Mesopotamian Mythology Gods and Demons 2007 Akitu Tour Mushrushu ~ Babylonian Dragon

Sumerian God Enki ~ Images From Cylinder Seals

Oannes: Babylonian God of Wisdom

Sumeria Abgal: Seven Sumerian half fish/half man gods who were the followers of Enki. The Babylonians called them the Apkallu. An: The lord of the heavens. The famous White Temple [Ziggurat] in Uruk was constructed in his honor sometime around 3000 BCE. He was the son of Nammu, the father of Enlil, and the husband of Ki. Anu: At first there was the primeval sea that was seperated in the heaven [An] and earth [Ki]. Anu carried off the heavens with him. In the Babylonian pantheon, he became the "Father of the Gods". He retreated far into the heavens and let Marduk handle the affairs of the gods and humans. Apsu: The consort of Tiamat. He is the sweet waters that reside below the Earth. Tiamat was the salt waters of Chaos. Man was created from the clay of Apsu. Babbar: Sumerian sun god. Also a judge and lawer giver who sometimes was instrumental in fertility rites. Basmu: A snake with several tongues and jaws. He was the symbol of Nin-gishzida. Bull of Heaven: The image of drought that was created by Anu. Damu: The god of exorcisms. He was worshiped at Isin. The goddess, Nin'insina was his mother. Ebeh: A mountain god. Enbilulu: A river god who looked over the sacred Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Also the god of canals, irrigation, and farming which were all connected to the rivers. Enki: The creator of humankind. He was the god of creation, water, intelligence, and crafts. Enkimdu: The god of farmers and grain growers. Enlil: The god of storms, wind, and air. Son of An [heaven] and Ki [earth]. He has the Tablets of Destiny which allow him to control all aspects of both nature and man. Kur: The river of the underworld. Lahar: He was created by Enlil. The god of cattle and sheep.

Babylonia Adrammelech: A sun god worshipped at Sippar. Infants were burnt in sacrafices to him. Belit-Sheri: He lived in the underworld and he kept the records of the Babylonians so that the Queen of the Dead would have all the informaition possible to make judgement. Kaksisa Babylonian star god. Kusag He was the high-pirest of the gods; he was worshipped by the Babylonian high-priests. Marduk: Known by as many as fifty titles throught Babylonian history, he was the champion over Tiamat and Kingu, the lord of the universe and of humans, the god of light, and the lord of destinies. He became such a focal point of the Babylonian pantheon that he was known by just Bel, meaning lord. Mushrushu: The Babylonian dragon and aide to Marduk Nergal: The god of plagues. Oannes: A half fish/half human creature who resided in the Erythraean Sea. During the daytime, Oannes would emerge from the sea and live amongst mankind. He taught humans writing as well as much about art and science. Based on the Sumerian sages who brought the arts to mankind. Sin: The moon god.

Persia Abathur: The judge of the dead. This creature's name translates to He with the scales. Ahura Mazda: The Supreme God. He was the Lord Wisdom who created the heavens and the Earth. He fatherd many sons who in turn became gods. His symbol is the winged disc. He united man with the gods. Associated with Zoroastrianism. When the Achaemenid Persians went into battle, they were said to be accompanied by the chariot of Ahura Mazda, which was lead by eight white horse. Airyaman: Known for his friendship and healing powers. Amesha Spentas: These seven devine beings are below Ahura Mazda in the Zoroastrian pantheon. The are known for their virtue. Angra Mainyu: The personifaction of evil. He is darkness and he takes the utmost pleasure in destorying that which is good. He brings death and disease along with him. Also known as Ahriman or the fiendish spirit. Associated with Zoroastrianism. Apam-natat: He was the son of the water-god Vouru-kasa. Apam-natat also helped calm rebellions. Apaosa: The drought demon who often was accompanied by a black, bald horse. He is the equal of India's Vritra - an evil spirit. Arishtat: God who was known for his honesty. Arsaces: The ancestor of the Persian people who is often shown with a bow and arrow. Asman: A sky god. Atar: God of fire. Associated with Zoroastrianism. Baga: Bringer of wealth and prosperity. Equal to the ancient Indian god, Bhaga. Bahram: The god of the planets and victory. Buyasta: The ancient demon of laziness and slouth. Dahaka: The ancient Persian god of death. He loves nothing more than the destruction of life. His image is often depicted with lizards and scorpions crawling all over his body. Dev: A war demon. Gandarewa: A water demon who trys to devour all good that enters the water. Geus-Tasan: The god who created cattle. Geus-Urvan: The guardian of cattle. Hvar: The sun god. Indar: The god of courage and bravery in war. Equal to the Indian god, Indra. Mah: The god of the moon who is associated with the cow. Mithra: The god of light. After capturing and offering up a devine bull, all the plants and the animals of the world were created. Associated with Mithraism, a male-only religion that even had a following in the Roman Empire. Nairyosangha: The bridge between the gods and men as well as the god of fire. Equal of Atar. Rapithwin: The protector god of the midday, the south, and the summer. Spenta Mainyu: The twin of Angra Mainyu; Spenta Mainyu is the personification of light as well as the god of life. Vata: The god of the wind. Verethragna: The god of victory, who oversees the Vrahran Fire, the sacred fire. Zurvan: The god of time and space and the father of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu. Associated with Zoroastrianism.

2005 Springfest Infinite Goddess Tour Don't forget to check out the companion to the 2007 Akitu Gods and Demons Tour. Caileadair Etana did a tremendous job and the tour is now recognized as an AncientWorlds Gem.

Bibliography O'Connell, Mark and Airey, Raje The Complete Encyclopedia of Signs and Symbols Hermes House. Heidel, Alexander The Babylonian Genesis. University of Chicago Press, Chicago: 1951 Internet: Encyclopedia Mythica Image Bibliography Babylonian Dragon Created By: Froydis Folcwalding Enki Image Is In Public Domain From: Enki Image via Wikipedia All Other Images courtesy of: University of South Florida's FCIT Clipart Archive

The 2007 Akitu Gods and Demons Tour was sponsored by the wonderful group, Between the Rivers: Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia as well as The Ancient Near East Research Society. Please be kind and visit our sponsors.

Here also are some wonderful websites from Museums and University collections that highlight the virbrant history of the Ancient Near East. Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia The British Museum