Shamash : The Sun God

Shamash

Introduction

Shamash, who was also known as Utu, was a Babylonian sun god who was regarded as the god of justice, truth, and morality. He was also the twin of Inanna, who was the Queen of Heaven. Shamash had several temples in the cities of Sippar and Larsa. According to Babylonian mythology, the god rode through the heavens in the Sun Chariot and was an enforcer of divine justice who was believed to see all that happened in the day. He was also believed to have appeared to Ziusudra after the Great Flood in the epic Giglamesh.

Throughout The Epic of Gilgamesh, Utu/Shamash is noted for his kindness and diligence in watching over the hero and, for this reason, came to be regarded as the patron god of travelers and vagabonds. He also became associated with the highest of the gods and even the benefactor of the gods, who provided them with a home.

Physical Traits

In the Babylonian literature, Shamash was described as having a long beard and was depicted as an old man with a long-arm. In art, he is shown emerging from Heaven at dawn and riding across the sky in his chariot. He was also believed to go back to the interior of Heaven through the western doors at night.

Shamash is shown as wielding his weapons such as the pruning saw and a double edges saw with jagged teeth which represented his role as the god of justice. Shamash also had a solar disc, which had four cardinal points and four parallel lines originating from the centre.

Family

Shamash was the child of the moon god Nanna and the fertility goddess Ningal. He was also the twin brother of Inanna who was the goddess of war, love and sexuality. He was also the brother of Ereshkigal, The Queen of Death and Iskur the God of Storms. In Sumerian versions, Enlil was his father, and he had a wife named Aya, who was the goddess of the dawn. Utu also had a son called Bunene.

Other Names

Shamash was also known as Utu, Samas, and Babbar depending on the region in Mesopotamia that he was worshipped in. He is one of the few gods in the Mesopotamian pantheon who was common between multiple civilizations.

Powers and Abilities

Shamash was regarded as the god of justice and governor of the universe and was depicted as sitting on a throne. In this aspect, he was depicted with various symbols of righteous and justice including a staff and a ring. He was also associated with a pointed dagger, which was often depicted with a disk that represented the Sun.

As the sun god, Shamash was known to travel across the sky on horseback or in a boat or a chariot. He was a heroic figure who gave life and light to those around him. Because of his heroically ethical character, he was rarely seen in mythology unless warranted by circumstances.

Modern Day Influence

As one of the major characters of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Shamash is extensively studied and more information is being discovered every year. With the growth of Islam and Christianity in the region, belief in this all powerful but kind and benevolent deity was replaced by the modern gods.