ship in

which

Sindbad
we can

sailed
trace

and
the

him rukh
to
a

Certain

it is that

the Persian ancient

of

simurgh,
Persian and

which
the

is

again
or

referable

form,
we

amru

sinamru,
that

the

bird

immortality,
in ancient belief.
of the

may

feel
some was

sure

what in

is found

Persian The
sun,

lore has Zu-bird

foundation

Babylonian
the

evidently
to

under
away

control
the

and

his attempt is related

break

from

solar

authority

in

the

following

legend.
The

Legend

of Zu

It is told of the

god

Zu

that caused

on

one

occasion
to cast

ambition envious

awaking
eyes
on

in

his

breast

him

the power and sovereignty of Bel, so that he of Destiny, which determined to purloin the Tablets
were

the At this

tangible symbols
time,
it may
an

of Bel's be

greatness.
the

recalled,

Tablets

of

Destiny
them. the

had

already
are

We

told and

in the

interesting history creation legend how

chaos,
the
N

behind

Apsu,
193

primeval,

Tiawath,

first parents

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
a

ASSYRIA

of

the

gods,

afterward how

conceived with

hatred

for

their

and offspring,
of

Tiawath,

her

monster-brood

snakes

and

vipers, dragons
on

and the

scorpion-men
hosts
of of heaven.

and
Her

war raging hounds, made son Kingu she made

"

captain

her

hideous

army

To To To

march

before
the

the

forces, to lead
advance the

the
to

give
direct

to battle-signal,

host, the attack,

the

battle, to the

control

fight.

To

Destiny, laying them the his breast with words shall on : Thy command be without the word of thy mouth not avail, and his be established." shall Through possession of the tablets Kingu received the divine of Anu, power able to decree and the fate of the gods. After was refused deities had several the honour of becoming chosen. He succeeded was champion of heaven, Merodach and at length in slaying Tiawath destroying her evil host ; and having vanquished Kingu, her of Destiny, captain, he took from him the Tablets
gave
"

him

she

Tablets

of

which
was

he this

sealed

and
or

laid

on

his who

own

breast. afterward

It came be-

Merodach,
with

Marduk,
for

identified Now
eager
to

Bel. power and

Zu, in his greed

obtain^the and

dominion,
He

was

potent
of

symbols.
from

beheld

the

honour
of these

majesty
to

Bel, and
upon the

he turned within
I

look
:

contemplation of Destiny, Tablets

the

saying
"

himself

Lo,

all

things

of the tablets possess shall be subject unto me.

will

gods,
of

and

The

heaven

shall

bow

before

me,

the
wear

oracles the

shall be in my
of and
194

hands. and

I shall

crown,

sovereignty,
then

the
over

robe, symbol
all the hosts

of

of spirits the gods symbol godhead,

shall I rule

of heaven."

THE

LEGEND he

OF the

ZU
entrance to

Thus

inflamed,
he

sought
the

Bel's
text

hall, where
goes
on :

awaited

dawn

of

day.

The

Now

when

Bel

was

pouring
taken
of

out

the

clear

water,

the {i.e.

lightof day ?)
And his diadem
was

off and

lay
of in

upon

the

throne,

(Zu)
He

seized

the

Tablets

Destiny,
power

took Zu

Bel's

dominion,
and

the
hid

giving
his

commands.

Then

fled away

himself

mountain.

Bel

was

greatly enraged
him.

at

the
of

theft, and
for the

all the

gods
about
to
was

with him

Anu,

lord and

heaven,
asked
a

summoned

his divine the tablets.

after

sons,

champion
Ramman

recover

But him

though
several

god

chosen, and
to

other

deities,they

all refused

against Zu. The of the end legend is unfortunately missing, in another from but tale, the legend of a passage the sun-god, Shamash, Etana, we gather that it was the who mountain-stronghold eventually stormed
of Zu, and with his
net

advance

succeeded

in

capturing

the

presumptuous
This

deity.
the
a

legend is of Prometheus (once

for

Prometheus

type, but
fire from

whereas heaven
of
gained retinue, con-

bird-god) steals
Zu

the

behoof
for

of
own.

mankind,
These
of

steals
of

the

Tablets be
to

Destiny

his

must,

course,

if the

sovereignty
make
a

heaven

is

duly
the
to

and is

to

the tale circumstantial fowler's

net

sun-god
capture

provided
have the Bel been

with

with

which believes purpose but

the
to

recalcitrant

Zu-bird.

Jastrow
for the
were

the
of

myth

manufactured
of power

how older

tablets and the

showing lost by the originally

he has counted dis-

gained by Merodach,
reference

in

the

Etana

legend relating
195

to

their

recovery.
K 2

MYTHS Bel

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

We

find

good
the

deal

of confusion the
name

in later
'

Babylonian
is intended
or

merely title for Merodach. Khammurabi a certainly uses the name occasionallywhen speaking of Merodach, but at other times he quite as surely employs it for for example when the older divinity,as he couples Anu. One of the Kassite with the name kings, too, Bel, the lord of lands," meaning the old speaks of dach. MeroBel, to whom they often gave preference over They also preferred the old city of Nippur and its temple to Babylon, and perhaps made an time make to at one Nippur the capital attempt of their Empire.
name
"

religion as to to designate

whether
old

Bel

'

god

of

that

is

Some Bel

authorities
have

should

appear existed
to

to at

think
as a

it strange

that the the Ea the

all the

elevation

of

Merodach It
was

deity after in highest rank

with the Anu and

pantheon.
as one

his

association

of

triad

earth, and
the triad

the very

presiding over deep which kept him

fact that he
was
a

heavens,

in power. over, Moremember of such

that he was regarded as theologically proves essential to the well-being of the Babylonian religion
as a a

whole.

The

manufacture

or

slow

evolution

of

brought trinityof this descriptionis by no means It is, indeed, the about through popular processes. work of a school, of a collegeof priests. Strangely have associated Anu to seems enough Khammurabi have Ea and Bel together, but to entirely omitted it has been from their companionship, and thought the conception of a trinitywas that subsequent to his epoch. The god of earth and the god of heaven and is above that typify respectively that which reminiscent of the Father-sky is below, and are which
196

ANU

and and
of any

Mother-earth there
the is much

of
to

many say for he

a

deep, although such grouping, was

Triad
of Earth, of

primitive mythologies, the theory that Ea, god existed had long prior to

later inclusion.

The

Air,

and

Sea

triad became invoking the great in later almost a Babylonia. commonplace They nearly always take precedence in religious inscriptions, find monarchs and we even some stating that of the they hold their regal authority by favour has be to a trinity. Whenever powerful curse

The

habit

launched,
the

one

may

be

certain will

that

the it.

names

of

gods

of the

elements

figure in

Dawkina

Dawkina invoked
some

was

the

consort

of

Ea, and

was

ally occasion-

of

She was a along with him. goddess of antiquity, and, strangely enough for the mate have to water-god, she appears originally been in
was some an manner

connected she

with

the

earth.

fore Theretimes
her

elemental
to

deity.
been

In later

attributes

appear
to
some

have

inherited Bel
case was

by
the

Ishtar.
son

According
Ea dach.
the

authorities Bel
name

of

and We

Dawkina,
find
her

in

this

meaning
does
not
seem

Meroto

frequently alluded
her

in
to

Magical Texts,
been
very

but

cult

have

widespread.

Anu

We
triad

have with
he

already
Ea and

alluded

Bel
we

in

When human

stands
than

alone
as

guise
He is

the

mere

position in the later Babylonian times. find him taking a more elemental god of earlier
to

Anu's

days.

frequently mentioned

in the

texts

apart
197

MYTHS from Ea

OF

BABYLONIA is

AND

ASSYRIA
to

and

Bel, and
the

alluded occasionally thunder stand find and in close him

along
who

with.
of

Ramman,
would
the of
to

course

god of naturally
We also

storms,

relationship
with
case

with

sky.
Biblical be
the
a

connected

Dagan
appears There
of whom
seem

celebrity. But in equivalent of Bel.

host
of

this

Dagan

is also
are no

lesser

more

than much
one.

to
was

have
an

achieved

majority names. They do not mere if they did or popularity,

The
or

deities, the

it

evanescent

names

of and

some so us

are

indeed known in the

once only mentioned concerning them as dark regarding their

twice,
to
or

little is

almost
natures

leave

entirely

characteristics.

19S

CHAPTER MERODACH

VI: AND

THE HIS

GREAT CULT

GOD

THE
place
of he of that
came

entire

overshadowed

religious system by Merodach,

remember
in made

of its

Babylonia
great

is

patron
the

deity.
of

We

how
manner

he
even

usurped
the

Ea,

and
were

what
over as

legends
at

god
to

to not

him,

so

that

last

be

regarded
but
it
was

only
of

the

national
world and

god
of other

Babylonia
He confronted
and its

the

creator at

the

mankind.

who,
the

the

pleading
the

of the

gods,
defeated

grisly Tiawath,
earth
own

and
out

having
of her It
was

slain her, formed inhabitants

that of
out

body
at
one

and

of

his

blood.

is almost
time date

certain

this

recounted
of

cosmological Ea, and perhaps

transfer of power

myth
even

at

an

earlier
to

Bel.

The
was

from

Ea
the
so

Merodach,
he

however,
made

skilfullyarranged by
Merodach
the
son

priesthood, for they

that

of

Ea,

would
transfer

naturally
we

inherit
the
to

his father's

attributes.
macy supre-

In

this

observe

of the

city

of Eridu

passing of the that of Babylon.

Ea,

or

Oannes,
older

very

for the god of Eridu, stood of the and more southerly civilization lonian Babywhilst Merodach, god of Babylon, race, patron different type of deity, represented the newer

the

fish-tailed

political power.
Originally Merodach
appears
to

have
sun

been
of
to

sun-god
time. springthe

personifying
Thus chaotic

more

especiallythe
was
a

the

he

fitting deity
another side

defeat

Tiawath,
But

who there

personified darkness
is
to

and
him in
we
"

structio dethe

Says Jastrow {Religion agricultural side. At and Nippur, as Assyria, p. 38) : lamentation there developed an elaborate see,
"

lonia Babyshall

ritual
199

MYTHS for the

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

catastrophes, defeat, destructive and failure of crops, storms, pestilence of revealed the the displeasure and gods." anger endeavours At such times earnest were made, through petitionsaccompanied by fasting and other symbols reconciliation of contrition, to bring about with the a This ritual, owing to the religious angered power.
the norm and dard stanpre-eminence of Nippur, became throughout the Euphrates Valley, so that when Marduk (Merodach) and Babylonia came practically and appeals to replaceEn-lil and Nippur, the formulas the transferred solar deity of Babylon, who, to were the sun-god of spring, particularly representing more the well adapted to be viewed to was as one bring after the and lations tribublessings and favours sorrows of

occasions

when

national

the

stormy

season.

Strange as it will appear, although he was patron he did in that of not god originate Babylon city,but in Eridu, the city of Ea, and probably this is the first regarded as the son He of Ea. reason why he was is also directly associated with Shamash, the chief sun-god of the later pantheon, and is often addressed of subterranean the and as god of canals opener he fountains.' is usually drawn In appearance with tongues of fire proceeding from his person, thus times At other he is indicatinghis solar character. the watery represented as standing above deep, with horned his feet,which also occasionally creature at a It is noteworthy, too, that to serves symbolize Ea. his temple at Babylon bore the same name E-Sagila, the lofty house,' did Ea's sanctuary Eridu. at as
' ' '
"

'

"

We older which
of
200

find

among

the
text

cuneiform
"

texts

"

copy

of

an

Babylonian
shows other how

an

interestinglittle
attracted the

poem

Merodach
to

attributes

the

gods

himself.

A
Ea

NEW'

YEARNS

CEREMONY
of
;

is the

Marduk
Marduk Marduk

(or Merodach)
of of

canals

Ninib

is the is the

strength
war

Nergal
Zamama Enlil Nebo Sin

is the is the is the

Marduk of of

of

battle

Marduk Marduk

sovereignty possession ;
of

and

control

is the

Marduk is the

of illumination Marduk of

of

the
;

night

Shamash Adad

judgments
;

is the

Marduk Marduk of

rain of

Tishpak
Gal

is the

the

host
;

is the

Marduk is the

strength
of

Shukamunu

Marduk

the

harvest.

This

would

seem

as

if Merodach other

had of any

absorbed

the

characteristics
so

of all the

gods

importance

successfullythat he had almost established his position the fore that theresole deity in Babylonia, and as been had arrived at. some degree of monotheism
New'Year*s

Ceremony
first
Year
an

day of the Babylonian New held at Babylon, assembly of the gods was the principal gods were grouped round
in

On

the

when Merodach

all

the in which manner King was preciselythe same surrounded for many by the nobility and his officials, ancient faiths imagined that the polityof earth merely

mirrored have
macrocosm

that

of earth
"

heaven,
was

that,

as

Paracelsus of the

would

said, the
"

the
so

microcosm below." the

their the lesser

heavenly

as

above,
in
as

question to homage
council,
too,

in

consisted Merodach

ceremony deities paying lord.

The

liege

In

this
of

they

decided

politicalaction

Babylonia for the coming year. It is thought that the Babylonian priestsat stated intervals enacted the myth of the slaughter of Tiawath. This is highly probable, as in Greece and Egypt the Osiris rnyths of Persephone and were represented
201

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
a

AND

ASSYRIA

dramatically
We made
see

before these
case

select

audience

that

representationsare
of divinities who

Jnitiates. nearly always

;

of

in the

represent

corn

or

of vegetation as a whole, or the fructifyingpower of Merodach's Zarconsort springtime. The name rendered seed panitum was by the priesthood as with the god who producing,'to mark her connexion was responsiblefor the spring revival. Merodach's dant ideograph is the sun, and there is abunthat he was evidence first and last a solar god. The originallyAmaruduk, probably signifies name, the young of day,' which be a figure steer to seems for the morning sun. also called Asari, which He was be compared with of Asar, the Egyptian name may Osiris. Other names given him are Sar-agagam, the the glorious incantation,' and Meragaga, glorious
' * * '

charm,' both
he obtained incantations exercised Merodach above the
a

of from

which

refer

to

the

circumstance charms health

that and and

Ea, his father, certain

restored influence
to

which beneficial
was

the

sick

to

supposed

upon have

mankind.
a

court

of his

own

he was attended to sky, where by a host Some of ministering deities. superintended his food and drink it that water to supply, while others saw keepers for his hands was always ready. He had also doorand even attendant hounds, and it is thought that the satellites of Jupiter,the planet which sented reprevisible those been have to him, may dimly the Chaldean were giftedwith star-gazers who among called Ukkumu, Seizer,' good sight. These dogs were Iltehu, Eater,' Iksuda, Akkulu, Grasper,' and
' '
'

'

Holder.'
to

It is

not

known in

whether

these his flock

were
or

assist him their

or

chase, and

names

shepherding seem appropriate

hounds.

posed supin the

for

either

sheep-dogs
202

hunting

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
were

AND of the in the

ASSYRIA

striking example
a

required
be found

danger
vain the
of
more

of such

proceeding
discover
of
an

it

might
exact

attempt

to

parallelbetween
Mexico and those
the

religious

systems
and
group of

ancient The had

Guatemala

Yucatan.

city-statesof
evolved
or a

northerly
system
of

people

separate
the

worship
with But
come

for each

pueblo

town,

deities of

which,

the
from

substantiallyidentical. when the pantheons of the more southerly region be examined it will be found to that, although gods which figure in them spring apparently the same stock as those of the Mexican people,
differences, were
even

minor

and
of

those

possess of the

names

which
of

are

mere

translations attributes those

of

gods

Mexico,

their
from

and their

characteristics Mexican is
to

differ

profoundly
The
reason

congeners.

for this
of

dissimilarity
of

be

found

in variations
factors
we are

climate, culture, and

the

three sure politics, religion. If, then, existed groups

of for

in

modification that such

of
two

satisfied

ences differrace-

in
as

the

religioussystems
as

connected closely Babylonia and Assyria, may the supposition that similar the faiths of the
two

almost

peoples be pardoned not we divergences existed

were
races

the

between We

great

of Chaldea

foreign Assyrian pantheon numerous deities whom the Assyrian kings included the among national These shall we gods by right of conquest.
deal with later. It will suffice
for

find in the

the

present

to

who Assur-bani-pal, speaks of the capture of of course, It was, gods of the Elamites. twenty the rise of a distinct Assyrian empire that only upon the religion of the northern kingdom acquired traits that distinguished it from that of Babylonia. differences the for the Having outlined reasons which the Babybelieve to have existed between we
204

mention

THE

PANTHEON

OF

ASSYRIA
us

Ionian
the
must

and

Assyrian faiths,
of

let the

briefly consider
two

variation have
the
two

type

between

caused
races

this
were

divergence.
not
more

peoples which The languages

than
"

of

distinct

the

dialects
among
name

of

northern

and
are

scholars
of

they Assyrian.
Semitic

But

England designated by the the Assyrians had

southern

indeed
common a so

pure

strain
to

of that

blood

which

has

done modern.

much The It

systematize religions ancient

cannot to content

and with
he He

Semite

himself

half-truths.
must

is essential

his

very

life,that
At

feel himself doubt and

upon

sure

religious ground.
doubter.
an

hates

despisesthe

early time in his ancient he had so career securely systematized religionas to There supply the earliest instances of pure dogma. followed the relentless abjuration of all the troublous
of mistrust. A

circumstances rock in the

of

code
was

founded

upon

the And

unquestioning

faith

instituted.

of of Babylonia and especially religious systems tion Assyria we observe a portion of the process of evoluassisted which in the upbuilding of a narrow yet highly spiritualized system. The in more even tent omnipoAssyria were great gods in Babylonia. than One contributing to cause local cults by this was the absorption of the minor of Assyrian deities associated with the great centres life. Early religionis extremely sensitive to political from the tribal or local evolves change, and as a race and bands itself into a nation, so the local gods state become national and centralized, probably in the active city in the politically great deity of the most
state.

Nor

is it essential should be of
a a

absorbed

the deities process that like nature with the absorbing

to

this

god.

Quite
of

often
one

divinity
whom

assumes

the

name common.

and

attributes

with

he

had

little in

20!;

MYTHS Asshur

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

The
_

state

nor

was

any
as

religion of deity ever

he.

Assyria
so

centres

in

Asshur,

empire
Asshur
may

On it. have

the

closelyidentified with an fall of the Assyrian state,

all the combined

fell with be said

to

Moreover been

gods
in

of

Assyria
person.

his

Symbols From

of

the

God in

Asshur

Religious Belief by
Prof.

and

Practice

Babylonia

and

Assyria,

Jastrow

(G.

P.

Putnam's

Sons).

leader of hosts. In a was Babylonia, Merodach personifiedthese hosts, that is, the Assyria, Asshur of Asshur, attributes other Assyrian gods had become the remaining Assyrian and can we only understand lesser Asshurs, so to speak, as gods if we regard them In
as

broken Asshur

lightsof
west

the great originatedin the bank

of

god

of battle

and
name

conquest.
situated from the

on

the

the

city of his Tigris,not

far

206

ASSHUR

point
It
was

where
not

the of

lower

Zab until

flows
the rise

into of

that this

river.

course

city

to

politicalpre-eminence that its god figured as allas regards powerful. There are conflictingestimates authorities his originalnature, some holding that he lunar, others that he symbolized fire or water. was that he The facts, however, point to the conclusion
was

solar Merodach

in character. had

chieflybeen worshipped in Babylon. other As Babylonian territories became subject to do find them that not placing the god of city we local their it was own god. But Babylon above find Asshur. with We different temples to him broadcast as over Assyria, Indeed Assyrian history
advances,
chief
centre
now we see

different

cities and
at

alluded he resides

to

as

the

of
at

his

worship,
now

now'^at
now',
at

Asshur,
Khorsabad. their there

Calah,

Nineveh,
of

Wherever

the there
to

Kings
Asshur

Assyria
was was

took

official residence he
was
an

adored,
not

up and

supposed
idol
or

dwell. man-like

He

ized symbolwould

by
serve

any

statue

which

populace an idea of his physical ing consistlikeness, but was represented by a standard of a pole surrounded by a disc enclosed with two the the 'disc was figure of "a warrior wings. Above bow with bent andfarrow on string. This well symbolized of the the military nature Assyrian nation time indications and of its tutelar deity. At the same not wanting that this pole and its accompanying are totem-standard of a symbols are the remains upon has been which superimposed the anthropomorphic figure of a lightning- or tempest-god. The pole is a vehicle for carrying the totem favourite symbols into
to

give

the

battle, and
been

it looks
as a

here

as

if the
totem.

sun

had^at The

one'^time the
207

regarded

tribal

figure of

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
seems

AND

ASSYRIA

archer
or

at

the
"

top
a

storm-god
with the

representative of a lightningated mythic character frequently associthat the

a
'

sun,

strong

warrior.'

By

virtue

oi his

is

possessionof often accepted as

etymology
his
name

lightningarrow
god
name as a

the

storm-god
little

of

war.

The

of the

of Asshur

throws

lightupon
took
*

his character
was

The

city
of
name

of

the

divinity. The citywhich in all probabilityoriginally called To call it by the god Asshur.'
alone
from
means

name

the

god

would
a

not root
'

be

unnatural.
'

The

is derived and therefore But

name

gracious,'
'

be to meaning the gracious god,' that

an

the

good god.'
form of the

there had

are

indications

older

existed, and
has
as

it has

been With

asserted

that
a

the

form
was

Anshar created

priority.
the second

Kishar,
of

god
to

Anshar
see

pair

deities
it

the

version

is Anshar
to

finallyMerodach
This

light, and according to one who dispatches Anu, Ea, and Tiawath. destroy the monster
as we

Anshar,
among

then, appears

possessed
find
no

with

rity authoof him

the

gods.
texts

But and Anshar

mention

in

the

ancient

of Babylonia. inscriptions

The
have

version been

in which

is alluded and

to

may

of

course tion crea-

tampered with,
may

his inclusion
as a

in the
to
we

myth
Merodach

be

regarded
in
one

concession tablet

rian Assyfind !
earth

greatness.

Indeed

creation
as

displacedby
of Assyrian is mentioned
to

Asshur

framer

of the

The

Secret

Greatness

Asshur known

in the that
of

oldest

Assyrian inscription
(c. 1850
in the ruled

us,

Samsi-Ramman who and

of Asshur, the priest-chief B.C.),

days
'

when

as

yet

the

offices of when 350

king
the years

undivided.
come

Indeed,
use
some

high priestwere title of had king

'

into

later, the

monarchs

208

THE of
'

SECRET

OF

ASSYRIAN

GREATNESS

Assyria

still retained

the

right to

call themselves

entire faith The in priests of the god Asshur.' and deity on the part dependence on their beloved of these early Assyrian rulers is touching. They are him first for his children and rely wholly upon tection prothe Kassites and against their cruel enemies for the extension of their growing empire. afterwards No

wonder

that

with

such
Faith her

faith
in her

to

stimulate

her
was,

Assyria
indeed,

became
the
are

great.
of the of

tutelar The
her

god
enemies

secret
'

greatness.
of

of
are
'

Assyria
*

enemies

Asshur,'
their his

soldiers
are

the

warriors

Asshur,' and

Before of Asshur.' weapons of Assyria tremble and are

weapons the face

the

enemies

routed, he
and conduct
But

is consulted
of war, the

oracularly as
he

to

the

making
was

and

is present on Asshur of nature

the

battle-field. remarkable.
nor

solitary
wife
nor

Originally he

possessed
child, and

'

neither
the

kith

kin,' neither
of

tion splendid isolathe Assyrian scribes, who have struck to appears their in an interesting prayer attempted to connect divinity with the greater gods of Babylonia, to find him
a

unnaturalness

his

wife, ministers,
Asshur,
and has and muttallu of the

court

and

messengers.

prayer
heaven

to

the

king
the

of

the

gods, ruler

over

earth,
created

the

father

who

gods,
to

the

supreme

first-born

of heaven the the supreme

earth,
who and

inclines
the

counsel,
creatress

giver

sceptre
wife and of

throne.

To

Nin-lil, the
of heaven

Asshur, the
mouth
,
.

begetter, the

earth,
of her of
.

who

by
Sin,
the

command the lord

To

command,

the

uplifter of horns,
the

the

spectacleof heaven,
To

Sun-god, lightning

the
to

great
issue

judge
forth,
o

of

gods,

who

causes

the

209

MYTHS
To

OF
the father lord of the and

BABYLONIA
and the

AND
the

ASSYRIA
life of

Anu,
the

prince,possessing
great

Asshur,
of

gods.
of heaven and

To

Rammon,
the wind the

minister the

earth, the lord

stars,

lightning
of heaven

of heaven. and

To

Ishtar,

queen

the

whose

seat

is exalted.

To

Merodach,
the

the

prince
heaven of Mul-lil

of

the

gods, the

interpreter of

spiritsof
the
son

and

earth. the
. . .

To To To
To

Adar,

Nebo, Nergal,
the the

the
the

messenger

lord

of

giant, the first-born of Asshur (Ansar) and strength might

. . . , . .

god
seven

who

marches the

in

front,

the

first-born
. . .
. .

To
the

gods, gods,
the

warrior

deities
.

great

lords

of heaven

and

earth.

Asshur An of

as

Conqueror
which well illustrated the

incident

popularity

of Assyrian belief in the conquering power of the the national in an account god is described stamped on expedition of Sargon against Ashdod a clay cylinder of that monarch's reign. Sargon that in his ninth states expedition to the land beside the Philistia and to Ashdod, to punish King sea, tribute of that city for his refusal and Azuri send to for his evil deeds against Assyrian subjects, Sargon placed Ahimiti, nephew of Azuri, in his place and fixed the taxes. revolted But the people of Ashdod against the them, and by Sargon had placed over puppet

the

acclamation fortified their

raised

one

Yaran

to

the the

throne,

and

dominions.

could which peoples sought the aid of of Asshur, Sargon For the honour help them. engaged in an expedition against the Hittites, turned his
II

They and Egypt,

surrounding
not

then and

attention

to

the

state

of

affairs

tia in Philisfear of

(c.y
Asshur,
where
210

B.C.), hearing
to

which the

Yaran,
borders

for
of

fled he
hid

Meroc

on

ignominiously. Sargon

Egypt, besieged and

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

absolutely
favourite

identical

with in the

the

shrines

Arbela, and the The Nineveh. have admitted to Assyrians appear least to have her Babylonian origin, or confessed at theirs that was originallya Babylonian Ishtar, for the stance circumTiglath-pileser I lays emphasis upon that a shrine he raised to Ishtar in his capital the Assyrian Ishtar.' The is dedicated date of to
Nineveh,
'

Babylonian Ishtar, her northern kingdom being also in temple of Kidmuru,

this monarch
is
a

is

loio

b.c,

or

near

it,so

that

the

above

comparatively early allusion to Ishtar in Assyrian and Kidmuru do not history. The Ishtars of Arbela in Assyrian texts until the time of Esar-haddon appear much the was (68l B.C.),thus the Ishtar of Nineveh venerable of the three. Arbela most was evidently a of importance, and the religious centre theory has
been of advanced that it became the
seat

of

school

the with prophets connected worship of Ishtar. Assyria Jastrow in his Religion of Babylonia and It is quite (1898, p. 203), writing on this point, says, if not probable, that the three Ishtars are possible, of Kidmuru,' each of independent origin. The queen to indeed, I venture think, is the indigenous Ishtar who is obliged to yield her place to the of Nineveh, transfer the of so-called Assyrian Ishtar,' upon is the capital of Assyria to Nineveh, and henceforth of her epithets to distinguish her from known by one
" ' '

her

more

formidable
is

rival.
too,

The

cult date

of
;

Ishtar but

at

Arbela

probably,
that

of ancient

special
led
to

circumstances
a

revival

have to us escape appear of interest in their cults during the the

us

period
The
no

Assyria reached important point for

when essential
were

zenith bear

of her in mind

power.
is that

to

distinctions

between

these Their

three

Ishtars and

made

by

the

Assyrians.

traits

ISHTAR

AS

WAR^GODDESS for in the all

epithets
we

are

similar,
one

and

have

only

Ishtar

practicalpurposes northern empire."

Ishtar

as

War^Goddess
was

frequently placed by the side of Asshur she left the Ere as a lonia war-goddess. plains of Babythe evinced for uplands of Assyria she had certain bellicose propensities. In the Gilgamesh epic and she as a deity of destructive spiteful appears But if character, if not nature. actually of warlike the foremost Babylonians regarded her first and but the great mother-goddess, the Assyrians took as
Ishtar little notice she grew the
was
more a

of

this

side

of

her

character. and
as

To

them

veritable and
more

Valkyrie,

the

Assyrians
more

military so

she

became
of
to

war-goddess and less the nature-mother and agriculture. She appeared in dreams war-loving Kings of Assyria, encouraging and
them with
Fire of
was

love
the

ening heart-

words
her

of

cheer

to

further

military
became
terrific.

exploits. a goddess
She flames. influenced
still of
to
a

raiment,
appearance
of

and,
was

as

battle,
the

her

consumed

Assur-bani-pal with Still, texts, strangely enough, in the religious she was probably by Babylonian sources,
enemies great It
extent

the the

mild

and

bountiful
texts

mother

nature.

is in

historical
the

with
of

tales of conquest

and

ring grandiloquent boastings

she

which

conquering
of armies

monarchs and

that the

appears

as

the has

leader
slain

martial her
tens

goddess
of the

who

her
it
ever

thousands been
possess

and

thousands.

So
the and

has

impossible
the selfsame
no

for

soldier
this

to
so

idea less than

priest and of godhead,

in the

is

in Yet and

the

modern

ancient

world.

occasionally
it
was

the

stern

Assyrian
brief

kings
of
213

unbent,

probably

in

interval

MYTHS peace that

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
as

lady
It

who

"

also

Ishtar to Assur-nazir-palalluded and loves him his priesthood." spoke of the goddess in similar
to state

the

cherib Sennaterms.

is necessary Belit given to wife

or

that
not

the

name

or

title of she
'

Ishtar
of

does

signify that
that
'

is the great

consort

Bel, but
the title

merely
'

she is
a

lady,'
If she

for

which
at

Belit

is

generic term.

with brought into close association Asshur she is never She is not regarded as his wife. the consort of any god, but an independent goddess in her own right, standing alone, equal with Asshur it was and the dependant of no other divinity. But later only that she ranked with Asshur, and purely because
of her

is

times

militaryreputation.
War^God

Ninib Such

as

an a

Assyrian

deity as Ninib girsu, the god of Lagash) the Assyrians by among

which We find would several render

(another
was

name

for

Nin-

certain of

to

find

favour

virtue
him
a

those

istics character-

valuable

ally in

war.
a

warrior, rishishi,who
and
as a
"

kings extolling his notably Tiglath pileser I,

-

as prowess and Assur-

allude

to
one

him
of

"

as

the

courageous

one,"
status

the

mighty

the

gods."
he
was

His

old

regarded as the overthrowing and ground everything which stood in his path, would supply him with the to a god of battles. reputation necessary with He is associated Asshur in this capacity, and fulfil who brackets them those as Tiglath-pileser
sun-and-wind

god, in which levelling with

"

his

desire."

But

Ninib's

chief

votary

was

Assur-

his annals commenced nazir-pal (858-60 B.C.),who with of Ninib, which of praise in honour so a paean either abounds feel that in fulsome eulogy that we he must have felt much beholden the god, or else to
214

NINIB have he suffered

AS

AN
from

ASSYRIAN

WAR^GOD The those

religious mania.
of

employs
upon

in

praise
the

Ninib
of

are

epithets usually
This
ceeding pro-

lavished

greatest
immense

gods only.

popularity and him which social and a political gave vogue find Shamsinothing else could have given, and we the grandson of Assur-nazir-pal,employing ramman, the selfsame titles in honouring him. The situated in Calah, temple of Ninib was great of Assur-nazir-pal, and the official residence within its walls that monarch placed a tablet recording his of the further statue deeds, and a god. He great his cult so that it might enjoy continuance. endowed the We how readily understand can especial such a god as Ninib shown favour to by an Assyrian be regarded by would monarch originated. Asshur much them too as deity to a popular and national difficult to But choose as a more personal patron. which actuated comprehend are the precise reasons the kings of the Assyrian kings, or indeed similar any in ancient Does choosing their patrons. a state, of condition religionpermit of the fine polytheistic
selection
of

secured

for

Ninib

patron

deities, or

is it

not

much

more

probable that the artful offices of ecclesiastical and had much do with to moulding political wire-pullers the preferences of the King before and after he reached
the

throne
a

The

education

of

the

monarch

while

almost to certainly be entrusted prince would a high ecclesiastical dignitary, and although many are examples to the contrary exist, we pretty safe that in assuming the whatever complexion of the of the pupil would tutor's mind, that to extent some the other hand there reflect it. is no On resisting that the the conclusion Assyrian kings were very ostentatious and often vulgar parvenus, impossible,'

yet

'

215

MYTHS
as

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

the that, after people usually are, and of their doted kind, they manner upon thing everyancient, and, possibly,everything Babylonian, praised everything Greek. just as the later Romans
such
' '

Ninib But

as

Hunter'God

Ninib
devotees

ministered
as

to
as

the
to

amusement

of

his

royal
We

well

their

warlike

desires.

Assur-nazir-pal invoking him before mencing comof sport, and a long journey in search Tigof lions a I, who was doughty hunter lath-pileser his success and to Ninib, who elephants, ascribes in his hands. has placed the mighty bow that Ninib Jensen in his Kosmologie points out and the the eastern sun morning sun. represents find a god representing If this is so, it is strange to of a war-god. It is of morning in the status the sun the sun-god reaches the zenith of the usually when that he slays his thousands and his tens of heavens of Nin-girsu he variant As thousands. would of a
find
course

be
to

identified whom

with

Tammuz.

His
a

consort

was

Gula,
Dagan

erected Assur-nazir-pal

sanctuary.

Dagan
Cannes in
or

the

fish-god,who, we saw, was Ea, strangely enough rose,

Some authorities consider do
not

the
to

same

as

high
of

rank

Assyria.
or

him

Philishim sian Per-

tian with

Aramean
rose

origin, and
from the

Ea, who
Gulf
to

waters

compare of the

people, and it is evident the Mesopotamian-Palestinian region contained that of the versions several origin of this god, ascribing it to various places. In the Assyrian pantheon he with Anu, who rules the heavens, Dagan is associated It is strange observe to a supervising the earth.
216

enlighten

his

""v.

Tiglalh-Pileser
Evelyn

directed
Paul

by

Ninib

2l6

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
an

AND

ASSYRIA

destruction

personified. Says
Ramman
:

old

Assyrian hymn
it.

concerning
The At his his

mighty
anger,

mountain,
at

thou

hast

overwhelmed

his

strength, thundering,
to

At
The

roaring, at gods of heaven

of the the the horizon zenith

his

ascend ascend

the
to

sky,
the

The Into Into

gods

earth

earth,
their way.

of heaven of heaven

they
they
here

enter.

make

What lines and

of

picture have pantheon in

of
one

we

in

these
of

few the
can

simple
wrath almost

dread

and

terror

violence the the

of

its number.

We

behold into
of

divine

upper hide

fugitives crowding in flight,some the anger regions of air to outsoar

the

destroyer, others
to

seeking
from
of

the

recesses

of of

the his the the

earth

themselves
the
roar

the

fierceness

countenance,
arrows

his

thunderbolts, and
almost

of his
are

lightning. Simple,
possess
us as

bald,
of
a

as

lines

they
before
a

marvellous

pictorialquality,
the
rout

bringing
heaven The in

they
words.

do

whole

few

simple

of Ramman weapons hunger, and death, and woe he

are

lightning, deluge,
nation
upon

to

the

whom and

visits

his Thus into

as or a

wrath,
his

for

upon

it he
as a

visits

flood

famine.

brought for just

as a

storm-god are he figures as a war play when deity, weather-god of the lightning wields it
dart bear of the in the the

attributes

spear

fight,so
horrors
of

Ramman

as

storm-

god brings
devoted So

to

tempest

upon the him

the

head

enemy.

highly
of Ramman

did

the

Assyrian kings value that they sacrificed to

of
a

ance assist-

the

stress
an

and attack

bustle
of

campaign
troops
to

in the field. his

out

during They
and

liken if
218

their

onslaught,
of
an

they

wish

to

depict the stamping

adversary,

RAMMAN

his

Zulus wont to term eating up,' as Chaka's were the the process, they declare that their men swept over Ramman Assur-nazirdone. as might have enemy Ramman the to as pal alludes mightiest of the gods,' but as in reality that phrase was employed all the in connexion with principal deities at one time another favoured or by kings or priests who that to them, there is no reason anything suppose
'

'

more

is
of

intended

than

that

place
The
much

importance in the worship of Ramman into prominence. It

that and
even

occupied Assyrian pantheon.

in later
was

Ramman

times

came

only
into

in the

very days of
as

Khammurabi it were,

he then in

came

his

kingdom,
was

his

worship
With find
we name

not

firmly
the
more

established

Babylonia.
his

the him

very rise of

Kassite into

dynasty, however,
favour,
and
He
to

coming
upon

bestowed have formed

triad a Babylonian kings. seems with Sin and murabi of KhamShamash, and in the Hymn find him we appealed to along with Shamash Divine Lords I of as Justice.' Nebuchadrezzar have held him in high esteem, to although appears he was first brought unfriendly to the dynasty which him into prominence, and this monarch couples him with Ishtar the divinity who has chiefly assisted as him in all his great adrezzar undertakings. Indeed, Nebuchevinced much partialityfor Ramman, haps perfeeling that he must placate the especial god of those he had He from cast speaks of power.
'

him
and

as

the

lord

of from

the

waters

beneath

the

earth,'
obscure.
in differ
some

of the

rains of

heaven.

The We

place

Ramman's

origin

seems

already dealt with his manifestations more to primitive days, but opinions appear of his worship, regarding the original seat

have

219

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND it it
was

ASSYRIA in
to

authorities

holding
others
traces

that
that of and

Muru

Southern
turn to

Babylonia, Assyria for

found Plain
of

his

is necessary first worship.

as :

His south

cult
as

is the

in Damascus

extended says

far

Jezreel.
,
, .

As

Milton

Rimmon,
fair and

whose
on

delightful seat
the

Was

Damascus,

fertile banks lucid

streams.
was

Of
He A

Abbana also

Pharphar,
lost, and

'gainst the house

once

of

God

bold

leper
his

he

gained

king,

Ahaz

he drew conqu'ror, whom God's altar to disparage and displace For burn of Syrian mode, whereon to one His odious and adore the gods offerings,

sottish

Whom

he

had

vanquish'd."
would
appears

This

later but

theory
his cult

make
to

him have

of

Aramaic
of very

origin,

been

antiquity in Assyria, and it might have been tion indigenous there. Moreover, the earliest menof his As worship is in the city of Asshur. has been indicated, he was probably a storm-god also or a thunder-and-lightning god, but he was ever whatassociated But with the sun-god Shamash. he have been in Babylonia, in Assyria may he most. was certainly the thunder-deity first and foreBabylonian really fine hymn
as
"

considerable

text to

of

some

Ramman,

a antiquity contains which might be paraphrased

"

follows, omitting redundancies : 0 lord is the Ramman, thy name great glorious Bull, child of heaven, lord of Karkar,
of

and lord
that

plenty, companion
the

of

the
name.

lord

Ea.

He
name

rideth charm thunder

220

great shakes

lion

is
covers

thy
the

Thy
a

doth

the

land, and
even

it like

great

garment. mountain,

Thy
En-lil,

RAMMAN

and

when

thou Said
*

dost the
son,

rumble

the

mother

Nin-lil

trembles.
Ramman eyes may
:

En-lil, addressing his son spirit of wisdom, with all-seeing

of

lord

and

high vision, full

sonorous

thy
forth,

voice

knowledge give forth

as

the its

Pleiades,
utterance.

Go

go

father
art

is with

who strive with thee ? The can up, thee Thou against the cunning foe. in

cunning
Oh,
root

small. and words

with
him

wielding the hail-stones thy right hand destroy

!
'

great the

and

up of his father

Ramman took
the

hearkened his

enemy the to

and

the In

youthful lion,
times

from the way spirit of counsel."

ing, dwell-

later

in

Babylonia
Not with

Ramman

seems as

to

have
as

typifiedthe
its

rain

of heaven

in its beneficent

well

fertilizing aspect.
and fill the
for

only

did

he but

irrigate the
he which
was

fields

wells
the

water,

also sweep

accountable
over

dreadful Sometimes instead in

some

tempests
he
was

Mesopotamia.
grow

malevolent,
The
as a as

to causing thorns if they regarded

of herbs.
measure

people,
tive destruc-

him
to

fertilizing
a

agent,

also
and

seem

have

looked

upon

him

the
roar as

deity quite capable the country-side and eating up is typical of him, filling all hearts
*

lion-like

of

desolating
land.' His

with

affright

it does,
is
not

It

have when

had
we

destruction. and signifying famine that regions should Mesopotamian strange deities of a destructive so tendency many think
rush of
across

and

the the

furious face of

whirlwinds the

which

frequently
sand-storms

land, raising
in their track.

and
was

devastating everything
well likened
to

Ramman

the this

roaring
seems

lion,
have

seeking
of the

what

he him

may

devour,
eyes

and

to

symbolized
land.

in the

of the

peasant

population

destructive

Indeed, the Assyrians, impressed by his tendencies, made a war-god of him, and

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
as

AND essential
of
storm to

ASSYRIA

considered wonder

his that
!

presence the great

god

victory. No made a good

war-god
Shamash

The

cult of Shamash Pudilu Asshur.

in

when B.C., 1340 in the city of

Assyria dates built a temple

He entitled
to

from
to

at

least

this
'

god
The

Shamash be

is name Protecting Deity,' which that of the god of justice,whose as and

from in this
manner

understood

fiat 'is differed

able, unchangesomewhat

Shamash idea

In the concerning him. southern kingdom he was certainlyregarded as a just the god of justice a very different as god, but not thing. It is interesting as well as edifying to watch of evolution the process of a god of justice. Thus in

the

Babylonian

"

Ancient

Mexico into and

a

Tezcatlipoca evolved
who
of
a

from

tribal

deity
marks

god signs
that

was

beginning to bear all the the conquering god of justice when

an

Spaniards
observe,
too,

put

end

to

his

career.

We

although the Greeks had a special other divinities, justice, deity whose department was Pallas such Athene, displayed signs that they in as of the balances wielders time might possibly become between and In the Egyptian heavenly man man. both partook of the attributes and Thoth hierarchy Maat of a god of justice,but perhaps Maat the was in the Now more directly symbolical of the two.
case

of

Shamash
or

no

favours

can

be those
can

obtained who

from

him

by

to lay claim queror I, mighty conrighteousness. Even Tiglath-pileser he was, his judge, as as recognized Shamash he and, naturally, as the judge of his enemies, whom against Tiglath, destroys,not because they are fighting

him,

prayer monarchs

sacrifice unless

supplicate

though

they

be,

222

i.^r

'^

Assur-nazir-pal
Bas-relief

attended

by
the

Winged

Mythological

Being
at

from

north-western Nimrud

palace

Photo

W.

A.

Mansell

and

Co.

MYTHS
as

OF
no

BABYLONIA lunar

AND

ASSYRIA other

is

known,
a

these fear-inspiring attributes, but are caused the in which is chiefly by the manner moon regarded among primitive peoples as a bringer of find Sin in Assyria blight. But we plague and all the astrological freed from he significanceswhich the for the Babylonians. At had time he is same of decisions, and a framer regarded as a god of wisdom in these respects equating very fullywith the Egyptian Thoth. the born firstAssur-bani-pal alludes to Sin as he is alluded of Bel,' just as in Babyto son lonian thus affording us a clue to the direct texts, Babylonian origin of Sin.
'

possesses without

deity in any military significance.

pantheon
are

Several

not

'

Nusku

of the

Brilliant

Sceptre
we

It is strange that although had been a Babylonian god from

know

that

Nusku and had

early times,

it is not figured in the pantheon of Khammurabi, until Assyrian times that we definite gain any very The information in regarding him. symbols used his name are a sceptre and a stylus,and he is called The I Bearer of the Brilliant by Shalmaneser associates him Sceptre.' This circumstance closely the same with Nabu, to designate whom symbols are believe that It is difficult,however, to employed.
'

the
for

two

are

one,

as

some

writers

appear

to

think,

certainly a solar deity, while Nabu been have to a water-god. There originally appears the where not however, same wanting cases are, both solar and istics, characterdeity has evinced aqueous the be found and these are to notably among of Thus the Maya gods of American races. among is depicted witk Central America the god Kukulcan
is both
22|

Nusku

solar

and

aqueous

attributes, and

similar

PRISONER.GODS instances could Nusku connected

manner

be and
some

drawn Nabu
way,

from
are,

lesser-known

ologies. myth-

however,

probably
what Nusku

in is

obscure.

In

exactly in times Babylonian

with for

but

had

become

amalgamated

Gibil, the
his

god

of

fire, which
ment

perhaps
southern

accounts

virtual

eiface-

find Assyria we the him alluded of Bel-Merodach, to as messenger him and the as Assur-bani-pal addresses highly of the honoured gods.' The Assyrians messenger
'

in

the

kingdom.

In

do

not

seem

to

have

identified

him

in any

way

with

Gibil, the
BeI'Merodach

fire-god.

Even

Bel-Merodach To
the

was

absorbed

into

the

Assyrian
was

pantheon.
country
of

Bel, and
as

Assyrians, Babylonia they referred to their

Bel.'

the

southern
of course,

neighbours
must

the
not
even

of '^subjects
to
mean

This,

be taken

the older
to

dach. Bel, but Bel-Merowhom

They placed
over

alluded

the governor

they
of the

conquered Babylonia as the governor Bel, so closely did they identify the god with It is only in the time of Shalmaneser country.
the

II

"

ninth

century
for

B.C.

"

that
so

we

find

the

name use

Meroof the

dach latter

employed
become. could in

Bel,
course

general
it
was

did

the

Of take

Merodach had done

first but

impossible in Assyria as place

it
was
a

that
he the him

Babylonia,

tribute

to

Assyrian belief in immediately after

Pfisoncf'Gods

his greatness that they ranked Asshur in the pantheon.

sufficiently politic to Assyrian rulers were for they could this place to Merodach, but award not that see they drew their arts Babylonia, from which
The
p

225

MYTHS and

OF
as

BABYLONIA

AND their

ASSYRIA

religious beliefs, and in many which from they benefited directions,must be worthily represented in the national religion. And in conquering Greece and just as the Romans Egypt
sciences,
as

well

adopted
and less

many

of

the

deities

of

these

more

cultured

powerful lands, thus seeking to bind the inhabitants of the conquered provinces more closely to themselves, so did the Assyrian rulers believe that, did they incorporate Merodach into their hierarchy, he would become so to as Assyrian in his outlook be wholly Babylonian, and would doubtless to cease work In no of the stronger in favour other kingdom. of the religions of antiquity as in the Assyrian was the idea so powerful that the god of the conquered become virtual or a subject people should prisoner
in the absorbed land
of

into

conquerors, their national

went
so

the

or

should

at

least
of

be the

worship.
far
as on

Some

Assyrian
every

monarchs

to

drag

almost

petty idol they encountered

to

their

conquests
of

back that

the

great
did
not

temple
do

of

Asshur, and
any

it is obvious
rooting up-

they
the

this

with

intention

worship

of these

gods

in the

regions they
make in
a

conquered, but because they desired to prisoners of them, and to place them be unable to prison, where they would
upon
to
war

political templeance venge-

wreak

them,

or

assist

their

beaten

worshippers
how their
Both

against them in the future. be fittingat this point to emphasize It may greatly the Assyrian people, as apart from
rulers, cherished
the older beliefs of the its

Babylonia.
same

peoples
any

were

substantiallyof
which had
as

stock, and
the tion destrucmet

movement

object

have Babylonian religionwould from the populace the strongest hostility to seem Just as the conquering Aztecs of the
226

with

of

Assyria.
had

have

THE immense

ASSYRIAN
reverence

BEL

AND

BELIT of the

for

the

worship

Toltecs,

whose

they subdued, so did the less cultivated Assyrians regard everything connected, with Babylonia The Kings of Assyria, in fact, as peculiarly sacred. little proud of being the rulers of Babynot a lonia, were of and extremely mild in their treatment were their southern more subjects very much so, in fact, in their behaviour the people toward than they were
land
"

We even conquered territories. nated find the kings alluding to themselves as being nomithe land of Bel. by. the gods to rule over hard The disturb strove not to Assyrian monarchs Shalmaneser the ancient II, Babylonian cult, and he had when conquered Babylonia, actually entered Merodach's temple and sacrificed to him.
of

Elam

or

other

The

Assyfian
As
for

Bel

and

Belit

place Merodach usurped in the also recognized in Babylonian pantheon, he was I built him a Assyria, and Tiglath-pileser temple in his city of Asshur. Tiglath prefixes the adjective that old the god's name show he means to to Bel, Bel-Merodach. had who quarian antinot Sargon, too,
Bel, whose
' '

tastes,

also
'

reverts

to

Bel,
the that

to
name

whom
of

he
the Bel

alludes

as

the

Great

Mountain,'
after

god following immediately

is also of

of Asshur.
as a

invoked His

in connexion
consort

with

Anu

granter

victory.
is

Belit, although occasionally

more

usually figures as the wife of Asshur, and almost variant as as a commonly of Ishtar. In a temple in the city of Asshur, Belit to Tiglath-pileserI made consisting presents in images of the gods vanquished by him ofjj.^the his various campaigns. Assur-bani-pal, too, regarded
him,
Belit
as

she

coupled

with

the

wife
p

of

Asshur,

and

him227

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
to

ASSYRIA
'

self the
to

as

their

son,

alluding
a

Belit

as

Mother would

of

Great
show

Gods,' that,
like

circumstance
most

which

of

the

Assyrian
sense

go kings, his

egoism
In

rather

overshadowed

his

of

humour. close have and word

Assur-bani-pal's pantheon
her
a

Belit
there

is
seems

placed
to

by
been

consort

Asshur.

But confusion

good
because

deal
of

of

between of

Belit the

Ishtar Belit.

the

general meaning

Nabu

and

Merodach

As
were

were we

and Merodach Babylonia so in Assyria,Nabu paired together, often as Bel and Nabu. ally Especiwhen the affairs of Babylonia were they invoked In the seventh being dealt with. b.c. century in high popularity in Assyria, find the cult of Nabu in indeed
an

and made He him

not

Ramman-Nirari

III

attempt
a

to

advance
the

have to appears Nabu considerably.

erected
many
seem

temple to resounding
expense Asshur

god

at

Calah, and
even

granted
it does
to

titles.

But

so,

that the

Ramman-Nirari
of

intended Indeed done

so

exalt

Nabu have

at

Asshur.
to

it would if he had

been
to.

impossiblefor
was
as

him
as

have
the of

desired the Nabu

arts

much
was

national the

god

of

Assyrian people
was

Osiris

Egyptians.
of the

the

patron
the

of

wisdom,
the
to

and

protector
;

he

guided
he

stylusof
close

scribe the

and

in these

attributes and almost

is very identical
to
on

Nusku,
Nabu
seem

alluded *the from Seer

some

who

Egyptian Thoth, another with Babylonian god, Sargon calls 225. 224, pages guides the gods,' and it would
of him that
or

notices of

he

was

also

regarded as a leader Those kings who were devotion to Nabu,

228

heavenly
fond
of

forces. spiritual erudition paid great of

and

many

the

tablets

in

LESSER

GODS

their him

literary collections close with for having opened their ears to

thanksgiving
receive wisdom.

to

Ea

accepted into the Assyrian in the his old because of pantheon membership also regarded as a god of Assyrian triad, but he was of his venerable wisdom, possiblybecause reputation ;
Ea
was

of

course

and

we

find

him

also

as

patron
in this

of

the

arts,

and

especially of
was

building

and

architecture.

Threefold The

his power
the

of direction
enormous

respect.
and

great

mythological the flanked avenues figures which leading to the royal places,the images of the gods, and, lastly, the of the tectural archiall examples buildings, were greater winged
art

Colossi,

bulls

of which

he

was

the

patron.

Dibbafra

Babylonian deity who was placed in the ranks of the Dibbarra, the Assyrian pantheon was plague-god, who can only be called a god through a of a more species of courtesy, as he partook much
Another demoniac

character, and
an

was

at

one

time

almost alluded
armies

certainly
to

evil in

the his

poem

spirit. We he lays which

and it
was

have low

already people and

of one probably from the of this that the texts Assur-bani-pal conceived idea that had those civilians who perished in his been campaigns against Babylonia had slaughtered by Dibbarra.

by

violence,

Lesser

Gods of

Some and

the

lesser
seem

Babylonian
to

gods,
attracted

like
a

Damku

Sharru-Ilu,
to

have

passing
found
229

interest

themselves,

but

as

little

can

be

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA in

AND

ASSYRIA it is in

concerning
necessary

them
to

Babylonian
much notice

texts,
of

scarcely
such
a

take this.

them the

chapter
of

as

Most

probably

the

their
of

Babylonian gods on native reputation, but

their
names

the

Assyrians accepted basis not only

of

also

the

rence occur-

in

the

ancient

religious texts,

with and

priestswere thoroughly acquainted, though, broadly speaking, they accepted practically the the of whole Babylonian religion and
gods
in

which

their

its

entirety, there
very than
natures

is

no

doubt

that

some

of

these
more a

by
to

their them

and

attributes therefore their eyes

others, and
value in
more

appealed possessed
from

somewhat
to

different them

that

assigned
of the

southern

by the kingdom.

peace-loving people

Procession Rock-relief
to at

of

Gods

Malatia

(Anti-Taurus
Sin, En-lil,

range).
Shamash,

Order

from and

right
Ishtar

left

Asshur,
"

Ishtar,

Adad,
in

of and

Arbela.

From

Assyria, by

Practice Religious Belief and Putnam's Prof. Jastrow (G. P.

Babylonia Sons).

230

MYTHS with Thus whole the

the

OF

BABYLONIA
monsters
seem

AND

ASSYRIA

eleven

forming
that the

the

host

of Tiawath.

it would

zodiacal The
to

system been

as

originated
Chaldean and it the

in

Babylonia.
appears likely that

knowledge
have
were

of

astronomers

siderable, con-

is

they
known

familiar the later

with Greeks.

most

of

constellations

to

Legend
The

of the

Origin

of Stat-'Worship

and

Idolatry

following legend
friend
:

is told
the

astrology by Maimonides,
and
of

regarding the origin of famous Jewish rabbi

commentary
of and
on

Averroes,
of

in

his

the

Mischnah
"

In

the erred

days

Enos, the
great
age
error

son
:

Seth,
the
;

the

sons

of of

Adam the wise

with

council and

men was

of that of

became erred.

brutish And
as

Enos
error

himself
was

them

that
"

their God

this

they
stars
on

said,
and

Forasmuch

hath

created hath
unto set

these them

them, Him,

and it is

spheres to govern the world, and high, and hath imparted honour that minister ministers they are
meet

before

that honour.

men

should

laud

and

glorifyand
God fieth them
of

give
laud

them and

For

this is the He would

will of

that and that

we

magnify
even as

whomsoever
a

magnihonour honour up
unto to

honoureth,
stand before himself.

king

him. When

And this
to

this is the

the

king

thing
build
unto

was

come

into
the

their stars, and

hearts

they began
to

temples
them,
and
to

and

offer them

sacrifice with

and

laud before obtain

root

magnify
that
of

words,
in And
of

them,
favour of

they might,
their Creator. in process the sons them

their

evil this

worship opinion,
was

the stood

up

false God

idolatry; for prophets among

had commanded

time

there which
unto

of and

Adam,
said

said,
"

that

them,

SPECULATIONS

OF
a

THE

CHALDEANS

Worship
unto

such

star, and

or

all the
;

stars, and build

all the
a

do

sacrifice
for

them

thus
an

thus of

and

temple

it,

people, women and children, may worship it. And the false prophet he had showed them the image which feigned out the image of of his own heart, and said that it was that star made known which to him was by prophecy. And make to they began after this manner images the tops of mounin temples, and under on tains trees, and and assembled and hills, together and worshipped this thing was them spread through all the world ; and services different from to serve one images, with and sacrifice unto to another, and worship them. fearful Name of time, the glorious and So, in process of the of all living, and mouth was forgotten out of their knowledge, and out they acknowledged Him there earth And found not. was on no people that knew and and images of wood aught, save stone, trained which been temples of stone they had up and from their childhood to to worship and serve, that the wise were swear men by their names ; and them, the priestsand such like, thought that among there and God the stars was no save spheres, for made whose in whose sake, and likeness, they had these images ; but as for the Rock Everlasting, there know Him that did acknowledge Him was no man or
save a

and

make

image

it, that

few

Noah,
world

persons Shem, and

in the Heber.

world,
And

as

Enoch, Methusaleh,
in this way did the the

work

and
our

converse,

till that
was

pillar of

world, Abram

father,

born."

Speculations of the Chaldeans

comprehension of Babylonian proper it is understand the to religiousdoctrines necessary of the astrologicalspeculationsof the ancient nature
at
a

To

arrive

233

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
an

ASSYRIA

Chaldeans. eternal and

They recognized at unchangeable laws

seem

motion, and
Soon also

did bodies

heavenly
sun was

early period that underlay planetary been able to forecast eclipses. to have they begin to identify the several Thus with the gods. the path of the
the
'

known
moon

as

way

of

Anu,' and

the with

course

of the
to

and sun's

the

too,

that

they

planets they determined It or ecliptic pathway. should have employed

'

ence refer-

is strange, the same

'

and the word star ideograph for the word god,' the only difference of a god they being that in the case If the sun and moon repeated the sign three times. law are under animistic regarded as gods, it stands to and planets must that the stars also be looked reason

'

upon
an

as

lesser

deities.

Indeed,
'

poets
the

still
of

use

such

and

expressionregarding them we frequently encounter

that and
such the
a

as

host

heaven,'
the for
to
even ments, move-

in classical their This

courses

authors

statement

stars

in

fought

such

person.
stars

is

tantamount

saying that although omens

it may
outcome
as see

the

were

volition, and possess for out of their looked

believed the that
of

have volition
or

been
on

these the
stars

were

the selves them-

of

part

deities the

deific individuals.
that
"

Again
in
'

we

can
'

how that

idea
the

the
arose were

gods
from

reside

heaven

"

is,
with

sky
The

early astrological
identified in
many
to

conceptions.
cases

gods
resided
most

the

stars,

therefore

it is
the

only

natural

suppose

that
one

they
of the

in

sky-region.
matters

It is,
an

indeed,
to

difficult
man

for

even

and intelligent
age

enlightened
the idea
'

in God there.'

our

enlightened
a

dissociate

of
up

from

residence

in the The
a

sky
idea

or

somewhere space,
the

of

conception as

have too, must residence of the

assisted

in such upper

gods

in the

234

PLANETS

IDENTIFIED

WITH would vault

to not

GODS

regions
for them
sun

of air.

The
the

earth

be

large enough
would afford

them, but

boundless

above dwell. be

plenty
and the
'

of

space

in which

moon

being gods,
deities
of
to
as

it would beside

Again, the only natural

is,in

for

other

dwell
the

them, that

Babylonians called the sky. It has been suggested that the conception of a pantheon dwelling in the sky originated in theological forwarded by a school or priesthood, but processes
the
heaven

Anu,'

there the

is

no

reason

to

suppose

that

this

was

so,

and

are possibilities

of

the

easily covered animistic theory.

with

by

the

stances circum-

Planets

identified

Gods of of

Jupiter, the
with We

largest
head

the the

Merodach,
find
him creation

identified planets, was Babylonian pantheon.

over name

exercising control
story with under
the

the

other

stars

in the
was

Nibir. with

Ishtar

identified with

Venus,

Saturn Nabu.

Ninib,
more

Mars
than have

Nergal, Mercury that gods with strange

become than attached
one,
to

with certain certain

It is

attributes

should in
more

planets
the

countries

and which

this illustrates Semitic and is

too

lasting
exercised

influence
over

the

Hellenic

deep and religious thought Roman theological

obvious and
too

systems.
exact not

The
to

connexion

be the

result of close association.

of

There such
a

are,

indeed, hundreds
Who
other
can

proofs
for ?

to

support
that Romans of

theory.
is any
their

suppose, than Ishtar with

traces

example,
The

dite AphroEphesus.
of the

identified

goddess
are,

Diana

the
of
moon,

patroness
direct and
she

There Greek

indeed,
with

relations
was

goddess
Greeks

the

also, like
the
sea.

Ishtar, connected
The had

with
numerous

the

lower and

world

and

flourishing colonies
235

MYTHS

QF
Minor

BABYLONIA in
remote

AND

ASSYRIA

in

Asia

times, and
of Asiatic

these and

assisted

in the

dissemination

probably especially
stars,

Babylonian
The and
sun

lore.
was as

regarded Nergal, the god of

as

the

shepherd
and

of the

destruction

the because
a

world, underthe
spicuous con-

the

'

chief his Anu

of
was

ruddy
Bel the

nature

of

sheep,' probably him light rendered

is the

most

object.
Pole Star
southern

Pole

Star

of the

ecliptic,
in the

the

equator,

while with
were a

Ea, in the
star

heavens,
for them

identified Fixed
of
stars

constellation selected elemental

Argo.
The

probably
and

because
sun

their

permanent

they representedas riding in a chariot drawn by horses, and we frequently that notice the figure representing the luminary on Greek the Phrygian and other remains vases wears non-Hellenic head-dress, cap, a typicallyAsiatic and thus as a assisting proof that the idea of the sun charioteer possibly originated in Babylonia. Lunar worship, or at least computation of time by the phases of the moon, frequently precedes the solar cult, and find traces in Babylonian religion of the former we for example, The high rank of the moon-god. moon, is not of the flock of sheep under guidance of the one The fact that the calendar sun. regulated was very sufficient this. to by her movements was prevent Like the Red Indians and other primitive folk, the Babylonians possessed agricultural titles for each the direct also under month, but these periods were of some god or gods. Thus the first month, patronage Nizan, is sacred to Anu and Bel ; and the second, lyar, Siwan is devoted Ea. to to Sin, and as we approach the solar gods are the summer apportioned season
nature. to

various

months. the seventh

The
to

sixth

month

is sacred

to

Ishtar, and
236

Shamash,

great

god

of the

PLANETS
sun.

IDENTIFIED

WITH
the

GODS

Merodach
the

rules
month.

over

over

ninth
to
a

The
of

Nergal eighth, and tenth, curiously enough,

to

is sacred The

variant

Nabu,
last is

Anu,

and

to

Ishtar. the

eleventh
of

month,
and

god
within
seven

storms, the

very the

suitably, to
month,

Ramman, Adar,
over

falling

rainy

season,

presided

by

the

evil

None The
names

spirits. of the goddesses

of the

received
were

stellar

honours.

months Thus
'

probably
that
the

quite

popular
was

in

origin.
as

we

find of

first month

known
as
'

the
'

month of

third
the

the

period
the

Sanctuary,' the brick-making,' the fifth as

as

the

fiery month,'
of of Allatu.

sixth

the
her

'

month

of

the the

mission realms
'

Ishtar,' referring to
The the
was

descent
was

into

fourth

month that
'

scattering seed,'
and the find
the

eighth
known

dams,
while We

ninth
was

entitled
'

designated of the opening of copious fertility,'

destructive rain.'

eleventh
in

as

early star-worship of the ancient and science. origin of religion Babylonians the common of the nature measure Just as magic partakes in some it is authorities hold of real science that (for some in origin)so does religion, or pseudo-scientific perhaps more correctly speaking, early science is very closely identified believe with that we religion. Thus may the religious interest in their early astronomy spurred the ancient of Babylonia to acquire more star-gazers of those and stars knowledge concerning the motions be deities. We find to they believed planets which the gods so with Chaldean ancient closely connected be absolutely identified with it in to as astronomy A number was assigned to each of the way. every would chief gods, which show that they were to seem
connected Thus
in
some

this

way

with

mathematical that
of

science.

Ishtar's

number

is fifteen ;

Sin,

her
237

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA that.

AND Anu

ASSYRIA

father, is exactly double

Bel and Ea

takes

sixty,and
Ramman
is

represent
ten.

fifty and
this

forty.
to

identified It would
to

with be

idle

in

place

attempt
and

further
cerning con-

outline

astrological science which our knowledge

to
more

in

Babylonia,
of research

is vague way

scanty.
fore beabout

Much

remains

be

done

in the
can

anything
and this
many

definite
may

be

written the

it,
in

years
are

pass

before
the

workers
of
texts

sphere
on

rewarded

by

discovery

bearing

Chaldean

star-lore.

238

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
to
overawe

AND

ASSYRIA

hands is
an

of the

gods,

them, whereas

rehgion

Now appeal to their protective instincts. the feelingbegan to obtain that there was when such the a quality as justice in the universe, and when idea of just gods had the people an acceptance among of thinking theologians, the through the instruction more vulgar practices of the sorcerer-priestsfell
out

of

favour

with
a more

the

upper

classes, if

not

with took

the the

populace, and place of mere

on

imposing
as

ceremonial

incantation.
of mercy

Besides, being founded

the

idea has

opposed
recommended

to

mere

power,

invariably religion speaking, to the class of mind immediate and practical progress
that As
of

itself,politically
which
as mere new

makes

for

apart

from

which the the

seeks
grew

to

encourage

speculation.
branches

ritual

the

necessity for

discovered. At the head of priesthood was the the shangan-makhu, priestlyorganization was had class of priests its chief as well. The and each that is, it is probable a priests were caste, the the vested that right to enter priesthood was
"

in

certain

families, but

many

young did
not

men

were

educated exercise

by
their

the

priests who

in

after

life
or

functions, but
of
most

who

became

scribes

lawyers.
the day primitive religions, subdivided. It was made of the priestwas carefully the night was divided into of three watches, and up Three of watches. similar number a relaysof priests thus officiated through the day and three through the night. also known in Babylonia, and Priestesses were
I .: As

in the

case

many

references Some Greek

are

made these

in the
were

texts

to

the

'

sacred

women.' like
240

of

exorcisers, and
at

others,
oracular

the

pythonesses, presided

SACRIFICES

shrines. attendant classes.

The

cult

of

Ishtar

in these

especial had
were

many

priestesses,and

of

several

Sacrifices

Like attached
Professor

the

peoples the Babylonians great importance to the question of sacrifices.

other Robertson Smith
has

Semitic

put

it

on

record

in

his
that the

sacrifice Religion of the Semites, that among shared between regarded as a meal was race fice worshipper and the deity. This view of sacriis almost stages is
the

world-wide
of

higher
savagery.

barbarism

among if

peoples
not

in

the of

in

those

There discover

no

source manner

from of

which

we

can

exact

Babylonian
advanced

and

definitely Assyrian
was

sacrifices.
for
use

As the

civilization
almost

what
went

tended inthe

of

the
were

god temple.
fit

invariably
parts
burned animal
of
were

for

Certain
eat

the
to

animal

v/hich
of the

not

to

the

glory
to

have

deity. The blood been regarded as

and
was

of the
more

may,

however,
the

directly pleasing

gods,
This wizard

the altar. probably poured out upon practice is distinctly of magical origin. The believes that in
the

dead,
have Homer's
was

demons,
a

and

beings
blood, and
of
we

general
trench

special desire
vivid the blood

supernatural for

remember
the

description
of the

how, when
dead

cut

and

victims
of the

poured
the

therein, the
about sacrifice. In

shadowy
devoured
some

presentments
the
steam

flocked

it and

arising from
is offered
instance
to

cults blood

alone

the
this

gods,
blood

and

of

is afforded
was

Mexico, in which
or

perhaps the most striking by the religionof ancient regarded as the pabulum
the
Q

food

of

the

gods,

and

body

of

the

victim

as

241

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
to

the his

ceremonial

corpse

of

the

deity

be

eaten

by

worshippers.
Temples
of Babylonia
and

The

Assyria
of

temple-building phase is characteristic More Babylonian religionfrom an early stage.

The

than
we

places of worship being raised times Even in later Valley.

structures

3000 find

years

before

the

final extinction

of

the

cult

in the these been

Euphrates Babylonian
built
for

would

and in the practicalrather purposes, early part of the temple-building epoch they were rude of the crudest of structures mere description,

to appear than aesthetic

have

brick, without
An
'

an

attempt
was

at to

architectural

tion. elabora-

reproduce in miniature mountain all lands of the Khursag-kurkura, the birthplace of the gods and to this end the erected mountain-like a on heap of earth. temple was To the building other stories primitive one-storied be added, till in pursuit of a general ideal to came Towers be veritable of Babel, of height they came to These zikkurats, or aspiring to reach to heaven. built as staged towers, they have been called, were of brick, and were quadrangular in form, their four sides facing north, south, east, and west respectively. Their sombre and relieved was unlovely appearance to extent some by the use of brilliant colourings,but
'
" "

early ideal

in

neither

form

nor

colour

need
any

we

look

for

any

particularartistic
or

interest, nor

especialreligious

have been symbolism, though attempts both made in later Babylonian and in our times own find astrological of these. to By and interpretations of a 'high-place' by the zikkurat ^came to be more than a temple, the altars and sanctuary proper being disposed about its base.
242

other

*"

%h^

HjaSir

Zikkurats
2.

of

the

Anu-Adad
at
and

at

Ashur

Stage-tower
Belief by
of

Samarra
in

From

Religious
and

Practice Morris G P

Babylonia
Jastrow
Sons

Assyria,

Professor Messrs

By

permission

Putnam's

242

TEMPLES With this

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

a new development of the temple area built, courts inaugurated. Huge were phase was supported by brick columns, and enclosing all the various with the cult of the deity buildings connected dedicated. the temple was These whom to courts, for the most the sky, covered which to were part open twelve much, as large area a or perhaps, as ten
"

acres

in

some

cases.

Brick
structure, for roofs

was

still the wood

smaller

material
was

employed
for As

in their and
on

though
for the
more were

used

gateways
time
went

temples.
for

they
and

became woods

richly decorated,

precious

metals
and

imported
coloured

their
were

adornment,

draperies and

bricks

less In aesthetic intent. more or employed with columns were some Assyrian temples stone employed. The interior of the temple proper of a central consisted of the statue set was hall, a holy of holies,'wherein the sanctuary honour the god in whose built, and was an assembly-room where the gods of the pantheon met. The temples of Babylonia resemble closely very
'

those

of
as

ancient

Mexico

and

Central
was

America,
from

for the

just
idea
'

the the

Chaldean
'

temple

evolved

of house

or

mound

of

the Mexican Uocalli, so was holy hill,' of God.' Originating probably in a rude earth, the temple in both countries came march of civilization

through
of
extant

the

under

the there

influence
are

architecture
many

proper.

In

America

still

links

in the
and

chain the

of evolution
carven

between

the
in

rude
the
case

earth-mound
of

teocalli, but

support
inference

the

Babylonia we theory of such

of
a

have
a

is, however,

very
a

to only inference This development. powerful character.

Commencing
we

probably
the
a

with

one-story
then

structure,
'

find
'

both

Mexican

and

Babylonian
a

high
243

places

developing

second,
Q
2

third, fourth,

MYTHS

OF
even

BABYLONIA sixth, stage in fourth in the a

AND

ASSYRIA of

fifth,and
and
A

the
case

case

Babylonia,

sometimes

of Mexico.

be drawn between the must sharp distinction the Egyptian pyramid and temples of Babylonia and Assyria. The pyramid of the Nile country was the the undoubtedly developed from grave-mound, It is the burial-placeof a monarch, cairn. has and do with to nothing whatever religiousworship. The of Babylonia and zikkurats the teocallis of Mexico, their names as imply, were unquestionably religiousin

origin,and
But
one

had

nothing
is,that

whatsoever

to

do
was

with

burial. between

essential that

difference whereas

there in Mexico

them,
seldom
the that

and

the

teocallis

possessed interiors, this was frequently very with the temples of Babylonia. It is true case the Mexican attached them to temples had
called

buildings
been In

teopan,

but the other This

or

these various

appear

to

have

dwelling-placesfor the Babylonia, on

of residence
arose.

grades
another

of

hand,
was

priests. tion descrip-

the

apart
cities

from

the
a

zikkurat

tower.

temple proper, Most Babylonian

and
tions excava-

had have

definite
us

religious quarter,
familiar of
to
some

made

extent

with the
extent

the best
of

plan
known which A

and

appearance

these.
at

example
appears
court to
was

is

that have lined

Perhaps Nippur, the

about brick
to
was

been with

sixteen

acres.

large

columns,

and

when wooden which

excavated
roof.

was

found
to

have

Close

this

were temple records of sixty wooden gathered for worship in a second court and columns with capitals of metal, and supports there, in a basin specially built for the purpose,

the

supported a the building in people kept. The

they
At

made

their

ablutions
end of

before this

the

eastern

offering up sacrifice. placed a courtyard was

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA many

AND of

ASSYRIA the

and

striking the interior of been. have temples must

stones, the
must
were

Babylonian
bricks,

The
the

enamelled brilliant
on

the

highly-polishedwoodwork,
gold
and
silver have
to

precious
walls and beholder.

inlaid

the the

ceilings
The and
the
as sun

indeed prone the

aim

dazzled the
the
use

Semites it
was

of

bright colours,
to

of

architects
can

outshine
of

itself in their

interiors, we
rugs
were were

judge
also with

the

effect.

Draperies and
The wooden relief. been and
of

probably
overlaid them the

lavishly
bronze

used. in
must

gates

high

Passing through

worshipper
wonderful interior.

have

deeply
shadow

affected combined and the

by

the

play
The him

of colour
vastness

in the would

length
and be

height
curtain the

inspire
the betwixt
was

with

deep
and
the

awe,

screening
this curtain

holy
the

of holies

would the

for him

boundary
the chamber

human

divine.
of the

Behind and

probably
contained
'

statue
was

god,
as

which w^hich had

this shut
it but

known In all

means access

off.' the

papakhu, one probability no

the

to

It
at

was

indeed

the

king and high religiousofficials. A stone tablet found holy of holies.

god sitting on
the

Sippar represents
He
an

Shamash
a a

seated

in such before

chamber. him
A

is

low

throne, and
of the The him. in the inlaid

is

altar and
a

monarch of such

containing prieststand
was

symbol
before

sun-god.
tion decorathe

chamber

lavish

extreme,

floors, walls, and

stones,

ceiling being
cases,
as

with

precious
in altar the

and

in
of
were

some

that
statue

of

Merodach

the

temple

Babylon,
of

the

and

in front

of it

solid

gold.

The

Great

Temple'Buildefs
of

The
at
an

history

temple-building in Babylonia begins Naram-sin We find Sargon and early date.

246

THE

GREAT
'

TEMPLEBuilder
of the

BUILDERS

callingthemselves

Temple

of En-lil

in

Nippur.'
to

Gudea great also

achieve
was

probably the first potentate results in temple-building. Khamwas

murabi But the been older

active

as

builder
of

of
new

sanctuaries.

besides

kings

of

planning the Babylonia and

in the land.
of the of

erection

temples,
to

Assyria
and

appear

have

zealous

in the restoration

temples
had
same

improvement of the Restoration was frequently

that many of the which older

necessary

because been

fact

shrines
not

built

sun-dried
as

brick,

had dried

the

lasting power
in later times.

the

glazed

brick

in kilns The it their

of

used

Assyrian

policyas
ancient

of Babylonia considered conquerors well as their pleasure to restore many of

the

shrines
so

the

and

in

doing
to

they
of

they had frequently allude

on

land

subdued,
in
their
are

records
at

the

age

work, sometimes
of

temple providing us

the

which
a can

they
to trace

with
we

clue

the the
a

date

its foundation.
of
some

history
space
must

of

In this way these ancient 3000

to

buildings over

of

more

than

have

appeared
an

Such a sanctuary years. the who Assyrian monarch in the the

rebuilt would

it,as
seem

edifice erected
us. some

days

of Solomon of the

to

Thus of the
as

in

times

later have

Assyrian kings
behind
at

older
as

temples
that

would

them

record

ancient

of the

temple
fanes
fully care-

Jerusalem to-day ! The ancient these of Assyrian restorers refer piously to their original builders. They
unearthed

the

old foundation-stones, which

to

they
which from

preserved,
had
very

and

clung tenaciously
in

the of

ritual

been

celebrated times.
many

the

temples

Babylonia

early
are

There

long
each

and, assuming

that

temples in existence, god possessedhis own shrine,

247

lists of

MYTHS

OF of

BABYLONIA
must

AND

ASSYRIA

hundreds the

temples
breadth
were

have

been

scattered and
more

over

length

and

of the

northern much

southern
numerous

lands. in

These

probably
was

Babylonia,
a

which

older, and

whose

people

exhibited

greater
of E'Rui*

religiousfeeling.

The

Temple

The
of

oldest
at

known

temple
sacred

in
to

Babylonia
En-lil. 4000 time It
B.C.,

was was
or

that bably proeven

E-Kur

Nippur,
date.

founded
at
an

somewhere Before

about the

Sargon we find the rulers of Nippur embellishing the temple of the place necessitated there. The climate frequent and of occasional tions by reason repairs, popular revoluthe fabric received considerable We damage. find Urban about b.c. building a zikkurat in the 2700 ward afterat temple area Nippur, and a few centuries Bur-sin and repairing this zikkurat adding a shrine. E-Kur saw numerous new changes, political portance and when the land its imforeign dynasties ruled
waned somewhat. the But of later alien rulers

earlier

of

restoring its rather find several tarnished splendour, and we kings of the Kassite dynasty {c. 1400 b.c.) so far honouring its confines votive it as to place within a object from had originallybeen placed in the temple Elam, which shrewdly
saw

advantage

of

Ishtar
an

at

Erech,

whence

it had

been

removed

by
This

Elamite
was

almost the Lia

to at

about conqueror remarkable as

as

before. 900 years Stone if the of

Destiny,
to

Fail, in Westminster
its

Abbey
time

were

be The

restored

original seat
at

in Ireland. this dedicated Merodach. made

more

temple
before
every

to

Bel

Nippur was that deity was

of the
to

ousted

by
at

Almost
or

one

Kassite the

rulers

less

costly additions

temple

Nippur,

and

248

UR from

THE

MOON-CITY

follow its can inscriptionswe About the twelfth to history down Assyrian times. E-Kur to B.C. yielded its supremacy E-Sagila. century and sacked It was partially destroyed, until later restored by Assyrian monarchs, who conscientiously it and erected re-decorated new buildings many But its area. within during the new Babylonian sacked once more by order of southern period it was

their

several

rulers, and
its
not

at
comes

the
to

end
a

of

the

seventh

century

b.c.

history
lose

close. it
was

Its site, however,

used
as a

did

its

sanctity, for

cemetery
a.d.

and

inhabited partially

till the

twelfth

century

The

Brilliant

House

This that

outline

of many
at

of Shamash
or

will serve for history of E-Kur other Babylonian temples. The temple known as E-babbara, Sippar,which was
of the

the
as

'

Brilliant

House,'
Kassite

can

be This

traced
was

back

as

far

the

days
ever

of Naram-Sin.

also restored
the of

by

monarchs

of the

dynasty,
the

but

nomadic

tribes, who
made
an

threatened

inroad, scattered
the great idol this
its of that

Babylonia, the stroyed depriesthood, and Shamash. It was nearly

peace the
'

500
was

after years restored to

Brilliant

House

'

former

glory by

Nabu-baliddin.

portions of the temple, as did the last King of who Babylonia, Nabonidus, scandalized the priests of Babylon by his preference for the worship of Shamash.
Ur,
the

Nebuchadrezzar

rebuilt

Moon'City
shall of the
came

We
centres

remember cult
of the

that
moon

one was

of
at

the

principal Ur, the city

and it
is

whence

Abram he
was

the

Patriarch,

probable

that

originally a

moon-worshipper.
249

MYTHS Another These

as

OF

BABYLONIA
of lunar

AND

ASSYRIA
was

such

centre
were was

adoration
as

Harran.

places
and
was

regarded
more

especially sacrosanct,
than with cities
that
a

the

moon-cult

ancient

of

the

sun,

therefore

looked Both
of

upon

greater

degree
and
on.

of veneration.
to

these and

possessed

temples

Sin, the moon-god,

observation
was more were

stellar Harran

than
of

fierce

nomadic
even

tribes their
of of

the

astrology carried enthusiastically once overrun by the desert, but its prestige
tendencies.

in them

survived The

destructive
E-anna
at most to

temple
was one

Erech,
famous

dedicated sanctuaries

to

Ishtar,

the

in

Babylonia. It legends, as were bright house of

The Twin

is alluded

in

one

of

the

creation
'

also
the

temples gods.'

the

at

Nippur,

as

The

Temples
of

E-Sagila and that of E-Zida Nabu at were inseparably associated, for a visit to both. visit to one a practicallynecessitated the gods had ended in a An originalrivalry between be species of amalgamation, and together they may have said to religion of symbolized the national their influence that so Babylonia. Indeed great was The it can theological scarcely be over-estimated. from emanated the schools thought of the country around clustered the which them, and they were of thus the Babylonia, and great literary centres of Assyrian culture. progenitors
The

temple

Merodach

at

Temples
It of
was

as

Banks

perhaps typical of the race gradually become worship should

and
as

that

its

places

great

financial

centres

the

nuclei
were

of trade

and

endowed
2\0

they

by

the

usury. kings of

Heavily

Babylonia

Excavated
The

Ruins
the centre

of
mark

the

Temple
the entrance

of

E-Sagila
to the

two

walls of
a

in mile

passage, of Babel

quarter

long,

which with this

connected

the

Tower

temple
and

250
London

Copyright

by

Underwood

Underwood,

MYTHS
to

OF

BABYLONIA
to

AND

ASSYRIA
at

him.

It

seems

have

lasted

for

least

ten

or

twelve

days.
of

As and

has

already

been
father

described,
and
son,

the
was

union

Nabu

Merodach,

solemnly
to

to

piously paying a visit The other gods were his father's sanctuary. posed supin assemble in Merodach's to spirit temple and the ceremony, witness afterwards the priests
Merodach escorted the idol the
of

celebrated, Nabu

of

Nabu

back
of their

to

its

shrine, themselves
To all behold this

carrying

image
was

deity.
with

festival,which

celebrated

possiblemagnificence, people flocked from all parts The of Babylonia. of king, approaching the statue in token of covenant, the god, seized its hands and in later times Assyrian monarchs, in order to legitimatize rulers of Babylonia, went themselves as through be recognized as duly this ceremony, which to came their claims to fulfilling sovereignty in the southern land ; but whereas they went through the ceremony it only, the kings of Babylonia celebrated once annually with the intensest possibledevotion.
The On
were

Chamber

of Fates

eighth day of thought to assemble

the
to

the in

festival Merodach's

all the
'

gods

Chamber
ing concern-

of

Fates,'
the

hearken
of
men

to

Merodach's for
was

decree

fates

the

remarkable

apartment
of the

ensuing regarded as
great
as

year.

This duction reprowherein

was was
'

the

interior in

of the

mountain
the

gods thought
situated known
names
as

the

met to

council, just

zikkurat itself. It

in

mountain typify that a special portion of

the
among

'

mountain its sacred

'

the
one

Ubshu-Kenna,
which be may shows that

and

is

translated it
must

brilliant been

chamber,'

which decorated.

have

lavishly
252

Ubshu-Kenna

(or Upshukki-

LAMENTATION

RITUALS

naku)
'

must
'

heaven

situated
not

far

bounded

the carefully distinguished from of the Babylonian gods. It is proper of the Sunrise, in the east, in the Mountain the from it was edge of the world, where of the great by the waters deep. It is, in
'

be

fact, the
his rise.

brilliant

chamber

'

where

the

sun

takes

Lamentation

Rituals

On such
or an

the
as

occasion

defeat

of any national in war, the the

sun or

or

appearance
moon,
a

popular disaster, of a pestilence

certain formula

eclipseof
the of

of lamentation
to

was

have

effect evil

through, which was thought gone of lessening or averting the malign

or

influence
of
an

with caused

angry the deity the

are

powers, god. This

or

the

punitive
varied considered

measures

formula who
was

of
to

course

demon

have

calamity.
written
to

Many
in the

of

these

ancient

tations lamenwhich
them

Sumerian

tongue,
From
of the

witnesses would
that
seem

their that the

great
had from left in

antiquity.
were

it

Babylonians
any

if the

people
faces

averted their
of all

their

them,
them

way and
a

opinion sinned, the gods departing from

to

neighbourhood
kinds.
one

prey

calamities
these ing, fast-

A of

definite
the

ritual

accompanied
which
was

formulas,
and
nature

provisions of

in

the

which The

elaborate of a very purification ceremonies also celebrated were by the priests, probably the sin hope of symbolically washing away had offended the gods. so
formula
was

most

in

use

in

these in

propitiatory
the

ceremonies

that and

which

obtained
in

sacred
of

city
E-Kur.

of

Nippur,
The ancient

particularly
of these

the

temple
is

monotony
Semitic

laments

cal typithe
253

of

worship.

They

describe

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND and

ASSYRIA

disasters the
in

that may

have

gods

perusing them phrase capture A paraphrase of

the whole. The headed He such
*

piteouslybeg that be appeased. and Only now again does a bright line or a picturesque the and fire the imagination. eye
one

occurred,

of

them

may

well

characterize
of
to

god
is

En-lil, shepherd
to return
names

the his

dark-

people,
'

implored
the various
'

is entreated
as

by
of

of his

city. godhead,
word,'
Each in the
house, store-

lord

lord

of

lands,' lord of the faithful self-created forth. vision,' and so

of

separate
request

part
that the

the

temple
return
"

area

is alluded

to

he will other

the

great

gate, the
A

and domestic the

religious departments.
of the

ing touchin

pictureis drawn
where the
woman

deserted
say
to

homes her young

city ;
"

could where

she could husband, My husband," say to the the maiden could child, My child," where young the little girl could My brother," where say, say, My father," there the little ones perish,there the
" " "
"

great
From

perish.
streets
some

In

her
are

banqueting-hall the
desolate.
texts

wind

holds

revel, her

of the

it would
of

appear

that

the

suppliants were
and
are

ignorant
the

the
'

extant

many in which
to

so-called stricken him

they had committed, penitential psalms one appeals fervently

'

sin

to

the

gods
sin. He

release He

from

the

burden

of

his

unknown himself.
the

and he is unable to weeps, laments earnestly, and begs the divine

way
"

restrain

through

for priest in the

same

mercy.

These

end
the

that
of

is,in the

heart the whom

and

liver

the with

god
the

may

appealsalways pious hope that be appeased.

Armenians,
the liver
was

With
to

Babylonians, as they are perhaps related,

as

modern

regarded
254

the

seat
a

of

the

emotions. intellectual and ethical

Occasionally

higher

THE

TERROR

OF

ECLIPSE
"

plane
one

is

reached
"

by
are

these
:

of

them,
?

blind

prayers. which of them

Men,"
knows

says thing any-

know evil." They do not good from even The god is fervently petitionednot to cast his servant he earnestly off. is in a deep morass, and He prays him take that the by the hand, may deity may and to change his sin to grace, permit the wind off his transgressions. carry
The Terror
terror
one

of Eclipse of

The real

eclipseof
ancient

the

sun

or

moon

was

very

The tablet Babylonians. with the history of the seven evil gods or spirits, mutilated, gives us a hint of the attack though much made the moon. by them They dwelt in the upon
to

the

lower

part

of

heaven,

and

were

rebellious

in

heart.

beasts of Shaped like leopards, serpents, and angry from city to city on the wings of an prey, they went evil wind, into the destroying and smiting. And heaven of Anu Ea took they burst, but Bel and

counsel, and
Ishtar
to
sooner

set

Sin

the

moon,

Shamash lower

the

sun,

and

the

planet
and this

Venus
control

in the it

part
with

of

heaven No
seven

govern had

along

Anu.
the

been

accomplished

than

evil

But the spirits fiercely attacked moon-god. Bel the saw peril of Sin, and said to his attendant, the god Nusku, the of this thing to Carry word the god Ea." the and Ea heard to ocean, message, his called the Go, my son god Merodach. son, the into Merodach," enter quoth he, shining Sin, in heaven who is greatly beset, and expel his enemies from heaven." It is impossible to decipher the
" "

"

context

from
we

the

mutilated
it for

remains
that

of the

the

tablets,
efforts

but

may

take
were

granted
with

pious

of Merodach

rewarded

success.

255

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
means

An the
or

eclipse to most or moon-god sunwithdrawn

his of

primitive peoples
has
face

that disaster The

either his

met

with

has

from
moon

worshippers.
the
out

monthly
believe
the

waning
that
was

the be

made

ancients
unless

it would

entirely blotted
if
no

god

pacified.
that

Thus

it

was

considered

the

efforts of

eclipsetook place priestsand people

had

held have to prevailed ; otherwise they were In a certain prayer failed, and panic ruled supreme. from Sin withhold his face his is adjured not to people. The day of the monthly disappearance of is called the moon a day of distress, but a season of the new of jubilee followed the advent moon upon next day.

256

CHAPTER
OLOGY OF

THE

MAGIC AND

AND

DEMON.

BABYLONIA

ASSYRIA

LIKE
Chaldea
^

other

primitive

races

the

peoples
between between

of

all at scarcely discriminated One difference religion and magic. the

sorcerer was

the

priestand
for
own

that

the the

one

employed
used
"

magic
for his

religious purposes
ends. The

whilst

other

it

literature
"

of Chaldea

ally especi-

its
to

religious
and in
of

literature
its

teems

with

references

magic,

the of

prototypes
mediaeval

we see spells and incantations those employed by the magicians

Indeed so closely do some Europe. and of the Assyrian incantations magical practices resemble of of those the the sorcerers European Middle Ages and of primitive peoples of the present oneself that they day that it is difficult to convince of independent origin. are In
vague form

Chaldea

as

in

ancient

magical practices of and developed into

and Egypt the crude received primeval times accepted ritual, just as

early
the As

into evolved religious ideas of stress theological controversy

were men were

dogmas
and
upon

under

there

who there

would

dispute
who
say
to

opinion. religious
discuss the
terms

questions, so
matters
' '

persons
is
'

would that

magical. This religion and magic

'

not

possessed
is it
at

boundaries do
for
us

for

them.

Nor

any all clear

well-defined
that

they
;

in this twentieth been

the

century.

They overlap
writer
that

and

it has

long
are

belief of the
two

their

tions rela-

but

represented by
and the
areas

circles which

intersect

one

another The writer

the

origin of

partially coincide. has his outlined opinions regarding of this series,^ magic in an earlier volume
of which
^

The

Myths of
R

Ancient

Egypt.
257

MYTHS and that has

he

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA wrote,

little
desires

to to

add

to

what

he

then
the

except

lay stress upon of early religion and magic. It is only when they the two begin to evolve, to branch out, that systems
present
which differences.
accentuates

identification

If there the

is any one difference more element

as was

circumstance than
not

another into

it is that

the
same

ethical
manner

does it does

enter

magic
That

in the

into

religion.
of

Chaldean

magic
as

the precursor
from
not

European

mediaeval witchcraft between mediaeval

magic
the

apart
but the

is instanced

popular sorcery and only by the similarity

the
of

systems
of

by
names

introduction

into

Babylonian and magicians. Again and again Assyrian gods and is Babylon more appealed to even frequently than of meet constantly with the names Egypt, and we Ishtar Beelzebub, (as Astarte), Baal, and Moloch, of demons, obviously of Babylonian whilst the names encountered in almost work the on origin,are every also made the to subject. Frequent allusions are and of Babylon, and wise necromancers men to
' '

magic

the

'

'

star-gazers
that

of Chaldea.

The
as

conclusion

is irresistible

practised in the Middle much that of Babylon. to Ages, owed information Our regarding Chaldean magic is much more complete than that which we possess concerning of spells, incantations, the magic of ancient Egypt. Hundreds and omen-inscriptions have been recovered, and these not only enlighten us regarding the class of priestswho practised magic, but they tell us of the several varieties of demons, ghosts, and evil spirits ; describe the witch and Babylonian they minutely magical ceremonies, wizard, and they picture for us^many of scores besides informing us of the names of plants and flowers possessingmagical properties, of
258

ceremonial

magic,

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

dwellers

in

houses.
"

Demons

with

claw

and

talon,

there. ghouls all are Spirits blest and unblest, jinn, witch-hags, lemures, sorrowing unburied of ghosts. No type supernatural being appears have been unknown the to to imaginative

vampires,

Semites

of
or

old

Chaldea.

These it is the

must not to

all be be

'

laid,'

exorcised,
at

placated,and
circumstances

marvelled
mancer necro-

that

in such

trade

of the
or

flourished

exceedingly.

The

witch

unprofessionaland detached with no beware. He must priestly status, and if one fell sick regarded with suspicion,
however,
the

wizard, practitioner
or

she
a

was

of
not

strange
attach
real
or

wasting
a

or

disease
nearest

to

which

he

could
or

name,

the
was

sorcerer,

male

female,
to

imaginary,

in all

probabilitybrought

book.

Priestly "Wizafds
There dealt
or were

at

least
"

two

classes
or

of

in the

occult The
at

the

baru,
of the

seers,
was

priests who and the asipu,

very

wizards.

caste

baru time

ancient

one,

dating
baru
of

least

from

the

of

Khammurabi. the the

The livers

performed
animals and

divination also many

of

by consulting
observation the
of of of

by

We find flightof birds. consulting this class for example, sought from father's
was

kings
cause

lonia Babyof

soothsayer.
the baru the

Sennacherib,
his

violent
remover

death. of

The taboo described

asipu,on
and in
of

the other
of

hand,
; he

the

bans the

all

sorts

chanted and

the

rites the

magical

texts,

performed
He that

ceremony
to

atonement.

It is

stilleth all
incantations

rest,

that

all. pacifieth
is at peace.

By The
are

whose

everything

gods
behind

are

his right hand upon him. before and

and

his

left, they

260

PRIESTLY

WIZARDS

The
or

wizard

and

the

witch
were were

were

known
sorcerers

Kassaftu.

These

the

and that they proper, the community is shown

are

considered
the
manner

by
of

Kassapu magicians or dangerous to in which they

as

treated

by
that

the he

code

Khammurabi,

in which with
the sorcery

it

is ordained and
can

justify the
the the
sorcerer

charges a man charge shall obtain

shall be be
not to

who

sorcerer's the
he

house, and
But
if

sorcerer

plunge
drowned death

into then

river. who

accused accused
A among

him
man

shall

put

and

the

wrongly

shall have
of
texts

his

house.
as a

series

known with

other

things,

Babylonian
searching
men,

witch.

It tells how

provides us, striking picture of the she prowls the streets,

from

'

Maklu

'

for

victims, snatching love

beauteous
women.

handsome
At

and
she

withering
is

another

time

making
prays

depicted sitting in the shade of the wall spellsand fashioning images. The suppliant
her of

that

magic
her

may he of

revert

upon

herself, that
and doubtless be burnt back
her

the

image
the

which hands
her

has the

made,

rendered

into

the

shall priest, be be

by
into

fire-god,that
mouth.
"

words
her the

her be

May

may mouth

forced

fat, may
"

tongue

salt," continues
with
sesame

prayer.
sent

plant along
green

is
of

witch, like the circlet

and

this

seal

halta-ppenO, against her. thy face grow may

sorceress

The

yellow
the

!" says of
a

An bounds

Assyrian
are

text

that
can near

her
over

whole

world, that
writer
on

she
that

pass
his

all mountains.

The
a

states

door his

he door

has

posted
has
he

servant,

the and

right

and

left of
that

set

Lugalgirra

Allamu,

they
form cunei-

might
The

kill the

witch.
many

libraryof Assur-bani-pal contains tablets dealing with magic, but

there

are

also
261

MYTHS
extant

OF many

BABYLONIA

AND of

ASSYRIA later

magical
were or

tablets known

Empire.
some name

These

word, indicative

Babylonian the Babylonians by to perhaps of the special

the

Thus have the Maklu we sphere of their activities. limnuti ('burning'), Surpu ('consuming'), Utukki sides ('evil spirits ('witch-hag ') series,be'),and Labartu other texts dealing with magical practices. many The series deals with Maklu spellsagainst witches and be consumed to are wizards, images of whom by fire to the accompaniment of suitable spellsand The and Surpu series contains prayers. prayers That incantations against evil spirits against taboo. with will exorcise provides the haunted spellswhich of the air generally, demons, ghosts, and the powers ban. In and other a magical place devils under tablets the diseases which to humanity is prone poor are guarded against, and instructions given on are be transferred the the manner in which to they may bodies dead of animals, usually swine or goats.
A Toothache

Myth

The
of
to
a

Assyrian physician had perforceto be something held demonologist, as possession by devils was
cause

be the

of divers among

diseases, and

we

find incantations

prescriptions. Occasionally, the fag-end of a folk-tale or dip come too, we upon momentarily into myth, as in a prescriptionfor the of fermented toothache, drink, the compounded oil probably as efficacious in plant sakilhir, and modern of that the case ones are. malady as most sprinkled
"

The

story attached
Anu
the

to

the

cure

is

as

follows

When created canals And

262

had

created

the

rivers, the marshes, which

rivers in
turn

heavens, the earth the the canals, and

created before the
worm.

the the

worm

came

weeping

Ea,

saying,

Exorcising
From

Demons

of

Disease

Religious

Belief

and

Practice Morris

in

Babylonia
Jastrow

and

Assyria,

by

Professor

By

permission

of

Messrs

G.

P,

Putnam's

Sons

262

THE
"

WORD

OF

POWER

wilt for my food, what give me "I will give thee thou for my give me devouring ? scented ripe figs and ripe figs," replied the god, What wilt
thou
"

"

wood."

"

Bah,"
or

repliedthe
is scented

'

"

worm,

what Let
gums the
me

are

ripe
drink I

figsto
among

me,

what
teeth

wood
on

the

and

batten

the and

that

of the devour the blood may thereof." This tale alludes

teeth
to
a

strength
stition super-

Babylonian

that

worms

consume

the

teeth.

The

Word

of Powei* of Egypt, the word by the magicians

name,

As
reverence

in

power
of

was

held
who

Chaldea,
secret
mere

in great believed
of
a

that

the

preferably the
force in its of evil

name,

god

possessed sufficient
and and dach
scatter

the

hordes

defeat to syllables things that surrounded

of Ea
to

harassed
were,

mankind.

The

names

and

Mero-

perhaps, most
into the
to

frequently used
of the
name were

carry

structio dewas

ranks know

demon
of the

army.

It
or

also necessary against whom could the

case

the

devil

his
a

spells

directed.

If

person this to

be

added
of
a

given
were

to

the
of

in piece of hair, or the nail-parings human being, then specialefficacywas But enchantment. just as hair or nails
a man so was names

part
virtue modern.
means

his

name,

and

hence

the

great
and

ascribed The of which and

name

to

in
as

art-magic,

ancient

by
in

the
his

the it were, magician established

was,

vehicle
a

link

between

himself

victim, and

the

Babylonians

wont exorcising sickness or disease of any kind were of evil spirits recite long catalogues of the names to and demons in the hope that by so doing they might that who chance to light upon especial individual the Even of the cause was malady. long lists of
names

of

persons

who

had

died

premature

deaths

were

263

MYTHS often
return

OF in

BABYLONIA order the

to
ensure

AND that

ASSYRIA

recited
to

they

would

not

torment

living.

Babylonian

Vampires
and

epochs the grisly conception of the the imagination vampire has gained a strong hold upon of the common less no people, and this was in Babylonia and the case Assyria than elsewhere. There been wanting those who believed have that not confined the Slavonic to alone, race vampirism was and that the and the peoples of Russia, Bohemia,
Balkan Peninsula
were

In all lands

the

sole

possessors

of

the

research, however, has exposed vampire legend. Recent the fallacy of this theory and has shown that, far from of being the property of the Slavs or even the posAryan peoples, this horrible belief is or was session of practically civilized, or race, savage every is known evil that to seven anthropology. The of Assyria are, other things,vampires spirits among
of
no

uncertain

type.
commences

An

ancient thus they

are

poem
:

which

was

chanted

by

them

Seven
In the

are ocean

they ! Seven deep, seven

in

are

they !
are

Battening
Bred
Not in

heaven,

seven

they
;

the
nor as

depths
female
the

of

the
are

ocean

male
are

they,

But No

wife

have

roaming wind-blast. can they, no son they beget ;

mercy
to
nor

Knowing

neither
not

pity,
to

They
They
The

hearken
are as

prayer,

prayer.

horses of
to

reared

amid

the

hills,

Evil

Ones

Ea the

Throne-bearers

gods they
are

are

they.
befoul the

They
Evil Seven Twice 264.

stand
are are seven

in

the evil

highway
are

to

path

they,

they, seven
are

they,

they

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
to

ASSYRIA

facts of wasting specific disease." Afanasief as regards them thunder-gods and of the storm, who spirits during winter slumber in their cloud-coffins rise again in spring and draw to moisture from clouds. the But this theory will itself to with even a scarcely recommend anyone The Abbe slightknowledge of mythological science. Calmet's in believingin vampires was that difficulty he could understand how not a spiritcould leave its in and thence with return ponderable matter grave the form of blood, leaving no traces showing that the
to account

Tylor considers form spiritual

vampires

be

"

causes

conceived

in

for

surface But

of the

earth

above be

this
'

view

might

the grave solved by

'

had the

been occult

stirred.

theory

of the

of precipitation

matter

The

Bible

and

Magic
Biblical with
account

The
to

earliest connected

of

anything supposed
to

be

magic,
with had she

is

be

found

in

the and her her and

history of
her husband
"

Rachel.

When

her left

sister Leah, the house of

were

Jacob,
Rachel had Then

father. father's.

stolen Laban

images that overtook Jacob

the
hast

Laban

said
. . .

yet

wherefore answered

thou and

stolen

my

gods
before
me,

?
. . .

and thou brethren take had it

Jacob
findest

said, With
not

whomsoever
our

thy gods,
thou

let him

live with that into

discern thee. them. Leah's

what

is thine knew
not went

and

to

For And

Jacob
tent,

Rachel

stolen and into

Laban and

Jacob's tent,
maid-servants'
went tent.

into

the

two

he

out

Then them he found not. tent, but into Rachel's of Leah's entered and tent Rachel had taken
the

Now in Laban the

images,
sat

and

put
them.
not.

them And
266

camel's

furniture all the

tent,

and but

searched

found

upon them

THE

SPEAKING her

HEAD

And lord

she that

said
I

to

father, Let
rise up
not

it

not

displease my
And
. . .

cannot

before
the
to

thee, This

he

searched,
has

but
no

found

images."
commentators

given

little trouble
to

passage most ; but

of them

seem

consider

these

teraphim

or

images

as

something
The

of

magical

nature.

Speaking
The

Head of
"

targum
:

Jonathan
Rachel had

Ben

Uzziel stole
a

version father
; for

And

gives the the images

man,

ing followof
was

her
a

they
it with

murdered

who

first-born embalmed

son,

and,

having
salt and

cut

off

his

head,

they

spices,and they wrote divinations a plate of gold, and put it under his upon tongue and placed it against the wall, and it conversed Laban with them, and Jacob worshipped it. And of Laban stole the science the Syrian, that he might discover his departure." not The Persian translation instead gives us astrolabes of teraphim, and instruments implies that they were for judicial astrology, and used that Rachel stole them her father from to discovering their prevent At the of all events route. means teraphim were divination believers unbelievers and they ; among known the and were Egyptians among among makes it extremely probable that Syrians. What not objects of religious they were worship is, that it does from of Scripother not ture appear any passage
that

Laban
was

was

an

idolater

besides
of

which the
true

Rachel,
God,

who

certainly a worshipper
it seems, powers. have
for
on

took

them,
that
some

account

of

supernatural
observed
to

It

must,

supposed however, be

their

supposed
the
cure

these

teraphim
;

have

been

talismans

of diseases

and
them

others, that

being really idols,

Rachel

stole

267

MYTHS
to not

OF
a

BABYLONIA
to

AND

ASSYRIA

put
very

stop
and

her

father's
account

dissimilar his

idolatry. There is a related (Judges xviii)

which
was seems

of
to

Micah

teraphim,
of

sufficient considered

that the use prove with the inconsistent

them

not true

professionof

the

religion.

Gods

once

Demons

of traces Many of the Babylonian gods retained their primitive demoniacal this characteristics, and applies to the great triad, Ea, Anu, and En-lil, who into from animistic godhead probably evolved an of nature of these spirits. Each gods was group Thus the diseaseaccompanied by demon groups.

demons
were

'

were

the

beloved

sons

of

Bel,' the
and
In

fates
seven

the

seven

daughters
the children
the

of of

Anu,
Ea.

the
a

storm-demons incantation
of
ears

magical
form

describing
that
a a

primitive
is like
a are

monster

Ea
are

it is said those
of

his

head

the serpent's, twisted

his feet

basilisk, his horns

sun-fish the sole of

into
are no

curls, his body

armed heel. Ea sway
'

is

full of stars,

with

claws, and
the

his foot

has

was over

great
forces

magician
of
nature

of
was

the

gods

'

his the

the of

secured

by

magical rites,and his services were obtained beings who performed requisite by human and ceremonies repeated appropriate spells. Although he might be worshipped and propitiated in his temple at Eridu, he could also be conjured in
performance
mud
to

huts. have been

The the

latter, indeed,
oldest

as

in Mexico,

appear

holy places.

The It
once

Legend
is told made

of Ura

that
up

Ura,
mind

the
to

dread

demon

of

disease,
But

his

destroy

mankind.

268

THE

LEGEND

OF

URA him gave

so

Ishnu,
abandoned
chance

Ills

counsellor, appeased
his

that

he

intention,
Whoever

and

he

of

magnify
quarters

escape. his name

of

should

humanity a praise Ura and

the
none

the

would, he said, rule should have world, and

should
not

four
to

He him. oppose his speech should

die into

in

and pestilence, with tablet house the with there

bring
earth.
was

him

favour
a

great
the should As

ones

of of

the

Wherever
up,

song

Ura

set

in

that

be
we

immunity
read dead in
were

from

the

pestilence.
lines
of

the

closing
who

the in

epic,the
and
as

often

left unburied
were

Gilgamesh Babylonia,
were,
to

the in
more

ghosts

of

those

thus

treated

modern

times

and

climes, supposed

sepulture. They and byways seeking for sustenance roamed the streets the garbage in the gutters, and looking for among haunted houses in which dwell, denied to as they of the which the shelter were was regarded grave, dead. the home of the true as They frequently into madness terrified children death, and bitterly or mocked in tribulation. those in fact, They were, of the outcasts mortality, spiteful and venomous been because The not they had properly treated. modern which most race nearly approximates to of the and attitude Babylonian in its treatment
haunt
the proper
' '

living until given

to

the

dead

seems

to
as

be
to

the how
of

Burmese,

who

are

extremely
act

circumspect
the

towards believe
upon of

inhabitants

they
down number

that
them

disrespect or
misfortune
or

speak and the spirit-world, as mockery will bring

An infinite

they

disease.

in the Burman guardian spiritsis included These dwell in their houses demonological system. the of tutelars and and are village communities,
even

of

clans.

These

are

at duly propitiated,

which

269

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
are

ceremonies them.
out

rice, beer, and

are

tea-salad
as

offered
for

to

Women the evil

employed spirits.

exorcists

driving

Purification Purification

by
The

water

entered

largely into
as

lonian Baby'

magic.
cation
of

ceremony

known

the

Incan-

frequently alluded to in Babylonian form of probably some magical texts, was by water, relatingas it does to the home purification of Ea, the se^-god. Another prescribes ceremony
so

Eridu,'

the hath and

mingling
mixed and

of

water

from

pool
be
to

'

that

no

hand

touched,' with
wine. the

tamarisk, mastakal, ginger,alkali,

Therein
must

ring,
the and the

mixture A
root

is then
of

placed a shining be poured upon

to

patient.

saffron salt and

is then alkali

be

taken fat
of

pounded
matku-hiid

with

pure the

and and

brought
mixture

from

the of

mountains,
the

with
to

this strange anointed.

body

patient is

be

The

Chamber
us

of the

Priest' Magician
to

Let
case

attempt

describe

the

treatment

of

The aid

by a priest-physician-magicianof proceeding is rather a recondite one,

of

imagination

as

well

as

the

assistance

Babylonia. but by the of Babylonian

a

clear certain
vast

we representation may picture. The chamber to

construct

tolerably
is almost of those

of

the

be

situated

in

some

nook
more

sage in one

and

cities
enter

imposing fanes which than mere temples. We

a

closelyresembled
the curtain and

draw The C^.

atmosphere is chemic with odours, and ranged on shelves pungent tiled walls the numerous are jars, disposed upon small, containing the fearsome compounds great and
room.

rather

darksome

270

THE

CHAMBER

OF

THE

PRIEST^

MAGICIAN

practitionerapplies to the sufferings of Babylonian humanity. The asipu,shaven and austere,

which the asks
us

what

we

desire
we

of

him,

and him
for

in

the

role the
a

of

Babylonian
that who the
our

citizens
are us

acquaint
miserable

with
us

fact witch
now

lives
upon

made

by
and

sends

misfortune

after

misfortune,

blight or
an

some

equally
now
us

intractable

horrible

disease, now
which
of

evil wind,

torment

ments unspeakable enchantunceasingly. In his capacity

our

physician the asipu

exhausted with
us,

examines
or

bodies, shrunken
and

and

fever

rheumatism,

having

with his compounds the mixture and hands enjoins us to its regular application. own He various mixes ingredients in a stone mortar, a whispering his spellsthe while, with many prayer and Merodach beneficent the all-powerful Ea the to be restored Then that we he promises to health. may at our to visit us dwelling and gravely bids us adieu, will graciously after expressing the hope that we of religion contribute the upkeep of the house to to

prescribed for

which

he

is attached. the darkened

of
a

Leaving
brilliant

haunt

of

the

asipu

for

the

Babylonian summer afternoon, first inclined to at fears, and to we are forget our the the horrible relics of superstitions, laugh away which barbarian But weigh us down. as ancestors, crouch fearful, we more night approaches we grow in the darkest of our with the children corner claytremble brick and sound. The at dwelling, every overhead is for us the noise rushing of the wind hither of the Labartu, the hag-demon, come to tear little ones, from us our or perhaps a rat rustlingin
the
straw

sunshine

may

seem

to

us

the the

Alu-demon.

The
even

ghosts of pale Uru,

the

dead of

gibber

at

threshold, and
may

lord

disease, himself

glance in

at

271

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
countenance

ASSYRIA

the red
the
waxen

tiny
eyes.

window The

with

ghastly
of

and
assail
us.

eager,

pains
is
at

rheumatism

Ha,

evil witch

work,
in
our

images
torment

made

the
to

brought
we

about

thrusting thorns into the suffer shape that we may by sympathetic magic,
our

which

would that
we

rather dwell

refer

aches
the

than

to

the

circumstance A
anew

hard
at

by
the

river-swamps.
We
the
to

loud and
of
or

knocking
the evil have

resounds

door. At last
us

tremble dread final

children
come

scream.

powers

to

summon

the

bold perhaps the witch herself, grown by of her wreak fresh to reason immunity, has come The is thrown flimsy door of boards vengeance. and face of to our unspeakable relief the stern open, beneath the the flickering asipu appears light of the We with shout joy, and the children cluster taper. around the and priest, clinging to his garments clasping his knees.

ordeal,

The The

Witch'

Finding

fear, and motioning us priest smiles at our sit in a circle produces several to waxen figures of It is noticeable which the floor. demons he places on be bound ture miniaall appear with that these figures to in the shape of a of these Taking one ropes. Labartu or hag-demon, the priest places before it from small cakes made twelve a peculiarkind of meal. of water, libation He then out a places the pours image of a small black dog beside that of the witch, pig on the mouth lays a piece of the heart of a young bread and box of white of the a figure and some chants beside it. He then ointment something like the following : May a guardian spiritbe present
"

at

I draw side when near my his muscles, when I examine

unto

the

I compose

sick man, when his limbs, when

272

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
cast

ASSYRIA

when thatch

in

innocent and In

play they
hot
wrath
so

hot

ashes
water

upon

her
her

introduced

swamp
we

into
on

cistern. abandoned

righteous
being
our

lay

hands has the

the
a

who

for

many

months that

cast

blight upon
death
for
we

lives.
upon the that

She

exclaims
we

pains

of

have know

seized

her, and
the

laugh in triumph, superior magic of our asipu

way
to

has

taken

effect.

On

the

river
us

we

are we

joined by neighbours, who have caught the witch.

of

rejoicewith
Great the is the devilish

that

satisfaction
crone

the

party
into

when
the

at stream.

last

is

cast

headlong
But
ere

many

seconds each This

pass

we

begin
the she

to

look
one

incredulously upon
refuses
to

other,
find

for

wicked

sink.

means we
so

that

is innocent
eye

Then,
upon but how

awful
us,
we

moment,

every

directed

who

were

happy
against
of

and

light-hearted
for
we

moment
are

before. the those laws

We

tremble,
the

know

severe

indiscriminate As the

accusation ancient arises

eyes
crone

of

suspected
to

witchcraft. loud

continues

float, a
with
up

murmuring
limbs and and children

in

the

crowd,
terror
we

and

quaking
our

full of
a

snatch

make

dash

for

freedom.

Luckily
crowd dare

the
not

asipu accompanies
most

us

so so

that

the

and pursue, changeable is human nature, busied in rescuing the old woman.
we

indeed,
In
a

absurdly
them
are

of

few

minutes

have
us.

placed
The

all

immediate

danger

of

asipu has departed to his richer in the experience by the lesson of a -^ hurried consultation After a prescription.'
*

behind

pursuit temple,
false
we

quit
"^

the

town,

skirt
from the

the

arable

land

which
the

fringes
code of

He

is exempt for

punishment provided by

Khammurabi

the

false accusation.

274

THE

MAGIC

CIRCLE

it,and
to

the

plunge into the desert. of a employment young

not

She

who and

opposed inexperienced
was

asipu does
"

make so."

matters

told

you
on

And
a

he

any who

better

by reiterating
'

favoured visit
to

second

opinion,'
discovers harsh
over

paying
the
;
'

night
'

the
to

city,
her made

that

witch

has house of

succumbed
has

treatment to

that

his
way

been

compensation, and has been taken that a legal process out against him. the Returning to his wife he acquaints her with sad hand in hand with their and weeping news, face the desert. and offspringthey turn
The

her

relatives

by

Magic
The

Circle

magic
in

circle, as
many

in

use

among of
on

the

Chaldean
to

sorcerers,

bears

points
works

resemblance

that

described

medieval

magic.

The

lonian Baby-

magician, when describing the circle, made he little winged figures,which before set seven an image of the god Nergal. After doing so he stated
that

he

had them

covered with and

a

them

with

dark

robe

and

bound them had

them

coloured the heart

cord, setting beside

of the

tamarisk

palm,
had

that

he

completed the magic with a sprinklingof

the been

circle and
lime of and

surrounded

flour.

That
have

magic
evolved

circle
from

mediaeval Chaldean
the
two.

times is

must

the between

plain
are

from

the
for

resemblance strong the of making

:
" "

Directions circle
as

mediaeval

magic
is

follows
In

the
a

first

place
proper in
a

the

magician
for

supposed

to

fix
must

upon be

spot
and of

such

purpose,

which

either

with

black,
the
centre

in

vault, hung round lighted by a magical torch, or else thick wood desert, or upon some or
s

subterranean

275

MYTHS
some

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

extensive
meet,
or or

unfrequented
amidst
the
or

plain,
of

where

several

roads

ruins

ancient
the

castles,
rocks
on

abbeys,
the

monasteries,
some

amongst

private detached churchyard, other the hours melancholy place between or any and in the of twelve the one night, either when shines the elements bright, or else when moon very disturbed with of storms thunder, lightning, are rain ; for, in these wind, and places, times, and it is contended that with less spirits can seasons, manifest themselves mortal and to difficulty eyes, visible with the least pain. continue time and When the proper fixed place are upon, be is formed circle within which to the magic a his associates and master are carefully to retire. The reason assigned by magicians and others for the
institution and
use

seashore, in

of

the and

circles

is, that

so

much

ground
words all evil

being
and

blessed

ceremonies

the spiritsfrom sacred sprinkled with

from

all uncleanness

holy has force secret a to expel bounds thereof, and, being the ground is puriwater, fied the holy names of ; beside
force

consecrated

by

over being written part of it, its every evil spirits. becomes proof against_all

God

Babylonian

Demons

of most were legion and Babylonian demons The Utukku them exceedingly malevolent. was lurked evil spiritthat an generally in the desert, for where it lay in wait unsuspecting travellers,

but

it did

not

confine

its haunts
to

to

the
among

more

barren
tains, moun-

also places,for it was in graveyards,

fate

be

found
in

the
sea.

and

even

the

An

evil

befel

the

man

upon

whom

it looked.

The 276

Rabisu

is another

lurking

demon

that

secretes

BABYLONIAN

DEMONS

itself in

passers-by. unfrequented spots to leap upon TJie Labartu, which, has already been alluded to, is, strangely enough, spoken of as the daughter of Anu.
She
was

marshy
wont to to

supposed places, and

of

to
was

dwell

in

the

mountains

or

in

destruction

children. charms

addicted particularly Babylonian mothers round

this have others
to

to

the
were

hang
them

their

children's

necks

guard
The

against
appears
to

horrible been
a

hag.
in
some senses a

Sedu

guardian spiritand
It is often

in

being
at
a

of end

evil of

sities. propen-

appealed
the

the

tions invoca-

along
type.
These

with

prototypes
many

of

spiritof a similar were malign influences probably the the Arabian jinn, to whom they have
half-human them
were

Lamassu,

points of resemblance. Many Assyrian spiritswere of some supernatural, and

contract

and

halfto

supposed
the

unions The

with

human

beings, like

Arabian

jinn.

unions was offspring of such supposed be a spiritcalled haunted and ruins Alu, which to entered the houses deserted of buildings and indeed like a ghost to steal their sleep. Ghosts men proper has also were common enough, as already been

observed,
almost
was

and

those
to
even

who
return to

had
to

not

been

buried mankind.

were

certain

harass
upon
a

It
the

dangerous
edimmu The

look
man

corpse,

lest

or spirit

of the

dead

should

seize upon

the

be of the opinion to Assyrians seemed the that ghost like a vampire might drain away a in were long formulae strength of the living, and of haunting existence names containing numerous it was of which one hoped would apply to the spirits, used for the tormenting ghost, and these were poses purexorcism. To of lay a spirit the following articles
were

beholder.

necessary

seven

small

loaves

of

roast

277

MYTHS
corn,
corn,

OF

BABYLONIA of
a

AND
ox,

ASSYRIA

the and

hoof
a

dark-coloured leaven. The the

were a

flour
were

of

roast

little

ghosts
haunted kneaded libation

then after
a

asked which in the

a

why
the horn in

they
of
an

tormented leaven
ox

man,

flour and

into

paste
into then

and The
an

small leaven

poured
was

hole

the
the
an

earth.
hoof of

dough god

placed in
out

ox,

and
to

another the

libation Shamash. and

are

poured
In

with

incantation

another
person
to

case

whom

and the

libations

figuresof the dead man the spirit has appeared poured out before both

the
to

living
then

be made

of

them,

is to be buried and that figure of the dead man of the the washed in pure whole living man water, being typical of sympathetic magic, which ceremony thus supposed the burial of the body of the ghost the and In the purification of the living man. be offered up before the sunto morning incense was woods be burned when sweet were to god at his rising, libation wine of sesame and a poured out. troubled If a human by a ghost, it was being was
necessary that he

should that

be
the

anointed result
of

with the

various

substances
contact

in

order be

ghostly
in the that
swer an-

might
old of
text
a man

nullified.
"

An house house.

When says, will there it

ghost appeareth
a

be and there

destruction
for

of
an

When the
man

speaketh

hearkeneth

will die, and

will be lamentation."

Taboo

The

belief in taboo
the

was

universal it
was

in ancient known but

as

Chaldea.
mamit.

Amongst
There
were

Babylonians
taboos many uncleanness
on

things,
of

especially
We find the barrier

and upon corpses the taboo generallyalluded that 278

none can

all kinds.
a

to

in

text

"

as

pass."

TABOO

Among
intended person

all barbarous
to

peoples
sacred

the

taboo
from

is

usually
profane also be
of

hedge
or

in the
common

thing
Thus

the

the

people, but
as

employed
certain in hot

for

sanitary reasons.
the
must

it may the flesh

not

animals, such
countries.
who
are

pig, may
not

be

eaten

Food in
the

those

uncleanness, and

these
;

prepared by slightest degree suspected of laws are usually of the most

should
a man

be

rigorous
taboo
often

character upon

but

violate he
any

the

placed
became
with

certain No He
was a one

foods, then

himself course inter-

taboo.
him.

might
left
sort to

have his
own

devices,
In
of

and,
kind

in

short,
texts

became
we

of

pariah.
instances the
If
one a

the this

Assyrian
of

find
numerous

many

taboo,
these
an

and

were

tions supplicadrank taboo.

that
water

might

be
cup

removed. he
"

from the
were

unclean
he

had

violated

Like
If he

Arab

taboo
not

might not he might

with
not

lick the touch he

platter clean."
another
man,

not

he
to

might
the

converse

him,
even was

might

not

pray
for

gods,
else.
cast

he

might
In
fact

be

interceded

by
If

anyone
a man

he

excommunicate. another into

person
contact

had with

washed
a

his eye upon which water his hands in, or if he came who had
not

person he became

yet

performed
who touched

his

tions, ablu-

unclean.
on

An

entire

ritual purification
or even

was

incumbent
upon may
a

any
man.

Assyrian
wherefore
to

looked
It

dead

be

asked,
is

was

this
?

elaborate
answer

cleanliness

essential
"

avoid
of the
one

taboo

The

undoubtedly sympathetic magic.

a or

because Did
any

belief in the into

or

power

of

come

contact

with
a

person
other

who

was

m.

way

unclean,
was

with

corpse
come

unpleasant object, he
the radius
of the

supposed
emanated

to

within

evil which

from

it.
279

MYTHS Popular
The

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

Superstitions

superstitionthat the evil-eyeof a witch or a wizard might bring blightupon an individual or munity comelsewhere. as was as persistent in Chaldea Incantations the frequently allude to it as among of sickness, and exorcisms causes were duly directed against it. Even to-day, on the site of the ruins of Babylon children are protected against it by fastening small blue objects to their headgear. from a was Just as mould supposed by the grave
witches in
to

of the

Middle
so was

Ages
the

to

be

cious particularly effica-

magic,
or

dust

possess one's nails

to
use

hidden
cut

virtue

in

temple supposed Assyria. If one pared

considered discover
;

of the

one's hair it
a sorcerer

was

bury
them

them

lest

should
owner

necessary and them formed per-

against their
upon
a

late

for

sorcery

part
to

was

by

the

law

of

sympathetic

magic

thought

reflect

to superstition attached barbarian uncultured or people, for among apparel is regarded as part and parcel of uneducated Even in our time simple and own their garments and tear hang a piece from

the like whole. A upon the discarded clothing of

folk the

the

man.

people
it
as an

offering on

the

bushes in
the

around

any

of

the

numerous

healing wells journeyed to.

If take
woman,
one

country
is
a

that

they
of

may
custom

have
of

This

survival whole.
a

the

the part sacrificing

for

the

desired hair who it

on

to
a

get
young
"

rid of kid it it

headache and

one

had

to

the

of

would
the

spin

on

give it to a the right side

to

wise and into

double
fourteen

left," then
the
to

was

be

bound

knots

and

incantation

of Ea

pronounced
the head

it,after which it was upon and neck of the sick man.

be bound defects

round in

For and

eyesight the
or

Assyrians
2S0

wove

black

white

threads

hairs

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA The another

two

complicated in appearance. lobes are lower sharply divided from one are separated from the upper by a narrow
most

animal

is

and

and

the

whole

surface

is covered which which the

are

with

depression, markings and

it
much

fissures, lines
appearance outlined.
of

and
a

curves on

give
roads

the

map

and

valleys are
excised
same

This these

only,
two

and

applies to markings
set

freshly
never

liver in any

the

livers. Certain

practice of these were liver-reading, and exceedingly expert, being able to decipher the hepatoscopic signs with skill. the They first examined gall-bladder, great swollen. which or might be reduced They inferred
apart
various circumstances and sizes of
from

priests were

for

the

the

several and

ducts

and

the

shapes
Diseases

the

lobes

their

appendices.
among

of the

sheep
among

in

all

liver,too, particularly common countries, were even more

in the

frequent
of

these

animals

marshy
with

portions
this

the

Euphrates Valley. species of is very extensive, and Assur-bani-pal's library augury thousands of contained fragments describing the from the practice. These deduced enumerate omens
the the
so

The

literature

connected

chief colour forth.

appearances
of the

of

the

liver,
divided and the

as

the the into

shade

of

gall, the
lobes
were

leng-th of

ducts,

and

The

sections,

lower,
varied

medial, and
from the

higher,

interpretation

observed. therein The phenomena such markings on the liver possessed various names, feet,' which as palaces,' weapons,' paths,' and
* *
'

'

terms

remind
of

us

somewhat Later

of in

the the
of

bizarre progress
came

clature nomen-

astrology.
well, and

of
to

the be

art

the

various
so

combinations there
were

signs
so

known
282

many

cuneiform

Clay
This used is for
the

Object
with of of

resembling
magical
divination,
in

Sheep's
it

Liver

inscribed

formulae and their

was

probably
by

purposes

was

employed

priests

Babylon
W. A.

ceremonies

Photo

Mansell

and

Co.

282

THE
texts

RITUAL existence
a

OF

HEPATOSCOPY

in

which could be which well

afforded

instruction
'

in the

them,
baru
to
or

that

liver
a name

quickly
was

read

'

by

reader,
various the

afterward those who

applied
divined

the

astrologistsas
other earliest
of is

and

to

through
One
scopy

natural
instances

phenomena.
on

record

of

hepato-

consulted who regarding Naram-Sin, The declaring war. a sheep's liver before great and find Gudea we Sargon did likewise, applying to when his liver inspectors attempting to discover favourable time for laying the foundations of the a the whole history temple of Nin-girsu. Throughout in fact, from of the its early Babylonian monarchy that
' '

beginnings
Whether
no means

to
was

its

end,

we

find
in

this

system
times every

in
we

vogue.

it

in

force

Sumerian
there is

have

of
was

knowing,
the
case.

but

likelihood

that

such

The

Ritual

of Hepatoscopy
an

Quite

elaborate
the
omens

ritual

grew

up

around
of of

the

readings
liver.

of

by

the

examination
must

the all

The himself

baru and

who don

officiated

first for
to

purify
and
'

specialapparel
then

the

mony. cere-

Prayers
Hadad
of
or

were

offered who
were

up

Shamash
as

Rammon,
The

known

the
were

lords

divination.'

Specific questions
selected the
of
manner

usually put.
be
it

sheep

for

sacrifice
of
must

must

without and
the

blemish, and
examination
most

slaughtering
be
made the
a

its

liver

with

the

meticulous
and upon

care.

Sometimes occasions

signs were sheep was

occasion

doubtful,
sacrificed. the
to

such

second

Nabonidus,

last
restore

King
a

desired Harran.

Babylon, temple to the

to

of

on

one

moon-

god

at

He

wished

be

certain

that

this 283

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

step
of of We

commended
so

itself
he

to

Merodach,
to

the liver
was
a

Babylonia, his day and

find him

applied
that

the
omen

'

deity inspectors
'

chief

found

the of

favourable.

also desirous in accordance of this

a

making
with
an

certain ancient

symbol
pattern.
and
sulted con-

of the

sun-god
a

He

placed
the

model of
of

before
to

Shamash

liver

sheep
were

ascertain
on

whether three

the

god approved
occasions then
not

the

offering,but
the model
of

separate

the

signs
that

unfavourable. the

Nabonidus

concluded have been

it

by

another

symbol could correctly reproduced, and on replacing found the he signs propitious. In
that the there should
of
a

order, however, sought among

of
a

be

no

mistake the

he

records

the

past

for

result

liver

inspection on
the in
omens

similar became

occasion, and
convinced

by
that

comparing
he
was

he
a

safe

making

Peculiar with the down Thus

found connected signs, when of importance, were events speciallynoted in of hver literature handed divination, and were from generation to generation of diviners.
a

symbol. they were

number
the

of

omens

are

associated the

mesh,
and
to
a

mythical
"

hero of
of

of

GilgaBabylonian epic,

with

certain

condition the
omen

indicate
men

gall-bladder is said the king, whom Urumush,

the

palace killed." Bad enumerated in the signs and good signs are literature like most of the subject. Thus peoples the right side as lucky the Babylonians considered and the left as unlucky. Any sign on the right side of the lobes, was or gall-bladder,ducts supposed
the
of his
to
a

refer

to

the

king,
on a or

the

country,
sinister
on
a

or

the

army,

while

similar

sign
Thus

the

side the

enemy.
to

good sign
Assyria

applied to the right side applied

sense,
a

Babylonia

in

favourable

284

THE

MISSING

CARAVAN in
was an

bad
A
to

sign on good sign

the
of enemy,
course,

the
on

right
the

side

unfavourable
an omen on

sense.

left side
a

favourable the left side

whereas
to

bad

was,

the of

native

sign king or
here

forces.
to

It

would

be

out

place
of

extended ancient
is and
a

description
Chaldeans.

the
it in
to

give a more liver-reading of the

say that the

Suffice
one

very has

complicated
little interest

for

the

subject its deeper significance, in its general reader

conditions
gious, relipolitical,
more

advanced
of the

stages.
liver could
or

Certain

well-marked
certain

only
events. to
as our

indicate

personal
attempt

It will the

be
act

ing interestdivination
ancient

if

we

visualise
it
was

of

by liver reading, Babylonia, and if

the
it is process material they have

practised in imaginations break

fault
upon. of the

down

in

not to

the work

very

large

The

Missing

Caravan
as a

The
as one one

roll back ages of the great those

scroll, and

I of

see

myself

banker-merchants
of
commerce

Babylon,
contracts

of

princes
are once

whose

and

agreements cylinders where

arose

found

stamped
streets

the

stately
morning

upon palaces of of the

clay
barter

from

the I

swarming
that

city

of
in

Merodach.
my in

have

been

carried

white by sweating slaves, from my the shadow a leafy suburb lying beneath lofty temple-city of Borsippa. As I reach my
of

litter

house
of

the

place

business

am

aware

of engage

unrest,
are so

for

the

financial

operations
that
the cool and
I may

in which say
of

closely watched
I represent
enter

without

self-praisethat

pulse
chamber where
a

I Babylonian commerce. I usually transact where my of officious Persian slaves pair

the

business,
commence

28s

MYTHS
to

OF
me as soon

BABYLONIA
as

AND

ASSYRIA
seat.

fan

take

my

clerk
on

enters

and

makes

obeisance
of

with

an

My head expression
It
from
more

his

face
"

eloquent
as

important
The
at
caravan

news.

is

as

expected
week
ago

feared.
to

the
than

Persian
a

Gulf

due has

arrive

Babylon
its

not sent

yet

made

although
these have

I had

scouting
without it. the

appearance, parties as far as

and

Ninnur,
least

returned

bringing
caravan

me

the

intelligenceregarding
I feel convinced
woven

that

with

my
stones

spices,
will
street

fabrics, rare
come

woods,

and the

precious
great

never

tinkling down

central

deposit its wealth at the doors of my warehouses ; irritable that I sharply and the thought renders me so dismiss Persian the fan-bearers, and curse again of Elam, and who have sons again the black-browed of looted doubtless the throats cut goods and my I go home at an early guards and servants. my hour full of my misfortune. I cannot eat evening my but meal. what ails me, My wife gently asks me the with to a enlighten her upon growl I refuse of my Still, however, she persists, cause annoyance. succeeds and in breaking down surly opposition. my trouble Why concerning this thing thy heart know when thou what has happened to thy mayest Get thee ? to to-morrow goods and thy servants the Baru, and he will enlighten thee," she says.
to
"

I
can

start.

After harm what

me

all,
in

women

have the Baru

my

sense.

There him
But the

be

no

seeing
I

and

asking

to

divine

has that

I bethink love
my
to

happened to am wealthy,

caravan.

and

that

priests
mention

pluck a suspicions of
to

well-feathered the

pigeon.
in
no

priestly caste
of
my

measured and the

terms,
amusement

the
of

distress
my

devout

wife

soldier-son.

286

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA that ?

AND

ASSYRIA
"

Ha
the

what
of

is

By

sound

bells ! who still

wet

Up

Merodach, it is I leap, upsetting

at

it is the

wretched upon door.

caravan,

scribe
his

squats

feet, and clay tablets, I rush

my

ling trampto

the

Down

the
at

street

slowly
Babbar. before my of

advances

travel-worn
my

and

the

head

of it there
He
me,

rides tumbles

trusty
out

brown-faced the
a

captain,
and kneels All
cause

of
in
are

saddle

but he
a

I raise
assures

him
me,

close

embrace. the
out

intact, and
which broke recovered
1'a a

goods, delay was

his

severe

sickness all have

among

followers.

But

and
turn to

my

credit

is restored. my

As

re-enter

warehouse
on

with shoulder.

Babbar,
It is

detaining
messenger
"

hand
from
at

is

placed
chief

my

the
the

Baru.

My

brother

from

afar," he
son,

thee, my
recovered of it
to

says is that,
own,

temple saw politely,

since

thy
and

caravan

coming
message
so

"

his
hast

to

thou

happily
a

thine

thou of the

shouldst

devote

tithe

the

service

gods."

28S

CHAPTER MONSTERS

XI:
AND

THE

MYTHOLOGICAL
OF CHALDEA

ANIMALS

TIAWATH
was

Babylonian
of

only mythology.
not to
or

the

monster

known
she is
times some-

to

But

likened

confounded she

with

the

serpent
connexion

darkness
whatever. the

with

which

had
was,

This
of

being
the

originally no however, like

Tiawath,
enemy

offspring
divine
of Genesis

of
verse

the

second
form

powers. that

great We
the

deep
are

and
in

the

told
was

the

"

earth

without face of of the

and

void, and
therefore We
"

darkness

was

deep,"
was

and

resembling
also

upon the

the

abyss
that the

lonian Babyserpent
of the

myth.
esteemed
as

are more

informed
than

subtle been

other
out

beast

field," and

this, it
authors
of

has

pointed
it
was

by

Professor

Sayce,
author
waters
as

was or

probably
wisdom.

because
of

and
the

to

Greeks, the
was
came

by the Genesis with Ea, the god of To Babylonian geographers ocean was a coiHng, snake-like
alluded be
to
as

associated

thing, which
and

often
to

the
as

this

soon

considered The

great the and

serpent,
source

of

all evil and

misfortune.

ancients,
the

especially
of the

the

ancient

Semites,
to

with have

Phoenicians,
and called

appear loathing. The

exception regarded it with

appears
can see

dread been
pent ser-

serpent

to

have how and

for the

Aibu,
of

We enemy.' darkness, the offspring

'

the

of

chaos

sion, confumischief.

became He
source
was

also
the

the
source

Hebrew
of

first
of

symbol physical

and

next

the

moral

evil.

Winged
The Chaldean

Bulls

winged

bulls

so

closely
were
T

identified

with

ancient with 289

mythology

probably

associated

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA may

AND

ASSYRIA

Merodach. totemic confound those the

were

These forms the

have in
of

of the

gods
forms

represented the original not question, but we must

Merodach the
a

bull bulls

and

Ea

with
to
'

winged temples.
not

which
to

guarded
perpetrate
divine The the human
creature

entrances

These,
at

double

bull,'
or

bulls

all but

beings, the gods

head
was

genii
to

of the

holy places.
that and the the

attached endowed

them

indicated

humanity strength. When

*

with

bull-like

body
he

symbolized
the word

Babylonian
tongue It is
must

translated

bull
'

'

from
'

the
'

Akkadian

it

hero
of

or

forms

Ea

one.' strong Merodach and

of these

usually rendered thought that the bull have originated at

were

Eridu,
the
as a

for

both The of

deities

connected

with

city.
double

believed
across
*

that the
of
to
azure

Babylonians regarded the sky-country the plain in which they dwelt, and they the gods as planets ploughed their way
fields of air. and Thus the
as

the

sun

was

the the of

Bull

Light,'
of

planets
the Bull

Jupiter, the ecliptic, known was Light.'

Babylonia
the

nearest

of
'

the

Planet

The

Dog

in

Strangely enough
as a

dog

was

classed
one

by
to

the

monster

animal
a

and

be

Babylonians despised

and evil the

avoided.
we

In
"

read,

From

of against the powers prayer the dog, the snake, the scorpion,
is baleful
. . .

and reptile, preserve

whatever us." We

may

dach Merothe

find

that

although

breed of excellent dog Babylonians possessed an fond of depicting them either in paintnot ing they were in a basbas-relief. illustrated or Dogs are seen five clay figuresof dogs relief of Assur-bani-pal, and
now

in the
to

British that

Museum monarch.

represent
The

hounds
names

which of these

belonged
290

DOG

LEGEND and appear have must

to

animals those
a

are

very

amusing,
them
of the
an

indicate suffered
or

that
from

who

bestowed lack with

*

complete
blessed
are

humorous

sense, of it.

else have the

been
names

overflow

Translated,
'

:
'

He-ran-and-barked,' The-Biter-of-his-foes,'
'

The-Producer'

of-Mischief,'
well
or

The-Judge-ofHow all know from the

we

and his-companions,' these have

names

The-Seizer-of-enemies.'
fit certain is

would
! Here

dogs
evidence like

known centuries

good

buried has
not

that

dog

nature

human

nature

changed a whit. the dog, fellow-hunter But with why should early of civilized humanity, have the companion and man been Sayce considers regarded as evil ? Professor the four that not were dogs of Merodach always of mercy, and errands that sent on originallythey been had devastating winds."
"

Dog
The

Legend

exhibit Once

fragment the dog

there
constant to sent
was

of

legend
very

exists

which

does

not

in any
a

favourable who
was

light.
tormented his flocks.

shepherd
of

by
He of

the

assaults Ea for his

son

prayed
wisdom

dogs upon protection, and the

Merodach
to

great

god
the

reassure

shepherd.
"

Ea

has

heard

thee,"

said

Merodach.

"

When

the them and their

great
from
overcome

dogs

assault

behind

thee, then, 0 shepherd, seize and down, hold them lay them
Strike
are

them.

their
;
never

heads,

pierce

breasts. With

They
the wind

gone

may
road

they
and their

go,
cut

turn. they remay with the storm

above Seize weapons

it ! their !

Take

their

off

their seize

going.
their

mouths,
Seize
their

seize

mouths,
make

teeth, and
T 2

them

ascend,
291

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA of

AND

ASSYRIA
;

by

the

command
of

command

Ea, the lord Merodach, the lord

Gods

of wisdom

by
^

the

of revelation."

Gazelle

and

Goat

a mythological animal gazelleor antelope was far as it represented Ea, who in Babylonia so is the entitled the gazelle princely gazelle and

The

'

'

'

who

gives

the

earth.'

But

this

animal

was

also

appropriated to Mul-lil,the god of Nippur, who gazelle god.' It is likely, speciallycalled the was this animal had been therefore, that worshipped of totemically at Nippur. Scores early cylinders
'

represent
bas-reliefs
the
to
arms

it

being

offered

in

sacrifice show The and

to

god,
too,
has

and in

and of been
of

other various

carvings
deities.

it

reposing
seems one

goat,
Uz
Mr

have

peculiarly sacred,
the zodiac. word
A

formed

of

the
name

signs
the

god
for

called

for his

Akkadian
a

goat.
tablet
was

Hormuzd in

Rassam
of the
to

found

sun-god
at

at

sculptured stone Sippara on which

and

an
"

temple inscription
a

Sin, Shamash,
the

Ishtar,
to

god
which

Uz."

This

approach god Uz
the upon
or a

is

set as panions combeing the deep in sight of the depicted as sitting on a

as

throne

watching
is

revolution table and He

of

the

solar
to

disc,
robe

placed
of
a

made
is clad

revolve in
a

by
of

means

rope

string.

goat-skin.
Goat

The

Cult of the the

way

This

cult

goat

appears

to

be

origin,and
found
its

strange
into

thing

is that

of very it seems into is very

Messrs

ancient
to

have

mediaeval

and

even

modern little
Williams

magic
^

and

pseudo-religion.
Lectures,p.
288

There

Sayce, Hibbert

(by permissionof

and^^Norgate).
292

THE

GOAT

CULT of the

doubt
and

that the

it is the

Baphomet
of the

knights-templai
of the

Sabbatic
It
seems

goat

witchcraft
certain

Middle the into

Ages.
Crusaders
contact

almost
in

that

when
came

sojourned
with the

Asia-Minor of the of

they
old France

remains

Babylonian

cult. them

When
on a

Philip the Fair charge of heresy a

was

arraigned
of

great
them

deal

curious

evidence

extorted
an

from

worship
The real

of

idol

that of

regarding the they kept in their lodges.

character
It
was

this

they
the

seemed

unable
was

to

explain.
the
to
name

said
'

which

image
name

made
was

in said

likeness be
a

others

Baphomet,' corruption of Mahomet, that at period for a derivation give a Greek

was

of

which
the pagan for

general
the

Christian

idol, although
word.
a

This

figure
head the

often

described

as

possessing
the

goat's
goat
of

and

horns.

That,

too,

Sabbatic

Middle

witch

of Eastern and lonian Ages was probably Babythe At origin is scarcely to be doubted. and elsewhere those who were orgies in France

afterwards
that

Satan
that

and

Sabbatic
the
centre
a

brought to book for their sorceries declared in the shape of a goat appeared to them The in this form. they worshipped him in meetings during the fifteenth century
of

wood
a

Mofflaines,
with
in

near a

Arras,

had

as

their and

goat-demon
was

human

countenance,

like fiend

adored
it is clear

Germany
the

and

in Scotland.

From have Levi goat

all this
had
some a

that

Sabbatic
the

goat

must

connexion

with
the of

East.
or

Eliphas
Sabbatic and

drew
to

picture

of
one

Baphomet
his occult

accompany

works,

it he adorns strangely enough the symbols that with the sun-disc are moreover peculiarly Oriental Now Levi knew figures in the drawing. nothing of Babylonian mythology, although he was moderately
"

293

MYTHS versed it would modern been

in

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

the
seem

mythology
that if he
sources

oOTLodern
drew his that

occultism, and
information these
must

from

or

mediaeval line

have

in direct

Adar,
manner

been other

the

Babylonian lore. the in sun-god of Nippur, was connected with the pig, which of the city he ruled over totem ;
had attendant whose who animals
was
or

from

the
may

same

have many

and

gods sun-god of Kis,

Those Tiawath
monsters
were

symbol
had

birds, the eagle.

the

like

the

composed
the defeat been
to

host

of

supposed, after
commandress,
his

and

tion destruclike We

of their Satan read and

have

hurled

angels
seems

into

the

abyss
tablets the

beneath. of the

of their

confusion

in four
to

creation

epic.
of

This

legend
that thrust
we

be

the

belief
were

those into
of the

who
outer
'

original source rebelled against high

darkness.
'

heaven Book which

In

the

of Enoch
an

read
to

angel

said

abyss prophet, This

great
and
"

of the consummation in
a

of heaven
"

regarding is a place earth," and again,

stars

later

chapter,
the here
of

These

are

of the

who

have

transgressed
are

command
till
10,000

of

God, worlds,

the the

Highest,
number
.

and of
. .

bound

the this

days

their

sins, shall have

consummated

prison of the angels, and here they are held to eternity." Eleven are spoken great monsters of by Babylonian myth as comprising the host of
is the

Tiawath,
of
we men

besides and these the

many

lesser of

forms

having

the

heads

bodies

birds.

find
an

monsters

figuring in

Strangely enough ing legend concerna

early Babylonian king.

of the upon Monsters

The The
were

Invasion

tablets
at

which
'

this the

legend

was

first

known

as

Cuthsean

impressed legend of

294

MYTHS and
from
to

OF

BABYLONIA his realm.

AND

ASSYRIA

destruction his

upon lethargy of

Nevertheless, rising
stated in his
of

despair,he
the
of enemy

his intention
own

go

forth
"

against

saying,
curse

The

pride

this

people

the

person, night I will

with

death

and

destruction, with
every foe he

fear, terror,

and

to

famine, and with misery of Before the setting out to meet the in manner gods. The
invaders
seem

kind." made he the

offerings
overcame

which
from

the

is

by
that

no

means

clear

text,

but

it would of
a

he

annihilated

them
of

deluge.
exhorts

In his
to
a

the

last

portion
not to

the

by means legend
when

the in

King
great He

successors

lose heart his

perilbut
inscribed

take

courage

from

example.
he

tablet

with

his

advice, which
"

placed in the shrine of Nergal in the city of Cuthah. fill thy cisterns Strengthen thy wall," he said, and with bring in thy treasure-chests thy water, and corn thy silver and all thy possessions." He
"

also

advises similar
to

those conditions

of his
not

descendants
to

who

are

faced lessly need-

by

expose that

themselves

the

enemy.
at
one

It
to

was

thought
was

time
of

this

legend applied
that

the

circumstances the brood

to

the

creation, and
who It
at
was was

the
war

speaker

god Nergal,
of Tiawath.

waging
believed

against the according

would
now

that,

local taken

conditions

Cuthah,
but
the of

Nergal
it has
was

have been

the clear

place
that in

of

Merodach,
shrine

made
to

although
the

tablet

intended

be in

placed

Nergal,

the

speaker
The

was

reality an

early Babylonian king.

Eagle
As
we

have

seen,

the

eagle

was

as

symbol
he

tells how
296

sun-god. A quarrelledwith the serpent

of

the

perhaps regarded Babylonian fable

and incurred

Eagle-headed
In
Photo W,

Mythological
the
A.

Being
296

Louvre
Mansell and Co.

THE

EAGLE

the
eat

hatred. reptile's the serpent's

to

Feeling hungry
young,

he

resolved

to

and

communicated One
the of his

his children

intention advised because

the
to

his
not

own

family.
to
so

him if he

did

god
his
out

Shamash.

offspring, and
the

serpent's brood, incur the he would enmity of hearken But the eagle did not heaven from swooping down
devour and devoured
his young. the

sought
On
his

serpent'snest
at

arrival
at
once

home

serpent

discovered

his

loss, and Shamash,

repaired in great indignation to whom he to appealed for justice. His in a tree, and the eagle set nest, he told the god, was had it, destroying it with his mighty swooped upon wings and devouring the little serpents as they fell
from
"

it.

Help,
is like
the

Shamash
unto

!" broad

cried

the

"

serpent.
snare

Thy
can

net unto

the

earth, thy
in wideness.

is like Who

distant
?
"

heaven

escape

thee

Shamash him
upon
"

how the Take

hearkening to he might succeed eagle.

the

his in

appeal, described obtaining vengeance

"

to

road,"
hide
open

said

he,

and

go

into

the of
a

mountain wild heaven

come ox.

and Tear shall

thyself in its body,

down and
do upon

the

dead
all

body
the

and
it. he

birds

of

swoop
rest,

The

eagle
for the

shall best

with
of off in the his

the

when thou

seeks him his

parts
tear

carcase,

seize

by

his

wing,
may

wings,
from

his
cast

pinions, and
him

claws, pull
There

him he

pieces and
a

into
and

pit.
bidden
ox,

die The

death

hunger
as

thirst."
had

serpent
came

did

Shamash

him. which

He
he

soon

upon

the

body

of

wild
carcase.

into

glided

after

he

opening up the heard the beating of

Shortly wings

wards after-

the

of numberless
297

MYTHS

OF of which

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
ate

birds, all
But and
the did

swooped down and eagle suspected the purpose

not
come

of the

flesh.

of

the

serpent
and

with him
he
to to

hunger
"

prompted
said let
us

rest, share in the his

the

until

greed
us

feast.
"

Come,"
and

children,
of

let
of

down ox." Now his

also

eat

the

flesh

swoop this wild

the

father

eagle who young from devouring the

to
a

had

before

dissuaded

serpent'syoung,
he

again
I
am

begged
"

him

desist O

from my

his purpose.

Have

care,

father,"
lurks in

said,

"

for

certain the

that

the of

serpent

yonder

carcase

for

destroying you." the warning of to eagle did not hearken his child, but swooped on of the wild the carcase to He so far obeyed the injunctions of his offspring, ox. for the the dead however, as closely to examine ox lurked of discovering whether trap purpose any
purpose the But
near

it. feed

Satisfied
upon

that

all

was

well the The the

he

commenced seized
at
once

to

it, when
and held
for

suddenly
him
fast.

serpent

upon

him
to

eagle
was

began
told and

plead
that if he
an

mercy,
to

but Shamash

enraged reptile
irrevocable,
of and birds he

him that

appeal
did
not

himself

despite off his wings and the eagle'sfurther protests he tore to pinions, pulled him pieces, and finally cast him the god into a pit, where he perished miserably as
would the had decreed.

be

punish punished by

the

king god,

298

CHAPTER LONIAN AND

XII:

TALES ASSYRIAN

OF

THE KINGS

BABY.

THE
of from

tales

of

the
we

Babylonian
present
in

and

Assyrian
are

kings
own

which,

this

chapter
at

value

because historical

they
accounts

are

taken
of the

first hand
events

their

great

which
first

occurred examination

during
these but will when be

their

several

tablets studied found

most to

uninteresting,

a reigns. On dry and appear more closely and

patiently they
absorbing
country.
refer
as

contain

matter

as

that
us

in the take

exciting

annals

Let
of

inscriptions
to

example Tiglath-pileser II (950 b.c.)

for the

any wonderful which

covered dis-

of

his

various

conquests,
Smith
at

and

which in

were

by George
of

Nimrud

the

temple
flourish

Nebo.

Tiglath
who,
them the
sea sea

commences

with
He

the

usual the
has
a

Oriental

of trumpets.

styles himself
of

in the

service
over

Asshur,
like
has the
to

powerful warrior trampled upon his

reduced
from the he says, from
enumerates

haters, swept
to to

them
He of
sun

flood, and
and
He

shadows.
the

marched,

land

of

the

setting
lands

rising sun, Egypt.

he has

the

countless

that

conquered.
others
to

The took

cities

Sarrapanu and Malilatu among and inhabitants by storm captured the

of

he

the all

number
of

150,000
sent to

men,

women,

and Much

children,
he
"

whom
from

he
the

Assyria.
of the
rare

tribute

received

people
to

conquered
woods,
to

lands

^gold, silver,
His
custom

precious
seems

stones, have the

a

and his

cattle.

been
cities

make

successful

generals

rulers that

of

upon His gods.

conquered, and it is noticeable victory he invariably sacrificed to the

he appear
to

methods

have

been

drastic
299

MYTHS

OF
extreme.

BABYLONIA Irritated he
at

AND

ASSYRIA defiance
a

in

the

the
it
to

of

the

people
and
of his

of

Sarrapanu
King
Not his

reduced

heap
of

of earth, the

crucified

Nabu-Usabi with his

in front

gate

city.
off

content

carried
son,

wealth,
and

this vengeance, his furniture,

Tiglath
wife, his

his gods, so that no trace lastly of the wretched monarch's kingdom should remain. It is noticeable that throughout these campaigns the Tiglath invariably sent prisoners to Assyria,

his

daughters,

which
as

shows

at

least

that

he

considered

human

life

relativelysacred. Probably these captive people reduced of the neighbourto slavery. The were races ing fore beand desert, too, came prostrated themselves the Assyrian hero, kissing his feet and bringing him tribute carried by sailors. his gorgeous Tiglath then begins to boast about residence all the with new vulgarity of a nouveau
riche.

Syrian with planks

in the lions

says that his house palace for his glory. He

He of

was

decorated built
to

like
of

gates
have

ivory
his

cedar, and
At

seems

had

prisoners,the conquered kings

of

Syria,on
gates
were

exhibition

palace precincts.
and
as

the

gigantic
which he this

bulls
"

of

clever

workmanship

cunning, beautiful, valuable," and The Palaces of Rejoicing.' place he called In a fragment which relates the circumstances
describes
'

of

his

Eastern

expeditions he
and how he

tells how excavated

he the
up

built

city
past,
in

called

Humur,

ing neighbourin the into certain

river and
of
one

been filled had Patti, which along its bed led refreshing waters cities that him
he

the
text

had

conquered.
the

He
of

complains

Sarduri,

King

Ararat, revolted

against
his
a

along

camp

and Into

mare.

Tiglath captured Sarduri had perforce to escape upon he rode by night the rugged mountains
with

others, but

300

THE

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

ASSUR^BANLPAL

their sought safety on peaks. Later he took his warriors in the city of Turuspa. refuge with in reducing the place. After a siege Tiglath succeeded he of Afterwards destroyed the land Ararat, and

and

made

it

desert

over

an

area

of

about
to

450

miles. and

Tiglath
carried

dedicated
off his

Sarduri's

couch

Ishtar,

royal riding carriage, his seal, his and necklace, his royal chariot, his mace, lastly a he accomtold how not are plished great ship,'though we
'

this

last feat.

Poet

or

Braggart ?
to

It is strange

notice

the

inflated

manner

in which

Tiglath speaks

in these
and

people,
if he
were

races,
a

descriptions. He talks rulers sinning against

'
'

about him
as

like

monarchs, regarded himself as the But earth. representative of the gods upon though his language is at times boastful and absurd, occasions it is extremely beautiful other and yet on even poetic. In speaking of the tribute he received
from them

other

god, but Assyrian

it

must

be remembered

that

he,

various
"

monarchs
of wool

he

clothing
the

that he obtained says and linen, violet wool,

from

treasures,

skins

of

sheep

with

fleece with

royal dyed in
of

shining purple, birds of the sky shining violet, horses, camels, and
their He
young ones."
to

feathers

she-camels

with

Queen
as a

too, appears, of Sheba or

have
one

been

in

conflict whom and

with he all
sent

Saba,

Samsi,
her

prisoner

to

Syria

with

gods

her

possessions.
The

Autobiography
In
a

of Assur^bani^pal

of

chapter we outlined the mythical,history Assur-bani-palor Sardanapalus,and in this place

301

former

MYTHS may

OF

BABYLONIA
the
commences

AND of his life

ASSYRIA
as

review briefly inscriptions. He the child of Asshur

to

story

told

in his

convey

that
to

he

by stating that he is and Beltis,but he evidentlyintends is their son in a spiritual sense only,
us

for he hastens

tell
"

that

he is the

"

son

of the great

(Esar-haddon). He proceeds to tell of his triumphal throughout Egypt, whose progress Then," he remarks kings he made tributaryto him. the good I did to them spised in a hurt manner, they deKing
"
"

of Riduti

and

their hearts and took

devised

evil.
among

Seditious

words

they spoke
In alliance
to

evil counsel
of

themselves."
into
an

short, the

kings
his

Egypt
from

had
the

entered

free

themselves

generals heard of of their several of the ringleaders in the midst work. They seized the royal conspiratorsand bound The in fetters of iron. them Assyrian generals then the populations of the revolting cities and fell upon but they brought off their inhabitants to a cut man, of into the presence the rulers of Egypt to Nineveh justice that monarch Assur-bani-pal. To do him is described treated Necho, who as King of Memphis and consideration, granting Sars,' with the utmost him and covenant him placing upon costly a new of gold, bracelets of gold, a and ornaments garments of gold ; with sheath with steel sword chariots, a bani-pal,but
'

yoke of Assurthe plot and tured cap-

mules, and
Dream of

horses.

Gyges
how his dream

Continuing, Assur-bani-pal recounts place of which King of Lydia, a remote heard the name, had was granted a not
the

Gyges,
fathers
cerning con-

kingdom of Assyria by the god Asshur. and sent greatly impressed by the dream Gyges was his friendship, but having to Assur-bani-palto request
302

DREAM
once

OF
to

GYGES
court

sent

an

envoy

the

Assyrian

Assur-bani-

that he think should continue do to to pal seemed he failed in this attention the so regularly,and when his discomfitur to Assyrian king prayed to Asshur compass the Shortly afterwards unhappy Gyges overthrown against whom by the Cimmerians, was Assur-bani-pal had often assisted him. Saulhow recounts Assur-bani-pal then plaintively brother, conspired against him. mugina, his younger made This brother he had King of Babylon, and after for some time occupying the throne of that country off the Assyrian he set on foot a conspiracy to throw he told Assur-bani-pal that had had yoke. A seer the god Sin spoke to him, saying in which dream a and he would overthrow that destroy Saulmugina and his fellow-conspirators.Assur-bani-pal marched he overthrew. The people against his brother, whom forced of Babylon, overtaken to by famine, were their own in their agony devour children, and they him attacked death with to Saulmugina and burned and his wives. As we his goods, his treasures, have before pointed out, this tale strangely enough closely the legend concerning Assur-bani-pal himresembles self. the vengeance Swift was of the Assyrian king those who upon while of some,
eaten

remained. others
were

He

cut

out

the

tongues

thrown

into

by dogs, bears, and eagles. Then tribute and them he returned over setting governors that Assur-bani-pal distinctly to Assyria. It is noticeable
states

pits to be after fixinga

that

he

'

fixed

'

to gods of Assyria, and Assyrian deities existed in contradistinction of Babylonia. In one expedition into the land of Elam, sent by Ishtar to assure pal had a dream

the

upon this seems

the

Babylonians
show
to

that those

Assur-banihim

that
303

MYTHS
the

OF the

BABYLONIA

AND
was

ASSYRIA

crossing of
be

river Itite,which

could The

accomplished by his army warriors easily negotiated the

great
the enemy. upon dragged the idol of and
man

losses

high flood, in perfect safety. flicted crossing and inother Among

from its
never

in

things they
sacred beheld he
grove,

Susinay
it had with

he

remarks in Elam.

that This
He

been idols

by
which

any

other the

carried

off

to

Assyria.
the

lions
up the

flanked

drinking wells, and

to
nor

winged gates of the temple, dried for a month and a day swept
so

broke

Elam
oxen

its
trees

utmost

extent,

that in it
"

neither

man

nor

could

be

found and say

nothing
of the

but

the

wild The who been

ass,

the
goes

serpent,
on

the that
for
over
"

beast the

desert.

King
had

to

goddess
1600
years,

Nana,
had he
turn re-

dwelt

in

Elam

That by so doing. suited to declares, was a place not trusted of her divinityshe had to from she said, bring me out bani-pal,' desecrated
"
'

country,"
her.
me.

The
'

Assurof of

the the

midst

wicked Anna.'
"

Elam The
of

and

cause

me

to

enter

temple
to

goddess
at

then

took

the
the

road

the
to

temple
her
an

Anna

Erech, where

King
chiefs
at

raised who heart

enduring sanctuary.
the
to

Those

had and

trusted

Elamites

now one

felt afflicted
of

began
his
own

despair,and
armour-bearer other.

to

them, like Saul, begged and slay him, master man

to Assur-bani-pal refused give off its head his corpse burial, and cutting hung it of round neck of the the Nabu-Quati-Zabat, one his rebellious brother. of Saulmugina, In followers in grandiloquent another text Assur-bani-palrecounts built the temples of Asshur and he language how

killing each

Merodach.
"

The

great
have

gods

in

their
over

renown

heard, and

assembly my glorious dwell the kings who

304

ASSUR.BANLPAL in
and

AS of my
name

ARCHITECT

palaces, the glory

have exalted
my

they

have

raised

kingdom.

Assuf'bani'pal
"

as

Architect

temples of Esar-haddon, King

foundations
he

The

Assyria and of Assyria,

built, but
them
:

Babylonia had begun,

not

which their their

had

had

finished their

tops
"

anew

I built

I finished

tops.
of

Sadi-rabu-matati
the I

(the
of the

earth),
with and

temple
finished.
and

great god Assur

mountain
my

the
pletely com-

lord,
I it I

Its

chamber columns

walls in

adorned

gold
in

silver, great

fixed,
sea

I placed. brought, and I raised him an everlasting sanctuary. of lord the Saggal, the temple of Merodach, and gods, I built, I completed its decorations ; Bel Beltis, the divinities of Babylon and Ea, the divine I brought out, and the temple of judge from Its noble in the placed them city of Babylon. of with a fifty talents sanctuary great
"
... . . . . . .

the its gate productions of land and The Sadi-rabu-matati into god Assur

its brickwork
to

finished, and

raised

over

it.

I caused

make
as

ceilingof
stars

the

ful durable wood, beautisycamore, beaten of heaven, adorned with gold. the
A of

Over
I

Merodach
his will. ruler

great
noble
the

lord

did

rejoiced in heart, chariot, the carriage of

I lord I
of

Merodach, silver, and

heaven
I gave " A

gods,
stones,

lords, in gold,
its manship. workof
a

precious
To

finished
of

Merodach,

king
my

the

whole
as

and it.
couch

earth, destroyer of
of

enemies,
for

gift

sycamore Bel and

wood,
stones
as

the

sanctuary,
as

covered

with couch
of

precious
of

ornaments,
of

the

resting
makers

Beltis, givers
u

favour,
In
305

friendship, skilfullyI

constructed.

MYTHS

OF the
. . .

BABYLONIA
seat

AND

ASSYRIA

the the
"

gate

of

Zirat-banit, which

adorned

wall,
Four

placed.
of

bulls

silver,powerful, guarding
of the of

my

royal
is in

threshold, in
gate,
the in
the of

the gate

gate

the I

midst

Borsippa,
Monarch

in rising sun, temple Sidda, set up." "'"

the

greatest

which

Likeable*

Assur-bani-pal, has been called likeable the of the most Assyrian for kings. He did not press his military conquests sake the mere of glory,but in general for the maintenance of his own the as territory. He is notable
father
of
"

Esar-haddon,

the

"

restorer

of

Babu

and

the

reviver
to

of

its culture.

He

showed his
court

much
was

clemency
the
son,

bani-pal,his
he education

offenders, and political of literary centre activity. Assurtion speaks warmly of the sound educahis father's
court,

received and

at

and

to

that

now we enlightening influences the priceless series of cylindersand owe inscriptions in his library. He have found does to not seem been able to control his rather turbulent neighbours, and he was actually weak enough (from the Assyrian the gods of the kingdom of point of view) to return Aribi after he had led them captive to Assyria. He been have to seems good-natured, enlightened,and easy-going, and if he did not boast so loudly as his do so. he had to son probably greater reason One of of descendants the Assur-bani-pal, Belcertain of zakir-iskun, speaks of his restoration adds : that of Nebo, and plaintively temples, especially In after sons days, in the time of the kings my old becomes When this house decays and he who its decay ? May repairs its ruin and restores

its

"

George

Smith's

translation.

See his

Assyrian Discoveries, p. 355

ff.

306

THE

FATAL my
name

ECLIPSE

who

does

so

see

written
a

on

this

tion. inscripout

May
a

he

enclose write
the him. my

it in
name

receptacle,pour
with his
own

libation, and
defaces
not

but the

whoever

gods
his

establish
from

name writing of my May they curse

may

and

seed

the

land."

This written
seem

is

the

destroy last royal

and he
that

length inscription of any its almost prophetic terms

who
of

in
to

Assyria,
the

suggest Does

framed
the

them

must

have

foreseen

downfall
not

civilization

he

represented.
'

the

foreshadow inscription almost ? sonnet on Ozymandias

'

Shelley's
land

wondrous

met

traveller
:

from
vast

an

antique
trunkless

Who Stand Half And Tell Which

said in

Two

and

legs of
on

stone

the
a

desert. shattered

Near

them,

the

sand,

sunk,
wrinkled that

lip,and

frown, visage lies,whose of cold command, sneer

those
on

its

sculptorwell
mocked

passions
these the

read

yet
hand
on name on

survive, stamped
that them these

lifeless
heart
:

things.
fed
;

The
And
"

and words

that

the

pedestal
is

appear

My

Look

my

Ozymandias, king of kings : works, ye mighty, and despair !

remains. Round boundless stretch the and far

"

Nothing
Of The that lone

beside colossal and

wreck,
sands

decay bare,
away.

level

The

Fatal

Eclipse
of Assur-Dan III

The
us

reign
a

with

picturesque
marched
the

(773-764 B.C.) supplies This incident. Assyrian

times in and
into

monarch and

had

several Chaldeans

Syria,

had

fought
were

Babylonia.

Numerous
his and power.

his
But he

tributary states
crept

widespread
upon
to stave

disaster made
in

slowly
efforts

him,
it

although
were

repeated
vain.
seem
U2

off, these

quite
and

Insurrection that
the

followed

insurrection,

it would

priests of
307

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

Babylon,
the

considering
party

themselves assisted
of the
to

slighted, joined
foment of

malcontent
the

and

discord. Assuras

At
Dan

critical

juncture
an over

fortunes the and

sun,

there

happened
crept

of eclipse

and

the

black

shadow

Nineveh the

his couch and upon of the sunlight,he After

no

watched
felt that

King lay gradual blottingout

was

the

his doom appears

upon

him.

this direful but the

portent
to

he

to

have

resisted
to

longer,
Within

have
year he

resigned
was

himself

his

fate.
son,

slain, and
upon in

his

rebel

Adad-Narari throne. But

IV;

sat

his

murdered
upon
a a

father's

Nemesis he
was

followed
turn

the rebel

footsteps,for parricide's
in his
son,

found with

and

the

land

smitten

terrible

pestilence.
Shalmaneser heroic
I

{c. 1270)
an

was

cast

in

martial

and

the epic might arise from and legends of his conquests military exploits. In his time Assyria possessed a superabundant population which required an outlet, and this the monarch it his duty to supply. After conquering the deemed of the Euphrates, he provinces of Mitani to the west attacked did he deal with Babylonia, and so fiercely find him his southern neighbours that we actually of their conquered cities and gathering the dust of heaven. casting it to the four winds Surely a of dealing summarily with extreme manner a more been recorded ! has never conquered enemy Although the life of the Babylonian or Assyrian he had lived in the full glare of publicity, king was criticism the same encounter as to regards his not that actions must face, for present-day monarchs of the peoples of Mesopotamia the moral code was obtains which from that fundamentally different the present time. As the monarch at regarded was

mould,

and

308

Shalmaneser

pouring

out

the

Dust

of

Conquered

City
308

Ambrose
By permission of Messrs

Dudley
Hutchinson and Co.

A
as

ROYAL the

DAY

the

vicegerent
that he

of

gods
do

upon
no

earth, it
wrong.

therefore

followed
to

could

Submission
of
a race

ais
men

will who been

was

complete.
wielded this else but
on

In power

the

hands

of

unwisely
to

it could

have and the

nothing
But of
to

disastrous whole bore

If it may

both be
said

prince
that

people.

the
race

kings according
at

this
their

themselves
their
sense

worthily
of
was

lights.
to

dignity
because

times
were

amounted
so

bombast,
their
sense reason

that
of

they
from

full of There
upon

delegated duty
to

above.

is every

believe

that
to

before

entering undergo a most

instruction and
other upon

their

kingly

state

they

had

rigorous education, consisting of religious subjects, some history,

of moral

the hand

inculcation

precepts.

On

the

means mere by no puppets, them find for initiating campaigns, presiding we of law, and courts over framing the laws themselves of the national and generally guiding the trend and mined detera they were policy. As a whole strong wise as well as warlike, and by no means race, of the unmindful requirements of their people. the gods were them and their reading with But first, have been the of the initial duty of a king seems to celebration the of religious building of temples and

they

were

ceremonies
was

the

gorgeous especialfeature.

of which

and

prolonged

ritual

Royal
A

*Day*
of
a

sketch

day
may in

in

the

life of
the

an

Assyrian
to

or

Babylonian king
the of the

assist
a

reader
era.

visualize

habits

of

royalty
of

distant

The

ceremonies

robing

and

ablution

upon

attendance

numerous

necessitate rising would and, special officials,

the

morning

repast

over,

private religious ceremony

309

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND of

ASSYRIA

would

follow.

The

business
an

the
from of
to

court

would Elam
or

supervene. Egypt would

Perhaps

embassy
early
or a

failingwhich
of

the occupy the dictation and cities

hours

the the

morning,
governors

of letters
to

provinces
be would
A

distant
scholar

potentates
himself these
a

would

overtaken.

As

the
ductions. pro-

King
in
course

probably carefully scrutinize visit might then be paid to

construction, where
of progress would watch
or,

temple
would

of the

the

architect

describe and and

set

the the

building operations,
slow

the
tower

King
;

rising of
chase.

shrine be

apart great

for

the
not

perhaps, the pleasures of

unlike be
a

afternoon the of
at

would

Leashes boar-

of

dogs,
out

those

the
a

Danish certain

hound and

breed, would

setting
would had

in

gathered light but

at

point,
the
the

strong

chariot,
where

King
beaters

soon

arrive

that
of

point
the

assured
asses,
so

themselves
or even

gazelles,wild
of the
course,

lions. that the

of presence Matters would,

be should
the

arranged
be left with
was

chief

glories of
not

day

whether in the if he Be

King
as was

royalty. It is accompanied by his

case

clear

courtiers

chase,
was

the

in

the

Middle

Ages,
of

or

merely
as

attended

huntsmen. by professional
ceremony
came

that

libations
we

over
no

it may, when the the dead game

one

pouring

to

be

celebrated,
of

find

except

the

King,
for
not

the the

harpers, and
kings
to

huntsmen professional

present,
race

this
the

virile lion and

and

warlike

did armed

disdain

face

unattended
arrows

and and
a

with falchion.

nothing
Unless
are an

but
the

bow

short have

scription in-

which mendacious
we

they
must

left

on

record
many

altogether

believe

that

Assyrian
Great is

king
risk
310

risked attends

his life in close

combat when

with the

lions.

lion-hunting

sportsman

ROYAL weapons
hunter is

DAY
of

armed
risk

with,

modern
a

but precision,
with these
the

the

attending
when

personal encounter
the armed

savage
most

animals

with

rudimentary
to

modern

seems weapons civilized ideas.

appalling, according
a

Or great
the

again

the

afternoon

ceremonial foundation-stone

might be occupied by religious function, the laying of a temple, the opening of

the celebration
of
a

of
a

religious edifice, The King; attended

and
of

or

festival.

by
be

retinue glittering in
to
a

of courtiers
to

would priests, celebration the

carried

litter the
were

the

place
whose
to

where function
of the

hymns
was

god
sung

in

honour

held and

the

accompaniment
libations offered The
up,
to

harps god were

other

instruments,
out,

poured
Assyrian
a

sacrifices

made prayers private life of an and

for continued
or

protection. Babylonian

king
in the of the
unrest.

was

probably
as

not

surrounded
pay

he

was

order, by sycophantic officials, spies

very schemers in
most

of

comfortable

of his

enemies,
As
centre
were

and

office-seekers

all

descriptions.
was

Oriental

countries,

harem

the

of

foreign
much, for the

Its occupants countries who

on

intrigue and political usually princesses from

had

probably

received
to
as

junctio inas

lands leaving their native monarch the over ascendancy in matters of swaying him purpose
of these of

gain

possible political.

Many
in the

hope

Mesopotamia
there

supposed to be made maintaining peaceful relations between the and surrounding countries, but
were

alliances

is little

doubt

that

the

numerous

wives
often

of

Mesopotamian king were office than spies whose

to
or

only
it
was

too to

little better

report

their

relatives

the

condition

of

periodically things in Babylon

3
1 1

Nineveh.

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

Slaves
a

swarmed

in the
status

palaces,and
in
some

these other

occupied
countries.

rather

higher
who

than

and who possessed good attainments skilled in weaving, the was making of unguents or The slaves asset. was an regarded as preserves, but the laws a regarding them were were caste, and inhumane. not exact They were usually sold in the market-places of the large towns. by auction A strange have to custom, too, is said by Herodotus the obtained with Babylonians in connexion among obtained a marriage. Every marriageable woman in the following manner The husband ful beauti: most girlsof marriageable age were put up to auction, realized and the large sums by their sale were given the plainer young women as dowries, who, thus to with furnished bands. husplentiful means, readily found The life of a so Mesopotamian king was leave little time to as by ceremonial hedged around of for private pleasures. These, as in the case took the form of literary Assur-bani-pal, sometimes but the more or general form antiquarian amusements, been feasts or banquets at of relaxation to have seems tables well supplied with the delicacies which were from distant as well as neighbouring regions. obtained by a professional Dancing and music, both furnished class, followed the repast, and during the evening the his soothsayers or King might consult astrologers been related to to some him, as portent that had he had dream some experienced. or The have to seem royal lines of Mesopotamia been sedate, and conscious composed of men grave, of the But few reposed in them. authority which of the thrones upon Babylonia or weaklings sat did were not infrequently Assyria, and those who slave

swept
312

aside

to

make

room

for

better

men.

CHAPTER VALUE ASSYRIAN OF

XIII THE

THE

COMPARATIVE AND

BABYLONIAN

RELIGIONS

I ^HE

comparative
and Semitic

value

of is

the
very

I
J[
and

Babylonia
represent
a

Assyria

religions of high, as they

in

state

of

polytheism in evolution, prosperity, though hardly in decay.

Semitic initiated
of

They
three

are,

in
as

fact, typical of
the

religion
no

as

whole, and
of

Semitic

race

less

than
"

the

great

religious systems

the

world
"

Judaism,
are

well

Mohammedanism Christianity, and careful worth study on the part

to

they
those

of

It is, specialize in religious science. inevitable for that however, a variety of reasons, them should the most we frequently with compare in religion of Israel, the faith that general most resembled them, although a wide cleavage existed
who

desire

between outlook.
contact

the

ethics

of

that

system

and

their
was

moral direct

That between

notwithstanding,
the

there

Babylonian and Jewish religions the influence sorbed abfor thus a prolonged period, and was quickened by racial relationship. deal with these and Ere racial we purely Semitic resemblances which are so important for the proper Biblical of history and religious comprehension the science in general, let us faith briefly compare and of Babylonia of the some Assyria with great of the It world. religious systems perhaps more the closely resembles composite general Egyptian gion) religious idea (one cannot speak of an Egyptian relithan other. But in Egypt whereas the any
deities
nome a or

had

been

almost

universally
totemic
one

evolved
or

from

province-patrons,
often

number

coalesced

in

form,

otherwise, the gods of

313

MYTHS Clialdea much

were

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

usually city- or
of the
nature

district-gods, showing
the

departmental deity in their construction than the divinities of Egypt. The and exact more Egyptian god-type was explicit. seldom We have much in discovering the difficulty of an have nature frequently, Egyptian god. We trouble in finding out for what however, immense a The deity stands. Mesopotamian rian Babylon-Assyidea of been have to godhead appears pally princiastral, terrestrial, or aquatic that is, most connected either Babylonian-Assyrian deities are with the heavenly bodies, the earth, or the waters. It is only as an afterthought that they become gods of letters, of the underworld. of justice, This statement of course be taken must as meaning that their with abstract connexion loose more qualitiesis much of the in the than that their case Egyptian gods departmental character is secondary to their original is only one character There as gods of nature. ception exin the departthat is to be found to this,and ment
"

less

of

"

of war,

to

which
an

certain

of them

have to early period identified with it very become closelyindeed. circumstance the In one Babylonian-Assyrian the that religion closely resembled Egyptian, and the it by priestly lasting effect wrought upon was cults and theological schools. Just as the priestsof Thebes and the varying Memphis and On moulded read into cults of Egypt, added to their mythology, and ethical significance, did the priestsof Nippur them so of Babylon. and form Erech mould the faith and for such We have a statement, plenty of evidence and nowhere theological thought so perhaps was world in Babylonia and Egypt. rife in the ancient as There also points of contact with the great are
3H

been

relegated at

appear and later

to

have

COMPARATIVE

VALUE

OF

RELIGIONS that
it

mythological
was so

system
a

of

Greece,
that Greece
to

system
could

which

mythology be called a religion. That is not from Mesopotamia

find
indeed for
so

much

borrowed

scarcely largely
but
we

be

doubted,
very

the

Hellenic in their

departmental
nature.

deities for

explicit
stands and
war,

Pallas,
for

example,
for

wisdom,
forth.

Poseidon
One

the

sea,

Ares

god
Zeus him

usually
has
a

and
we

although
do
not
as

one possesses of minor number

attribute,
attributes

find does

combining
As has

in

his been

one

many
seem

Merodach. the

so person said, it would

departmental character or Babylonian gods was purely accidental

that

of

many

fortuitous.
or or

The

formula

seems

to

run

"

take

local

city god,

probably
of

derived

from

totemic

sources

perhaps

animistic

surrounding the god of a again with a

local
where
status.

much origin, and, having conquered the to territory, exalt him position of large region, which, being incorporated him still larger empire, leaves only a This
status must

he

cannot
a

hold

each

member
it becomes

possess
to

pantheon attribute, specific

a

in

therefore
some

quality by
that it may

which

necessary he can

impose
to at

upon

him

be

recognized. specially
his

Sometimes in fact
is

quality

is suitable

character,
times

be indicated

by it,but
for of
war

other

it

merely arbitrary. Why, made have been a goddess

This
the

example,

should

Ishtar ?

by

the

Assyrians

bestowal
of

gods
the

departmental characteristics upon Babylonia and Assyria was contemporary

of of these
on

with
No

erection
can

countries

into

pantheon
in
the

exist

high

without
the

reflex
most

world

below. offices in
at
a

Like

empires. a political granting of

these in find
315

departmental changes took place

the

religioussystems,
we

evolution

of

Semitic

comparatively late religion. Whenever

date

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

or departmental deities of a religious system more their duties and less sharply outlined to as status we that things : first, temporal power premise two may has been acquired by the race which conceived them, is of comparatively and secondly that this power recent origin.

the

Semitic

Conservatism
we

speak of departmental deities of a country like Babylonia or bear in mind that Egypt we must lands knew these so dynasties and had such many extended their an history that religious systems from first to last have must experienced the most profound changes. In Egypt, for example, religious grees. phenomena altered slowly and by imperceptible deThe of changes experienced in the course have made must fiftycenturies of religiousevolution different conditions the cults of Egypt exhibit very the close of their development from, let us at say, their in We those seen midway evolutionary course. how the Babylonian and have seen Assyrian faiths of generations, but withal there altered in the course been have to more something strongly appears conservative in the nature of Semitic religion than did the in any other. other land Probably in no the same ritual and religious practices obtain same the so long a period as in Babylonia, where over
national centralized did life
was

When

much in
were case

stronger
and

and

much

more

than

Egypt,
in the

where, if rival
to

cults
was

exist, they
no
means

all subservient land

of

one,

as

by

the

the

Nile.

Teutonic

and

Celtic

Comparisons
the few

Compared Babylonian
316

with offers

great

Germanic of

religion the
In

points

resemblance.

MYTHS

OF
course,

BABYLONIA

AND
new

ASSYRIA

TKis,

of

is

no

conclusion,

only

the

not Babylonian gods were strictly departmental, that they have only a slight hold upon their offices, assists in proving the correctness of the theory of their elemental origin. It is the student also of interest of comparative religion to as indicating to him a mythological system in which the majority of the gods are certainly of elemental fetishistic or origin as opposed to totemic origin. of the Babylonian pantheon Of the spiritistic nature To doubt remains. the small Semite, in whom so are bined, imagination and matter-of-fact strongly combe sure animistic iniiuences would to appeal that to most strongly. It stands primitive reason life so is everything else, and if man is gifted with this conviction do gives imagination full play. We these animistic influences discover not so strongly Osirian entrenched in ancient cult is Egypt. The the various to a degree, but certainly animistic

circumstance

that

the

totemic embraced

cults held

which their

rivalled
own

it and
many
a

which

it

at

last

for

day.

Mother-Goddess

Theoryfeature of

One is
the

outstanding

Babylonian

religion

earth-mother. This worship of the great is a universal religiousphase, but in few systems do find it so we prominent as in Babylonia and whole indeed in the Efforts tract. Mesopotamian that show in Mesopotamia been made there have to another of people of encountered streams two one worshipping a male, and the opposing worship, one those other who female a deity. With worshipped hunters and warriors with whom the man-god
"

women

were

considered else
"

more

as

beasts

of

burden

than

anything

man

was

the

superior being.

318

^M

"^

CO

INFLUENCE

ON who
more

JEWISH

RELIGION the

The
were

other
not

people
may

worshipped

necessarily
tribe.
of
an

their in
the

adoration

have
these
or

woman-god civilized ; the origin of been a scarcity of women

two
man-woman

Where

streams

fused

the

worship
to

androgyne^
But
were

have

resulted. and

there

god, peoples who

male

is said

fically specifemale

separately worshipped
If

and
in

deities
such

certainty
these
a

can

be deities
who
or

approached
would

debating

matters, and

animistic,
do
not

people
one

assuredly be gods worship animistic

one

worship

god
sexes. we are

sex,

but
we

scores

of
a

spirit-gods of
mother-earth,
a was

both
too,

Wherever almost
certain

find

to

discover

father-sky.
of

The

cult

of

the

great All

mother-goddess
and
a

rather in
was or

later Semitic
fusion who

origin.
world
of these
was

localities such

all

regions
and
it

the the

possessed
in
one

that

deity produced
'

Ishtar
of this the

Astarte,

Ephesians.' Semitic worship

in where the
each

Diana probably also the Perhaps the best parallel to

of the of
or

earth-mother the

is

to

be

found
races,

mythology

ancient

Mexican

pueblo,
of of

earth-mother,
after the

several

whom

city-state,possessed its finally merged, were

in

conquest
of

their

worshippers,

the

great

earth-mother

Mexico.

Babylonian
But
to

Influence

on

Jewish

Religion
interest

of Babylonian-Assyrian religionis chiefly

the

student
of

of

comparative
that of
^

flood which

light upon the history

our

religionin that it casts a wonderful Jewish faith with is so closely identified. own
:

Professor
*'

Sayce
was
one

writes nation 38
ff.

There

at

all

events of Messrs

which
Williams

has
and

Hibbert

Lectures,

pp.

(by permission

Norgate).

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

exercised, and
upon
our own

still exercises, a

considerable which

influence
had

thought
close

and

life,and
with
the

been

brought
The and

ture religionand culof Babylonia at a critical epoch in its history. of Jewish religion influence Christianity, upon
contact

into

the that have been races consequently upon been moulded has lasting and proby Christianity, found. Now Jewish religion was intimately bound with Jewish history, more intimately perhaps up than has
of
events

been the

the

case

with took

any

other

great
from the

gion relithe

world. marked

It the

its

colouring
of

that
;

life political

Hebrew

people
and

it

developed
their

in unison

with

their

struggles
Its is

successes,

trials and
the
;

disappointments.
Book
of

great

devotional
not
own

utterance,

Psalms,
in

national,

individual

the

individual

it has

aspirationsand sufferingsinto those whole The of of the course community. Jewish prophecy is equally stamped with the impress of the
merged
national
as

his

fortunes.

the

intercourse them
at

It grows of the

clearer

and

more

catholic with those

is

Jewish people
;

around

becomes that the

wider God Now

as

and the

the

lesson is the God

taught
for

last

of

Jews

also of the whole

world.

the chosen
we are

instruments

expressly told, the Assyrian and Babylonian. The were Assyrian while the Babylonish the rod of God's was anger, the bitter punishment meted exile was to out Judah returned The for its sins. again to captives who land back with their own came changed hearts and henceforth to Jerusalem was purified minds ; from the righteous the unrivalled be dwelling-place of which nation keepeth the truth.' which the influence Apart, therefore, from any had have old religious beliefs of Babylonia may
enforcing
lesson,
' "

this

320

INFLUENCE
upon
so

ON

JEWISH
as we

RELIGION
shall
see,
was

the

Greeks, and

which,

not

formerly imagined, their wholly wanting as was with the religiousconceptions of the Jewish contact exiles must, to produced an effect say the least, have it is well worth which while to our study. Hitherto
the traditional view
has

been

that

this effect exhibited side ; the Jews of their captivity

itself carried

wholly on nothing
an as

the
away

antagonistic
from the of of

land

except

intense

hatred well
as

more idolatry,

Babylonian,
associated Professor

the

beliefs

and

especially practices

therewith."

Budapest, has in his Mythology among enlightened us, in a passage the Hebrews, influence the wielded to as by great The Babylonian upon Jewish religion. He says : itself manifested receptive tendency of the Hebrew again prominently during the Babylonian Captivity. first they gained an Here opportunity of forming for themselves harmonious a complete and conception
Ignatius
"

Goldziher,

of

of

the

world.
not

The then

influence be

of Canaanitish

tion civiliza-

could Hebrews
of

which

dwarfed
monuments

which There
some

we

particularlypowerful on the for that civilization, the highest point ; attained was by the Phoenicians, was quite in the activity exhibited by the mental of the Babylonian and Assyrian Empire, able to admire in all their grandeur. are now
Hebrews found
more

the

to

receive

than

few

and civil, political, and could manifold

not

The found

extensive there

religious institutions. literature which they

on a

receptive mind a as powerful stimulus ; for it is not to be imagined nation then that the dragged into captivity lived so long in the Babylonian-Assyrian Empire without gaining any knowledge of its intellectual treasures. latest Schrader's publications on Assyrian poetry
act
X

but

321

MYTHS

OF
us

BABYLONIA
to

AND
a

ASSYRIA

have

striking similarity and the of ideas the course both between poetical of a considerable form portion of the Old Testament, especiallyof the Psalms, and those of this newlyIt would be a discovered Assyrian poetry. great for mistake this reference account to similarityby Semitic to common origin in primeval times ; for a that in cases which do not to can we only resort go elements the of intellectual most primitive beyond ideas of the world, or designations of things life and world. of the external Conceptions of a higher and more complicated kind, as well as aesthetic points, off into the mists be carried of a certainly not can better to keep to more It is much real prehistoric age. those and tangible ground, and to suppose points Hebrew between and of contact Assyrian poetry revealed and which are by Schrader's, Lenormant's, the of publications, to form George Smith's part made contributions by the highly civilized Babylonians and in the course Assyrians to the Hebrews of the important period of the Captivity. from this that the intellect of Babylon We see than and Assyria exerted a more passing influence on of the that Hebrews, not merely touching it, but entering deep into it and leaving its own impress of kind it. The the Assyrian poetry just upon
"

enabled

establish

mentioned Hebrews
as

stands does
as

in the the
does

same

relation narrative

to

that

of the of

plain
the

texts

the
seilles Mar-

Hebrews,
to

and the

sacrificial

Tablet
of
a

of

Hebrews' The
course

constitution.
is of and

beginnings Babylonian and

more

sacerdotal
fluence in-

Assyrian

much

extensive, pregnant, work,

de Les la

noteworthy."
The Abbe

Loisy
les

in

French

myths
Genese

babyloniens, et
322

^premiers

chapitres

MYTHS

OF Influence

BABYLONIA
upon

AND the other Semites

ASSYRIA

Babylonian
The Semitic upon other the

influence cults
is

of the

Babylonian religion upon worthy of notice, although its

faith
of
causes was
more

other effect any

quest con-

Jewish
other

marked Yet still

than

on

Semitic and

form

belief. it

through

strong

influence those
of

upon related

a undoubtedly exercised the surrounding peoples, cially espestock. We must regard the or

whole

of

Asia

Minor,

at

least

its

most

civilized

of diverse origin who yet portion,as peopled by races Some of possessed a general culture in common. be permitted to those if we employ rather races, time-worn Semitic,' like ethnological labels, were of others the the Hebrews, were Assyrians and Armenoid Ural-Altaic or type, like the Hittites, whilst still others, like the to Philistines, appear of been have resembling the Greeks Aryan race,
' ' ' ' ' ' '

and

Goths.
a

But

all these

different

races

had

braced em-

common

culture, their architecture, pottery,

laws
seem

weapons,
a

crafts, and
source,

to

have

come

from

common

and

lastly their religious systems

were

markedly
Canaanites

alike.

The

We historic and

find

people called
in the We do
not

the

Canaanites
now

as

the
as

first

dwellers

countries know land used

known whether

Syria
name

Palestine.

the

Canaan
*

originatedwith
Canaanites the
'

the
now

or

the
a

race,

but

the

name

is

as

general designation

inhabitants of Palestine. pre-Israelite These probably neolithic in origin and people were In any case they appeared to have been Semitic. akin to Hebrew. They spoke a language very much about influence exercised a Egypt strong upon of 1400
324 B.C.,

and

thousands

of

them

settled

in

that

THE

CANAANITES
or

country
at

as an

slaves

officials. under

They
the
name

invaded
of

lonia Babykings
seems

early

date

Amorites,
Amorite
it

of the personal names many dynasty during the Hammurabi in

and

of
seem

Babylonian
to

be

origin.
clear

From that
as

the

pretty
and

Egyptian early as 2500

exterminated

records
B.C.

they
with have

had

vaded in-

Palestine, had
that this

the

inhabitants,
that
of

invasion

Babylonia. Their markedly Semitic

that

synchronized to religion seems

but
of

been

in type

the

earlier

variety,
into

is, animism

was

their polytheism. The but rather The by their attributes. personal names, used also for W,' which was god was general name find in such we names by the Hebrews, and which as Jezebel, Elkanah, and perhaps in the modern Arabic Allah.' But this word not was employed by the Canaanites in a monotheistic it was generic sense, the and denoted dwelt in a particular divinity who the indeed word certain a god place. It was the God. But such a god, any god, but not god or a having a sanctuary presiding over community Bd'al.^ known This was as might apply to any fetish to supernatural being from full-fledged deity, that the spirit and lished or only meant divinityhad estabrelation with a particularholy place. a
' '
' '

just beginning to emerge called not gods were by

'

'

"

'

We

also

find the

amongst

the

Canaanitish

deities

widely worshipped in sun-god so or Babylonia, Sin the moon-god, Hadad Rimmon, and is found in UruUru, god of light,whose name Salim or Jerusalem. Dagon, too, is held by some
authorities The
to

Shamash,

have of

been

purely
was were

worship
and
were

animals

horses,
There

serpents
also
an

divinity. also general, and bulls, deities. represented as

an

Amorite

immense

number

of

nameless
325

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA of

gods

or

spirits presiding over

these
were

all
as

sorts

physical

jects, ob-

They were of animistic the resultants ideas. The tants early inhabiof Canaan also ancestor-worshippers like were other primitive people, and have to they seem many marked shown a preference for the cult of the dead. of But their departmental deities were many either identical with the gods or strongly resembled of the of course Ishtar. was Babylonians. Ashtart of Palestine In the mounds of terra large numbers She found. cotta plaques bearing her effigy are is often tall head-dress, these with a depicted on necklace, anklets, and girdle quite in the Babylonian style. But other representationsof her reveal Egyptian, Cypriote, and Hittite influences, and this show that in all probabilitythe great motherto goes was goddess of Babylon and Asia Minor compounded To into one. confine of various early types fused ourselves those deities who to more are closely find with connected the Babylonian religion,we the name of Ninib translated as by the Canaanites was En-Mashti, and it has been thought that Ninib had who a god of the West migrated to Babylonia. The of Nebo, the Babylonian patron of Borsippa, name in that who scribe to the gods, appears also acted as that of the of Nebo in Judea, and in Moab town
Canaanites
were

and

known

hcCalim.

conversant

with
a

the

name

of

Ner-

gal,
""

the

war-god,
son

Canaanitish

proved by workmanship which

of Habsi
servant to

is

Atanaheli,

cylinder of bears the inscription, of Nergal." Resheph

to

sealed

also appears
-The Gods

have

been

known

the

Canaanites.

of the

Phoenicians

The
of

Phoenicians Canaanites

who

were

the
many

lineal
of

descendants deities of

the

adopted

the

326

Elijah prevailing

over

the
Paul

Priests

of

Baal

326

Evelyn

THE

GODS

OF

THE

PHCENICIANS

Like the Babylonia. empire, the Phoenician with the earth, the
these

early gods
waters, sway

deities
were or

of

that

associated
the
over

great either of
one

air.
more

Some than had

in later Thus

times the
a

held

element.
a

god

Melkarth

of

Tyre
and

both

celestial and

marine

aspect,

and in

Baal

Ashtart
to

assumed

celestial The
as

attributes Phoenicians
much
as

addition

their

earthly one. in general

times first Both
common

described
the

their in

gods

alonim,
have
of

Israelites
we

early
in the

must

described Genesis back

name

theirs, for
the

find

chapters
then
went

word

elohim

employed.
el, the
to

to

the

Semitic

for im. its

'

'

Semitic
or

plural ending
was

shrine

known
did
not

as

singular foim god,' adding The god of a ba'alj'and, as

any

it the

times, this

apply

to

Although their gods all had names, were merely the ha-alim of Tyre, the chief of was Melkarth, whose name signifiesmerely
or

locality in early particular deity. yet still they

whom
'

king
most

'

patron

of

the
was

city. Perhaps
a

one

of

their
was

venerated

gods
in
most

Ba'al-Hamman,
Phoenician marked
the

who

also One
the of

worshipped
of the

Carthage,

colony.
of

strongly
religion
to
as was

characteristics

Phoenician
a was

female

every

male in

unvarying god. Ashtart

It
were

addition
or

Ishtar
as

quite
been mind

popular
ancient

modern

Phoenicia
must

she borne
touch

has in

in that

Canaan. Sidon

be in

Tyre

and

closely

Assyria, and that their ships probably carried wide far and Assyrian commerce throughout the Mediterranean, exchanging Syrian goods for Egyptian,

with

Cyprian, and
at
seem

Hellenic.

Ashtart

or

Ishtar

had

temples
mariners

Sidon
to
even

and have

Askelon,
carried her

and

Phoenician
as

worship
it
was

far

as

Cyprus
327

and

Sicily.

Indeed

probably through

MYTHS agency world, but of

OF that there
at

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

their

she
were an

was

introduced colonies and

of

into
on

the the may

own

Greek shores have

race

Greek

Asia

Minor

early date,
to

these their

transferred in the honoured called the vital Greek

her

cult

the

people
Another

motherland.
at
'

god

of

goddess specially also Tanith, who was Carthage was Countenance of Ba'al.' the Eshmun, force and been have to healing, seems
Sidon but
of
;

at worshipped especially

also

at

Carthage.
Greeks

Melkarth,

the with
of

patron
their

deity

Tyre,

the the

Syrian origin,and was Phoenicians Greeks with also were Apollo. The fuse their gods one with to another, so that prone combinations such have as we Eshmun-Melkarth, and Phoenician forth. Melkarth-Reshef, so religion also by Egyptian ideas, was strongly influenced
and Plutarch
to

equated god, was

Heracles

Reshef,

lightning identified by the

has

put
she
at

it
was

on

record called

that Astarte.

when

Isis

journeyed
Phoenician

Byblus
the
names

Certain
of

settlers

worshipped
their proper

Piraeus, the port Assyrian god Nergal, and

are

Athens,
of

of compounded The of was Babylon deities. worship of Moloch also popular in Phoenicia, where he was called Melk of the other ('King '),and to him, as to the Moloch Semitic offered peoples, infants were up in sacrifice. The Phoenicians likewise of adopted the custom burning the chief god of the city in effigy or in the human of a representative at Tyre person and Hamman, (See remarks on Carthage. pages and on Sardanapalus, pages 31-34.) 142-144; We know little concerning Phoenician myth. very We credit what is written cannot by Philo of Byblus concerning it, as he professed that he had used as his authority the writings of one Sanchuniathon, an
328

many the names

MYTHS

OF
were

BABYLONIA
or

AND

ASSYRIA

Carthage
of the

Baal-ammon and
the
moon,

Moloch., Tanit, goddess

Ashtart
or

heavens the

Ishtar, and
The cult
of

Eshmun,

patron
was

deity
also

of

the

city.

Tammuz-Adonis

as was greatly in vogue, that of the god Patechus, who a repulsive monster of been have Tyrian Eygptian origin. The may We also Melkarth, too, was widely worshipped. in inscriptionsthe names of deities conencounter cerning whom know Rabbat we as nothing, such the Great Umma, Mother,' lUat, Sakon, and Tsaphon. About the beginning of the third century the B.C. intimate relations between the Carthaginians and Greeks of Sicily favoured of the the introduction Hellenic the Punic element into a religion, and there was reciprocalborrowing on the part of the Greeks. the forum of In a Carthage was temple which to was Apollo containing a colossal statue
'

later

removed

to

Rome,

and

on

one

occasion

the

worshippers of Apollo actually sent also find their goddess offerings to Delphi. We Her Tanit Greek Demeter. with the compared and in her temple at symbol is a crescent moon, veil which was Carthage was preserved a famous of the city, mascot regarded as the palladium or BaalTanit and its luck-bringer. Inscriptions to in and these abound, ammon as are usually found that to conjunction it is only reasonable suppose these deities two are worshipped together. Tanit The tenance Counin fact, frequently alluded to as was,
' ' '

Carthaginian

of

Baal,' whose

name

we

find

in

those

of

the The old

Hasdrubal. and Carthaginian heroes, Hannibal is represented as Carthaginian Baal-ammon

man

an

with
was

ram's

horns

on

his

forehead, and
with

that

animal
330

frequently portrayed along

him.

THE He

CARTHAGINIAN
a

RELIGION At

also

holds
to
a

scythe.
and

Carthage
bodies
were

children

were

sacrificed
arms

him,

their

of

colossal

bronze
grew

him.
the the

When embrace excited

they
of the

placed in the which statue represented tired they slipped through

into
a

god
not

furnace

below

amid
Even

cries of the

fanatical

worshippers.
end
to

Roman which

severity could

put
until

an a

these

horrors,

persistedin
to

secret

It is strange the the

think

that

goddess
new

Tanit

became colonists

Roman
her the

relativelylate date. after the fall of Carthage with identified Dido by of the city. Virgil had

celebrated
grew up,

misfortunes, and
colonists
even

public claiming to
a

Dido have

cult
covered dis-

the It

house from very departure of yEneas.

the

which

she

had

watched

is

not

Phoenicians
may have that

of the unlikely that through the agency some fragments of the Babylonian religion

know

penetrated they traded

of

even

to

our

own

shores. the

We

for

tin
the

with

ancient

habitan in$ome

Cornv\7all

and
have

Scilly Isles,and
on

writers when
are

believe

they
show

philology
several
For

their
names

side

they
of

try to Phoenician
appears

that

Cornish
the

origin.
to
mean

example,
Semitic
owes
'

name

Marazion

in

Hill its

by
But

the

Sea,'
will which other
We
over a

and

Polgarth,
the
to

say

some,

second
it

syllable to
not

Phoenician be

word

for

'

city.'
these

do may

dogmatic
all be

regarding

names,
or

after

explicable from
Semitic

Cornish

sources. see

then

that

the

considerably wide all probability in Arabia northward far Lake as Van, and as Mesopotamia southward through the Sinaitic peninsula into Egypt
and
the

religion travelled that beginning in area, it spread itself through

north

of

Africa.

It

is

strange

to

observe
331

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA of religion
same

AND

ASSYRIA

that almost

the

later Semitic

Mohammed and
on

followed that the its

preciselythe

course,

early
site into

westward halted almost progress of ancient Carthage ; that when

very it overflowed

Spain
was

its

discipleswere
had back
same

Hannibal beaten the

acting precisely as done long before, and

ginian Carthathat almost it

by
way

European

effort

in

exactly
of
the

Robertson

Smith

in his valuable that

so

work, The
in his view

Religion
Semitic

Semites,
not

mentions differ

religion does
other

types

of

subject appear
it the other their
to

the fundamentally from world writers the as on religion many But the longer one considers to think. do the barriers and
the

greater
lines
of

between
more

Semitic

and

religions appear
the Semitic

demarcation.

The

clearly marked prolonged isolation

been have to peoples seem their have to subjected appears greatly affected of in truth manner religious thought. They are a peculiar people,'practicalyet mystical, strongly of the world yet finding their chief solace in those of the world. not are things which The materials for a complete inquiry into the must history of Semitic religionare lacking,and we by comparaperforce fill up the gaps which are many tive assisted methods. But in this we are by greatly
*

which

the

numerous

manifestations

of Semitic

faith

which,

includingas it does Babylonian, Assyrian,Canaanitish, Mohammedan cults, proPhoenician, Arabian, and vides rich material. with us comparative
The

Religion
The faith

of Zoroaster

immediately supplanted that of ancient Babylonia and Assyria could not fail to draw Zoroastrian the it. This was considerably from
which
332

THE

RELIGION

OF the the

ZOROASTER introduced
form

faith, the
reformer
name over
as

religion of
Zarathustra,

Persians earliest

by

the

of Zoroaster's

given
date

in and

the

Avesta.

Uncertainty hangs

The Greeks place of his birth. spoke of him as belonging to a remote age, but modern scholars assign the period of his life to the latter and It half of the seventh early sixth century b.c.
the
seems
or a

certain

that

he

was

not

Persian, but
From

Mede

Bactrian, either
of
one

supposition being supported by

or

indications
tenor

kind

another.

the

whole

of
we

the

Avesta,
to

ancient Gathas, the most part of the led, says Dr. Haug, their translator, are he
was
a

feel

that

man

of

the acting a grand part on speaks history. Zarathustra God from sent to bring the

extraordinary stamp stage of his country's

as a

of himself

messenger

people the blessing of civilization and to destroy idolatry. Many legends of miraculous around his memory, signs at grew up his birth, of his precocious wisdom, whereby even as a the Magi, of his being borne child he confounded up the and of heaven there word the to highest receiving life from Deity itself,together with the revelation
of
man

all

secrets

of

the
to

future.

He

retired
of

as

young

spend long years tion contemplabefore he began his teaching at thirty,and he of seventy-seven. The lived to the age religion he of the Persians the national from taught was religion dethroned the time of the Achaemenidae, who Cyaxares'
from
son,

the world

558

B.C.,

to

the

middle

of the seventh

century
under

a.d.

It

declined and

after the

Alexander's

conquest
of the

the

Seleucidae but
for
was

succeeding dynasty
the Sassanian
a.d.

Arsacidae,
flourished followed tion, persecu-

revived
four

by

rulers and Then

the

centuries

226-651.
followers

the

Mohammedan before which

conquest,
the faithful

accompanied by

of Zarathustra
333

MYTHS

OF where the

BABYLONIA

AND
are now

ASSYRIA

fled

to

India,

they
Parsis

represented by

their

Bombay. The belief taught by Zarathustra is based religious dual the Ahura on conception of a good principle, Anra Mazda, and an evil principle, Mainyu, and the conflict leading idea of his teaching is the constant
descendants,
of

between
of the

the

two,

which

must

continue Mazda

until
for

the

end

period
then
the

ordained

by

Ahura

the

tion dura-

of the

world, when

evil will be
to
some

until
as was

evil

is power him. still withstands

god's

overcome finally ; degree limited,

Zarathustra's ethical in
;

doctrine
was

essentially practicaland abstract contemplation, or

world, that
but
in active
to
man

it

not

in

was

to

look

for

the separation from deliverance, spiritual

of

charity, in deeds animals, in everything

a

ness usefulness, in kindcould live

that
to

help
in, in

to

make

the

world all

well-ordered

place

courage

uprightness. To build a bridge or dig a canal of evil. As Reinach to was help to lessen the power has concisely expressed it, a life thoroughly occupied a was perpetual exorcism." Mazda and Anra The two figuresof Ahura Mainyu, his attendant with the archangels and one angels,
and
"

and

the

other

with
the

his arch-demons Zarathustrian

and celestial

demons,

or

Divs, compose
as

representedin
ones

the

earlier

sacred

hierarchy, writings ; in the

later

introduced the into figures are pantheon. The sacred writings that have been preserved outside the range of different periods,and are of religion there moral of Zarathustra's are system of of revivals older in them an traces primitive nature worship, and of the beliefs of an early nomadic in shepherd life, as, for instance, the sacredness and which dog are held, as well as reminiscences cow of general Indo-Germanic myths. other
334

THE Aliura

RELIGION
was

OF the he
creator

ZOROASTER of
a

Mazda
of

the

universe
term.

for It the it

the
seems

duration

which whether
or

fixed the

certain

uncertain
as

Persians
to

pictured
their the

world
was
one zones

round

flat,but
seven

according
of earth.
was

idea

divided
was

into

zones,

which

central
these

the

actual

habitable
the

Between the heaven great

rose

and
waters.

enveloping
Between

whole and

abyss
the had

of

earth

celestial mountain their The

source,

whence
on

all the
was

rivers upon

earth

and

which
of

deposited the
ritual

Haoma.
was

central
of

feature

Zoroastrian

the

worship
had

fire,
before

an

old-established
Zoroaster's

worship
In the

which
oldest

existed

time.

forbidden, and holy rites could period images were be temples, portable fire-altars performed without Temples were, however, built in quite being in use. these the within was early times, and sanctuary and all light was which where the from excluded, fire was could sacred only be kept alight, which hands and approached by the priest with covered
mouth.
to
an

The
extreme, than

Persians

carried
had
even

the
more

fear

of

defilement
regulations of
as

and
most

elaborate
methods

Easterns

concerning
of
or

avoidance purification and regards personal contamination

elements of

defilement,
that
of

both

the

sacred
and

earth, fire, and

not

water.

Even

hair

special directions the separated portions. But deal with how to to as of caution and this perpetual and exhausting state with defilingobjects protective effort against contact of purification had and ultimate an rigorous system the with between struggle going on concern great and everything that partook good and evil. Death had of injury, were of death, or works any power of the arch-enemy.
nails
cut

could

be

without

335

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
to

AND fear of

ASSYRIA

It three

was

owing
nor

the

the contaminating
that

elements it

named

above

the

Persians

neither buried upon

water.
was
as a

cremated
act to

their throw

dead, and looked

a

criminal old
to

The similar

mode
now

of

corpse into the of the dead disposing

that

of of

Bombay,
Silence.
or

who So other

tillone
the

practised by the Parsis of the Towers carry the body to one the Persians exposed the corpse, devouring agent, birds of prey or
reduced it
to
a

elements, had

skeleton.

As

himself he was man able thought to be a reasonregards being of free will with conscience,soul, and a or guardianspirit prototype of himself who dwelt his own deed, character,inabove, called a Fravashi body, almost identical put into a spiritual with the amei-malghen or spiritual nymphs of the
"

Araucanian of

Indians

of

Chile.

He

had

the

choice

suffered the good and evil, and consequently due punishment of sin. For the first three days after death the soul of the dead was supposedto abode. hover about its earthly During this time friends and relatives performed coming betheir prayers and offerings their funerary rites,
more

earnest

and

abundant

as

the hour

nigh when the soul was bound to start on its journeyto the beyond. This was at the beginning Sraosha carried it aloft, of the fourth day, when assailed on the way ing by demons desirous of obtainOn earth everything of his burden. possession in check, fires was beingdone to keep the evil spirits effective against the powers as lighted particularly
drew
of

darkness.

And, thus
his

Sraosha assisted, the and heaven.

arrived Here

with safely the the space

entrance

charge at
earth
*

bridgethat spanned
at

between
to

the

accountants'

bridge

'

the soul's

336

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
was

AND

ASSYRIA
so

of these
as a our

countries
own,

not

low

one.

although the To begin with,

was a

by any means outlook religious

the

exalted
was

not

character
purer

of

lonian Babythat of

myth
Hellenic
or

great

deal

than

The gods of Babymyth. lonia be more to dignifiedthan those of the appear for example. Greeks Norsemen, or They do not and descend the same their record is to puerilities, This have immeasurably cleaner. something may the very do with to great body of ritual connected for when with the a Babylonian religion, people is the ancient custom as were so hedged in by religious side by taboo, Chaldeans, so threatened on every the mere thought of wrongdoing and the consequence is sufficient to deter them from thereof wise acting otherthan of time sin becomes reasonably. In course so ugly and repulsive in the light of punishment code receives a tremendous that the moral impulse. doubt There that the Babylonians devoutly is no believed that their gods demanded rigid adherence code. It was the moral to generally thought that misfortune moral believe and illness But
were

Scandinavian

the the

transgression.
that the included in

consequences Babylonians did

were

of
not

cardinal

sins alone

heinous,

for

transgressionsuch maliciousness, fraud, unworthy as injuriousteaching. they

misdemeanours

ambitions,

and

338

CHAPTER
TION IN

XIV:
BABYLONIA

MODERN AND

EXCAVA. ASSYRIA

IN
and
we

no

land

has in

excavation

assisted

greatly as
religion

Mesopotamia.
has

spade-work
in

widened Nile

our

history so In Egypt, although knowledge of life

most

the

country,
been

of

what from

know

of

these

temples
for

and proper
was

subjects has pyramids, rock-tombs

examination and
of

gleaned
and little

masta.bas,
or no

the

which

generally speaking it may in Egypt excavation has that furnished be said us the into earlier with insight a periods of greater its prehistoric life. But in Egyptian progress, the Babylonian-Assyrian region, practically every
digging
necessary,
'

'

discovery

has

been

due

to

strenuous

labour

with

pick and hey-day

The

in its knowledge of Chaldea spade ; our been has dug up piece by piece. literally task of beginning the of unhonour earthing great of cities buried the Mesopotamia belongs who
was

to

M.

Botta,
Moved

French belief which that

are

consul
many
so

at

Mosul the

in

1842.
feature

by
the

the

of

great

sand-covered
of

mounds

Mesopotamian
of
a

conspicuous a landscape probably

civilization, Botta

concealed commenced

ruins
to

vanished the

excavate

large
close
to

mound the
to

of

Kouyunjik,
where his the
manner.

which resided. he

is

situated
he
not

village
reward about

he

But does

found
seem

little
to

labours, and
business His
to

have

gone

of

excavation
was

in

very

workmanlike
an

attention mounds and

called

by

intelligent
the
a

native ancient workmen rewarded

the

of

Khorsabad,

site

of of
was

Nineveh,
to

he Soon

dispatched
his
of
some

party

the

spot.

perseverance

by^the discovery
Y.2

sculptures, and
339

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

recognizing the superior importance of Khorsabad he transferred for archaeological purposes, his establishment resolved that village and devote self himto to of the site. to a thorough investigation

well-planned sinking operation came upon the and of walls, one subsequent digging was palace rewarded chambers and by the discovery of many halls faced with slabs of gypsum covered with mythological battle scenes, and similar figures, processions, a subjects. He had, in fact, unearthed palace built Nineveh at by Sargon, King of Assyria, who reigned of the finest examples of Assyrian B.C., one 722-705 He continued his excavations palatialarchitecture. until Khorsabad successful in at was 1845, and rated bringing to light a temple and a grand porch decoby three pairs of wings, under which passed the palace. Many from the city to of the the road
a

Soon

fruits

of

his in

labours the

were

removed His work

at

to

Paris

and Victor

deposited
discovered the backs

Louvre. Botta's

successor,

Place, continued
a

city gate
which

of

guarded supported

Khorsabad, and by winged bulls,

the arch of the

entrance.

Sif

Henry

Layai'd

Meanwhile visited the

Mr,
country
work

afterward in and
1

Sir

840, and
of
to

Henry, Layard had was greatlyimpressed

Five
years

by Botta's through the

was

its results. Sir

commence

later,
he
at

assistance himself
soon

Stratford

Canning,

enabled He
"

excavations

Nimrud.

unearthed he

the remains
two

of extensive

buildings
on

in fact first

discovered his
men

Assyrian palaces
! At the and the his

the

very

outset

he

had

being
340

anxious

day of only eleven to push on

excavations in work

employ,
that

the

in fear

EXCAVATIONS

IN

MosuIH(

Kgiiyunjik

BABYLONIA
AND

ASSYRIA.

ECBATANA
"Haaiadan

From

Guide

to

the

Babylonian
Director

and of

Assyrian
the British

Antiquities,
Museum.

by

mission per-

of the

341

MYTHS local
season

OF

BABYLONIA
or

AND

ASSYRIA

Turkish,

increased laboured

approach of the winter would end his to an operations, he put his staff The to thirty men. peasants but the excavator's to enthusiastically,
governor

the

authorities forbade him to disgust the Turkish ceed. prohoodwinked the authorities, Layard, nevertheless, and succeeded in uncovering several large figuresof winged bulls and lions. Soon after this Christmas with Layard spent Sir Henry Rawlinson of the British with Museum, he whom cemented gether toa warm friendship, and able ness the unfriendlito overcome they were of the Hormuzd Turkish officials. Rassam, to an Christian, came intelligentnative Layard's more menced comassistance, and once operations were Nimrud. labours Rassam's at were quickly crowned for he came a large hall by success, upon in a work fine state of preservation. The serious
of

excavation if

was

not to

without unearth and the threw

its humorous
a carven

side,
monster

for with
man,

they chanced the body of a

the native The
source

bull

head down
too,

of

bearded tools from

sent

labourers Turkish that

'

their

and
a
a

ran.

Governor,
Nimrod
" '

hearing
found,
should

native

had his

been remains

the effect that to message treated with respect and be unearthed Layard had now and
to

be

no

further
many

disturbed." valuable their

he

resolved Rawlinson

to sent

attempt
a

sculptures, dispatch
the

England.
to

small found

steamer,

Nitocris,

Nimrud,

but

it

was

impossible to

ship
the down this

pieces on this frail craft, and even smaller perforce to be floated sculptures had the Tigris on rafts. by Layard's health was
the massive time in
no

very

robust in

state,

but

two

months'

mountain
342

holiday

Kurdistan

refreshed

him,

and

The

'

Black
Photo

Obelisk
W. A.

'

of

Shalmaneser
and Co-

II

Mansell

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

also

came

upon

the

oldest

Assyrian

arch

ever

covered. dis-

He

had

now

collected

large number

of he succeeded these sculptures, and three by raft to Basra, whence they were of May to England. By the middle

important in sending later shipped 1847 he had

of

finished his search

his

work the

at

Nimrud,
of

and

had in

commenced the had mound laboured of

for

ruins

Nineveh

Kouyunjik,
before him.

near

Mosul,

where the

Botta

platform of sun-dried bricks which he knew the by experience formed foundation of all large Assyrian edifices, and came it, as he had expected, at a depth of twenty upon feet, shortly afterward discovering the entrance, flanked But the winged bulls. by the inevitable building itself had been so damaged by fire as to than crumbling heaps of lime. present little more to Layard returned England in June 1847, and tinople. Constanthe Embassy at to was appointed attache Meanwhile had created his published works an extraordinary impression throughout Europe, and the of public opinion so wrought the pressure upon that he was Government requested to lead a second expedition to Nineveh.
dug
for
"Where

He

Rawlinson

Slept

equipped, Layard left Constantinople in August 1849 ^^^ arrived at Kouyunjik in October. he set strenuously Employing about a hundred men, much earth to work, as was removing only as show the to Having sculptured walls. necessary work the at fairly started Kouyunjik, Layard, and to Nimrud, accompanied by Rassam, returned he recommenced work One there. was morning Rawlinson found when he inspecting the trenches
344

Better

WHERE

RAWLINSON
an
"

SLEPT

asleep on
in his

the

floor of

excavated wearied He
was

chamber,
out
on

travelling cloak, harassing night's ride." England, which he had not

The
at

by

wrapped long and

home
to

his way

seen

for

twenty-two
mural

rich finds

in the consisted Of

painted palace
chiefly
Professor
the face of

years. of Sennacherib

Kouyunjik
bas-reliefs.
of

and
*'

these

paintings Hilprecht says : "*"

of the

Hundreds
to

figurescover
We become and

slabs with

from the

top
and lands

bottom.

acquainted
of

in peculiarities,
the
;

type

dress,
and into

foreign nations,

characteristic
we are

features

products
the very

of

their

introduced
the

life and

occupations of
shows
us

persons

represented.

The

sculptor

their jungles with Babylonian swamps of tall reeds, frequented by wild boars, and barbarous tribes skimming over the waters in their light boats of wicker-work, exactly such used as are to-day by the

the
us

inhabitants into
trees to trees

of

the

same

marshes of

or

he

takes

the

high
and

mountains with
of
on

Kurdistan,

covered

with
even

crowned the mountains with

idea

castles, endeavouring
a one

convey

valley by reversing
side of the

the which

and is

filled the
or

fishes

and

crabs
worn

and

stream, turtles. female their their

some

He

indicates

different

head-gear
women

by
with
wear

musicians,
husbands hair in

by captive
children
to

carried Some

and

Nineveh.

some long ringlets,

plaited or
are

braided,

confined

in

net to

others

characterized others their above

from
to

by
a

hoods
of

fitting close
turban
;

their

heads,
with

by
hair

kind in

Elamite

ladies

curls

fallingon their shoulders, while fillet, by a band or a high conical head-dress, frequently found to-day in
^

bound
those

the

temples Syria wear

which is

similar
those

that

regions."
T.

Explorations in

Bible

Lands

(T. and

Clark, 1903).
345

MYTHS The

OF

BABYLONIA of

AND

ASSYRIA

excavation
rooms,
most to

seventy
of the

palace with its indeed halls, and one was galleries striking results of Layard's second
But
even

Sennaclierib's

expedition
was

Nineveh. of

more

remarkable

the

find

at

Nineveh, Results at Nimrud,

the
most

famous royal library Assur-bani-pal's described. which has already been too, had been

favourable, perhaps

interesting being the discovery of of the tower first as of Calah, regarded at the tomb second time for the Layard Sardanapalus. Now and began to feel the effects of overwork exposure, and in April 1851, accompanied he by Rassam, from "with turned the ruins of Nineveh a heavy heart." become to Twenty-four years later he was Ambassador at capacity Constantinople, in which he loyally assisted the zealous Rassam, his worthy
subordinate. In
1

85 1

Rawlinson with He
'

was

entrusted

by
in

the

British and of

Government

the had

excavations the invaluable

Assyria
assistance

Babylonia.
Rassam
as

Stationing practical excavator.' his workmen he unsites as at as earthed possible, many the annals of Tiglath-pileser I at Qal'at at Sherqat, discovered E-zide, the temple of Nebo IV and stele of Samsi-Adad Nimrud, (825a the palace 812JB.C.). At Kouyunjik he came upon bas-relief of covered rewas Assur-bani-pal. A beautiful representing Assur-bani-pal in his chariot lion-room,' the on a hunting expedition. The also of which walls represented a lion-hunt, was
chief
* ' '

unearthed,
as
a

and

was

shown

to

have

been

used

both

of

Mr

thousands library and a picture-gallery, many clay book-tablets being found therein. for a political Abandoning excavation appointment, Rassam Kennet followed Loftus, was by William

346

GEORGE who did

SMITH ruins
of

good

work

at

the

Warka

in

nia. Babylo-

Meanwhile

the French

was Oppert, and Thomes the remains coming upon period and excavating the

expedition under Fresnel, excavating at Babylon,

of

the

Nebuchadrezzar

mound

of Babil.

Geofge
One

Smith

who

was
now name

to

perform
the is
so

Assyriology Smith, whose

the romantic
of

entered

yeoman This field.

service
was

for

George
with well.
some so

unalterably associated
science
"

sidefof
himself
he

that
says

he

loved

Writing
bent
or

Everyone

has

inclination will

which,
colour

if fostered

by
of his

favourable
life.

circumstances,
own

the

rest

My

always been for Oriental studies, and taken interest in from a youth I have great my Eastern discoveries, particularly explorations and in the great work in which Layard and Rawlinson I did little or nothing, were engaged. For some years of our but in 1866, seeing the unsatisfactory state knowledge of those parts of Assyrian history which bore the history of the Bible, I felt anxious upon do towards to something settling the questions involved." Smith found the Deluge tablets among of fragments sent Museum the scores the British to by Layard and Loftus, and this and other discoveries whetted his desire to go to Mesopotamia and unearth
taste

has

its
of

treasures

with interest

his

own

hands.
at

In time

the

wide the

taken

the

consequence coveries disin these

proprietors
with the
at

came

forward fresh Smith

for

researches
should

that the

head
accounts

Telegraph offer of a thousand guineas the Nineveh, with proviso the expedition and supply
of

The

Daily

journal
1

with

of
9

his

discoveries.

The

Assyrian Discoveries,p.

(London, 1875).
347

MYTHS offer the

was

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
a

accepted,
of for
at

and

Smith,
Museum,

now

member leave

of
of

staff

the
six

British months.

received

absence Arrived

Nimrud,

Smith

settled

down

to

tion excava-

there, commencing of Nebo; but he found

as

operations at the temple little to justify his labour,

a

the

structure

was

in
as a a

ruinous
granary.

condition On each

and

had
of

latterly been
the
entrance
arms

used stood in
an

side

colossal
of

crossed

attitude found

figure of the god with meditation, and lesser

the ruined

building. Smith's for digging here was that he suspected reason the presence of inscriptions which might cast light the reign of Tiglath-pileser II (745 B.C.) and upon therefore Bible history. His industry was upon rewarded by the discovery of the upper portion of
were
a

images

of him

inside

tablet

of
were

this
not

monarch,

but

further

finds

of

importance
The
Palace

forthcoming.

of Nimrud

Smith the

then

instituted

systematic
made this

excavations

in

south-east On

discoveries. he
saw
a

palace, and examining

the

some

interesting
of

part
in

the south

mound

considerable
on

tunnel

the

face,

sloping part of the mound. This of a tunnel appeared to go along the middle the floor having been cut chamber, through and tunnel. side of the each appearing in a line on commencing
Further
of the
on,

the

tunnel and the

reached
face
;

the

wall

at

the

end

chamber,
little

of this had

been

cleared below
some
menced com-

for the

some

distance

then,
the

descending
ran

foundation into
on

of this

wall, the passage

of mound. of this

for

distance

the
two

base sides of the

He

the

away 348

to

the

level

cutting,and cleared soon coming to pavement,

THE

PALACE

OF

NIMRUD

the

wall

on

each. fallen the with The it

an

side.
over

The into

southern
the

wall

of

the
was

chamber here close

had
to

plain, as
and

it

edge
two

of the

platform,

the chamber

commenced and the three

to two
some

south.

parallel walls running north right-hand wall, in a place near

was

edge

where
of

much

broken had Further

on

down,
gone
on

showed

steps

ascent

which

apparently
it showed with
an

upper

chambers. each ornamented

recesses,

both hand

sides showed
east

three
entrance

square into and the

from

pilasters. The
a

left

second this turned

chamber
a

running

to

west,

third, running parallel

this

with

first.

Altogether
same

in

place

he

opened

six chambers, ornamented

recesses
were

all of the

character, the
of

entrances

by
in the

clusters

square
same

rooms

in the

pilasters and style. The walls

red,
stone
over

coloured
on

in horizontal

bands the small

of

green, of

and the

yellow
chambers

plaster; and where were panelled with

colours
rooms were

lower

parts

slabs, the
these. In

plaster and
one

continued

appeared a brick receptacle let into the on floor, and liftingthe brick which found six this Smith covered terra-cotta winged closelypacked in the receptacle. Each figure figures, full-faced,having a head like a lion, four wings, was hand the breast, holding a basket with across one clothed in a long dress to the feet. in the other, and These to probably intended figures were preserve of evil spirits. the building against the power All the eastern and southern portions of the mound been of Nimrud had destroyed by being turned into after a burial-place. The ruins had been excavated been the fall of the Assyrian empire, walls had dug broken into, and the openings through, and chambers
of these

there

filled with

coffins.
349

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
to

Mr

Smith,
at

then

turned

his and

attention Nebbi

the

ruins

of Nineveh

Kouyunjik
Turkish
here.

Yunas. had

Layard
both been

and before

even

the him

Government commenced south-eastern

at

He the But he

operations by
corner

cutting trenches at bani-pal's palace.

interest

of Assurof
to

first

nothing
he
came

great
the upon him

resulted, and
of

diverted

operations
Here

palace
a

Sennacherib
of

hard

by.

inscriptionswhich compensated At length the excavations in Assurfor his labour. unearthed bani-pal's palace bore fruit,for there were lines of inscription the greater portion of seventeen of the Deluge narrative, belonging to the first column and there was fitting into the only place where a
serious The its blank in the
of

number

story.
also
a

palace
of

Sennacherib

steadilyproduced
small tablet
of

tribute

objects, including

new fragments Assyria, some of the historical of one cylinders of Assur-bani-pal, curious and a fragment of the history of Sargon, King of Assyria, relating to his expedition against is mentioned in the twentieth Ashdod, which chapter On of Isaiah. the same of the Book fragment was chiefs who also part of the list of Median paid tribute to Sargon. The proprietorsof The Daily Telegraph considered with the that finding of the Deluge fragment the been of the expeditionhad served, and that purpose excavation in Mesopotamia should be carried further national fore thereunder was on auspices. Mr Smith before forced return to to England, but not valuable discovered further he had a syllabary,and two portions of the sixth tablet of the Deluge story, well as other minor as objects of interest. British end the About the of 1873, however,

Esar-haddon,

King

of

350

THE

PALACE

OF

NIMRUD Mr Smith
once

Museum
more

authorities
to

dispatched

Mesopotamia, where he recommenced tions operaand unearthed this occasion at on Kouyunjik, I, King of Assyria an inscription of Shalmaneser the (1300 B.C.), recording that he founded palace and of the of Nineveh, alluding to his restoration TukultiInscriptionsof his son temple of Ishtar. also found this place, as tions dedicaat were ninip were of Assur-nazir-pal II (885 b.c.)and Shalmaneser curious (860 B.C.). Some came too, pottery, very this spot, ornamentations from the being laid on examples of the pottery of the clay, as in many America. At the same time Maya of Central ments fragof sculptured walls representing marching tablets warriors were brought to light, and some of six new of great importance giving the names Babylonian kings, a sixth tablet of the Deluge series, and bilingual tablet in fine preservation. a south-west In the excavated at palace Smith if any records the grand entrance remained to see
under the of the

pavement,

but had it had

there been

were

none.

This

part
and
away.

pavement
under
some

broken

through,

anything
He found
a

long

sank

trenches
of

been carried ago in the grand haU

and

fragment
several
was,

in the

palace
called

other

and further inscription, on fragments. His principal carried

on

excavation

however,
the

over

what

Layard Layard,

of this palace. library chamber discovered the librarychamber, describes who full of fragments of tablets, up it as foot or to a This floor. chamber the from more Layard had he and had cleared out to brought its treasures Smith thought on England, but examining the

collection of the

at

the

British been

Museum and

that

not

one-half

libraryhad

removed,

adhered steadily
351

MYTHS
to

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA
must

he found excavating nearly three thousand fragments of tablets in the chambers round Layard's librarychamber, and from the position of these fragmentshe was led to the opinion that the library was not originally

the belief that the rest of Sennacherib. the palace

of the tablets

be In

On

situated
of the

in these chambers

but

in

an

upper Some

story
of

they

and that on the palace, fell into the chambers

of the collapse

building

chambers in which he found communication with each no

the inscribed tablets had other,while fragments

below.

tablets were in them ; and looking of the same at and distribution of the this fact,and the positions convinced that the tablets were he was fragments, wide area and resolved to excavate scattered over a extensive section of the palace. an over " which contained In the long gallery, scenes the moving representing

Smith, I found along the floor ;

"

winged figures," says number of tablets, great mostly included syllabaries, they bilingual
a

of

and lists, mythological these tablets I discovered

historical tablets.
a

beautiful bronze

Among Assyrian

ornamental shoulder to shaft of spiral work, the shaft ending in This is a beautiful and unique the head of an ass. of Assyrian work, and shows the advances specimen in the refinements of life. made the peoplehad
two

fork, having

prongs

joined by

tablets round of this there were numerous old library chamber, and here I found part Layard's and fragmentsof the history of a curious astrolabe, In one of Sargon,King of Assyria, 722 b.c. place, I discovered a fine below the level of the floor, South of Assurbanipal, the history containing his curious and matter to new relating Egyptian afiairs of Gyges,King of Lydia. and to the wars,

fragment of

352

THE

PALACE of

OF

NIMRUD I

From shoulder

this
of

part
a

the

palace
with

colossal

statue,

gained also the an inscriptionof

bone a Assurbanipal. In another spot I obtained and a fragment of the tablet with the history spoon, of the seven evil spirits. Near this I discovered a bronze I believe the cuneiform style, with which tablets of the were impressed. In another part excavation I found

part

of

monument

with

the

In the western representation of a fortification. the I edge of the mound, part of the palace, near of crystal and excavated and found remains ter alabasand specimens of the royal seal. Two vases,
of

these

are

very

curious

one

is

paste

seal, the

example of its kind, and the other is a clay impression of the seal of Sargon, King of Assyria. Near the discovered I where principal seals were found a good figure of a part of a sculpture with dead buffalo these in a stream. Among sculptures and small cluding numerous inscriptions were objects, inbeads, rings, stone seals, etc." had less than six By January i, 1874, Smith no he hundred had But to encounter men employed. tremendous local difficulties, especially demands that he should immense the proprietors to sums pay
"""

earliest

of

the

land

which

he

excavated.

Soon

afterward,

returned to unpropitious, he A third visit to England. Mesopotamia proved his last, as he became ill and at passed away Aleppo in 1876, to the universal only of those regret not who were privileged to have his friendship,but to all who had and of were aware perused his works his strenuous life and From the studies. position
season

the

being

of

bank-note
of
^

that

an

raised himself he had engraver his esteemed kindness scholar, and

to

of

Assyrian Discoveries,p. 148 (London, 1875).

z

353

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA of

AND
no

ASSYRIA

heart

and

purpose, make him abilities, one

a

honesty

less than
of the
to most

his

standing out-

gracious
men

figuresin the history of have of high endeavour

Hofmuzd Rassam

science devoted

which

their

many lives.

The

lamented
to

death

of

Smith Hormuzd in

caused

the

British
who up the

authorities had
the

request
Mr for

Mr

Rassam,

retired
vacant

into

private life

post.
started

trust,

and At

England, to take Rassam at once accepted Constantinople in November

serious in trouble with

1876.
Turkish
was

first there

was

the

Government,
to
commence

but

January 1878
excavations,

Rassam he

enabled
on as

which

carried

almost ambassador stead.

Layard,
him native
in

good

continuously for five years. at Constantinople, stood He took much advantage of

if
not

talent, which,

up

to
no

the wise

standard

of

European
But
one

he efficiency, many the excavations

same

found
were

in

despicable.
on

too

being
Rassam rather less

carried
was

at

and

time.

Again,
finds and

prone
to

to

attempt

sensational the
more

than

keep
of

steadily at
excavation. presence
of

solid

showy

work
of

Guided

by

certain

indications

the

objects of the Shalmaneser period at and succeeded more Kouyunjik, he dug there once in unearthing the bronze plaques which had covered the cedar gates of a large Assyrian building at least II. old, and built by Shalmaneser They 2500 years and equestrian figures,and it represented warriors site on the which covered disfound that was they were had been the city of Imgur-Bel. Rassam also recovered further clay tablets from the library With his return of Assur-bani-pal at Kouyunjik. to be said that the Assyrian England in 1882 it may
354

DE

SARZEC

excavations
to
came

of

the

nineteenth carried
out

century,
on

in

distinction contra-

those

Babylonian soil,

to

an

end.

De

Safzcc

With
at

the the

excavations second
may
was

of

the

Frenchman
of Chaldean

de

Sarzec arch^o-

Tello

great
be

period
said

logical
Ernest but Tello The known B.'

research
de

to

have

commenced.
at

Sarzec

French

Vice-consul

Basra,

by
'

in making private efforts he succeeded the Pompeii of early Babylonian antiquity.' excavated two principal mounds by him are A Mound and Mound as to Assyriologists collected sufficient Digging in the former he soon his
' ' '

evidence
of

to

convince

him

that

he indeed

stood

on

site A

great

consisted

antiquity. He of a platform
edifice
of of

found
of

that bricks

Mound crowned

unbaked size
on

by

an

considerable
a

and the

extent.

He
of

unearthed which
was

part

great

statue, of

shoulder

(2700 B.C.), which A city Mound patesi,or proved to be identical, and later exposed numerous of the of bricks of Gudea, time the large columns erected stele of vultures and by King E-anna-tum,
* '

engraved the name ruler, of Lagash, with

Gudea

two

large

terra-cotta

with

about

cylinders of Gudea, of lines 2000 early

the end
of 1880

each

scribed in-

cuneiform

writing.
On
of
1
a

later

visit, at

and

beginning

and
of

He

in Mound developed excavation A, nine discovered large dolerite statues, fragments numerous precious bas-reliefs, and inscriptions. also ancient came layers of more mains reupon beneath the building he had unearthed^in
88 1, he A.

further

Mound The

f
of
2

^V

collection

early Babylonian sculptures^^e'355

2

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA with

gained by
in

de An

Sarzec Oriental Leon

was

hailed
was

acclamation
in the

Paris.

section

instituted the
en

Louvre,
of
a

and

Heuzy

commenced
Decouvertes

tion publicaChaldee laid

monumental de Sarzec
for
a

work,
methodical

far
the

Ernest

(Paris, 1884, seq.),which

treatment

foundation
art.

of ancient

Chaldean Sarzec in of

The and

Tello the
of
was

of subsequent excavation its neighbourhood carried

de the and time

history
a

city
more

back than

to

at

least

collection Gudea

30,000

4000 tablets of

b.c,

the

gradually unearthed. In Dr 1 886-1 expedition under 887 a German of El Hibba the to Koldewey explored the cemetery succeeded in throwing much of Tello, and South of ancient the burial customs Babylonia. light upon German Dr second A expedition under Andrae, working at Babylon in 1889, laid bare the palace and the great processional road, of Nebuchadrezzar excavations and Qal'at at subsequently conducted Sherqat, the site of Asshur.
of The American

Expedition
been

of

1889

Babylonian almost from the inception archaeology in America dealt with in this sketch, of the series of excavations due the popularity in all likelihood this was to and studies in the great republic of the West. of Biblical instituted The was Babylonian Exploration Fund November were Excavatory labours on 30, 1887. commenced at Nippur in 1889, and on first beholding
There had the the immense ruins of
mass

keen

interest

in

of

the

mounds the

which members
"

concealed
of

the

temple-city
not
a

the
at not

expedition were
a

little disturbed. realize

to

Even

distance

began

to

that

not

twenty,
this

fiftyyears
356

would

suffice

excavate

important

THE

AMERICAN writes
"

EXPEDITION Professor

OF

1889

site ruins
rather

thoroughly,"
resembled than
"

Hilprecht.-^ The
"

the

picturesque mountain last impressive remains

a

range of human

Plan A. Palace of

of

Nineveh B.

(Nippur)
Palace of

Sennacherib.

Assur-bani-pal.
Museum.

By

permission

of

the Director

of

the

British

constructions." before resolved first

the
to
mass

But with

the the its

Americans
courage of

'

sat

down
race,

'

their
secrets.

they
^

probe speculated

into
as

innermost
the

At of the

to

character
T.

Explorations in

Bible

Lands

(T. and

Clark, 1903).
357

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA from

AND

ASSYRIA

buildings
Dr

hidden
was

their

view.

The

director,

of rapidly exhausting his fund $15,000 without coming upon anything of value, and covery disrecognizing the necessity for the prompt of important objects if opinion at home was be placated, Hilprecht pointed out him the to to isolated mound which desirabilityof attacking an in his residences the of the judgment contained the priests and agreed to temple library. Peters the proposal, and almost at once an important series

Peters,

of

tablets

was

discovered.
most

The of but

mound its

seemed,
contents
were were

deed, in-

inexhaustible, and
of
a

date

about

2000

B.C.,
to

there of
even

also

later

tablets

belonging
Darius.

the

reign
and

Nebuchadrezzar,

Nabonidus,
to

byses, and
was

Shortly after
a

this

Nabopolasser, Cyrus, Camthe first expedition

undertaken with
at

brought
the Dr

close. also

In

second Peters Messrs

expedition,
decided
to

Nippur,
services

dispense

the

Field, the expert Hilprecht and been had Assyriologistswho dispatched to advise him not an Assyriologist, professionally. Himself
of he of had laboured these
at
a

disadvantage
The
at
'

without of the

the first

assistance

experts.
'

work three

concentrated

tablet hill temple, the Court the good results, and the now principalobjective was
'

expedition conspicuous points the which had yielded such

"

of

Columns.'

The

conical

hill of Bint-

and el-Amir, containing the zikkurat temple of Bel. built Peters regarded the temple as having been Nebuchadrezzar far removed from not by a king
"

in

time," but

many

of his
"

inferences his
more

have

been
to strata

versed tra-

by
the

Hilprecht.
remains before in

In
the

endeavour
recent

reach had Peters

older

been 358

investigated

the

least

adequately,

THE

BUSINESS

QUARTER
outer

OF

NIPPUR

broke built which

through
of he
'

the

casing
of

of

the
a

zikkurat,

immense discovered

blocks
a

adobe,' in
older

cavity
egg,

of

well-preserved goose
was
an

and of

perceived that quite a different

enclosed trench within
cut

there form
the

stage-tower
dimensions
a

and other. its

much

smaller
means

By
centre,
features

of

diagonal
its level ever, howof
at at

through
and
not
came

he

ascertained
to

height
of

and

characteristic
to

down

the

Ur-Gur,
did ancient
'

the

conclusion
that

(which,
zikkurat erected sunk

this

prove monarch

correct)
was

the

the

earliest

shafts Wells similar and were Nippur. the other points of the temple,'especially at

northern

and

western

corners,

where

he

reached

constructions Ur-Gur bricks

...

ages

had

Ashurbanapal (668-626 scattered (about 2700 B.C.),and discovered that showing kings of many many honoured the temple of Bel at Nippur.'
of
* "

original B.C.) and

The The
upon

Business
excavators

Quaftef
soon

of Nippur

concluded of

the upon the

business
the

quarter
number of

they had hit Nippur, basing their

that of
the

belief

commercial

character

tablets

day labels pierced for sacks and attachment to jars, books of entry in clay, So had much and measures. damage weights and ever done been the buildings while to excavating, howfound,

large

that

the

Babylonian
not

and plan of any appearance business warehouses houses and

at.
a

of

the

could

be In

arrived

the

August 1893 Haynes commenced embankment and original bed

which
he
came

search the of

for river

of

Chebar,
^

upon
Bible

at

depth
232

twenty
T.

Hilprecht,Explorationsin

Lands,

p.

(T. and

Clark,
359

1903)-

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
surface.

AND

ASSYRIA

feet river

from
or

the canal

In
a

the

dried-up
terra-cotta

bed

of

the

he

found

round

fountain from whose

in three mouths

fragments,
the
water

decorated

with

birds

passed.

The The and

of

Fourth

Campaign

fourth
was

campaign
the

covered

the

under

direct

control
were

years of the

898-1 900,
at

University
west

Pennsylvania.
extreme

Excavations end

commenced the

the

south-eastern
summer were
'

of

ridge.

Spring
'

and

nervous

search

for

scientific for. search Late

;

examination tablets finds

of

by Haynes in a tablets, although a strictly been asked of Nippur had

spent
coffins resulted from this
were

and old

Babylonian
did
not
see

character
eye
to

The director meagre. his architects,and one

eye

with

of them, in the

Mr

Fisher, resigned,
of

returning, however,
Committee his the
efforts

autumn

1899.
to

The

in
to

America the

requested Haynes exploration of the eastern

and
if
to to

confine half of

temple

himself

court, with zeal

this with

task

he

addressed
success.

only
the

partial

Tablets,
institute pour advice
a

according
"

director, sufficient
But technical desired and
to

to to

distinct
'

continued libraryby itself," Hill.' The

out
was

of

Tablet

expert
remove

lacking.
round
upon

architects

Parthian and

tower, its removal

Haynes
the

sented, reluctantly con-

gate

of

an

ancient

temple

was

unearthed.

Hilpfecht Returns
Professor

coming
and
*

put

efficient Hill

Tablet

his reappeared, and Hilprecht now new complexion on affairs. A trained he that at once saw archaeologist, represented the site of the temple
'

360

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA consisted the

AND of
two

ASSYRIA

temple of Bel adjoining each, other,

5. The zikkurat
most

large
court

courts

north-west of Bel
'

with

the

and

'

the
or

house the
seems

representing the
east southwith

holy place (outer) court

shrines
of

inner
to

the court, while been studded have

the

all the

different

gods

and

goddesses

for Bel himself. worshipped at Nippur, including one 6. Imgur-Marduk and mentioned in Nimit-Marduk, walls of Nippur the cuneiform the two as inscriptions surrounded have the (duru and Shalkhu), cannot whole tions city. According to the results of the excavaconducted under own supervision, only my the temple was enclosed by a double wall, while in all probability the city itself remained unprotected. large complex of buildings covering the top 7. The the ancient of Bint-el-Amir has nothing to do with temple below, but represents a huge fortified Parthian and the remains of the palace grouped around upon

stage-tower

then of the

visible." careful south-east

By

means

unearthed

tunnelling Hilprecht also of side a pre-Sargonic

of the

temple-tower, but the nature risking as it did a sudden too bricks, was dangerous
labours upon it.

excavation,

collapse of soil and to permit of further

The A
to
as

House

of the

Dead

building-record of Assur-bani-palwas described the temple-tower light which

brought of Nippur
this alluded stood under-

E-gigunnu,
it
'

'

House

of

the

Tomb.'

Before which it
was

other
to

titles of it had
as

been the
a

recovered

Mountain have been

'

of

Wind,'

and

to

local

great
^

mythological
Explorations in

mountain
Lands

representation of the of the world,' Kharsag(T. and

T.

Bible

Clark, 1903).

362

BABYLONIAN
was

MUSEUM

puzzling until Hilprecht found that the tower penetrated so far into the earth as descend the to to which, according city of the dead to Babylonian belief,was directlybelow and within
kurkura.
' '

This

the

earth.

The

Temple

Library
turned his attention
to

Hilprecht now libraryin Tablet

*

temple Hill,' with results most important of Assyriology. This for the science temporary building, conwith the time of Abram, now yielded large quantitiesof ancient tablets, occurring in strata if they had four of from feet in thickness, as to one been wooden shelves. once disposed upon
A

the

Babylonian
An

Museum

important
twenty
constituted

find

was

about which
museum,

inscribed
a

jar containing objects, mostly clay tablets,

made
of
a

veritable

evidently

collected

priestor someone Archaeology was

of Nabonidus

connected

Babylonian by a late Babylonian the temple library. with

about
a

small

probably fashionable (556-539 B.C.), himself

* '

the

time
of
'

monarch
'

of this The collector museum antiquarian tastes. had or impression actually taken a squeeze of Sargon I (3800 b.c), in his time inscription had old, and even placed upon 3340 years label a stating that the object was squeeze
' *

of

an

about
it
'

a or

mould

'

of

an

inscribed in the

stone

"

which

Nabuzerlishir,
Naram-Sin
at

the

scribe,

saw

palace

of

King

Agade." Says Hilprecht concerning

"

this

remarkable
of

lection, collittle

The

owner,

or

curator,

the

museum

his

have Babylonian originalsmust through specimens by purchase or

of

obtained

personal
363

MYTHS excavations Bel's about well and This the

from

OF

BABYLONIA
out

AND

ASSYRIA

carried He time in

in

the

ruined in the

buildings of
sixth
was

city.
the

doubtless
of

lived

century,
a man

King Nabonidos,
ancient in the
fact
stratum

and
of

versed

the

literature

his

nation

deeply
follows

interested
from the

past
his of the
'

history of Nippur.
vase was

that

found

in

Neo-Babylonian
the circumstance collection

Tablet

Hill,' and

that in

latest

antiquity
of

of

his

is dated the last

the

government

Sin-

representative of the Assyrian dynasty (about 615 B.C.)." In the second of this campaign Peters tented conyear himself with as sounding places as many the to settling down steady possible rather than work of excavation, in which preferencehe resembled
'

sharishkun,

'

Rassam.

But

his

labours

were

crowned

with

no

little success, for he came of a large number upon Kassite votive objects, the first great collection of found, and a shrine antiquitiesof this dynasty ever of The

King

Bur-Sin

I dedicated of the around Peters' But while He

to

Bel

about

2600

B.C.

excavation

large

remains
was,

grouped
however,
tablets be in

second inscribed
not to

campaign.
realized. the

important building Bel of the temple tower principal task during his his hope of discoveringmany excavating these ruins was
was more

and

fortunate,

ever, how-

as (that known of the IV ') to Mound the south temple, which 2000 tablets, scientific,literary,and yielded some exercises school financial even manuscripts, and the same by the spade. About being turned up time excavations in the south-eastern wing of the disclosed of thousands the large mounds presence and of tablets figuresof Bel and his consort many Beltis. Most of the tablets here commercial, were

triangular

mound

'

364

HAYNES* and
of

WORK

AT
to
2000
came

NIPPUR
B.C.

date
of the

about second

2600

In
to
a

May
close.

the

labours

campaign

Haynes*
The

Wofk

at

Nippur

delegated commenced to Haynes, who operations at Nippur stretches in the great ridge which ward along the souththe of bank Shatt-en-Nil, where numerous In about tablets had four already been unearthed.
months when
he had

third

campaign

(i893-1 896)

Peters

collected
of
to

some

8000
to

tablets, and
fail he which continued
of
ferred trans-

the

supply
at

these
the

his attention been worked

began temple
which

mound
he

had
to

before, and

explore until April 1894. With American A. Meyer, a young

concentrated his work
on

the

Joseph architect, Haynes zikkurat at Nippur.

December,
but
not

the

help

Unfortunately
until his
to

Meyer

died

in

he

had

rendered
as

capacity
continue

the

service to Haynes in priceless advisory architect. Haynes, unable exploration of the temple-mound

without

expert

advice, undertook
of

to

unearth Peters'

ficient suf-

quantity
for

tablets

to

meet

demand
tions excava-

inscribed
at

material.

Later

he

pursued
had
of

the

Bint-el-Amir, where
cleared the
the

Peters

worked

before there
to

him,
and
water

zikkurat
court

excavated level.

of that

Assur-bani-pal building down

of

the

The

excavation
was a

the
of

immense
enormous

fagade

of this great

erection

work

labour, hundreds

of thousands

of cubic
a

feet

of rubbish
was

having
effected. The

to

be

removed

before

partial clearance
court

excavation
of

of

the

south-west

of

the

zikkurat

part
he

of

the most Assur-bani-pal was the temple of on Haynes' work

to

interesting
Bel. ruins First super-

had

clear

away

the

Parthian

365

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA the

AND he
came

ASSYRIA
to

imposed
pavement
a

upon
of

site, until

the

brick

pavement
a

then came Assur-bani-pal. He upon of the which extended Sargonic period

through

considerable The

part

of

the

mound

as

this lay beneath about sixteen feet in been had was depth, and accumulated within than three a period of more thousand most important years (3800-350 B.C.). The of this rubbish-heap is that which of the many strata the of lies between and King Ur-Ninib pavement that immediately below it. Over 600 fragments of slabs and were gathered here, all statues, vases, by somebody who seemingly deliberately broken, of Ur lived between the reigns of Ur-Gur and UrNinib of Nisin perhaps the leader of an Elamite The famous of raid. text Lugalzuggisi, King its 132 lines of writing, was found of Erech, with restored here and by Hilprecht from sixty-four fragments. the oldest Digging elsewhere, Haynes unearthed considerable world pipes arch in the at a depth, drainabout of the date pre-Sargonic e.g., and 4500 cellars or oil-jars. In one containing large wine-

dividing

line.

rubbish

which

"

"

"

chamber the

twenty
and

feet

below
of
a

the

surface

were

found

business

archives

Murashu

Sons, {C. 464-424 B.C.).

Recent Research

bankers

Babylonian firm, great brokers and at Nippur

Recent around the

research site

interesting and
achieved. work twelve 366 upon years The the

centred Mesopotamia has of Babylon, where results of a most been encouraging description have German Oriental Society commenced site in the spring of 1899, and after labour under the direction

in

of incessant

V.

Ruins Uncovered after twelve

who

of

Babylon
labour

years'

by
in

German 1900
London

archaeologists,
366

began
by
Underwood

excavating
and

Copyright

Underwood,

MYTHS another
of
men

OF

BABYLONIA

AND
or

ASSYRIA

without could be

risk

to

horses

driver.

moved that
a

time

of

siege, so
with that

along supply

this mural
of

Companies highway in
could of

defenders

be the

brought
defences

dispatch to guard any portion was imminently threatened.

Babil

as

Citadel of

The
referred

mound in

Babil,
account

to

which
of

we

have

frequently

Babylonian excavation, was recognized by the German expedition as a citadel built for defensive rezzar by Nebuchadpurposes the a place of refuge to which King and could of the capture of the city court repair in case itself. the royal stores It contained and treasury, and and there is arsenal, to a reason large armoury
"

this

believe
of

that

the It was,

monarch

resided
a

there

even

in times lesser the

peace.

indeed,

miniature

city, a

Babylon,

containing
and

royal support

everything pleasure.

necessary

for

Babylon*s Water-Supply

question of municipal Babylon

of
our
own

The

suitable

just
centres

as

great
have

of

water-supply agitated keenly as it does any population, and recent

the
manner

excavations the

illustrated

in

which Nabohe
built re-

utilized for this purpose. Euphrates was how polasser has left inscriptionsto show the lead the walls river of
a

channel

called the

tha

Arakhtu boundaries.

to

Euphrates
built
a

past
massive

city

Nebuchadrezzar walls
of from

fortification

with

fiftyto sixty feet in thickness into the the formation of of the bed Euphrates to prevent river which the sandbanks in the possibly caused above the flooding of the left bank temple of
E-Sagila.
368 This left
a

narrow

channel

between

the

THE
new

GREAT the old

THRONE and quay, caused a

ROOM

wall

and

it is

this

huge
course

construction
of

probable that subsequent change

in the

the

Euphrates.

Nebuchadi:'e0zai'*s Palace Nebuchadrezzar's southern On When this he the citadel

on

palace
the

was

situated known
as

in the

the Kasr.

mound both

building
came

he the

lavished throne

time

and

treasure.

to

he found

the site

occupied
when
paigns camsome

by
he

residence

of his father

returned he

from

his

despised the
would

Nabopolasser, but triumphant Egyptian plain old place and, like

to

modern

potentates,

resolved

build the

himself and He

royal
turned

edifice which of his

to

symbolize
won a mere

power

majesty

the

empire he had father's palace into

his
own more

for

himself.

platform
with

rear

flamboyant
and spaces

which upon and filled structure, rubble.

in its rooms,
The

courts,

Palace

without
most

Windows

For open is no

the
courts,
trace
recurs

part

the

much
of

in the
a

built palace was Spanish fashion, and

round there
stantly con-

windows,
in ancient Central
of

phenomenon

which the

buildings in
America. heat But

East, in
when in
we

Egypt,
consider latitudes

and the
we

in

extremes
can

encountered the desire

for

these cool

appreciate
called
were

semi-gloom
The
so

which

for

the

windowless
for

chamber.

flat

roofs,
the

too,

used did
not

that

inhabitants

sleeping purposes, wholly dispense with

fresh

air.

The

Great

Throne
far the

Room
most

But

by

the

interesting apartment
Room
2 A

in the

palace is

great

Throne

of

Nebuchadrezzar,
369

MYTHS the

OF

BABYLONIA upon

AND

ASSYRIA
so

apartment
care

which

he

lavished It and

much

personal
most

and

consideration. Great in
entrance

stands is much In the is

a

mediately im-

south

of the

Court,
from

the wall

spacious room opposite the grand

recess
or

the

palace.
the the

court

deep

must

niche, where have stood, so

the Throne Room

it is that but

thought
not

royal
the

throne

only

courtiers

in

the

lesser

dignitaries

could had have thronging the courtyard without of the World Eastern seated sight of the monarch all his his in splendour upon imperial throne. Strangely enough the walls of this great apartment of state were merely plastered with white gypsum, while the the
court

brickwork
was

of

the

outer

fagade which

faced

brightly coloured involved enamels designs,floral displayingthe most and geometrical, in blue, yellow, black, and white. ornamentation would from Such probaby be banned because of the high reflections from Room the Throne surface, and as we a brightly polished enamelled and taboo in Babylonian heat have light were seen
interiors.

decorated

with

The

Drainage
Doors in

System
the throne-room wall communicated

with

what The

were

probably
harem further and
to

the

other the the

King's private apartments. purely private suites

west,
over

were

placed
of

the

earlier
of

residence

Nabopolasser,
situated

official the
east.

portion
There
not

the
was

palace being
a

towards

most

elaborate rain-water and walls

drainage
from
as

system
The the

which but

only
the had
were
'

carried
courts

the well. but

flat roofs

from

larger
smaller the

drains
ones

corbel-shaped roofs,
formed
370

of bricks

set

together in

shape

of

'

The

Hanging
M.

Gardens

of
R.B.A.
Hutchinson

Babylon
370
and Co.

Dovaston,
of Messrs

By

permission

THE

HANGING
at

GARDENS with other

were

and

closed

in

the and

top

bricks also sides in

laid
use,

flat. and

Vertical these and

were

shafts

gutters
down

conducted

the

of

towers

fortifications.

The

Hanging

Gardens
structure

Another the
of

has
of

been
famous of
a

indicated

as

perhaps
Gardens barrelpassage.

foundation

the

Hanging
number
of
a

Babylon.
cells
are are

It

consists
on

of

vaulted These and is

cells,seven
flanked that

each
over

side with

central

roofed
on

semi-circular the

arches,
It
the

the

north
stone

by
was

known

hewn
'

palace wall. employed in

world,'
and

construction in three

of this

wonder

of

the

places in the palace demesne the Euphrates, and the Sacred Road, the bridge over Kasr employed. This points to the Wall) is stone site in question as of the identification being that of the Hanging Gardens, on which layers of earth
other
were

only (the

laid

and it

the

shrubs,

trees,

and

arbours

which

decorated
states

that

planted thereon. these gardens were

Berossus within

distinctly
the ings build-

Nebuchadrezzar enlarged his father's by which of this dimensions the do structure palace. But not tally with those given by Strabo and Diodorus, and the imagination revolts at the conception of these romantic and famous gardens having for their obscure and foundation this prosaic cellarage. leave us something. By all means Archaeology must and let us have truth unless where enlightenment ! falsehood truth is itself uglier than It has been that these King shrewdly conjectured by Professor cellars formed the palace granary, and be must we for the suggestion. grateful to him
"

History of Babylon, p,
2 A 2

50

(1915).
371

MYTHS

OF Gate

BABYLONIA of Ishtai*

AND

ASSYRIA

The It

Great
was

spring of 1902 that Dr. Koldewey made the important discovery of the Great Gate of which the goddess Ishtar spanned the Sacred Way of the imperialcity. This turreted erection, ornamented of mythical animals in relief by the figures in coloured
in the

brick, has
to

been

excavated

clean
a

out

of

the

incumbent super-

earth, and
its ancient recovered the main builders who
was

constitutes and
to

double

monument

the

patient archaeologists
of

it from

the the

sands

antiquity.
wall, and

It

gate

in

north

citadel

had

been It

reconstructed

by

the

zealous

Nebuchadrezzar.

line in which it (for the fortification in front stood consists of two twofold), and was The with gate-houses behind. high towers figures animals of the so are arranged that to the eye of seem one advancing approaching the city they would is double
to meet

him.
on

At the

least

depicted
bulls modelled and

gate,

dragons,
in relief.

subjects being beautifully and realistically

of these 575 the favourite

creatures

were

The

Street

of Processions of the Street

of

A this

portion
gateway

Processions

This opened has also been of imposing breadth, and its course ran highway was south the north from to directly across city. It its stones was a was species of Via Sacra, for over his day of high carried the image of Merodach upon restricted festival. Its use to was foot-passengers, and
no

upon excavated.

which

chariots
to

or

other
use

horse-drawn
of

vehicles foundation upper in slabs.

an

were

permitted
burnt brick
of

make
upon

it.

Its

is of ment pave-

which

is overlaid

breccia

(conglomerate rock)

372

MYTHS constructed unidentified

OF

BABYLONIA
of the

AND Norman

ASSYRIA Indeed
a one

castle

epoch.
to

temple

bears

resemblance unbroken

prison,so
of
turret

forbidding is it in its and retaining wall.

that the been colour otherwise lent

almost We
must

line

remember,
to

however,

embellishment

these

buildings,
would have

heavy
indeed.

facades

of

which

dreary

E'Sagila
dedicated was to temple of E-Sagila, which Merodach, patron deity of Babylon, is of course by far the the most important within city bounds. It has been from the mound not wholly excavated but of Tell Amran, the main western portion of it has been brought to light,and has been shown, like other consisted of a Babylonian shrines, to have series
the
once

The

of

chambers
of

built side
was

round
an

an

open

court.

In where
two

centre

each

stood each

the

famous

to

entrance.

The

which

has

not

yet been
a

eight especialshrine unearthed, lay

entrance

open bronze

gateway serpents,
of
on

Merodach,
the
western

side, and
which like the

had

towered

and he walls

decorated caused
of the
'

iaqa.de
to

Nebuchadrezzar sun.' He coated it with

stated the the

shine with
from

shrine cedars

gold
the

and
'

roofed the

choicest

Lebanon, throne,

noble

forest.' the

Here,
it
was

says

Herodotus,
with the
of

mighty

figureof
of
800

god rested, which,

before in

dais, and

table talents
rose

fashioned To
or

gold, pure of Merodach's

far the
account

weight.
in
a

the
tower.

north So

temple
upon

its zikkurat
measure

excavation of
tower

it has

disproved
of
a

Herodotus in

that

it

consisted the The

ascent

stepped
the
now

summit

eight stages with encircling the outside.

has
a

to

uncovered,

triplestairway

first stage, built against

374

THE
one

ELDER tower,
were

BABYLON
we

side

of

the

but

shall

never

know

what since

upper crumbled that with

the

the

stories into

like, for they

dust.
was

have

long

desert
tower

Dr.

Koldewey
one

considers decorated
a

great

built in

stage,

coloured

bands, and
of Nabu of of

surmounted

by

shrine.

The

Great

Towet*

(E'Zida)
the

The

foundations
a as

great

tower

of

Nabu
tion, excava-

at

Borsippa,
but
100

suburb it

Babylon,
it rises The
amount

still awaits
to

stands
the
a

feet

above

desert. colossal

height clearing of
a

of

over

its base but

will when

necessitate

of

labour,

effected, our

knowledge

of

these

temple-towers

will be

considerably enhanced.
Bridge
over

The

Euphrates

worthy of mention, since it represents the oldest bridge known the science of to archaeology. It possessed stone piers,built in the shape of boats, thus showing that evolved it had been from earlier bridge of boats. an The bows of these piers point up-stream, and thus the force of the current. break The river at the point it was crossed least sixty where at by the bridge was
The

bridge

the

river

Euphrates

is

feet
across narrow.

broad,
the

and

the

passage-way
must

of

wood been

was

laid rather

boat-piers,and
The
structure
was

have work
of

the

Nabopolasser.

The

Elder

Babylon
the

During
were

first years
the

of

their

labours

the

tors excava-

under older
so

of

the

had
were

been
to
as

impression that the portions of the city by complete that but few of
for

destruction Sennacherib its remains excavation. the relics

375

be time

looked

in it

the
was

course

of

But

progressed

found

that

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

of the

older

quarters
In the been
the

lay mostly
Menkes Mound unearthed outline
of

beneath,
a

the

present
of of

water-level. ancient

quarter

the

city has
and

at

depth
streets

some

clearly Still lower shown. found houses were dating from I (1201-1189 b.c.) the period of Merodach-baladan and Meli-shipok II (1216-1202 B.C.). A thick layer of ashes showed that a still earlier portion of the city had been destroyed by fire,and this archaic quarter
has been identified law-maker
as

thirty feet,

its

the

city

of

Khammurabi,
his tablets

the diate immefound

of

princely
among

successors,

(2123-2081 according to
debris
"

B.C.),and
dated witnesses First

the which

burnt

mute

the

disaster

overtook

Babylon's

Dynasty.

Town'Planning
It is noticeable the trend and that the later
streets

follow

closely parallel
King-"basis !

plan of the generally speaking, ran

to

older north

thoroughfares, which,
and

south,
Professor have
a

the it

course as

of

the

Sacred

Way.
we a

gives
He

his
at

attempt
credits
as

opinion that here town-planning on

to

deliberate

scientific in the is
was no

this
in

the

Semitic
towns

element there

Sumerian And As she

population, of trace

town-planning.
conservative. and her

yet

Babylon
so

strangely
continued,
in magnitude,

commenced,

she

early efforts were in quality of not

^

only superseded
purpose.

History of Babylon, p. 85.

376

CHAPTER
THE GODS

XV

THE

TWILIGHT

OF

ITH
B.C.,

the

fall of

the

Babylonia
status.
was a

Assyrian empire in more once regained

This
no

606
her her
to

national national
the

meant

that

god

Merodach

longer

subservient

his

in Assyrian Asshur place as sole head

must

of

and political regained sense, the Babylonian pantheon.

the this

Great

have

been

satisfaction

of

the mild
own

people
tyranny

of

Babylon
removed,
own

when,

comparatively

they
way,

could
free

worship
from

their

gods
all

in

their

the

humiliating

remembrance

that

their

northern

neighbours regarded

the of things as Babylonian sacred appanages Assyrian empire. Nabopolasser and Nebuchadrezzar,
successor,

his

gave

effect

to
on

these
a

latter with

king placed
Merodach.
?

Nabu this
he

the changes, and footing of equality

of his
a

Was it because

the

cause

ment punishreligious
infliction

Was
he
we

had

offended
the

in

sense

that which

had
read
must

to

undergo
the

terrible

of

in

of Merodach

have power
such

Scriptures ? The possessed immense

in

priesthood
and
we

tically pracmay
found new-

unlimited feel
sure

Babylon,

and with

that

any

interference

their

met

is here have suggested, would privilege,as Was the wretched with speedy punishment. led
to

monarch

believe

that that

an

enchantment been
of

had

been into

cast

upon animal ?

him, and

he had

transformed
an

shape

at

the

command The
cause

outraged
misfortune
of

deity
must

We
ever

cannot

say.
one

of his

for

remain

of

the

mysteries

the

ancient The

world.
unfortunate the

Nabonidus,
of

too, and

replace

cults

Merodach

attempted to Nabu by that

377

MYTHS of

OF

BABYLONIA And his that hastened

AND

ASSYRIA

Shamash.

his

doom,
and

for

the
the
as a

priests became Persian Cyrus

conqueror honour.

bitter the
as

enemies,
gates
the
of

when

entered hailed

Babylon

he

was

saviour

of Merodach's

The

last

native

and temple-builders, the there end.

was

kings of Babylonia were this policy they continued

in the
of

great
until

Indeed
a

time ancient
were

of

Nebuchadrezzar

revival local

and

cults, and
of

many

gods

half-forgotten exalted to a pitch

popularity hitherto
Conquering
Then in

unknown.

The

Cyrus
B.C. came

conquering Cyrus, gion and the period of the decay of the Babylonian relibegan. The victor merely upheld the cults of Merodach Nabu for reasons and of policy,and when ruled over the Greeks in turn Babylonia they followed lead in this respect. the Persian By the defeat of the Persian Darius the battle of Arbela at (331 B.C.) the ander left open the mighty Alexto to Babylon was way This was the beginning of the end. the Great. The broken existence old a religion dragged out until about the beginning of the Christian era, then of beneath the attacks slowly but surely vanished Christian Hellenic scepticism, propaganda, and pagan caprice. That faith so virile,so ancient, so entrenched a that of Babylonia should in the love of a people as fall into oblivion so an profound as to be totally centuries is a solemn forgotten for nearly nineteen racter chaand of the evanescent impressive reminder affairs. of their of human men They were gians, ancient hands, these Mesopotamians, great theoloYet their mighty great builders,great soldiers.
539
378

the

GREAT

LESSON

works,
save

their

living
of

faith

left

'

not

wrack

behind

'

mounds modern

rubbish

which,

when

excavated contain
was
a

by
few

the
poor

and
not

found to antiquary, were vestiges of the splendour that of the city of Asshur. the pomps in this
a

Babylon
Does there ?

reside
our

great

lesson

for

modernity
is
ours

Must that into

civilization,our
have raised
"

faith, all that

these

and fade the

we

must

things, too,
as

the

shadows
of

of

unremembrance
?

did

civilization

Mesopotamia

Great The

Lesson
answer
"

to

such
each

question depends
every
men,
our one

ourselves

upon

and

of

us.

upon If we
ever

as quit ourselves striving to refine our

civilized and

striving
lives, our

and

purify
to
our our

intellectual

outlook,

then
the

though
works shall
so

the
our

things
minds,
in the

of of

of

conduct, faith, our spiritualize be dust, hands may souls shall not vanish,
of
our

but

remain

consciousness
memory

dants descenThe faith

long

as

human

lasts.

built it was because under Babylon went rather the on worship of frail and bestial gods than devils the love of truth, of whom were gods many fiends in disguise, but devils no whit worse than our of ambition, of greed, of pugnacity, of unsympathy. to Through the worship of such gods Babylon came oblivion. Let us contemplate the colossal wreck of that of man, and over as we mighty work gaze the gulf of a score cloudits of centuries where to and capp'd towers palaces glitterin the gorgeous the for brace ourselves mirage of legend, let us with has to struggle which humanity yet wage darkness, with disease, with superstition. But while
of

ancient

"

"

"

we

remember

her

fall

with

sadness, let

us

think
379

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND of her

ASSYRIA

generously
the
of

and
effort

kindly
she

ancient her

made,

mightiness, of striving after her lights,

not

dead

picturesque and
her achievements which the

many-coloured life,and,
"

least, of

the of

invention
man can

of

those
ferred trans-

symbols by
to

words
across

be
ocean

his

brother

the

silent

of

time.

380

THE

PRONUNCIATION

OF

ASSYRIAN

Assyrian There
'

differs few

in

many these and

respects

from

the

other

Semitic smoothed On

languages.
out.

are

gutturals,
'

having
'

been
'

mostly
Adad.'

Thus hand it

Ba'l

'

became that The

Bel,'

Hadad,'

the omitted

other

is

thought

the cuneiform

cuneiform

inscriptions
system
of

may is
so

have

guttural
and

sounds. that

writing
reservations

imperfect
in
our

cated compliof the

we

must

make

certain

acceptance
it
must

transcriptions
understood found future in the that

of

contemporary

Assyriologists,
names

and

therefore them modified

be and

Assyrian
work

and

words

as

we

know

as

present

and

index

may
as

be known

yet to-day

greatly
are

by

researches.

Assyrian analogy
Thus

names

pronounced
of the other

according
Semitic

to

gleaned
'

from Shin'ar
'

the is

pronunciation spelt
unaware

languages. a)
in the

with

the whether in this

Hebrew the

'ain,

(guttural
author

Scriptures
,

and

we

are

Scriptural
instance is have

interpolated nearly Coptic

so

the

guttural
a

or

not.

Analogy
case

not

valuable

guide
of shall of

as

in

the

of

Egyptian, language
to

where

we

in is

the all

modern that

form

the

Egyptian
know the much written

guide
we

us,

nor

it

at

likely

we

ever

more

than

do of

ing concern-

the

pronunciation
as

language precise

symbols
values.

which

are

so

uncertain

regards

their

alphabetic

GLOSSARY

AND

INDEX
A'hab. of Israel, King thrown overII, 24 by Shalmaneser A'hi-mi-ti. Sargon displaces Azuri by, 210 Ah'ri-man.
overcome,

AAorA. Abed'nego.

Consortof One

Shamash,
of Daniel's

no panions, com-

Mazda 337 Mazda.

and

Sraosha

38
Ab'ram. Nimrod

Ur,

city of,
51, 52, 52 53
;

15,

145,
;

249

Ahura of

Good

principle
334
;

and,
re,
re, re,

51-56
;

Jewish
ditions tradition tra-

Zarathustra's of The the

religion,
universe,
335

legends

Persian another in the 55

creator

A-i'bu. Akk'ad.

serpent,
16

289
founded

preserved
Venus The 177 Statement

East,
site

Kingdom
;

by

53-56
of

star

and,

Semites,
founds in

King
16

Ab'u-Habb'ah.

ancient

first great

of, Sargon Semitic empire

of, 13-

Sippar,

Babylonia,
;

Abydenus.
112

of,

re

Ea,
82

Akk-ad'ians.
16

Description
13, 14 receive
;

language,
Semites from for
'

nian Babyloof

Abyss, Acca'd.

The. Part

Paradise of Nimrod's

and,

dom, kingson

culture

the,
the

14

germs modern ; is

49 AcHiEMENiD^.-

equivalent Cyaxares'
by,
333

older,
15

the

throned de-

expression
studied Akk'u-lu hound

Sumerian,'

; stars

A'dad.
191

Equivalent,

Hadad,

187-

by, 231 (Eater)

of

Attendant
.

Merodach,
The

202

A'dad-Ea. 172 172

;

Ut-Napishtim's man, ferryconsults, ; Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh
Son of As-

A-lal'u.

eagle

Ishtar

and,

167
Alexander 'All' 325 All-a-tu. AH.'
the

and,

Ut-Napishtim, 178
IV.

Great,
Arabic

378
name,

Modern

A'dad-Narari sur-Dan Adam. Ad'apa. The The

III,
sons

308 of, 232

South Wind

Equivalent,
mistress of

Eresh-ki129 ;

gal,
and,
realms Al-o-nim.

Hades,
term

of, 237

story
Ad'ar.

of,

1 1

6-1

2 1

Descriptive
for Of
190,

of 327 Yah-

Sun-god
to,
68
;

of connected

Nippur
with

Phoenicians Altar-s.

their and

gods,
of

Hymn
the Ad'na.
to
an

Dodo,
sent

pig,

93,

Wife

294 of Azar

veh,
;

191

according
the

A'lu.

Bull,

by
169

Anu

against
277 dach, Mero-

Eastern of

tradition 54 mother 127

;

Gilgamesh,
Al'u-Demon. A-mar'uduk.

168,

parents
Ad-6nis. reference related 131 Aedorachus.

Abram,

The,
The

271,
name 202

Smyrna,
to,
to

of,
of

myth
Tammuz,

originally,
Am'en-Het'ep

that

of

IV.
;

King

of
at

Egypt
Of

letters

to, unearthed
22

Pantibiblon,

ference re-

Tel-el-Amarna,
Amorite-s.

to,
^LiAN. Of

112

Hadad,

god
an,

of the, 352

Gilgamos
of On
;

(Gilgamesh)
157
266

188

deity
The

Dagon
consort

grandson
Af-an-as-i'ef.

Sokkaros,
Semitic

An'a-tu.
123

of 168

Anu,

Africa,
331

329

vampires, religion in,

; mother
WORSHIP.

of

Ishtar,
The

Ancestorites

Canaan-

and,

326

383

MYTHS
Andrae,
Animals. form
monsters

OF
Dr. a

BABYLONIA
German
plorer, ex-

AND
Apollo. 330 Apollodorus.

ASSYRIA
Temple
to,
at

Carthage,
of,
'

356

Babylonian
of,
; the 92,

gods having

Statement

re

93 ; mythological and, of Chaldea, 289290-292 ; the

Ea,

112

298

dog,

pig,

294 Animistic.

Babylonian
317, 319

religion
from Eru-

The house or Ap'su. deep, of knowledge,' alternative, 72 ; mother of Ea, Zigarun ; the primeval, 72, 73, 74;
193

typically,
An-ne-da'tus.
threan

Appears
112

Aquarius, story and,

Arabia.
come

Sign

of.

The

deluge
to

Sea, Ann'-u-na-ki,
name

183
believed
16

The. of the

Generic

Semites

have

for
130
;

82,

gods spirits of earth,

173
;

the

earth,
90

from,

15, 17;

; Naram-Sin

cree ; de-

penetrates,
in, 331
Ar-akh'tu.

Semitic

religion
and

fate,

torches

carried

by,
An'sar.

175 God
;

Nabopolasser
called The 171.

birth

of,
Asshur 208
sent ; to

71

the

channel
I.

Tiawath

and,
Variant with

76
of
;

AR-A-L-".

368 underworld, 125

the,
2.

An'shar.
created and

128-131,
150

Goddess
;

ant, ; vari-

Kishar,
208 the

Anu,
stroy de-

Eres-ki-gal
Ar-be'la.
Ishtar's

Nergal

and,
;

Ea, An'u.
Ansar

Merodach

Tiawath,
God and of

shrine

in, 212

sky
72

; ;

son

of

battle Archeology.

of, 378

Kisar,
Merodach of held 94
;

Ansar 79
;

Babylonian,
339-366
in

46,

and,
most

76

and,

47

Chaldean,
interest
;

can ; Ameriabout

ancient
90 ;

Babylonian
sway
over

Babylonian, (556-

deities,
Erech
102

356-366
the 539 Ares. Ar'go.
star

fashionable of Nabonidus

and
; South

Der,
Wind

temple

of,
;

time

and,
the

En-lil, triad,
"

Ea
121

and,
;

117-121 universal
121-

B.C.), 363 Greek god,

Ea in The the

significance,
the 144 of
consort ; sacred

315 identified

with

123 123
sent

; ;

Anatu,
Bau

of,
bull

constellation,

236
;

and,

Ark.

Babylonian,
Median confounded Reference

174-178
monarch

against
;

Gilgamesh
Ishtar,

by,
168
at ;

Ar-ta'ios.
Nannar Artemis. Art-s.

158

father

with, to, 132

146

Hadad Asshur,

worshipped
188
;

with,
Tablets
;

the 195 the

of triad
more

Destiny
with Ea

and,
and in

in but

Babylonian ting, gem-cut; ature literetc., 17 ; Babylonian

and, Great,
under
20

Bel,
197,

Khammurabi

frequently
from

texts

apart
;

the Ea's

; all 192

the,
who

under

them,

198
"

and,

198

; in

Assyria
Pole 255

in with

Dagan lon, BabyBel, 236

;

patronage,
Goddess of formation
; creates

A-ru'-ru.
the 123

aided

227

; 217 the ;

invoked

man,
a

82,

86,

Star,

champion
162

eclipses and,
Anu'nit.
in 124 Lesser

against Gilgamesh,
Ar'y-an
Race
.

goddess, merged of Ishtar, conception

Ishtar Ishtar and

; the

Philistines

of, 324
As-a'ri.

Appellation
202

of

dach, Mero-

Aph-ro-di't:^.

cult,
with Ash'dod.

of, 124;
235 Apocrypha.
I

and,

connected,
of Bel and

Asar

Legend
in, 97

at,

151

be compared ; may (Osiris),202 of Dagon Temple Sargon's expedition

211,

the

Dragon

against,

210,

350

384

GLOSSARY
Ash'tart
in
or

AND

INDEX
dealing
of,
261 290, 291

Ish'tar. 327,

Worshipped
330 Ish-

with
;

magic
five

in hounds

library
of,

Carthage,
or

the
;

Ash'ter-oth
tar

As-tar'te.
to

known

Canaanites,
Greeks the
; as,

Phoenicians,

and
;

326 124, 319, of the Greeks,

Aphrodite
Phoenician

131 See

of, autobiography discovered of, 301-306 ; palace Rawlinson, by 346 ; ment fragof history of, discovered by George Smith, 352 ; tablets
;

god, 328
Ashurban'apal. Assur-bani-

of, 354 Ass'ur-Dan and,

zikkurat III. The

of, 365
fatal

eclipse

pal.
A-shu'shu-na'mir.
Created

by
25 ; with and

307-309 Assur-naz'ir-pal.

Son
;

of Tuk-ulHadad-

Ea,
Asia.

130 Submitted

ti-in-Aristi, 23
to

places
of

Ninus,

nadin-akhi 23
;

on

throne

lon, Baby214 Calah

;

Tiglath-pileser III invested of, 30 ; BeUt sovereignty Asshur of, 228 in pantheon
Asia
V

Ishtar 214,

and,
216 ; 223 ;

Ninib,
residence

and,
Sin

of,
;

215

Shamash
; ;

Minor.

Greek
;

colonies

in,
Ash-

and,

223

and,

tures sculptions dedica-

235,
races, tart

236
324

peopled by worship ;
wizards,

diverse of

glorifying,
of, unearthed,
Assur-naz'ir-pal

343 III. to

351 his of King reign,

in, 328
The

A'si-pa.
274

260;
of

273,

Assyria,
23

reference

As'ke-lon.

Temple
327
I.

Ashtart
plored of, extion expedi-

Ass'ur-ri-shi'-shi'.
214 Ass'ur-yu-ball'idh. site of

Ninib

and,
Kasmarries

(Ishtar) at,
Assh'ur.

City;
the 47 207
; ;

site

The

by
of

German

1899,
2.

residence Bel's

of

god

Asshur,

temple
with
consort

king Babylonia daughter of, 22 AssYRiA-NS. Race origin,

Hittite and Amorite

12

in, 227. Merodach, of,

125 of
centres

God;
94
;

identified

elements
12, 13 ;

Ishtar,
of
; ;

intermingled
boundaries,

with,
the
12

land and

religion
206-211 name,

Assyria
logy etymovariant,
in

Tigris
the

in,
208 of

Euphrates,
and, of,
23 13
; ;

Akkadians
the

208
;

Tiglath-pileser, King
Semiramis

Anshar,

mentioned

Great,

inscription 208 ; Sargon

power

Samsi-Ramman,
and the
211

of, 210,

conquering ; Ishtar

; Bel-Merodach 214 after, in the Assyrian

and,
225, 226

placed
Pantheon, and,

prisoner-gods ; 377 Belit and, ; 227

;

Queen ; of to make the centre pal desired influence of the empire, reUgious into, penetrate 35 ; Scythians 36 ; Sin-sar-iskin, last King of, cuneiform 36 ; of, writing 60-66 Semitic fluence inreligion, ;
on,

of, 24-29

Assur-bani-

Assur-ban'i-pal.
Greek 32

danapalus,
33
;

of syria AsKing Sarequivalent, reality, ; historic

;

91,

92 ;

the

theon Pan-

of,
centres

203-230

religion of,
206 ; 209

in
; secret

Asshur,

ness great;

death

of, 33
34 his
;

succeeded

of, 208,
;
220

tar Ishof

Esar-haddon,

Samus-sum34
;

in,
his
at

211-214

worship
;

jrukin,
death, Nineveh, 346
Sin 228 the

brother 35
;

of,

Ramman mash's Merodach Nabu 242-251 cult

in,

Sham;

hbrary

in, 222,

223
;

Bel-

46, 71, 261, 282, 35, of literature, 154 ; ; patron Beht and, and, 227, ; 224
;

and,
in,
; ;

225
; ;

cult

of

228 culture

capture

of

twenty
204
;

gods

of

of, 250

magic
;

and in

temples progenitors demonology,

taboo, 278

of,

Elamites

by,

tablets
B

257-288

beUef

385

MYTHS
religions of comparative
that 337)
606

OF

BABYLONIA
and, of, 313-337 ;
Ba'bel.

AND
The verb word

ASSYRIA
Tower hahal
;

Babylonia
value

of, story

48;
of

Hebrew with Tower the

confused

religion of Zoroaster
of

supplanted
; 332 excavations

hahel, 48
of

ancient,
;

ethics,
of, in

of, suggested
towers

338
B.C.,

modern
;

in, 339-366
377 Astrology. Atarath. Dodo

empire,

fall

beginning
was,

of by one the Babylon ; of Nimrod's kingdom and

as a

49 Mound enclosure

of, 231 Birthplace arel The (or altar) of

carried

Babil. 103,

of

Atarga'tus.
as,

from, 190 God; Dagon

27

Ba'bu.
shipped wor-

citadel, 368 ; 347 restorer Esar-haddon,

of,

306
Babylon-ia-n.
mother
12

Ataryat'is. keto. mother

Alternative,

Der-

Fish-goddess,
of Semiramis, Refers 27

legendary
25
to
ship wor-

and

Racial origin, 12 ; astrology and magic, land boundaries, the Tigris dians Akka12 Euphrates, ; the of

Athenag'oras.
of Athens.

and, 13
germs
of 14 of 15 15,
; ;

; Semites

"

receive dians, Akka-

Semiramis,

culture

from

At'tis.
Au'ra of

Agodakinto
Ma-i-nyu.

Piraeus, port of, 328 Adonis, 132

Evil principle religion, 334 Friend of
; 16

language,
offshoot
;

14

ization, 14 ; civilof culture

Eridu,
Semite
;

15

first

founders,

Zarathustra's

A-verr'-o-es.

Mai-

first

enter, conquerors Semitic pire emgreat

monides,
A VESTA.

232 Earliest
name

form

of

aster's Zoro-

in

the, 333
of Sham-

A'ya.

The 166 One

betrothed

ash,
Az'ar.

by Sargon of 16 ; tine PalesAkkad, Syria and welded with, by Sargon, 1 7 ; kings, vicegerents of Jthe gods, art; gem-cutting, etc., 17; 17;
communication between island
'

in,

founded

of

Nimrod's of

guards
Abram,
ship wor-

traditional
54 Az'tecs. of

father

Reverence

of, for 226,

227

Cyprus and, of Dynasty of, King yas,

of
"

'

First 18 ; fall of 21 ; Buma-bur22

Tukulti-in-

Toltecs,
King.
210

Az-u-Ri,

Sargon

displaces,

by Ahimiti,

slays King mis, Bitilyasu, 22 ; built by Semira26 ; finally conquered by render Tiglath-pileser III, 30 ; surof, through starvation, ; Assur-bani-pal 34 ; literature
takes, and,
35
; Nebuchadrezzar

Aristi

and

leads
; ;

Baal.

Sun-god
189
;

; Hadad

the

preme, su-

Phoenician
to
as

magic god, 327

'

and,
; Tanit

258
ded allu-

The

Countenance

into captivity in, 37 Jews last of, 40 Nabonidus, Kings ; after recovered independence of, death of Darius, 41 ; Persians 41 conquer, 41 ; Seleucia
;

of
'

"

.'

330

destruction built out of

of,
ruins 47
;

Ba'al.'
term

Canaanitish

god,

325

applied
or

by

Phoenicians,
See

of,
and

42

archaeology,
confusion of

46,

327

legend
Mo'loch.

of

tongues

Baal-Amm'on
Moloch Ba'al-Hamm'an.

Phoenician god in Carthage, worshipped 327 Ba'alim. Presiding spirits, 326 ; of Tyre, the Phoenicians and, 327

E-Sagila, tower of, 47 ; by Nimcuneiform writing rod, 50 ; of, 60-66 70-87 ; ; cosmogony, religion, early, 88-153 ; spirits and gods in ancient, 89-153 ;
towers

of,

47 ; built

religion, Semitic

influence

on,

386

GLOSSARY
92 91, temism
"

AND
toBel. the

INDEX
Babylonian and Dragon
79,
on

religion, signs of in, 92 ; the Pantheon

95
:

sun-god,
71;
;

41

Merodach

198
196

Early, 94, Nippur ;

;

Later,

184to,
225 ples temand ;

and,
looked 86 94
;
;

194
as

at

Nippur,
of
man,

preferred

creator

of Bel, country star-worship in, 231-238 ; of, 242-251 magic ;

the

ruled earlier

at

Nippur
variant,

(NifEur),
En-lil
;

257-288 ; belief in taboo, 278 ; conquered by Shalmaneser I, 308 ; religions of value, Assyria and, comparative etc.; captivity, 321; 313-336, to Britain, religion, penetrated the of Zoroaster religion ; 331 supplanted that of ancient, 332 ; ethics, 337, pared com338 ; myth, demonology,
with Hellenic
;

description of, 95-97 legend ; of the in the and, Dragon of, at Apocrypha, 97 ; worship and 98 ; King Babylon, Cyrus worship of, 98-101 ; the temple of, 101-105 ; discovery of Mr Smith of, George ye temple
1 01

Nebo,
of

son

of,
153 174,
;

102

father

Nirig,
and,
resorts

Ut-

and

navian, Scandi-

Napishtim Gilgamesh
Tablets 195 the
;

176
180 193216

;
;

338
modern

moral

excavations

code, in,

338
339-

of

Destiny
and,
and

to, and, 198,

the

366 ; the, of II, 367 ; water

Nebuchadrezzar

Dagan Assyrians
225
;

supply
of,

of, 368
371
;

of,

Merodach the
;

country usurped
Pole Star

hanging

gardens

the

status elder, 375, 376; national cay of, regained, 377 ; religion, deof, 378, 379 work A Bab-y-lon'ic-a. by lamblichus, fragments containing of Babylonian ence history, 56 ; referof the, by to an epitome

place of, 227 ; (of equator), 236

; 255 shrine

eclipses and,
with,
317
;

Bile

allied

to, of King
founded

Bur-Sin

I, 364

Bel,
18

The

Observations

of.

In

library
;

by
into

translated 18

Greek

Sargon, by
to

Berossus,
Bel'it. a

Photius,
Banks. Baphomet. 293

56

generic
214,
;

term
;

given

Temples
Name

as,

250,

251

Ishtar, idol,
and,
227 227

227

Ann's

sort, con-

of pagan

Asshur,

Barbaro,

Josaphat.
and,
61

Cuneiform "of

227

wife of figures as I Tiglath-pileser ; 227 and, Assur-bani-pal ; The

writing
Bar-sa'nes.
'

King
seers,

"Armenia,

Bel-ku'dur-u'zur.
the old

last killed

of

25 Baru. Bas'ra.

The

260

Layard
344
;

sends

sculptures
de

to,
French

Ernest

Sarzec,

Assyrian line, by Hadad-nadin-akhi, 23 Bel-Mer'o-dach. Babylonian god ; avenged by Cyrus, 41 ;

son

vice-consul Found

at, 355
in

of

Ea

and into 225

Dawkina,
the

73

Bas-relief-s. of 345 Bau. Sennacherib

;

found

in

palace at Kouyunjik, palace of Assurmother of of

kind, man-

absorbed

Assyrian
Bel-Mero-

pantheon,
Be'los. See 73 Bel-te-shazz'ar.

variant,

bani-pal,
'

346
;

dach,

Goddess chief
;
or

Babylonian
for

pellation ap-

daughter
Zag-muku
Ben-Dad.

Anu,'
251

144, Be-Dad father

190

145 of

and,

The

the

Edomite

Hadad, and,
text

Daniel, 37 Bel'tis. Nin-lil the Variant, ; wife of En-lil, loi ; sanctuary of, at Girsu, loi fied signi; name

Be-el'ze-bub. Be-his-t^n.

Magic
Persian

258
at, 65
B

lady,' loi figures of, found

364
2

'

tablets Dr

and

by

Peters,

387

MYTHS
Bel'us. Bdbil

OF
Temple
identified of of ;

BABYLONIA
mound
103 of
;

AND
Bull. mesh man's forms

ASSYRIA
Gilga;

with,
animals

slain Sacred, by and Eabani, 158

name

Ram220

delineations in

served pre114
;

the and

temple
114

of,

of Ea Winged. 97

great, Merodach,
of with

290

variant,
of

Dis,

Bull,
Descendant

Symbol
; associated 290

and rodach, Me-

Bel-zak'ir-isk'un.

En-Hl,
Burmese.

Assur-bani-pal,
God

306, 307
of Me-

289,
dead,

Be-na'ni.

; husband

Attitude

of,

to

the

lili,82
Be-ni'ni.
295,

269

King
I
.

of

the

monsters, ian histor-

Bur'na-bur'yas.
22

King
Cuneiform

of

lonia, Baby-

296

Ber-oss'us.

Babylonian

BuRNOUF.

writing and,
Urbau's
to Bel zikcated dedi-

The Observations ; translates into Bel 8 of Greek, 1 ; narrative creation of 81 of, re man, his statement
re

63
Bur-sin.
;

Repairs
; shrine

kurat,
Byb'lus.

Ea

copied
of

by
112,

Alexander 113
;

Polyhistor, etc.,
quotes
version

the

328

248 by, 364 Journey Philo of, 328

of

Isis

to,

deluge hanging

myth, 178 ; the 177, of gardens Babylon A 2. and, 371. priest of Bel at Babylon, history by, 42 ; from extracts history ; 42-45 of, preserved and by Josephus
' '

Ca'lah.

Sennacherib
of

takes

cleus nu-

Assur-bani-pal's
154;
;

rary libof

Eusebius,
42 ; his account 44
;

42

Sisuthrus of the

and,
42 42;

his

legend
of

Oannes,

from, Asshur, 207

at,
215
;

residence Ninib's of

temple
Assur-

deluge,
127 317

residence 215
; Sin's

Daonus A Celtic

and,
Hill

nazir-pal,
223
; tower

temple

of,

BiL^.
362,
Bird tim BiRS

deity,

of, discovered
Disbelief of Nimrod's
Son The.

by of, in dom, king-

Bint-el-Amir.

of, 358, 361,

Layard,
Calmet,

346
Abb6. 266 Part

365
messengers.

Ut-Napish176
Ruins Sacred

vampires,
Cal'neh. 49

sends NiMRtiD.

out,

of, 103
stones,
19

Bit-ili, The.
Bit-il-ya'su.
slain Bombay. BoR-sip'PA.

Cam-by'ses.

of Cyrus,
First

King of Babylon, by Tukulti-in-Aristi, 22

The Parsis Site
'

Canaanites,
dwellers in
;

41 historic

of, 336
Nebo's
ple tem-

of

Syria and Palestine, of, gods 326 ; 324-326 325, and, 326 ancestor-worship
Canning,
Sir Stratford. assisted
at

at, 103
Seven 104
; chief

The

Stages
the of wonder

of the

Sir

Spheres,'
seat

of,
ship, wor-

Henry
his

Layard

by,
of.

in

Nebo's

excavations
Sabitu The

Nimrud,

184
BoTTA,
French excavations 339. 340 M.
at

Capricornus,

Sign

340 Sea-

Archaeological
Nineveh,
at

searches re-

goddess
Captivity,
321-323

and,

46
;

183 Babylonian,

Consul in

Mosul

his

Mesopotamia,
Bricks

Caravan. Car-che'mish.
dad

The

ing, story of the miss-

285-288
Museum.

British

in,
searches, re-

Worship
from,
the to

of

Ha-

containing Assur-bani-pal's
obelise 35, of 71, 154, 155,

extended

Edom,

Shalmaneser

290; II

189
Carthage.

Dido,
190 ;

presiding

in,

343

deity of,

Ba'al-Hamman

388

MYTHS
Dag'on. God under
a 27 ; Ainorite

OF

BABYLONIA
shipped wor-

AND
Dead. The

ASSYRIA
doctrine
181 in of
;

Atargatus
the
name

of often

tering minisleft

of,
;
an

to,
unburied attitude

fish-god, 151, deity, 325

One
to

152

Babylonia,
Burmese and and cult

269 269
of

; ;

to,

Dam'as.

of the watch 57 The

two

eunuchs Rhodanes

Canaanites

the, 336
;

appointed
and Dam-as

326
the of

Persians and
"

their,
'

Sinonis,
'ci-us.

Parsis last of of the Della

their, 336

House

Neoplatonists,
Doubts and

72 ; Solutions 73

author

,' at Valle,

Nippur,
Pietro.

362
form Cunei-

of the First
Delphi. of Hadad send

Principles,
Dam-as'cus.

Worship
of of

writing Worshippers offerings to, 330

The.
;

and,

61

of

Apollo
account

name at, under worship 189; 220

Rimmon, in,

Deluge, of, 42-45

Berossus' reference
to

Ramman

account

of,
One of the lesser

in

Gilgamesh
Flood and
common

Dam'ku.

lonian Babytion, appella-

Dan'i-el.

gods, 229 Babylonian

Belteshazzar, and,
37

analogies with 46 ; Babylonian

story
45,

Epic, Myth,

42 45,

Hebrew

of,
323

have
;

origin,
112,

chadrezzar Nebu-

drach,

Meshach,

Sha; 37-40 and Abednego

178;
Ea,
Demeter. 330 Demonology. and

myth refugees
115

of,
saved

173from
"

etc.,

to

of, companions corrupted a

dehverance of the recorded the

38

reference of Hebrew Book the

Tanit

compared
Of

with,

story
three

Babylonia

princes
of, 97 98-101
Da'on.
;

by, 53 ; worship of Bel shepherd

112

and,
of

The

king King

Assyria, 257-288 Demons. Babylonian gods Many evolved 268 from, nian, Babylo; described, 276-278
Destiny.

Pantibiblon, Da-o'nus
or

Mammetum,
173
;

the the Lia

maker Tablets

Daos. vide

of 127,

of,

Zu

and

Babylonia,
Dar-i'us. recoveied 41
;

Berossus,

Babylonia
after
at

ence independdeath

of, 193-195 ; the Stone of, reference

Devil-s. Di-a'na. Di-barr'a. Possession

Fail,
248
262 319 of

the

to,

of,

by,

defeated

Arbela,

378
between

Goddess,
a 106
;
a

Da'vid,

Resemblances

235, variant

Ner-

Hadad,
191 ;

Ddda, variants,
the from

Dido,
Dod,
of the Belos

and,
Dodo, and,

189190

gal, placed
;

in
229

the

Babylonian Assyrian

deity
theon, pan-

Daw-ki'na.

(Bel-MeroEa,
73 115; 137
;

dach),
saved Ishtar
consort

son

Di'do.

Resemblances

between

deluge,
with,
127,

Hadad,
1

identified
of

89-1
;

91

Ddda, Queen

and, David, of Carthage, with,

Ea,

197

329
ment monu-

Tanit

identified

De

Morgan. of 17 ; code copy found

Unearths
Naran-Sin of
at

Susa,

331 Dis.

Variant

of

Belus,
and

114

Khammurabi's
21

Divination.

Practice

by,
at

Babylonians
French
;

De

Sar'zec,
vice-consul
statues

Ernest.

281-288

Shamash,
'

of, by Assyrians, and Hadad,

of
"

Basra

diorite

Rimmon,
Phoenicians'

lords belief

,' 283
most

of

Gudea 47
;

(2700
excavations

B.C.)
of,
to,

in,

found
at
en

by,
Chald"e

Divinities,

Tribal. 94

329 The

Tello,

355,

356

; DScouvertes

outstanding,
Divs. 334

par,

reference

Arch-demons

and

demons,

356

GLOSSARY
DoD
or

AND
ship wor-

INDEX
abyss,
Merodach,
name,

Dodo.

See the side

David;
of

111-116;
iii, 191
11 1

father
; ;

of
Greek

of, by
190

Yahveh,
five 290,

Cannes,

tions instruckind, man-

DoG-s. hounds
291 ;

Babylonia ; Assur-bani-pal, legend of a, 291, 292

The,
of in The. Bel
80 ;

tending
112,
1 1

to

humanize
;
re

113

writings
creation

of,
of

3-1

16;

myth
115;

Dragon,
China is the

and,
in

71

world

and,
116;

and,

Egypt,

it

a-gal, variant, NinEn-ki, variant,

son same

in 80 ; Apep, serpent India, the serpent Vritra (Ahi), 80 ; in Australia and in parts of N. America a great frog, 80 ; Beowulf
80 ;

116;

Dagon

Adapa, (Dagan)
217
;

of,
as,

116;
151,

216, 152, instructed

later
consort
a

Ut-Napishtim
174,
;

by,
;

and,
of

80

Faffnir

and,
in the

times,
in

191-193 the

in 176 ; Dawkina, with

legend Apocrypha,
186
;

Bel
;

and,

of, 197 236

;

identified

97 in

Merodach's,
gion, reli-

star

constellation 255
; ;

the,
337

Zoroaster's

Argo,
demons

eclipses and,
name

and

of,
Aruru Ukhut

263 and, and,

Dream-s.

Nebuchadrezzar's,
37-40
;

and

gazelles and,
Ea-ba'ni. 86
;

292

Daniel,
of Du-MU-zi.

of

Gyges,
of
of 126 of

King
Du-

Goddess

Lydia,

302, 303 A contraction

;
name

129,
man

temple 163 ;
in
160 ;

maiden

mu-zi-apsu
muz

Tam-

typifies primitive Gilgamesh epic, 155,

the
monster

derived Gudea
.

from,
19

159, the of

baba Khumwrath

Dun'gi. throne Dynasty.

21

vassal

of,
'

158 ; slain by shade Ishtar, 158 ; and,

to

of,
160 ; ;

The
a 21

First,

of Babylon,'
founded

appears
a

Gilgamesh,

Kassite,
;

by

Kandis,
; 166

the

First,
and

of
an

Ur, loi Elamite,

Kassite,
325
;

Khumbaba,
;
;

163 satyr, of, 163, 164 ; beguiUng meets, 164-166 ;

of,
179 170
; ;

sort

of

the

mesh Gilgadeath

reference

to

248
the 333

the

Hammurabi,
and the

laments, Gilgamesh of, designated ghost

181
;

Seleucidse

utukku,
Eagle.

Arsacidas,

of Kis, 294, 296 Symbol fable re the, 296-298 Babylonian Ea-lur. Goddess ; amalgamated with 186 Zarpanitum, E-Anna, of, at Erech, Temple The and

E'a,
14;

or

O'an-nes.

lonian Baby-

god
held

of

light
at

legendary
25 72
; ;
source

sway father

wisdom, Eridu, 14;

250 E-Anna-Tum. mentioned

'

Shamash in of vultures

first

reign
'

of,
erected

109

Apsu

Semiramis, of all things and, (Zigarun), mother

Nudimmud, 76
;

of

stele

by,
355 the
ship wor-

discovered Earth. The

by
90

de

of,

73 dach

variant, 72 ; and, ; Tiawath and,

79
;

spirits of,
E
-

Sarzec, Annunaki, -mother, ;

'

Mero-

of, 318,
Babb'ara.
'

319 The of 249 the

displaced
86,
be may

shining
Shamash's

politically
199 ;
name

by
of

Merodach,

house

name

Jonah
that 93
; ;

sanctuary,
;

109,

compared
fish-form of the
;

with

of,
the

87
god

Ec-ba-ta'na.

Cyaxares,
"

thian Scylonians, Baby-

of,

king of, 36
Eclipse. Terror 255,
case

of, 94 of god

deep, 93 temple
the waters

Eridu,
102

city
;

of, 256
;

to

of,

the the of

the

fatal, in
307-309

and

of

Assur-Dan

III,

391

MYTHS
E'dom.

OF
of

BABYLONIA
Hadad
of
tended ex-

AND
Er'esh-ki-gal mistress Er-i-du. of

ASSYRIA
(AUatu).
Hades,
129

Worship
from
'

The

Carchemish

to, 189
the of

E-GiG-UN-Ni!r. Tomb
'

House

the

temple-tower

Babylonian round, grouped

of of

tion civiliza14
;

the the
; ; ;

Nippur,
Egypt.
15 26 31
; ; ;

362
Semitic

home

Ea,

or

Cannes,

conquered
Esar-haddon

in, immigrants by Semiramis,

wars

Nebuchadrezzar

cult of Ishtar 37 ; Semitic religion in, 331

with, invades, in, 124 ;

;
vations exca-

in. 339

temple of, 248, 253 ; E-Sagila and, 249 E'lam-ites. Northern tamia Mesopoand, overcome by Sargon, ofE of, thrown yoke by 17 ; temples
of

E-KuR.

The

wisdom, 14 neighbour of, 15 culture of, and Babylon, 15 emanated magical hymns 68 ; worshippers Ea of from, of Ea at, 72 ; temple at, iii the deluge and, 116 ; supremacy to Babylon, of, passes 199 Merodach originated at, 200
god
Ur
a near
'

light

and

'

E-Sag-i'la.

Nabonidus

and

the

priests
E-Zila,
name

of, 41
in

Nebo's

temple
; ;

of,

shrine, 185;

Khammurabi,
Khumbaba
between

20

name

of

of

Merodach's
200

argues

enmity
and,
166
;

Babylon,
Kur

Babylon
and
;

and,
374,

249 375 Tower 375

temple at of Etemples temple of, 250,

in

Assur-bani-pal
the,
204
votive

of gods object from,

368,
E-Sagila.

Babylon,
of cherib, Sennaceeded, suc-

248
El-BugAt. El-is'sa.
190

Feast Dido

of, 134 with,

in

374. 47. E'sar-had'don. 31

as

Son
;

confounded

Assur-bani-pal King of Assyria,

'

34
most

Eldhim,

Term
327 Variant The of

employed
Ea,
116

Ishtar hkeable

and,
'

212

the

Genesis,
En-ki. En-lil.

god,
47 of
;
name

unearthed,

of, 14 ; temple Merodach and,

of

84
97

; ;

earlier
a

Bel,

95-

Assyrian kings, built palace by, by Layard, 343 The and EsHMUN. god of force healing, 328, 330
of
;

the

307 unearthed

306,

vegetation, 96 ; of bull symbol winged sents, repreword HI signifies a 97 ; Beltis demon,' (Nin-lil), 97 ; wife Hadad of, loi resembled, ;
'

god

Eshmun-Mel'karth.

Phoenician

188

Ramman,
of E-Kur Name

son

of,

221

temple
En-Mash'ti,

sacred of Ninib as,

to, 248
lated trans-

by Canaanites
E'noch,
E'nos. Eph'es-us. Book Son of
of.

326
294
and

328 Es'ther. Ishtar and, 124, 140Book of, written, why ; 144 equivalent, Ishtar, 142 ; 141 of, 142, Lang, on story 143 Xerxes variant, and, ; 143 Dr Hadassah, Jastrow ; 143 Book of, 143 on
Et-a'na.
Ethics. The legend of, 195 and Babylonian Assyrian,

combination,

; ;

Quoted,
232

Seth,

Patroness 235

of,

Diana,
re

338 337. Ethnological

the northern and 203
i. 2.

differences.

tween Beof the

Ep-i-pha'ni-us.

His
49 of

allegations
groups, Euphrates,

peoples
southern

Nimrod,
Part
;

culture-

Er'ech.

dom, kingof, 82 ; Ditemple barra centre plunders, 106-109; of Ishtar's cult, 124 ; Gilgamesh, tar prince of, 154 ; temple of Ishat, 248
49

Nimrod's

River,

177,

368,
;

369

Bridge,
-

Euph-ra'tes civilization

375 Tig'ris.

Valley
tic Semi-

of, influenced
92

field,

392

GLOSSARY
Eu-se'bi-us.

AND
PhiGreek

INDEX
way
the

Sanchuniathon,
329

of

lo, and,
ExcAVATiON-s.

hurbanapal
Modern,
in

representing As{i.e.Sardanapalus)
real 34 and
;

lonia Baby-

32 and

on

the

mock

in

339-366 Assyria, ; relating Egypt, 339; map and Assyria, to, in Babylonia Nineveh at George by ; 341 at Kouyunjik Smith, ; 347-354 de of by Rassam, ; 355 354,
and Sarzec
at

Sardanapalus,
his Golden 137
on

Tammuz,
of 143
pedition ex-

Bough,
; feast

Ishtar

and,
140
;

134 Purim

and,
"resnel.

Vashti,

French

exploration

and,

347

Tello,
in

355,

356
Fund

Babylonian
instituted under of control

Exploration
America,
of the

356-366;
sity Univer-

recent,

Pennsylvania, German by
367-37?
I.

360-366
Oriental

Gardens,
371 Gar'mus.

Hanging.

Of

lon, Baby; ;

Society,
E-Zi'da. 250
; ;

King
of Sinonis

of

Babylon
and,
ancient

Temple
tower

of

Nabu Rawlinson of

at, Nabu,
'

romance

56-60

discovered
2.

by

Rhodanes Gathas. The

and,
most

56-60

346
375 E-ZiLA.

Great

part
allied

of the
'

Avesta,
of

The shrine

firm in

house

Ga-tum-dug.
form Ga'za. Gazelle. 294

333 Goddess 145 of

Nebo's

temple

of

Bau,
Goat

E-Sagila,

185

Temple

and,

Dagon at, 151 gods, 292and

Gem'i-ni,
Eabanisome Fable. A Babylonian, eagle, 296-298 The Fate-s. gods great naki
re

Sign.

Gilgamesh
relation
to
of.

the, 182
to,

the

Genesis,
re

Book

Reference
;

Nimrod,
289
;

49
; term

Annu-

in, 70,
322, Germany. 323

decree,

173;

the

Chamber

story Abbe Loisy and, elohim in, 327

adored

creation

of, 185, 252,

Father-sky.

253 Of primitive

Goat-demon

mjrth-

in, 293
Ghosts. Gi'bi. Gib'il.

ologies, 196
Feast-s.
; 140 Festival-s.

Jewish, of Purim, Babylonian, 251, 252

The Of
or

Assyrian, 277, 278 the Prayer and god, 68 The of fire god ; Nusku
225 Hero
;

Adonis, Zakmuk,
Nebo

135

of
; ;

and,
Gilgamesh.

the New

Sacsea Year
;

141

Nimrod

tified iden;

and,

185
sacred

with,

50,

156

epic
86

; ;

Babylonian
to

Zag-muku,

Bau, ; 251, 252 Celtic, of Beltane, 317. Field. An Assyriologist, expert 358 Fire-god. Gibil, the, 225
Fire-worship. of The Zoroastrian Architect central ture fea-

Scottish-

Aruru goddess figures in, prince of Erech, 154-183 ; name Gisdhubar,

visional proor

Izdubar, 156 156 158

to,
168
; ; ;

and, birth of related by .lElian, mother Rimatbelit, of,

1

56

Shamash

shade
;

of Ishtar's

Eabani love the

appears

ritual,

Fisher,
Flood.

Mr.

335 in can Ameri-

160
;

for, 167,
of for bani, Eathe 73 70 from
1

mourning
his

loss

exploration campaign, 360 See Deluge. Fra-vash'i. Guardian spirit of

the

secret his

; 170 of perpetual

quest life, 1 70-1

; ;

Persians,
Sir

336

ancestor, Ut-Napishtim, Sin delivers, 170 ; seeks

Frazer,

James.

On

the

Ut-Napishtim

the

secret

of

393

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA
;

AND
moon-god Dagon,
217, 325 153
;

ASSYRIA
of
a

perpetual life, 173-180

Eaand,
Gil-ga'mesh of
one

Adad-

Ur,

145-149 216, 152, Enu-Resa

178,

179 Account

fish-, 151,
;

deluge
of

Epic, The. in, reference

the

to,

42

tu,

Nirig, or Gilgamesh,
a

sun-,

greatest
of
;

productions
Gir'su. Gis-dhu'bar
Beltis'
or

ancient Ishtar

literary lonia, Babyin, 213 at, loi

Gil-

; 157 Later

Eabani,
Pantheon
;

sun-,

159

154-183

184-198
Ramman,
222,

sanctuary
Izdu'bar.

325

Babylonia, Nebo, 184-186, 326 187-189, 195, 217Hadad or Adad, ;

325
; ;

of

gamesh's
Gish-zi'da.
of the Goats. GoD-s. 73.

provisional
One of the of heaven,

name,

156

187-191,

guardians
118 292-294 72,
102,

gates
Gazelle

189, 327, 328 Dodo, 189-191

193-195
a

Baal, Ddda, a ; Zu,

the

sun-,

Dido,
storm-,

and,

gods,

Merodach
199 ;

originally

Ea,

or

Cannes,

14, 25,

76, 79. 86, 87, 93, 94, 216, 229 111-116, ; En-lil,

14,

47.

84, 95-97. kings the

of

loi

lonian Babygerents vice-

of great, Assyria, 205-229 ; Asshur, 94, 206-211 war-god ; Nin-ib, 124, and hunter-, 214-216, 326 ;
sun-,

direct

the

moon-,

94, 224

the, on earth, 17 ; Merodach, Babylonian, 41, 47, 50, 68, 76-82, 81, 84, 86, 93, 94,
103,

180,

223,

Gibil, ; 225 Bel-Merodach,

225,
'

128, 170, Nusku, 224, the fire-, 225

109, ;

225

prisoner-,
to
as
"

106,

184-198,
the birth of

199-202 sun-,

226

Belit the of
"

alluded Great
see

Bel,
196,

Babylonian
197
;

41, 71Mum-

Mother

of

the,

procession
230

', 228 ; illustration,

'

87
mu,

Tiawath,
a

Apsu,
75
; ;

and
;

; ideograph thesamef ;

or

star

'

trinity
to,
75

of, 74

Horus,
;

reference

Kingu
;

wath Tiathe

and, 234 with, 235

228 and
;

planets
and
229 229

identified

; Nabu

Merodach,
; ;

and,
creator

Merodach,
Semites

Dibbarra,
Sharru-Ilu,

Damku many mons, de-

of the, 82

and,

in ancient spirits and, most Anu, 89-91 ; Babylonia, ancient of Babylonian, 12190, invoked 198, by ; 123, 197, 217 Assyrian kings, 90 ; Kis, the

89

Babylonian,
268
;

evolved

from

sun-,

93,
92,

294 93

; ;

under the

animal

forms,
153 170,
;

great,

93-

Sin,
325
;

moon-,

tribal that

128, 109, 94, divinities, 94 ;

held sway

gazelle- and goat-, departmental, 292-294; istics characterdepartmental ; 315 of the, of Babylonia and Assyria, 315, 316; general equivalent, el,' used by Canaanites and Hebrews, 326 ; of light 325,
Hellenic
'
"

Uru,

325

; of

the

Phoenicians,
a

pantheon
to

prior

327-329;

Resheph,

scription Khammurabi, 94, 95 ; deof Bel, 96 ; a trinity of (Bel, Ea, and Anu), 97 ; Sibi, the 108 ; Shamash, sun-, 41,
109,

326,
327
;

328 ; Melkarth Ashtart, 326,

Canaanite, of Tyre,
327, 330
; ;

Eshmun,
Moloch,

god

of

vital

force, 328

94,

187,
82,
235,
6-1
21 11

222,

223, 105,

325

Nergal,
151,

94,

106,
329 123phone, Perse;

330;

loch, Mo328 ; Carthaginian Patechus, a monster, 330; lUat, Sakon, 330; 330; 330 ; of Babylon than those of
mora

180,

326,
;

328,

Adapa,
144
;

Ishtar,
and
; ;

Tsaphon, dignified
Greeks
or

the ; the

Tammuz,
.'

sun-god
Ishtar

of Eridu,

126-144
144
;

Twilight
GoDDESs-ES.

of

Norsemen, 338 the, 377-380

131-135

Nin-Girsu,

Bau,
of

144

Pap-sukal,
130
;

messenger

the,
;

Gathe

Ishtar, 28, 94, loi, 106, 107, III, 123-144, 158, 165tar 'Ish168, 176, 211-214, 326;
'

tum-dug, 394

145

Nannar,

generic designation

for,

GLOSSARY
; 124 Samkhat

AND
124
; ; ;

INDEX
Variant
of

NanS,
"

and of

Anunit, joy, 131

132 144, form
1

Had-ass'ah, 143 Ha'des.

Esther, into,

bele, the
'

mother-,
of

CyBau,
145
;

Descent

of
;

Ishtar

mother

Lagash,'
allied

125,

126,

128-131
mistress Innana's

Erish-ki-gal temple
at,
and
,

Ga-tum-dug,
Bau, 145 Sabitu, a
; sea-,

of 51
;

(AUatu),
Hal'la-bi.

of, 129

Azalu,
172 with
or

49-1

Ealur,

187
Ham'an.
; 141 Humman

amalgamated
186
;

Innana 197

Dawkina,

Zarpanitum, Ninni, 187 ; of worship

;

The

Book

of Esther

accepted
or

identity
142

with

Homman,

318, 319 ; Tanith, great mother, 328 ; Ashtart, 328 326, 327, Isis (Astarte), 328 ; Tanit, the
moon,
; 330 Grain-God,

Hammurabi. Han'ni-bal.
330,

Dynasty, 325 Carthaginian

;

hero,
the

332

Baal's

name on

in, 330

330

Rabbat

Umma,
186

Ha-o'ma. celestial

Deposited
mountain,
Abram's 52 a 250,
centre

Tanit,
Cult

330 Nebo of

335

as,

Har-an'.

youngest
of lunar

Greece. Greeks.

Ishtar

in, 124
over

brother,
Har'
ran.

Babylonia

ruled

by, 378 Georg. Grotefend, writing and, 62-64 Gu-barr'a. Prayer

Gu-de'a. of a vassal
19; ;

adoration,
Cuneiform Has'dru-bal. Baal's and of the
name

283
hero
; 330

Carthaginian
in,
of

god,

68

throne

Dr. Translator Haug, Gathas, 333 Haynes. Excavations

the

Dungi, Lagash, 19
architectural diorite

statues

high-priest of building and ability, 19, 247 ; of, found by de

his alluded
to

of,
Sent in 47

at

Nippur,
Haynes.
to

Mr

360-366 J. H.
at

1889

excavate

Sarzec,
ancient

47

Bau

in
; ; ;

Heaven.

The

Nippur, Igigi the

;

spirits
the
pent ser-

inscriptions
Innana favourite

of,

144

of, 90
Hebrew-s,
I.

of worship Nin-girsu hepatoscopy Sarzec Gu'la. Gy'ges.

by,
of, 283
;

187
251 de

Symbol

the, for mischief,

285

2.

and,
355 of of

Rehgion

Babylonian
322 Ritual 282-288 Melkarth

influence

and,
Consort

Ninib,

216
;

321, upon, He-pat-os'co-py.

and

King

Lydia
303

Assur-

practice of,
Her'ac-les.

bani-pal and,
Smith's

302, discoveries

George

equated
to, 87

re, 352

with,
Her'cu-les.

328
Reference Statements 28
; account

Her-o'dot-us.
H Habb'ac-uc. feed Ha'dad Rim
191
m

Semiramis,

of, re of, re
;
riage mar-

temple
a

of

Bel,

loi,

103

prophet
100

; sent

to

customs

in 312
;

Babylonia
reference

Daniel,
or on

described Ramman
or

by,
374

Adad. identified

to, 367,
Hez-ek-i'ah. 30, 37

with,
and,

187-

King
30
his ;

of

resemblances

between

; Sennacherib's

Judah, campaign
sung

DcLda,
191 ;

Dido,
the

David

supreme

Baal,
325

189189 ; a
on

against, Byron in
Semiramis

praise of,
Memorials

by
30 of

Hebrew

Melodies,
at, 27
An 345,

Canaanitish

god,
of 23

Hi-er-a'pol-is.
Placed

Ha'dad-na'din-akhi.
throne

preserved
Professor.

Babylon
; kills

nazir-pal,
monarch,

by Assurthe Assyrian
23

HiLPRECHT,

pert ex-

Bel-kudur-uzur,

Assyriologist, 360-363

357,

395

MYTHS
HiNKS,
found Rev.
at
i'^

OF
Edward.

BABYLONIA
Ish'tar.

AND

ASSYRIA
Goddess
;

Language Persepolis deciphered

The

fame with of

of that

Semiramis of the, 28 ;

by, 65
Ho'rus.

mingled goddess
of

Nineveh,
and,
of Erech
;

Egyptian
reminds Return.'
126
no

god

of

94,
loi

212

court

Zamama

hght
'

Tiawath
of

of, 75

; witnesses

plunder
107
iii

House

valent, EquiHweet-

by
male

Dibarra,
and

Hades,
HuiTZiLOPOcHTLi
.

106, female,

both

(proQ.

zil-o-potch-tlee) Reference
144

to,
luded al97 Esther

123-144 for

ficance, signi; signation generic degoddess, 124 ;

;
or

equivalents,
The
to

Ashteroth 327 in
; cult

As-

Hur-ak-An.
in To
to

the

storm-god Popol Vuh,

68
; to
'

tarte,

124,

of

dite Aphro124
; ;

began
identified
;

that 124,

of,
124,

Hymn-s. 69
;

Adar,

Nebo,
68

and,
with with

140-144

Nusku,
from in

69
which
126 ;

magical,'
Tammuz

Venus,
125

emanated

Eridu,
of

identified
consort

Nin-lil, 124
;

; 235 the

Akkadian,

of Asshur, Hades

descent
;
war-

addressed, murabi, 219

is

Kham220

into

of, 125-126
213, 127 and wih 214
; ;

to

Ramman,

goddess, 127, of Tammuz,

Merodach identified

consort of 127 137

; ;

consort

Assur,

I-am'bli-chus.

Author

of

Baby-

lonica, 56
Idolatry. 232 Ik-su'da hound Il-a-brat. Ill'at. Il-te'hu hound Image-s. Im-gur-Bel.
'

Dawkina, of a vegetation, goddess 138; 158; slays Eabani,

nina for
a

137, Ir-

Laban's

Ig'i-gi,The.
of

re origin of, Legend images, 266-268 Spirits of heaven, 90 Attendant (Grasper).

form

Gilgamesh,
of, 168
168
;

of, of, 165 ; love 167, 168 ; Anu

;

father

Anatu of
'

mother the

Merodach,
Minister

202

of, 176

of

Anu,

117 330

Lady ; Assyrians and, Assur-nazir-pal and,

between

Gods,'
; ;
fusion con-

211-214 214 228 235

Carthaginian (Holder).
of Merodach, Stars

deity,
Attendant
202

Aphrodite
sixth month of

Belit and, and, connected, sacred E-anna

; ;

and,

233

temple
250
;

City of,
of

Incantation of

354 Eridu.'

magic

and,

236 ; dedicated to, 258 ; variant,

to,
330
;

The

Ashtart, gate

326,
372 Attendant

327,

great
Kol-

ceremony India-ns.
on

the, 270
makes
war

of, discovered

by
of

Dr

Semiramis

dewey,
Ish'um. 106-108

Strabrobates,
the of

King of, 26,

fled Parsis

followers

of Zarathustra

27 ; to ;
;

Dibarra,

descendants, Araucanian,
In'esh. In'mar-ma'on. Inscription-s. The

Chile,

of, 334 336

115

pilot of Eridu, City of, 108

Of Shalmaneser

and, 133 ; journey to, as Astarte, 328 Israelites, Worship of Dodo, or by Dod, by the side of Yahveh,
Osiris

I'sis.

the,
I'yar.
to

190

I, 351
Ir'kal-la. house

of

Tukulti-ninip,
The abode of ;

351 the

The

second

month,

sacred

Ea,

236
or

of

darkness,
a form

Ir'ni-na. Is-ai'ah.
191 ;

128, 169 of Ishtar, 165

described

Iz-du'bar

GiSDHUBAR. of

visional Pro-

name

Gilgamesh,

156

Jerusalem
reference

by,

Ish'nu,

to Sargon's expedition tioned menagainst Ashdod by, 350 Ura's counsellor, 269

Laban Ja'cob. Je-ho'ia-kim.

and,

267
of

King

Jerusa-

396

MYTHS
the

OF
etc.,
of

BABYLONIA
etc'
"

AND
345
;

ASSYRIA
Smith's
;
tions excavavations exca-

World,
;

"

Semi-

George
at,
351

Tiglath29 of III, Assyria ; pileser 29 Shalmaneser IV, 30 ; of Judah Hezekiah, 30, 37 ; of Assyria Sennacherib, 30 ; of Assyria
ramis,

Assyria

Rassam's

"

at, 354, KuK-UL-CAN.

355 Reference

to

the

"

god,

224

"

"

Esar-haddon,
350
;

31,

306,
"

307,

AssurAssyria (Sardanapalus) bani-pal 31, of Assyria 301-306, 346 ; 32, Ashurbanapal, 33 ; of Assyria 343. of
,
" "

Lab'an. Lab'ar-tu.
277 Lady

Jacob
The

and, 267 hag-demon,

Ishtar

271,

Sin-sar-iskin,
"

tana

Cyaxares,
"

36 36
of

; ;

of of

Ecba-

of

the

Gods.

the,

lonia BabyII, 36"

176
Lag'ash. earliest
come

Nebuchadrezzar 104
;

The

modem

Tel-lo,
monuments

40,

47,

Nabonidus,
the

40, 41 41 of
; ;

Persian,

Babylonia Cyrus ; 249 of Babylon

"

Semite

from,

16

the
16

priests
;

of

Cambyses,

Alexander Chaldea
"

the Nim-

became kings, of, high-priest

'

Gudea
;
"*

19,

355

Bau

Great, 42 ; rod, 52 ; Rammannirari

of the
112

mother

of,' 145
God God a
; ; birth

I,

90

La'ha-m6. Lah'mu. Lam-as'su.

of, 71 of, 71
of

Persia

98 ; Daon, Cyrus, of Pantibiblon, shepherd,

"

birth

spirit
Sedu,
For
;

similar

of

Persia
"

"

Xerxes,

141 157

; ;

type
135, Language. 14
;

to

the

277

of of the

Babylonia Babylonia
Moabite
"

"

Sokkaros, MiH-Shikhu, Mesha,

210, 190
211

Lamentation-s.

Tammuz,

187;
; ;

136, 140
The

"

of of

Rituals, 253-255 Akkadian, 13,

Ashdod

Azuri,
and of

Babylonian
old
a

priesthood
14
;

served pre-

Babylonia,
260 ;

tales

soothsayers, and Babylonian

Akkadian

tongue
Sumerians Semitic

as

sacred,
from 15
see

NabuAssyrian, ; 299-312 Usabi, King of Sarrapanu, ; 300 of Gyges, King Lydia, ; 302 II, Tiglath-pileser ; 299-301 Assur-Dan of Assyria III, 308; Adad-Narari of IV, Assyria 308 ; a royal day,' 309-312 ; of Assyria Ur-Gur, 366 ; 359, of Assyria Ur-Ninib, 366 Kin'gu. God only husband' ; of bound Tiawath, by 75 ; wath, Tiaof son Merodach, 78 ;
"

borrowed

rich

tongue,
60-66,

65

Susian,
66

writing, Writing ; Median, 65 ; Assyrian, 65 ;

translation of of syrian, As-

cuneiform

Longperier's

"

'

"

"

'

and Babylonia ; 205 Assyria, compared, Shamash Lar'sa. at, worshipped Khammurabi's ments improve109; at, 187

La'yard,
bani

Sir

Henry.

Assur-

194 Kis. 93. The 294

Nineveh -pal's library at searches rearchaeological and, 46 ; 35,

at

Babylonian
God
;

sun-god,
344,

Nineveh,
researches 342-344,
re

46, 346
Abram
re

155,

346

of, at
and Abram
;

Ki'sAR.

birth

of, 71
German
plorer, ex-

Nimrud,
Legend-s.

340,

KoLDEWEY, 356,
of Ishtar

Dr.

Jewish,
51
;

367

great

gate
372 375 and
;

Nimrod,
and

Persian,
52,

discovered

by,
374,

Nimrod,
of

temple of E-Sagila and, Kosmologie. Jensen's, 216

Kou-YUN-jiK.
mound searches M. Botta
;

creation,
195
;

; 193-195 the origin

53 of of

the

Etana,
star-

of,
in

339 mound

Layard's
of,
344,

worship, 268-270
'

232-3 of ;

;
a

the,

of

Ura,
292 ;

dog,

291,

Cuthsean,

of creation,' 294-296

398

GLOSSARY
Lenormant.
Hebrew and

AND
rian Assying slay'

INDEX
a
as,

Mak'lu.' known

series

of
for

texts

poetry
Lko,
Sign of Letter-s.
of.

and,

322 Recalls 182

261

the

Mam'it.

Equivalent
The

taboo,
of destiny,

Khumbaba,
Franked
name

278
Mam-met'um.
173 dach, of, by MeroAruru goddess assists in the creation of, 82, 86 ; humanizing of, 112, 113 Marazion. Signifies in Semitic, Hill by the Sea,' 331 maker

bearing
Levi, goat
LiA

of

Eliphas.

by clay seals Sargon, 18 The Baphomet

The Stone of

Man-kind.

Creation 81
;

and,

Fail,

293 The. reference

80,

Destiny;
Library. 71, in Light. and

to, 248
35,

Assur-bani-pal's,
282, 346 ; Tablet Hill,' 363 261,
Merodach the and strife the

46,

temple

'

"

^
Tiawath,
between

Mar

chesh

uan.

Merodach's

month,
Mar'duk.
200

251 See

primal
and,
79

Merodach,
in

175,

darkness Literature.

Babylonian
under
20

art

Marriage.

Customs 312 Identified

lonia, BabyNergal,
of set, Sun-

and, Great,

Khammurabi
;

the and of Mars. 235 Mas'hu.

Assur-bani-pal

with

sacred, Babylonian, 35 ; Babylonia, 67-69 Liver-reading. By priests, 281283 Kennet. cessor SucLoFTUS,' William
of Mr

The 171

Mountain

Maz'da. powers 337 Mec'ca.

One in

of

the

Zoroaster's

spiritual religion,
the brated cele52

Hormuzd
fire ;

Rassam,

346,
Lo'ki.

347 God
106

Reference Kaaba

to

of

Nergal

not

(temple) at,
a,

unlike,
like

Mede.

Zoroaster Subdued

333

Lu'gal-ban'da. Prometheus,
text Lu'gal-zug-gi'si.

Storm-bird
93

god;
;

Me'di-a. Medicine.

by
a

Ninus,
of,
192

25 tress for-

Ea,
'do. The

god

King
of, found

of Erech

Meg-id

Canaanitish

fc.famous

by

HilMe-li'li

of, 189
I.

Iprprecht,366
M Maat. Magi. 333 Magical
to

Queen;
;
2.

wife
of

of the

Benani, -,::
monsters,
Mel'i-ship'ok Reference Confounded

82

Mother

296 295, Houses II.

found

to,

222

dating
Melk

from
.

period of, 376

Variant of

by Zoroaster,
Dawkina 197
; ;

('King')

Moloch,

328
Texts. in ded allutioned men-

Mel'karth.

Phoenician 327,

god

of

the,

Anu

Tyre,

328
330

worship

of, in

in,
and
to

198

of 288

Babylonia
; ;

Carthage,
combination,
Mem-an-gab.

Assyria,
in

257,

alluded

Mel'karth-Resh'ef,

Phoenician

Bible,

266,
The

267

circle,

328
Leader

the, 275, Magician-s.

276
word the of power
;

of the

sters, mon-

295, Mem'phis. Men'kes

296

and,

263
268

Ea,
'

great, of the
'

Assyrians
Mound,
202

enter, 31
of Mero-

gods,
Mahomet-an.

376
Variant

Baphomet
;

ruption cor-

Mer-ag-a'ga.

of, 293
Mai-mon'i-des. friend of
on

conquest,

333

dach,
-

Jewish
Averroes the
;

'

rabbi,
mentary com-

Mer'cury
.

Identified Yaran
flees

with

Nabu,
210,
2X1

his

Mischnah,

232J

235 Mer'oc.

to,

399

MYTHS
Mer'o-dach.

OF

BABYLONIA
god,
;
;

AND
Mic'ah.

ASSYRIA
to

Babylonian
374
50

Reference 268 Ages. of the

his

tera-

of, 47, 41 ; temple identified rod with,

and

Nimprayer

phim,
Middle

The

Sabbatic
of

god,
;

68

Tiawath
man,

and,
81
;

goat

witchcraft

the,
arch mon-

76-82
central

creates

the

myth, by, 86, 199 ; a bull-god, 93 Babylon, 94 ; with, 94 ;

and,
the 142
;

figure 84 ; god
;

of Ea

popular displaced
been at

293 Mi-li-Shik'hu.
; I Shamash

Babylonian and, 187

on

may Asshur

have

Misch'nah.
232 MiTANi.

Commentary
Provinces

the,

worshipped
Nebuchadrezzar

fied identi-

of, conquered
T, 308
and,
'

by
106
;

Shalmaneser Rashnu

104
name

Diabarra Mordecai
a

and,
form

Mith'ra.

of,
the

Mit-ra-pher'nes.
149 MOFFLAINES. Mohammedanism. the Mo'loch. Wood

337 Artaios'

uch, eun-

great
141

festival
;

of,

of, worship of first prominent days ation Khammurabi, 184-198 ; associZakmuk,

in with the

of, 293
Initiated

by
ship worship wor-

Semitic

race,

313,

332

Nebo,
of Fates

184-186
in

Magic of,
in 330

and,

Chamber
; ;

temple
wife

of, in Phoenicia,

258 328
as

; ;

of, 185 186, 202

variant

Zarpanitum,
supremacy

of,
192
200

Carthage,
;

Baalficed sacri-

of,
194,
;

; ;

ammon,

children

Shamash

Marduk, 200 and,

to, 331
MoMMu
ocean,

variants,

Ti-a-wath. 71. See

,'"

The Moumis

primeval
mals ani;

Asari, Saragagam, dant' attenand 202 Mer-agaga, ; hounds of, 202 ; usurped place of Bel, 227 ; Bel paired with, 228 ; Jupiter, identified ruled with, 235 ; eighth month Marmonth over by, 237 ; cheshuan belonged to, ; 251 demons 256 ; eclipses and,
Amaruduk,
and the
name

Monster-s.

Mythological
291 ; ;

and,
the of 330 MoNTH-s.

of Chaldea,
290,

289-298
invasion

dog,
the,

294-296
Titles

Patechus,

of,

by

lonians, Baby-

236-238
Moon.

of,
;

263

four the 377

;

dogs

of,

291

head

of

Babylonian
Nabonidus,
found Mesh'a. Mer'o-dach-Bal-a-dan

Pantheon,
377

Babylonian religion and, city ; Ur, the, 249, 250 ; Abram, a shipper, moon-worprobably and the, ; echpses 249
236
;

256
I. Houses from

Moon-Deities.

dating
The

period

of,

Aphrodite,
138 138
223,
; ;

138

Osiris, 138 ; Proserpine, ;

Ashtoreth, of Ur,

Phoenician

Moabite
190

king;
Daniel's

Nannar,
250
;

moon-god
109,

Chemosh,
Mesh'ach.

god of,
One

145-149; 224,

Sin, 94.
The
;
a

128, 170,
330 of Esther
or

of
Elam
overcome

Tanit,
Book

companions,
Mes-o-pot-a'mi-a.
Northern
"

38
and

Mor'de-ca-i. and,
Mosul. 141 M.
;

form

of Marduk

Sargon,
in, 331

George
351
;

Semitic 17 ; excavations in, 339, ; Smith dispatched

by religion
ff. ;

Merodach,

142 Botta

French

Consul

S't, 339

Layard's
Of 197

researches

to,

recent

research

in, 366religious
;

at, 340-344 Mother-earth.

primitive
318,

376
Mexico. Reference of
to to

mythologies,
Mother-Goddess.
319
;

Theory,
of

system

ancient,
on,

204 243

ence refer-

compounded
326

various

temples,

types,

400

GLOSSARY
'

AND
Gods,*

INDEX

Mother Belit

of

the

Great
to
as,

alluded
or

228

Mou'mis Tiawath at
one

Mum'mu. and

Son 73
to ;
name

of

Na-bo-ni'des.
in time Nabonidos. Na-bo-ni'dus.

Archaeology
of, 363
See

ionable fash-

time

Apsu, given
the

Tiawath,
Gil159,

Nabonidus,
The last no, 41 ; and of

364
the

73 Mountain.

Of

gamesh
171 the
;

journeys
of the 305
'

Sunset, to, 158,

of

kings, 40, Babylonian displaced by Cyrus,

of

283
cults Sha-

Sunrise,
;

Earth,
; of

of ; 253 the Wind,

Merodach, and, mash,

Nabu,
377

362
MuL-LiL.

the The
292
and

World,

362
'

Nab'o-pol-as'ser.
of

Reference
;

to

gazelle god
Sons.

inscriptions of, 368

Nebuchadrezzar,

father
;

of phrates Eu;

Nippur,
Mu-rash'u
and Mu'ro.

369, 370
work 377

Bankers

bridge, god
Nab'u,
Merodach 175
;

of, 375
and,

brokers

at

Nippur,
of

366
Ramman

and,
Nusku

Worship originated at, 220 A. Meyer, Joseph

architect
at

nected, con-

An

American

paired,
228.;
228

who

assisted

Haynes
tival, fes-

Merodach ; 225 228 Bel paired ; Ramman-Nirari

'

and, with, and,

;

Nippur,
Used

365
at -tree

Myrrh.

the

Adbnia and

who

136
137 Myth-s. Of

Adonis,
ence refer-

Seer by Sargon the 228 gods,' guides Mercury and, 235 ; tenth month
; called

the

sacred

to, 237

tower

of, 375
377

with to, North American Flood-, 45 ; reference Indian, to, 46, 122

Sardanapalus, analogies 32 ;

Nebuchadrezzar

and,
377

bonidus ; Na-

and,
Nab'u-Baliddin.
;

Shamash's

temple

restored

by,

249

reference to, Algonquin, 46 ; of creation, 70-87 ; Babylonian, with Ea, confusing, connected of deluge, iii, 112; 173-178; Merodach and of Tiawath, reference

Nabu-Qua'ti-Za'bat.
pal and, 304 Nab'u-Usa'bi,
Na-bu-z^r-lI-shir. Nam'tar. The King.

Assur-baniCrucified 300

by Tiglath-pileser II,

Scribe,

363

to,

78,

114,

199; ; ;

reference Mexican, to, 115 reference Greek, to, 122, 315 of Tammuz, 126-129 .' Tamand Ishtar, muz groundwork of 131 those
;

NanA.

Merged
124 The

Ishtar, and, 304

Nan'nar. 145-149

plague-demon, 129 in conception of Assur-bani-pal ; moon-god Satrap

of of

Ur,

of of

Greece

and
1

Rome,
; 31-133 of Isis,

Adonis,
ve

Nann'ar-os,

Babylon,
tablished es-

Egyptian,
133 ; various

quest Tammuz-Ishtar,
strata 160 159, ; of Tiawath,

146-149
Nann'a-ru. The
new

underlying
of

135 ; the the

201

moon, 79 of

by Merodach,
Na'ram-Sin. Son

Gilgamesh,
slaughter
of
201

title,

'

King

of the

Four
with of the

Sargon ; Zones,'
41
;
name

and Persephone a toothache-, ;

of

Osiris, 263
; ve,

262,

19 ; Nabonidus 17, bricks discovered

'

and,

of, and,

little known Phoenician, 328 ; Indo-Germanic,

in 334 of
;

on,

47

Builder 247
'

Temple

niscences remigion, reli-

of

En-lil,'
'

omens an

Zarathustra's character of with

283
stone

mould

of

inscribed
I in

lonian, Babythat

compared
Hellenic
and

Scandinavian,

338
C

belonging to Sargon palace of, 363 Ne'bo. son Hymn to, 69 ; shrine sacred Bel, I02 ;

of

to,

401

MYTHS
I02

OF

BABYLONIA
102,

AND
ments
'

ASSYRIA
of XXII 50
mean

Tashnit, wife of,

association
with

185,
Mero-

Djmasty
;

as

186,;

Nemart,'
may De

derivation
'

of 50
;

dach,

chief seat, 184-186 ; Borsippa, 184, 326 ; as graingod, 186 ; the altars of Yahveh dragged from, 190 ; temple of, 306, 346, 348 See

name

legends
his

of, related

rebel,' by Philo

in

Neb'rod.

Nimrod
I. Ramman

]Se-buch-ad-rez'zar

Gigantibus, 50 ; Abram of Chaldea, ; King with suggested identity ; 52 Gilgamesh, 156 Nim'rud. Sir Henry Layard's
and, 51-56
excavations

and,

219

Nebuchadrezzar

(or lonia, King of Baby-

II

buchadnezzar). NeRassam's

at, 340, searches

searches

342-344

; ;

at,

344

George
354
NiN-A-GAL. Nin'ev-eh.

Smith's

at, 348116

Egypt
death,

reign of, 36-40 ; invades against Jerusalem, 37 ; wars to Jehoiakim ; puts 37

up 37 ; sets of Jerusalem, 37-40
; his

Variant Built

of Ea,

Zedekiah 37
;

as

King
and,

Daniel

dreams, 37-40 ; Abedand Meshach, Shadrach, of palace and, 38 ; ruins nego, in 1899, of, explored 47 ; Sir
H.
re,

by Sennacherib, 31 ; Assur-bani-pal's Ubrary at, 35, 71, 154, 346 ; archaeological researches Botta of Layard and labours at, 46 ; George Smith's
at, 46 ; Mr
work 49 of
;

Hormuzd
;

Rassam's

at, 47
tablet

built

C. 104

Rawlinson's
;

Shamash's
249
;

discovery temple
Dr Andrae's

written discovered of

by Asshur, for temple

at,
;

Nergal
shrine site

82 Ish-

restored

by,

residence tar's and

discovery and, 377

Nebuchadrezzar

re,

356;
III.

Merodach

Asshur, in, 212

207 M.
;

Botta

King

of

Babylonia,
Nem'art. Ner'gal.

41 Nimrod See

344 Nin-Gir'su. of gur 144 144

and,

of, 339, 340 plan of, 357

Name
;
means

Layard
'

Lord
Shul-

Girsu,' 144

known
corn

as

of, at Cuthah, Cuthah, 94 ; patron unlike of Cuthah, god 105 ; not variant 106 of, Dibarra, Loki, ;

Temple

('Lord
; ;

of

the

heaps '),
Tammuz,

82, 296

; of

identified

with

106 shade Mars

Aralu of

and, Eabani,

150,

and,

151 180

; ;

Canaanitish and, 235 ; by 326 ; worshipped war-god, Phoenicians, 328 of gods at Year. New Assembly first on of, 201 ; day Babylon Bau Merodach and, 201 and, ;
251
;

Gudea

and,

251

variant, Ninib, 214, 216 ; of Gudea, ; 251 temple of, 283 Nin'ib, 84, 175 ; a war-god, 214 ; variant of, Nin-girsu, 214, 216 ; Tiglath-pileser I, Assur-rishishi, Assur-nazir-pal, and, 214 ; as 216 extolled by hunter-god, ; voked in216 Tiglath-pileser I, ; by Assur-nazir-pal, 216 ; Gula, consort of, 216 ; Saturn
favourite

Ni-bi'ru. Nim'rod.

Merodach's
The
;
son

49-56

star, 79 hunter, mighty the of Chus,

and,
Mashti

235

translated
Saved

as

En-

by Canaanites,

326
with

Nin-igi-nag'ir-sir.

isthiop, 49
of

Biblical
49 Greek 50
;

dant reputed descenin Ham, ; figures 49 tion, tradiand Babylonian built Babylon, ; 50 ;
;
a

Ea, etc., from

NiN-LiL. consort 124 Nin'ni. Nin'sum. Variant of

deluge, 115 of Beltis,

;

loi

En-lil

Ishtar

and, 187
to,

named identified

Nebrod with
and

Gilgamesh,
name

Nebros, Merodach, Orion, 50

or

Variant

of Innana,
resorts

Gilgamesh King
of

180 Ni'nus.

found

in

Egyptian

docu-

Assyria,

25

402

GLOSSARY
Semiramis,
son

AND
O-Ri'oN. 50 0-si'ris.

INDEX
Nimrod

wife

of, 25

of, 26
Son of

Nin'yas.

Ninyas, ;] ^5?'-^.;"v"i Ninus ; during

;

identified
reference
201,

with,
to,

Isis

and, to,

minority of, Semiramis

the Nippur. regency,
26

assumed
'

133 O-zy-man'di-as.'
on,

; reference

228
net son-

Shelley's

Babylonian
round,
; ;

civilization

307

grouped
and,
14
15

by,

Mr

city Haynes'
;

14 ; of Ur

god

En-lil

colonized
tions excava-

at, 47, 359, of, 82 temple tales 84 ; at,

360, 365, 366

cosmological
of Sumerian
to

Paintings.

Discovered

in

nacherib's Sen-

palace
at,
at,
345 Palace-s. Built
; M.

at

Kouyunjik,
Nineveh

origin, 96
196
199,
200

preferred temple
of

lon, Baby-

; lamentation ;

ritual E-Kur

at

by
340
at ;

of, unearthed, quarter 360 ; stage-tower 359, of, 362 of, 361 ; temple-tower Nir'ig. God Enuvariant, ; Restu of, 153 ; Bel, father Niz'an. First sacred to month; Anu and Bel, 236 No'ah. reference Patriarch, to, of Ea, deluge and 45 ; legend variant, Ut-Napishtim, 115 ;

248

business

Sargon Assyrian,
Nimrud, haddon,
343
;

Botta
two

unearths,
discovered

built ; 340 unearthed by

Sennacherib, ; Assur-bani-pal's, 345 discovered by Rawlinson, 346 ; of Nimrud, cavations exGeorge Smith's chadrezzar's, in, 348, 349 ; Nebuof

by EsarLayard, found by

Layard,

excavated,
371 Palestine.

369invaded of

116

Syria
17;
;

and,
the

No-Return. Nu-DiM-MUD.
^

Land Variant
;

of, 128
of
name

by
of Hadad

Sargon,
in, 188
A-THE-Nt,
315

worship
Canaanites

Ea,
the

73

Tiawath

and,
to

76
each of

first dwellers Pall'as

222,

in, 324
Reference

Numbers.

Assigned gods, 237, 238

The
;

to,

Nus'ku. 68 lil,
102

messenger
'

of

Mul-

Pan'the-on,
Belit Pantheon differences and
of

Assur-bani-pal's. Asshur

hymn
; Nabu

to, 69 ; temple
Brilliant

of,

of the

Sceptre,'

in, 228 Assyria, 203-230

the
;

224, 225

225
;

and, connected, eclipses and, 255

between
204 with

lonian Babyin,
217 Dib;

and, 203,
associated Bel-Merodach

Dagon
216,
in
;

Anu,
absorbed

the,

O O-an'nes. Obelisk. O-da'con. See Of

225 Pantheon

Ea in

in

the,
229

229

barra,
14 Shalmaneser from

the,
of

Ea,

Babylonia,
to

i.

II, 343
sea

Early.
94, 95.

Prior
2.

Khammurabi,
General additions

Appears
112

of

Later. and

Eruthra,
Omen-s.

changes Sargon with, dealing 281, 282

of
tained con-

in
;

to,

Library
book

184-198
in

Bel's

place

usurped
227
;

18;

divination O-mor'ca. Thalath On'nes. husband Oppert.

;

by,

the, Merodach, by of, 318 spiritisticnature

The
130

Chaldaic

equivalent,
thalassa,
25
pedition ex-

Pap-suk'al. the

messenger

of

Greek,
of of

114

gods,
Of

One

Ninus'

generals,

Paradise. Par'sIs. Par-son'des.

The

Semiramis,

Abyss Bombay,
Ctesias'

and,
334 tale

82

French

exploration
347

re,

and,

146-149
2
c

403

MYTHS
Pat-e'chus. God 330 The.
or

OF
;
a

BABYLONIA
repulsive
Abram of

AND
king, graphers, temples,
and,
chamber
260 21, 191

ASSYRIA
208
; ;

sole

mythocult and wizards

;
;

monster,

-hood,
;

Patriarch,
Per-seph'o-n6 Reference
to

See

239-241
;

Pros'er-pine.
201

-magician

the liver-

to, 132,

ponds corres-

AUatu,

Per-se'polis.

132 Reference

to, 61

found at, deciphered language and Hinks, by Lowenstern 65 translated Longperier language found Per'se-us. Persian-s. with

reading Memphis, Nippur and

Priestesses. 241

of the, 270-275 by, 282 ; of and

Thebes,
;

On, 314 Erech, 314

In

of

Babylonia,
Priests

240,

at, 66
Reference

Priest-hood.
in

See

Signs
cuneiform
of
;

to, 87 connexion
;

Prisoner-Gods.
225, Pro-me'the-us. 93
not ;

Assyrian
226

rulers

and,

religion
336,
335
etc.

writing, 60-66 (Zoroaster's), 332of

Lugalbanda
and,
195
of the.

and,

Zu

fear

defilement,
of can Ameri-

Psalms,
form Pu'nic.

Book

National,
;

individual, of, 322

320

poetical

Peters, 365

Dr.

Director

expeditions,
Phil-is't'i-a.

358,

359,

364,

Religion, Purification, 270

in connexion 270 Feast with

330
;

Sargon's
210,
211

tion expediof Moloch

by water, Babylonian
141

against,
Phce-nic'i-a.

magic,
Pfi^RiM.

Worship
The Gods
;

of,

140,

in, 328
Phcenician-s. of

the,

religion 326-329 ; influence, 328

Picture-writing.

Egyptian
Cuneiform

Q
Annals Sher'qat. Qal'at I discovered Tiglath-pileser of

and,

66.

See Port

Writing
of Athens,
of.

by

PiR-iE'us.

328
and,
work
at

RawUnson,
excavations

346

Dr

Andrae's

Pis'cES,
183

Sign

Eabani

at, 356

Victor. Place, Khorsabad, Planet-s. 235 Plutarch. Plu'to. Poetry. Polgarth.

Botta's
continued

by,
with

340

R Ra.

Identified
Isis

gods, Worship
Mother,'
Rab-i'su. word 277 Races.

of, in Egypt,
'

(Astarte) and, 328

to, 133
321, 322

Rab'bat

Um'ma. 330 a lurking Asia 324 The Minor

The

223 Great

Reference

Assyrian,

demon,

276,
with

Phoenician
331 Alexander. 113

'city' and,
Pol-y-his'tor,
Ea

peopled
images
to, 61

God

diverse,
Rachel. 266-268

and,

112,

stolen

and,

Polytheism.

Semitic,
Vuh.
Reference

313

Pop'ol
151

to,

97,

Rach'met.

Reference

Ram'man,
Greek
To the

Pos-ei'don.
Prayer-s.

god, 315 sun-god,

tongue

mon

Rim175 ; equivalent, Hadad identified with

;

etc.,
served pre-

or

Adad,

67, 68
Priest-s.

of

187-189 and, Destiny

and

the 195

Tablets
;

larity popu;

Akkadian

functions,

217-222

those 16
;

Babylonian, by 14 ; became of Lagash kings, title high, of Asshur, took

weapons in days

of, 218
of

worship
219 ;

of,
and

Khammurabi

Nebuchadrezzar

I,

Assur-

404

MYTHS
as

OF
of

BABYLONIA
24
;

AND
Sat'urn.
;

ASSYRIA
Identified with

King

Assyria,
favourite in

Sam24

Ninib,

muramat

of,

Asshur

mentioned

inscription
Philo

235 Saul

mu

gi'na.

Rebellious
304

of, 208
Sanch-un-i-a'thon.

brother

of

preserved
329 Saoshyant. Zoroaster's Sar-ag-ag'am.

in

works

and, of Eusebius, saviour,

337 of Meroin

Schrader. 321, Science.

322

Assur-bani-pal, Assyrian poetry

the

and,
gin ori-

Star-worship
of, 237
; the Islands. roots

The

of, 259

religion,
Variants

SciLLY 331

Phoenicians

in,

dach,
Sar-a'kos.

202

Scor'pio,
Greek

Sign

of.

Gilgamesh
adored

equivalent
the

for

and,
Scotland.

182 Goat-demon

Sin-sarkin, 36
Sar-da-na-pal'us Splendid.
to

in, 293
Sculpture-s.

Assur-bani-pal known legend as, 31 ; King

31
;

Greek

of

Assyria,
Golden

reference
32 ;

to, in The
Sir

Discovery of, glorif3dng Assur-nazir-pal, ; 343 discovered Babylonian, by de

Sarzec,
355

Frazer James features on, 32, 34 ; prominent in legends of of, 33 ; weaving legend of, 34 Sar'gon. first I. Of

Bough,

Scythian-s.

Penetrate

into

syria, As-

36
Sed'u.
an

Akkad,
a

founds

guardian (sometimes with evil) spirit invoked

a

great 16,

Semitic
16
21

Babylonia,
Arthur,
his of Elam
overcome

; ;

in empire Babylonian the legend of

;

the

Lamassu,
of

277

Sel-eu'ci-a. ruins

City, Babylon,
the

built
42

out

of

birth, Syria
and

16,
and N.

17

invasions 17
;

Sem-ir'a-mis

Great.
24-29
; ;

syrian As-

Palestine,
1

Mesopotamia
7 ;
19;

Queen, origin, 25
and
son

dary legenOnnes,

wife
26

of
;

by,
son

Naramletters

later

of

Ninus,
engages

Ninyas
battle

Sin

of,

17,

franked
name

by
of of bricks

founder
18
name

clay seals bearing 18 ; first Sargon, Babylonian library,

discovered
on,

of, 26 ; Strabrobates,
27
;

in of
29 ;

King
28,

India,
Sam-

fame

of,
her of

muramat,
29 29 ; ;

with Asshur's

wife

Assyrian title, Samsi-Rammon,

connexion with

of,
;

47;

mythical
29 ;

conquering
211

power

Azuri King Ahimiti and, 210 ; Sin and, 210 ; 223 227 who
'

and, and,
Yaran
;
'

210,
210

Ishtar,
;

worshipped
esteemed 27 ; of Dercatus, Lake Van 28 culture

by
as

the the

and, and,
Seer

Syrians, daughter
round

27

Bel that

district

called

Nabu

termed the

after, Shamiramagerd,
Semites. Germs from of Akkadians 13 14,
15, ;

gods,' 228 ; of Temple En-lil,' 247 ; hepatoscopy and, built earthed unby, 283 ; palace at Nineveh, ; 340 Smith finds fragments George II. Usurping of history of, 352. claimed descent from general,
Builder of the the Great, Sargon of Sennacherib, 30 30
;

guides

ceived re-

by
love

Babylonian,
of

their
; ;

wisdom,

15
16

Babylon
believed

entered
to

by,
come

have
16 ;

from

Arabia,
code of and

15,

made
21

by
;

the

Khammurabi,

ancient,
loathed

father

gods, 89
289
;

serpent

by,
; appeal

animistic

influences

Sar'ra-pan-u.

Tiglath-pileser
299

II Semitic.

of, to, 318

founded first Empire, great, in Babylonia by Sar-

captures,
Sass-an'i-an.

Rulers,

333

406

GLOSSARY
gon
of

AND
and, and,

INDEX
156, 187 165
;

Akkad,
235
;

thought,

lamentations, 253 conservatism, ; 313

i6 ; religious and, worship polytheism ;

Khammurati

Zu

316
;

; cults

; ; ;

195 ; cult of,

seventh

Merodach in

captured and,
222,

by,
200

; ; ;

Assyria,
sacred 325
2.

223

influence Babylonian religion, 329, 331 a peculiar people,'

'

upon,

324

month

to,
The

236 great
lesser

peoples

aCanaanitishgod,
idol

dus ; Naboni-

includes
332

various

; faith, 332 tions, manifesta-

and, 377. of, 249

One

Shar'ru-ilu. Son
;

of
229

the

Sen-nach'e-rib.

of

general Sargon, 30 of, against Hezekiah,

built
son

usurping campaign

Babylonian
Shatt
-

gods,
-

en

nIl.

Excavations

by,
31
;

of,

veh 30 ; NineEsar-haddon 30 ; nucleus of takes

along
365
She'ba,

bank

of,

by

Haynes,

library from Assur-bani-pal's his Calah, 154 ; soothsayers and death, 260 ; Layard's discoveries in palace of, 345
Serpent. The
;

pileser
Shepherd.

II

of. Queen Tiglathquarrels with, 301

The

stars,
headed Shepherd

236

sun the, of the En-lil, of the dark-

people,

ancients Aibu

and

the,

289
enemy

equivalent, '), 289

a harbours

('the
to, 133

King, Pantibiblon, 112 Plain Shi'nar,

built Shul-gur. 144 Shu-ripp'ak.
on, 52

254 The.

Daon,

of

of.

Babylon

Set. Set-a'po. who

'

Osiris

and, reference

wealthy
the

Babylonian
59 Stages wonder of.' of

Variant

of Nin-Girsu,

Sinonis,
the

Seven
A

Spheres,

I. 2.

Son

of

Ubara-

building, Borsippa, 104

Tablets.

Tutu,
Shu'tu. 117 Si'Bi. Sicily.

173. Variant

City

of South

of, 177, 178 Wind,

Seven

Of

creation

primary
Shad'rach.

object of,
One

71 of Daniel's

The

panions, com-

god, 108 Worship

327

of

Ashtart

38
Shal-ma-ne'ser
22,
son

(Ishtar) at,
I.

King

of

syria, As-

Sid'da. Si'don.

The

temple,
and,
in

306

308
22

of,

; Tukulti-in-Aristi, Nusku and, 224

inscription of, unearthed George Smith, 351 II. Shal-ma-ne'ser King

in succession
to

by
of syria As-

Assur-

nazir-pal III, Ahab, King

Samsi-Rammon the dach

24 ; overthrows of Israel, 24
son

touch with Tyre Ashtart tar, Ishor Assyria, 327 ; Eshmun temple of, in, 327 ; at, 328 worshipped Sign-s. Gemini, Leo, Virgo, 182 ; Taurus, Scorpio, CapriAquarius, Pisces, 183 cornus,

; ;

Silence,
dead Sin and

Towers

of.

Parsis'

of, 189
225,
;

god

Ddda

(Bel) of discovery
dedications

and, and,
obelisk

24 Mero227 343

the,

336 Sin).
224
;

; ;

(perhaps pron. moon-god, 94, 223,

at 109

The ruled

of,

Ur,
;

of, unearthed,
IV.

Shal-ma-ne'ser of

351 Successor

94 Ishtar

Shamash

daughter
delivered
resorts

son of, of, 128 ;

Tiglath-pileser III, 30 Sham'ash. of, at SipI Temple restored Nabonidus, by par,

.

Gilgamesh Gilgamesh eclipses

Canaanitish Sin-a-it'ic
Si-no'nis.

by,
to,

170 180
;
a

;
;

and

god, god, 325

256

adored 41 ; the sun-god,

at log-iii

Sippar,
;
son

94

Peninsula.
331

Semitic
of

of
;

religion in,
and, 56-60

Sin,
Ishtar

109

Aa, consort of, no and, Gilgamesh ; 130

;

Romance

Garmus

407

MYTHS
Sin-sar-is'kin.

OF
Last the

BABYLONIA
King
Sarakos of of St

AND
Il'ya.

ASSYRIA
Tammuz

compared
190
;
amined ex-

Assyria,
the

36 ; Greeks, 36

with,
Stone.

127 The

Moabite,
Professors
190

Sin-Shar-ish'kun.
of

The the

last

presentative re-

by
and

Socin

Assyrian
at,
'

Smend,

dynasty,
SiP'PAR.
109;

364

Stra-bro-ba'tes. Semiramis Su-me'ri-an.' for

'

King
makes
war

of India
on,

Shamash Aa

worshipped worshipped at,

the ancient

26, 27

no;

Modem the 15 old

Abu-Habbab, of, 177

for
;

site

lent equivaexpression
is

Berossus

substitutes,
Kham-

Akkadian,'
Merodach's
202

178; Shurippak, murabi's improvements 187 ; Shamash's temple

Sun.

ideograph
as

at,
at,

the,
of

known 234
;

the
'

'

Way
of

Anu,'
290

the

Bull

249 SiP'PA-RA. Mr Rassam

Light,' Temple
The of

sun-god,
47,
292

SuN-GOD.
281 Su'sA.

See

Gods. In

discovers,
Flood

Superstition-s. Monument

Chaldea,
of Naram-Sin

280.

Sis-u'thrus.

Myth
Sin, 236
to

and,
Si'wAN.

45 Month George. sacred

to

unearthed copy found Sus'i-AN. of

by
at,' by

de

Morgan

at, 17
code
21

Smith,

Reference

Khammurabi's

archaeological labours, 46, 155, of, re Bel, ; discovery 347-354 loi discovery of, re Tiglath; Babylonian pileser II, 299 ; and Assyrian poetry and, 322
Smyr'na. reference Soul. Mother of

J. de Language
65
Idol

Morgan,
;

tive. alterna-

Median,
Sus'iN-AY. Syria. Palestine

of, 304

and,
1

invaded
of

Adonis,
in the

by
Hadad

Sargon,

to,

127
to

in, 188;

7 ; the

worship
Canaanites

Supposed
281

reside

first dwellers System-s.

in, 324
of

liver,
Spain. Speaking

Mohammedanism Head,
The,

in, 332 Laban

and,
Spirit-s.

267

Assyrian,
First after the

277,

Sokk-a'ros. in

king
the

to

Babylonia

278 reign deluge,

of, 157 and,

religion and Babylonia Assyria, 92 ; of religion in Babylonia, 199 ; ancient Mexico, religious, of Yucatan and ference Guatemala, ; reOfficial,
in

to,

204

Hellenic
"

and

Roman,

157 ; ^lian Soothsayers.

260

grandson
Sennacherib

ism, Juda; religions 235 anism, MohammedChristianity, ; of religious races 313

Minor,
334 324
;

in

Asia

Zarathus-

Sor-acch'us. sends Sorcerers.

Sinonis

Magistrate, to Babylon,
and

who

tra's

moral,

58
the

Chaldean, circle, 275,

Soul

magic
Sra-o'sha. the Star-s.

276
carried 337 115 231for the Anu Pole
star ;

by,

to
'

beyond,
Formed

336,

Tablet

Hill.'

Haynes'
360
;

coveries dis-

Babylonian the same 238 ; ideograph the and, sun god ; 234 of the, 236 ; shepherd
'

by Belus, of, worship

at,

the

temple
Nabonifound

library in, 363 ; dos' (Nabonidus)

364
Tablets. mesh detailed

King
vase

at,

'

Twelve,

of

the

Gilga;

the

Pole,

(equator),
in -gazers of

236 236

; ;

Bel Ea

the and

epic,
;

155, examination

158, 159 of, 161-

constellation

Argo,
258

236

180

of

Chaldea,

cuneiform,

Destiny, dealing

; 193-195 with magic,

408

GLOSSARY
261,
series discovered 352 354
;
;

AND
Maklu,

INDEX
reference
at

262

Surpu
262 ;

and the

to,
and
at

114

of
,

Dagon,
151
; of

of,

deluge,
347, 351,

Ashdod

Gaza,

by

Smith,

Merodach,
374
;

Babylon,
207
;

185,
at

discovered of

by

Rassam,
chadrezzar, Nebu-

of Asshur,
223 ;

of Sin,

Nabopolasser,
Nabonidus,

Calah, and,
and in
as

Tab'oo.
262

and Darius, Cambyses, etc., Prayers,

; ;

Cyrus, 358

239-241

priesthood, of Babylonia
;

cult

against,
Chaldea,
as

Assyria, Bab^donia,
banks,
250

242-251
was

E-Kur,

oldest, 248 ;
Esardach, Mero-

beUef known

in,
in

in

; ;

278
Tam'muz. of

Babylonia
the

haddon,
305
tart ;

305
;

begun by Saggal, of
306
at
;

mamit,
the

278
One

Sidda,

of Ashand 330;

of
of

guardians
118
;

or

Ishtar,
327; 335
to

Sidon

gates
search
;

heaven,
name

Askelon,
of

Ishtar's

for, 126
126 ;

myth

Zoroastrian,

; of

Apollo, Nebo,

348
51,

of,
from

126-129 Dimiu-zi,

derived
;

Babylon,

Professor
as

Te'rah. 52

373-375 Father of Abraham,

and, Sayce shepherd hymn,

'

126

addressed
'

and
126

lord
;

in

dian Akkasort con-

Testament,
152
;

Old.

Ishtar,

in, 105
David form

tioned Nergal menin, Dagon 151,

of,
related

; 127 that to

Adonis

myth
131 ;

of

the,

190

of,
Golden

Sir

poetical
Teutonic.

of, 322

James
and,
135,

Frazer's 134
;

Bough
for,

Celtic

religion
317 See

and,

lamentations
;
a

compared,
Texts, Texts,

316,

136, 140 137, 138

god

of

tion, vegeta-

Cuneiform.

form Cunei-

; Nin-Girsu

(ShulMagical.
to

the with, ; gur) identified 144 Ishtar's of youth, bridegroom

Dawkina
; Anu
a

luded al-

in, 197

mentioned known
as

167;
216

Dido

and,

190;

Niniband,

in, 197, 198 ; Maklu,' 261,

'

series

262

Tam'muz-A-do'nis. in

Worshipped Carthage, 330 term Tam'tu. ing signifyAssyrian the sea,' deep 72
'

Tez-cat-li-po'ca.
222

Reference

to,

Thal-ath. for

Chaldaic 114 Reference Deep.'

the

equivalent
to, 132
a

Omorca,
King.
'

Ta'nit. and the

Goddess
moon;

of

the

heavens

Theias,
T'hom

Demeter,
; 330 Ta'nith.

; 330 identified

with compared inscriptions to, with

or

Tiawath Old Testament

Dido,

331
at

parallel to expression,
Thomes.

Goddess,

honoured

72 French

exploration
347

pedition ex-

Carthage,
Tash'mit.

328
Nebo's

and, consort,
of
102,

Thoth. 224, Thunder-Bird. Indian Thunder-God. Ti'a-mat. 228

Reference

to,

185,

222,

185, 185 Tau'rus,

186

patron
of.

writing,

North-American

Sign

Represented
of the celestial

conception,
Variant

193 of

by
Tell Tel-l6.

the

slaying
182 'ran. Ernest

Hadada,

bull, Alu,
Am

188, 189 Tiawath,

Mound de

of, 374 Sarzec's

searches re-

71 Ti'awath.
a

Variant,
to

Tiamat,
Testament

71

Temple-s. of Nebo and

at, 355, Of Bel, andTashmit, Nusku,

102 102

356
101-105,
102

; 227 of Ea

parallel expression
72, 73
;

Old

T'hom ill-will

(or

'

deep
;

'),
the her

her

toward

of

Bel

and

gods
death the
'

of

heaven,
'

76-78

Anu, to, 103

of

Belus,
iii

reference
;

by
fish

of

Ea,

of

Belus,

Merodach, of Jonah

78, and,

199

; ;

87 409

MYTHS
chaos,
not

OF
; ;

BABYLONIA
of, enacted, of, 232 ;
ster, mon-

AND
Tsa'phon.
330

ASSYRIA
Carthaginian deity,
Son of

193
201

slaughter
the host

the

only Babylonian
I.

Tuk-ul'ti-in-Ar-is'ti.
Shalmaneser

289
Tig'lath-pil-e'ser tive, Alterna-

and

slays

its

I ; takes Babylon king, Bitilyasu, 22 Son of maneser Shal-

of

Tukulit-pal-E-saria, King Assyria, 23 ; god Bel (En-lil)

95
;

Tuk-ul'ti-nin'ip.

and,
Ninib mash 227
;

Ishtar

and,
216 ;

212

Tyre.

I ; inscriptions of, 351 with Sidon and, in touch 327

and,
and,
222

214, ; Merodach

Sha-

AssjTia,

and,
nals an-

Rawlinson

discovers

of, 346
Tig'lath-pil-e'ser 299-301 II. Tales

of,
U-ba'ra-Tu-tu.

Shurippak

son

Tig'lath-pil-e'ser

III.

Second

of, 173
Ub'shu-Ken'na

Assyrian
with,
and
29 ;

Empire

commenced

(or Upshukkina'

conquers is invested with of

'

Babylon
the
reignty sove-

ku).
where
252,

The the 253

brilUant
sun

chamber his

'

takes

rise, 163
of the
;

Asia,'

36
342
to

Tigris. Tol'tecs.

The

river, 206,
Reference 227

Uk'hut.
one

Eabani of the of sacred

and,
women

129,

Aztecs,
towers

and,
Tongues. and

226,

temple
Ukk'u-mu hound

Ishtar,

163
Attendant
202

Babylonian

(Seizer).
of

of, 47 ; legend of confusion in of, found legend of confusion Central America, 48 ; among
African tribes 49
;
some

Merodach,
The,
; ;

Underworld,
132,

136
160

Eabani

128125, descends

such

myth
possess

into,
Vllthof Ur.
came,

found,
and
a

certain

Australian

description of, in tablets 169 Gilgamesh

,

Mongolian
Myth,

peoples
A,
49 262 in

City
a

from
near

whence

Abram

similar

tradition,

Toothache Totemism.

Eridu,

Signs of, religion, 92

of

nian Babyloof 47.

fall the

Tower confusion See Tree-s.

Babel. of

Legend
and,

the U'ra.

tongues
and

of neighbour by Nippur, 15 ; of the dynasty, 20 ; Nannar, of, 145-149 moon-god, ; moon-city, 249, 251 The legend of, 268-270 colonized 175 Bau

Babel Adonis

Ur-a-gal,

137 ; Osiris Attis and tamarisk-, ; 137 Tammuz and pine-, 137, 138; and

myrrh-,

Ur'bau.

alluded

to ;

in

scriptions in-

of,
built Ur'ga.

144

Zikkurat

by,
a

at town

cedar,
See

138

Nippur, 248 in Mesopotamia

Caramit and Diar-

Triad. Tribal

Trinity
The most 94

equivalents,
bekr,
Ur-Gur. 52

Divinities,

outstanding,
Trinity, Mummu,
Anu,
A. 74

King

of

Assyria,
to

359,

Tiawath,
;

Apsu,
Ea,

and and
; ; ;

366
Ur-Nin'ib.

Bel,

Reference

ment pave-

196-198 III, 191, 97, and En-Ul, 121 Ea, Anu, of earth, air, and sea, 197 Shamash, Ramman, Sin, and
219 ;

of, 366
U'ru.
name

Canaanitish found in

god
Ban's

of

light
325

Uru-Salim,

Uru-Az-ag'ga. 145 Ur'uk.

temple

at,

Ea,

from

Anu, demons,
The

and 268

Enlil

evolved

Place,

84
Bau

Tsai'du.

hunter

Gilga-

Uru-Kag-i'na. in

alluded

to

mesh, 410

Eabani,

and,

163-166

inscriptions of, 144

GLOSSARY
Ut-Nap-ish'tim. Variant
i6o ;

AND
of

INDEX
Median

Westergaard.

language
and
;

Noah,

1 1

6,

hero

deluge myth, epic, 155, 158, 160 ; Gilgamesh ancestor, Gilgamesh's ; 170-173 seeks of persecret Gilgamesh petual
hfe

Babylonian figures in
of

and, Wind,

65
South.

Adapa
II

the,

story
Shutu,
Windows.

of,
117

6-1

2 1

variant,

None

in
at

rezzar's Nebuchad-

from, and,
Ghost 181
;

173-178

; the Witch.

deluge
Ut-ukku.

myth

173-178
of
an

Eabani evil

signated, de-

261

Babylon, 369 Kassaptu, -finding, 272-275 ; -orgies

Known
as

palace

spirit,
form
The

in

France,

293

276
Uz. God
;

Wizards.

worshipped

under
Ben.

known Word
of

as

Priestly, Kassapu,
Power,
of Of Chaldea

260-262 261

of a goat, 93, 292 Uzz'i-EL, Jonathan,

The.

The

magicians
Worship. of
93

and,

263
77
92, ;

targum

of, 267

gods
animal

by
;

gods,
forms,
of
no;

gods
;

under

of

Bel,
109; 124
;

98-101
of of

Shaof 151
; ;

mash, Ishtar,
Vampires. Van. Vash'ti. Frazer Ved'ic

Aa,

Babylonian,
Lake,
331 Reference 143 Reference En
-hi
'

264-266
to,
142
;

of

Merodach,

Dagon, 184, 185

of

of in in
;

Nebo,

184, 185
188
;

Hadad,

Syria,
Canaan of Dodo

of

the

Sun-god
190

on,

and
or

Phoenicia,

Gods.

to, 77

Dod,
; of

Vegetation.

(Bel), a

god
'

by
and

the

side

of

Yahveh,
220

190

Ramman,

219,

of, 96 ; Ishtar, great mother 168 of, 123, 138, seven ; 137, of Aralu and the decay gates Tammuz, of, 137; a god of,
137.

of 227
;
;

Aztecs of stars,

Toltecs,

226,

Babylonian,
;
moon-,

231-238
249
;

lunar, 236 and Semitic,

253
;

tions, lamentaand

I38"
a

Aphrodite
Ceres,
Osiris

; 140 connected
corn same

Adonis

and
1

of

the
; of

gazelle
great

with,
nature,
com as an

39

; ;

-mother,

139

goat, 292-294 mother, 318,

earth-

319

of ancestors;

Proserpine, Eg5rpt,
of, 144
139
;

introduced
;

; 139 into

Mordecai

god

of Moloch, Canaanites, 326 ; 328 ; Carthaginian, ; 329-332 of fire, Zoroastrian, 332-336 ; 335,
etc.

Humman

Elamite

god
Ve'nus.

of, 144
Star
;

Writing,
Abram
; Ishtar

Cuneiform. of

tion Restora-

and,
and,
Ishtar

55 124, and

60-67
61

temple
235

of, 58
Sign

"

Josaphat
;

Bardella

baro Valle

and, and, and,

Pietro
;

61 61

Sir

John
and,
Miin-

Vir'go, the,
182

of.

Chardin
61 ter ;

; Niebuhr 61 ;

Tychsen
and,
62 ; 61 ;

and,

Georg
and,

Grotefend,
Lassen

W War. 213,

and, 63
;

Professor

and,

Bumouf

63
and,

Major
64-66
;

Ishtar,
214 Ramman
;

goddess
Ninib
a,
221

of,
a,

127, 214
;

-god,

Rawhnson Henry and, Westergaard

65

Morris

-god,
War-kA.

and, at,
Hinks

65
66

Lowenstern

and, of,

65

Work

of

Loftus

and,
;

65
of

Longperier
66,

346. 347
Water. Waters
crosses,

and, Purification
of

origin

Death. 159

by, 270 Gilgamesh

on

obelisk

Shalmaneser

67 ; II,

158,

343 Writing-s.

Rehgions,

of

Baby411

MYTHS

OF

BABYLONIA

AND

ASSYRIA

Ionia,
Nebo invention

67

of

Oannes,
like

113-116
Ea,
;

Za-ra-thus'tra.
Zar-pa-ni'tum. of

See

Zoroaster
wife
;

credited, of, of,

231 334

with Tashmit

the

Goddess, 186,
with,
Allusion
202

185
; ;

Merodach,

Ealur

patron
heaven, sacred,

185

stars, Zarathustrian

the,

of

amalgamated
Zech-a-ri'ah.

186

of,

to

Hadad-Rimmon,
Zed-ek-i'ah. Nebuchadrezzar X Zeus. ZiG-A-RUN. Reference Variant

189

King

of

Jerusalem
37 132, 315 72

and, to,

of

Apsu,
towers

Xer'xes,
141
;

King.

Reference the

to,
-name

Zik-ku-rat-s.

Staged
242,

Esther,
wife

crown

of

described,

246

of

Assur-

Jewish

of,

143

bani-pal,
Zi'rat-ba'nit.

365
The King. for seat

of,
Berossus

306

Zis-u'thros, substitutes,
Yah'weh. The 49 of
;

Ut-Napishtim,

Hebrew

name

of the

177, Zo'diac.

178 Signs
of

God,
side
190

worship by
the

of,

by

the,

in

the

Dodo,

Israehtes,

Babylonian
183
,

astrological
232 of
;

system, goat,
one

231,

the
292

of

Yar'an.

the

Sargon
New. See

and,
New

signs

the,
of The

210,

211

Zog-a'nes.

Year,

The,

the

Sacaea,

142

Zor-o-as'ter. 332-; earhest

religion
form of
;
name

of,

Zarathustra,
333 Zab. Zag-Mu'ku The
'"

333 and

Mede,

good

evil 334
;

principles

river,

207 Festival
.

of Zu.

religion
The

of,

{Zak-muk)
Sacsea
or,

storm-god
form,
93, 95 bird
a

retained 193-195

of
Bau Zak-muk. Za'mama.
lOI

141

goddess

bird-like

and,
See Court

251

legend Zag-muku.
of Ishtar Zu-BiRD.

of,
The

93-1

roc,

in

bian Ara-

and,

Nights,
of,
193

possible

dant descen-