Shamash

see also: Etymology of Shamash

Shamash , otherwise transliterated in Šamaš, is the name Akkadien of the god Sun in the Pantheon mésopotamien. It corresponds to the Sumérien Utu.

It occupies a secondary position in the divine hierarchy compared to the god the Moon Sîn. This inferiority is most probably explained by the preeminence of the lunar calendar on the solar calendar. Nevertheless, these two astral divinities were connected very early in architecture. Thus the temple of Shamash is next to frequently that of Sîn as a whole pertaining to worship Assyrie NS, thus evoking the attempts at mapping of the two calendar systems.

The two principal pertaining to worship centers dedicated to Shamash in Babylonia were Sippar (Abu Habba), and Larsa (Senkerah). In these two cities, the principal sanctuary was called E-barred or E-babbara, names sumériens meaning “the Brilliant House”. But of many sumériennes cities, then Babylonian and Assyrian also comprised a temple dedicated to Shamash, as Ur, Nippur, Babylon, Mari, Assur, Ninive, Hard-Sharrukin, etc

Generally, one allotted justice to Shamash. Just like the sun disperses darkness, Shamash exposes in full light the evil and the injustice. Hammourabi place its code under the auspices of Shamash, the inspirer of the laws, and on this same collection, the king is made represent as an admirer of the solar god. Several centuries before him, the king Ur-Engu of the Dynastie of Ur (around 2600 years before J. - C) said to return his decisions “in agreement with the right laws of Utu”.

In mentality mésopotamienne, this function of justice can be logically comparison with that of cure. Shamash is indeed that which releases the human ones of the influence of the demons. The sick excessively pious person can call upon Shamash to deliver it of a suffering which he regards as unjust, as the anthems with the god sun testify some.

Shamash eclipsed little by little by absorbing them all the other divinities of the sun. In the Pantheon systematized the other solar gods become the servants, or of the particular aspects of the principal deity. Thus Bunene, become the driver of its tank, Kettu (or Kittu, “justice”), and Mesharu (or Misharu “the law”) which one made the children of Shamash. As for Ninurta and Nergal, gods owners of important pertaining to worship centers, they could maintain a statute autonomous by the identification with certain phases of the sun, Ninurta (or Ninib) as a sun of the morning and spring, and Nergal as a sun of midday and the summer solstice.

Shamash, with the god Sîn and the goddess Ishtar (sometimes replaced by the god Adad), form one second divine triad in the Pantheon mésopotamien in addition to that of Anu, Enlil and Éa.

The Parèdre of Shamash/Utu, the goddess Aya, is seldom quoted in the inscriptions, and always in combination with her husband.

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