Sebitti

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The Sebitti or Sebittu are a group of seven minor war gods in Neo-Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian and especially Assyrian tradition. They also appear in sources from Emar. Multiple different interpretations of the term occur in Mesopotamian literature.

Variations[]

Assyriologist Frans Wiggermann lists the following known identities of this group:[1]

  • Antropomorphic representation of the Pleiades or another stellar or atmospheric phenomenon
  • Sons of Enmešarra, a poorly known antagonistic figure known from some myths about Enlil, Ninurta and Marduk
  • Groups of foreign gods, such as "Divine seven of Elam" from the list An-Anum associated with the goddess Narunde (identified as their sister) and the obscure god Zamahhunde (identified as "their jester")
  • Minor war gods from the state pantheon of the Neo-Assyrian Empire
  • Monsters subjugated by Ninurta
  • Weapons or servants of Erra (Nergal), sons of Anu and Ki
  • Sons of Ishara (a possible mistaken reference to Ishara in place of Enmešarra[2])

According to Wiggermann these categories could overlap, ex. in a ritual meant to protect the house from demonic beings the gods are identified as both sons of Enmešarra and brothers of Narunde, while elsewhere the brothers of Narunde were the sons of Anu.

Myths[]

Sebitti are featured prominently in the Epic of Erra. In this narrative they are creations of Anu and follow the god Erra/Nergal into battle as his weapons and "peerless warriors."[3]

In another, very late (Seleucid or Parthian period has been proposed), myth they are portrayed as enemies of the gods and sons of Enmesarra, who seemingly desired to obtain Marduk' power and position. The narrative presents their defeat and death at the hands of Nergal and Marduk, portrayed as allies.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ F. Wiggermann, Siebengötter A (Sebettu) [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 12, p. 459-466
  2. ^ F. Wiggermann, Siebengötter A (Sebettu) [in:] Reallexikon der Assyriologie und vorderasiatischen Archäologie vol. 12, p. 462-463
  3. ^ A. R. George, The poem of Erra and Ishum: A Babylonian Poet’s View of War [in:] H. Kennedy (ed), Warfare and Poetry in the Middle East, 2013, p. 50-52; 63
  4. ^ W. G. Lambert, Babylonian Creation Myths, 2013, p. 281-298
  • Michael Jordan, Encyclopedia of Gods, Kyle Cathie Limited, 2002
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