Ninsun

Ninsun
	Relief with the inscription "Nin-Sun". Louvre Museum.
Abode	Uruk
Symbol	Cow
Personal information
Parents	Anu and Uras
Consort	Lugalbanda
Children	Gilgamesh

In Sumerian mythology, Ninsun (also called Ninsumun, cuneiform: 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒄢 ^dNIN.SUMUN_2; Sumerian: Nin-sumun(ak) "lady of the wild cows") is a goddess, best known as the mother of the legendary hero Gilgamesh, and as the tutelary goddess of Gudea of Lagash. Her parents are the deities Anu and Uras. Ninsun has also been linked to older deities.

Mythology

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Ninsun is depicted as a human queen who lives in Uruk with her son as king. Since the father of Gilgamesh was former king Lugalbanda, it stands to reason that Ninsun procreated with Lugalbanda to give birth. She assists her son at the beginning of his adventures by helping to interpret his dreams.

Also in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Ninsun is summoned by Gilgamesh and Enkidu to help pray to the god Utu to help the two on their journey to the Country of the Living to battle Humbaba.

Names

In the Tello relief at ancient Lagaš, dating to ca. 2150 BC, her name is written in cuneiform ^dNIN.SUMUN₂_. The meaning of sumun in Sumerian is "wild cow" and her name is also attested as ^dNIN.SUMUN₂.NA Nin-sumunak, revealing its origin as a genitive phrase meaning "lady of the wild cows".[1][2] The sign SUMUN₂ was formerly read SUN₂, leading to the widespread usage of the name Ninsun. Other names include Rimat-Ninsun (from Akkadian rimātu "cattle"), the "August Cow", the "Wild Cow of the Enclosure", and "The Great Queen".

Related deities

In Sumerian mythology, Ninsun was originally called Gula until her name was later changed to Ninisina. Later, Gula became identified with the Babylonian goddess Nintinugga.

According to "Pabilsag's Journey to Nibru," Ninsun was originally named Nininsina. According to the ancient Babylonian text, Nininsina wedded Pabilsag near a riverbank and gave birth to Damu as a result of the union. Other sources give Gunura as Ninsun's husband and Damu's father.[3]

Ur-Nammu dedication tablet for the Temple of Nin-Sun in Ur: "For his lady Nin-Sun, Ur-Nammu the mighty man, King of Ur and King of Sumer and Akkad, has built her Temple"

References

"ePSD: sumun[cow]". psd.museum.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
"ORACC List of Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses".
Jordan, Michael (1993). Encyclopedia of gods : over 2,500 deities of the world. Internet Archive. New York : Facts on File. pp. 91.

Encyclopedia of Gods, Kyle Cathie Limited, 2002
John A. Halloran, Sumerian Lexicon, 2003

External links

Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses: Ninsumun (Ninsun) (goddess)

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[1] "ePSD: sumun[cow]". psd.museum.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2017-08-29.

[2] "ORACC List of Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses".

[3] Jordan, Michael (1993). Encyclopedia of gods : over 2,500 deities of the world. Internet Archive. New York : Facts on File. pp. 91.