The Sumerians were one of the earliest civilizations, flourishing in the region of Sumer (modern-day southern Iraq) from around 4500 to 1900 BC. They developed the first known writing system, built impressive cities, and made groundbreaking advances in math, astronomy, agriculture, and other areas. An important part of Sumerian culture was their complex polytheistic religion, which included worship of a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses.
The Sumerian deities were believed to be anthropomorphic representations of the forces of nature. There may have been hundreds or even thousands of these gods in total. However, some key figures were more prominent in Sumerian mythology and worship. Let‘s take a closer look at seven of the most important gods of the Sumerian pantheon:
1. An – The Supreme Sky God
An (or Anu) was considered the supreme deity and lord of the heavens in Sumerian religion, dating back to at least 3000 BC. He was originally depicted as a great bull, representing his power and authority. The city of Uruk was his main cult center.
While An was the head of the pantheon, over time his leadership role was increasingly shared with or supplanted by other gods like Enlil. However, An remained an exalted figure, and the other deities were said to have received their divine authority (known as "anûtu" or "An power") from him.
2. Enlil – God of Wind and Storms
Enlil, the god of wind, air, earth and storms, took on the role of chief deity in the Sumerian pantheon. According to the creation myth, Enlil separated heaven (An) and earth (Ki), making the world habitable for humans.
Enlil was a temperamental god, and myths depict him sending a great flood to destroy the noisy human race when they angered him and prevented him from sleeping. On the other hand, he was also credited with inventing the mattock, an important agricultural tool, and served as a patron of farming.
3. Enki – The Crafty Creator
Enki was the Sumerian god of water, knowledge, crafts, magic and creation. He was believed to have created mankind out of clay and served as their protector, even defying Enlil to warn humans of the coming flood in some stories.
Depictions of Enki show him as a bearded man wearing a horned crown and long robes, often with streams of water flowing from his shoulders. He was a popular deity and his cult center was the sacred city of Eridu. Enki was credited with organizing the earth, heaven and underworld and assigning the gods their roles.
4. Inanna – Queen of Heaven
Inanna, the Queen of Heaven, was perhaps the most beloved and prominent goddess in Sumer. She was associated with the planet Venus, as well as love, sexuality, fertility, and warfare. The lion and the eight-pointed star were her sacred symbols.
Inanna features in many famous Sumerian myths and stories that were widely told and re-told, such as "The Descent of Inanna" where she journeys to the underworld. Her popularity spread beyond Sumer, and she was later worshipped by other peoples like the Akkadians (as Ishtar) and Babylonians.
5. Utu – Sun God of Justice
Utu was the Sumerian sun god who was responsible for justice, truth, and morality. He was believed to see all things that happened during the day. Dating back to 3500 BC, Utu is described as an old man with a long beard and rays of light emanating from his shoulders. His most famous symbol was the solar disc.
Utu was the son of the moon god Nanna and brother of Inanna. The Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known legal codes, states that the Sun God Shamash (the Babylonian counterpart to Utu) gave these laws to King Hammurabi to establish justice in the land.
6. Ninhursag – The Mother Goddess
Ninhursag was the Sumerian mother goddess who presided over pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing. Her name means "Lady of the Sacred Mountain" and she was closely associated with the earth, nature, and fertility. Ninhursag had the power to create wildlife, especially in the foothills and desert regions.
In art, Ninhursag is often shown enthroned on or near mountains, at times wearing an omega-shaped hairstyle or a horned headdress. Her sacred animal was the deer. As a nurturing maternal figure, she was considered the mother of all living creatures.
7. Nanna – God of the Wise Moon
Nanna, also known as Suen, Sin or Sīn, was the Sumerian god of the moon and of wisdom. He is one of the oldest Sumerian deities, mentioned in the earliest writing around 3500 BC. His main cult center was the ziggurat temple of Ur, a massive step pyramid over 60 feet tall.
The early importance of Nanna may reflect the significance of the lunar cycle to ancient hunter-gatherer societies for night travel and tracking time. As the Sumerians shifted to an agricultural lifestyle, the sun god Utu, Nanna‘s son, grew in prominence. Nonetheless, Nanna remained an important figure in the pantheon.
The Legacy of the Sumerian Gods
The Sumerians and their religious beliefs left a lasting impact on Mesopotamian civilizations. While each city-state had its own patron god, the major deities like Inanna, Enki, and Utu were widely worshipped. Later Mesopotamian peoples continued to tell their stories and adapted many of these gods into their own pantheons.
Sumerian mythology provides a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and worldview of this groundbreaking ancient culture. An, Enlil, Enki, Inanna, Utu, Ninhursag, Nanna, and the rest of the colorful pantheon of gods shaped Sumerian identity and played a vital role in their society. The legacy of these captivating deities endures to this day.
