Isimud

Isimud (also Isinu; Usmû;[1] Usumu (Akkadian)) is a minor god, the messenger of the god Enki, in Sumerian mythology.[2]

Akkadian cylinder seal from sometime around 2300 BC or thereabouts depicting the deities Inanna, Utu, Enki, and Isimud, who is characteristically shown with two faces

In ancient Sumerian artwork, Isimud is easily identifiable because he is always depicted with two faces facing in opposite directions in a way that is similar to the ancient Roman god Janus.[3]

Mythology

Isimud appears in the legend of Inanna and Enki, in which he is the one who greets Inanna upon her arrival to the E-Abzu temple in Eridu. He also is the one who informs Enki that the mes have been stolen.[4] In the myth, Isimud also serves as a messenger, telling Inanna to return the mes to Enki or face the consequences.[5] Isimud plays a similar role to Ninshubur, Inanna's sukkal. Isimud also appears in the myth of Enki and Ninhursag, in which he acts as Enki's messenger and emissary.[5]

References
  1. Black & Green 1992, p. 75.
  2. Ali Jairazbhoy 1965, p. 227.
  3. Golan 2003, p. 333.
  4. "Inana and Enki: translation". etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk.
  5. Black & Green 1992, p. 110.

Bibliography
  • Ali Jairazbhoy, Rafique (1965), Oriental influences in Western art, p. 227
  • Black, Jeremy; Green, Anthony (1992), Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary, The British Museum Press, ISBN 0-7141-1705-6CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Golan, Ariel (2003), Prehistoric Religion: Mythology, Symbolism, p. 333
  • Jordan, Michael (2002), Encyclopedia of Gods, Kyle Cathie Limited
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