Tarhun : God of Storms

Tarhun

Introduction

Tarhun, the powerful weather god, reigned supreme in the Hittite pantheon during the Bronze Age (1400-612 BCE) in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). His name, derived from the Luwian word “tarh-” meaning “to conquer,” reflects his role as a dominant force of nature and the embodiment of the Hittite state’s power. Tarhun, also known as Tarhunt or Tarḫunz, was a central figure in Hittite mythology. The Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people who established an empire in the late Bronze Age, worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses, with Tarhun standing out as one of the most significant deities. As the storm god, he was closely associated with weather phenomena such as storms, rain, and thunder. His influence extended beyond the natural elements, encompassing aspects of kingship, war, and agriculture, making him a multifaceted deity integral to Hittite culture and religion. Additionally, Tarhun was closely associated with the Hurrian god Teshub.

Physical Traits

In the surviving depictions from the Hittite era, Tarhun is portrayed as a robust and powerful figure, reflecting his dominion over storms and natural forces. He is typically shown wielding a thunderbolt in his right hand, symbolizing his control over the weather and his destructive potential. Tarhun’s commanding appearance includes a horned helmet, signifying his divine status and warrior aspect. The horned helmet, common in ancient Near Eastern depictions of gods and heroes, underscores his formidable nature and role as a protector of the Hittite people.

Surviving artwork, primarily from the sanctuary of Yazılıkaya, portrays him as a strong, bearded man standing tall, often depicted on the backs of mountain gods, symbolizing his dominion over the natural world. A pointed cap adorns his head, and he wields a powerful weapon, most commonly a three-pronged thunderbolt, signifying his control over storms. Later depictions showcase him with a battle axe, emphasizing his warrior-like nature. However, the lack of detailed inscriptions often leaves his facial expressions and overall demeanor open to interpretation. While there are no specific descriptions of Tarhun’s physical traits in the surviving Hittite texts, gods in Hittite mythology were often depicted standing on the backs of their respective beasts or identifiable in their animal form. As the god of thunder and storms, Tarhun might have been depicted with symbols of thunder, lightning, or storms.

Family

Tarhun held a prominent position within the Hittite divine family, being the consort of Arinnitti, the sun goddess and principal deity of the Hittite pantheon. Their union symbolized the harmonious balance between the sun’s nurturing warmth and the storm’s life-giving rain, ensuring the land’s fertility and prosperity. While details regarding their offspring remain unclear, some scholars suggest they may have been associated with specific weather phenomena.

In Hittite mythology, Tarhun’s familial connections further cement his importance. He is the son of the sky god Anu and the earth goddess Kumarbi, placing him among the central figures of the divine hierarchy. Tarhun’s consort is the goddess Hebat (or Hepatu), who is often depicted alongside him, symbolizing the unity of the divine forces governing the sky and earth. Together, they have a son named Sharruma, a mountain god frequently shown as a protector figure in the company of his parents. The divine family of Tarhun, Hebat, and Sharruma represents a harmonious balance of power and protection, with each member playing a crucial role in the pantheon.

Other names

Tarhun is recognized by various names across different cultures and periods, reflecting his widespread worship and the syncretism of ancient religions. In Hittite texts, he is often referred to as Tarhunt, but he is also associated with the Hurrian god Teshub. The Hurrians, contemporaries and neighbors of the Hittites, influenced Hittite religion, leading to the merging of their deities. Teshub, like Tarhun, is a storm god associated with rain, thunder, and fertility, highlighting shared cultural and religious themes between these civilizations. In the broader Anatolian region, Tarhun was known as Tarhunz or Tarhunta, illustrating his significance across different cultures and his various adaptations over time.

The complex history of Anatolia and the Hittites’ absorption of other cultures resulted in Tarhun being associated with the Hattian weather god Taru and the Hurrian weather god Teshub. Their myths often overlap, making it challenging to distinguish them definitively in some texts. Additionally, historical records show variations like Tarhunt in the Luwian form of his name and Tarhunnaradu. These diverse names underscore the interconnectedness of ancient Anatolian religions and the evolution of deities over time.

Powers and Abilities

As the storm god, Tarhun possessed a wide array of powers that asserted his dominion over the natural world. His primary ability was controlling the weather, especially storms, rain, and thunder, essential for agricultural societies reliant on rainfall and showcasing his destructive potential. Tarhun’s influence over the weather symbolized his dual role as a giver of life and a force of nature requiring appeasement. Additionally, Tarhun wielded immense power over thunder, lightning, rain, and clouds, influencing crop yields and the well-being of the Hittite people. Associated with mountains, he ruled over sources of life-giving water and was revered as a formidable warrior defending the Hittite kingdom’s borders and legitimizing royal authority. His image adorned royal seals, affirming his role as protector and patron of the state.

The Hittites conducted elaborate rituals and offerings to appease Tarhun, holding festivals in his honor with prayers and sacrifices to maintain favorable weather and divine favor. Priests interpreted his will through weather patterns and divination rituals, underscoring the pervasive belief in Tarhun’s power across all aspects of Hittite life, from agriculture and warfare to political governance.

Beyond meteorological powers, Tarhun was revered as a god of war and kingship. Often depicted as a warrior armed with his thunderbolt and sometimes accompanied by a bull symbolizing strength and fertility, he safeguarded the Hittite state from adversaries and ensured prosperity through his blessing in battle. Tarhun’s association with kingship endorsed Hittite rulers, illustrating the theocratic nature of society where kings derived legitimacy from divine approval. In mythology, Tarhun’s battles against the serpent Illuyanka mirrored conflicts between other storm gods and serpents in various cultures, such as Indra versus Vritra in Vedic lore or Thor versus Jörmungandr in Norse mythology. These myths symbolized Tarhun’s ability, like other storm gods, to conquer chaos and restore order, emphasizing his role as a powerful deity capable of overcoming adversity.

Unfortunately, complete written accounts of Tarhun’s myths haven’t been fully recovered. However, fragments and references suggest a rich mythology surrounding the storm god. One possible tale involves a battle against a fearsome serpent, possibly symbolizing chaos and drought. Tarhun’s victory over this serpent would have ensured the return of life-giving rain and the restoration of order. This theme of battling a monstrous serpent is found in myths across various cultures, possibly reflecting a universal human struggle against the destructive forces of nature.

Modern Day Influence

While the Hittite Empire eventually declined and their religious practices faded, the legacy of Tarhun persists in various forms. The study of Hittite mythology, including the worship of Tarhun, provides valuable insights into ancient Anatolian religious and cultural practices. Modern scholars and archaeologists continually unearth artifacts and texts that deepen our understanding of Tarhun and other Hittite deities, enriching our knowledge of this ancient civilization.

Tarhun’s influence transcends Hittite culture and resonates across Near Eastern and Indo-European mythologies. The archetype of the storm god, wielding thunder and rain, appears in many ancient civilizations. For instance, Greek mythology’s Zeus and Norse mythology’s Thor share attributes similar to Tarhun, reflecting a shared mythological heritage among diverse cultures. This connection underscores the interconnectedness of ancient mythologies and the universal themes embodied in these divine figures.

Despite the passage of millennia since the Hittite civilization, Tarhun’s legacy continues to subtly influence contemporary culture. The association of Zeus with thunder, lightning, and rain in Greek mythology mirrors Tarhun’s domain. Additionally, the name “Tarhun” survives in the modern world as the moniker for a popular carbonated soft drink flavored with tarragon, first created in 1887 by a Georgian pharmacist named Mitrofan Lagidze. This beverage, known as Tarkhun, is produced in several countries today, highlighting the enduring impact of ancient mythological figures on everyday life.

Moreover, Tarhun and other Hittite deities occasionally appear in modern literature, art, and popular media, serving as symbols of ancient wisdom and power. These contemporary interpretations, while sometimes diverging from historical accuracy, continue to foster interest in Hittite mythology and its lasting influence on human imagination. Thus, Tarhun’s legacy endures not only in scholarly research but also in popular culture, demonstrating the enduring relevance of ancient mythological traditions in shaping our understanding of the past and present.