The Sumerian Sargon Legend presents a dramatic tale involving omens, intrigue, and divine destiny. The story begins when the supreme gods An and Enlil decide to end Ur-Zababa’s rule over the city of Kish. The young Sargon of Akkad, then serving as the king’s cupbearer, has a prophetic dream in which the goddess Inanna submergesContinue reading “The Sumerian Sargon Legend”
Author Archives: clairesulos
Romantic Love
Today I am celebrating romantic love in honor of my wedding anniversary. To all my followers, I hope that you find joy and happiness in your amorous relationships. May your love shine forth like the goddess Inana on the day she married Dumuzid. “At her mother’s bidding, Inana bathed in water and anointed herself withContinue reading “Romantic Love”
‘She Who Wrote’
Enheduanna, the first named author in world history, was a remarkable woman who lived around 2300 BCE. She was the daughter of Sargon of Akkad, who appointed her as high priestess of the Nanna Temple in Ur. Her writings include the Exaltation of Inanna, the Temple Hymns, Inanna and Ebih, and other attributed works. EnheduannaContinue reading “‘She Who Wrote’”
The Talking Mace
In Inanna’s Bargain, ancient ceremonial objects exhibit magical powers associated with their divine originals. This excerpt from Chapter 21 describes Kianu’s encounter with such an object. As I prayed to the warrior god, my attention was captured by a large battle-mace displayed to one side of the cult statue, on a high shelf above theContinue reading “The Talking Mace”
Sharur
Sharur (Car-ur) was the magical battle-mace of Ninurta, the Mesopotamian warrior god of winds and storms. As an animated mythological weapon, Sharur served as a fierce protector as well as a trusted advisor, messenger and spy. The battle-mace played an important role in the late third millennium BCE Sumerian Exploits of Ninurta, gathering military intelligence,Continue reading “Sharur”
Spinning Paths
As the earth spins around the sun, we move within a universe filled with order as well as chaos. Our destinies are shaped by our actions and interactions, and by the unpredictable twists and turns of chance. When Covid struck, the world went on pause, then everything seemed to speed up and go crazy. SometimesContinue reading “Spinning Paths”
Judgment of the Bird-Man
Akkadian cylinder seals depicting the Judgment of the Bird-Man have often been viewed in light of later texts, such as the Neo-Sumerian Ninurta’s Pride and Punishment and the Akkadian OB/SB Epic of Anzu. These mythological narratives portrayed the Anzu/bird-man as a divine thief, conquered by the warrior god Ninurta—though the stories differed on whether heContinue reading “Judgment of the Bird-Man”
Fall Colors
Enlil’s garden is awash in fall colors, with hints of the winter to come. The willows that I visited in early summer are beginning to turn golden yellow. Soon the leaves will cover the ground and the trees will go dormant, sleeping and perhaps dreaming of springtime. The willows provided inspiration for my novel, Inanna’sContinue reading “Fall Colors”
Inanna’s Willow
In Inanna’s Bargain, I explored the idea of multiple (fictitious) versions of ancient Mesopotamian myths, passed down and shared through oral traditions. With so many stories circulating, how did people know what to believe? “There are many legends about the tree of life, as well as other trees favored by the gods,” Beluga stated. “InContinue reading “Inanna’s Willow”
Inanna’s Father?
Who was Inanna’s father? One of the Sumerian creator gods: An, Enki, or Enlil? Or the moon god Nanna? By the late third millennium BCE, different genealogical traditions had developed concerning Inanna’s parentage. The location of her cult center next to the ancient White Temple in Uruk reinforced her early associations with the sky godContinue reading “Inanna’s Father?”
CLAIRE SULOS 