Mesopotamian Deities and Netherworld Terms (Page 1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to Mesopotamian gods, cities, and Netherworld figures from Page 1.

ABZU

The primeval underwater ocean in Mesopotamian cosmology.

ADAD

The Storm God, venerated as a supreme power especially in Syria and Lebanon; associated with the Forest of Cedar in the epic.

AKKA

King of Kish, possibly Gilgamesh's nephew.

AN

Sky: Sumerian name for heaven; equivalent to Anu in Babylonian tradition.

ANSHAN

An area in south-western Iran.

ANTU

The wife of Anu and the mother of Ishtar at Uruk.

ANU

Father of the gods, god of the sky; resident in Uruk; Ishtar's father.

ANUNNA

See Anunnaki.

ANUNNAKI

A traditional name for one of the two divisions of the pantheon, later assigned to the gods of the Netherworld; see Igigi.

ARALLI

A name of the Netherworld.

ARATTA

A city-state far away in the highlands of Iran, traditionally a rival of Uruk.

ARURU

Another name for Belet-ili, the Mother Goddess.

ASAKKU

See Azag.

ATRA-HASIS

Surpassing Wise, epithet of Uta-napishti.

AYA

Goddess of dawn, the bride of Shamash.

AZAG

A demon.

BELET-ILI

Lady of the Gods: the Mother Goddess who created mankind with Ea, also known as Aruru; as Mother Earth she was once beloved by Anu.

BELET-SERI

Lady of the Desert: the scribe of the Netherworld who keeps tally for Ereshkigal.

BIBBU

Ereshkigal's butcher and cook.

BIRHURTURRA

One of Gilgamesh's personal guards; the reading and meaning of the name are uncertain.

BITTI

Bidu, He opens; the gate-keeper of the Netherworld.

DIMPIKUG

A Netherworld deity.

DUMUZI

Steadfast Child: the Babylonian Tammuz, lover and husband of Ishtar, punished with annual death and descent to the Netherworld.