Ninurta
Ninurta
is the Sumerian and Akkadian Lord of the Earth (Ringgren 1973). His father is
Enlil, the storm god and the ruling god. Ninurta is a young god and has to prove
his worth to the pantheon of gods (Burkert 1986). Ninurta is also responsible
for the fertility of the fields by aiding in the irrigation of Sumer by the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Penglase 1994; Ringgren 1973).
Ninurta
is the great warrior of the Sumerian gods. He defends them against the monsters
Anzu and Asag who live in the mountains. Anzu is depicted “having the head,
the body, and forepaws of a lion and the feathers, wings, tail feathers and hind
talons of an eagle” (Penglase 1994).
Labors
Ninurta,
much like Herakles, spends his life performing labors to prove himself to the
pantheon of gods (Penglase 1994). According to Akkadian texts dating from 2140
BC, Ninurta performs 12 labors to rid the world of 12 monsters. These monsters
include a wild bull/bison, a stag, the Anzu-bird, a lion, and a “seven-headed
serpent.” These are referred to as “The Trophies of Ninurta.” Ninurta is
also depicted on Mesopotamian seals as toting a club and a bow, and wearing an
animal’s skin (Burkert 1986). Some of Ninurta’s deeds were later associated
with other gods: Marduk of Babylon, Nabu (son of Marduk), and Nergal, Lord of
the Netherworld (Penglase 1994). Herakles was also associated with Nergal, who
is shown with a club and bow (Burkert 1986).
Worship
Ninurta
was later worshipped by the Assyrian kings, who invoked his protection in battle
during the first millennium BC. The Assyrians constructed a temple in
Ninurta’s honor next to a ziggurat which was probably also dedicated to him in
their new capital Nimrud (Penglase 1994).
Cults
were also dedicated to Ninurta. These cults focused on his valiant deeds that
helped rid the world of monsters. Like Herakles, Ninurta is a force for
civilization and order in a chaotic world. Healing was attributed to Ninurta
through his consort Gula who was the goddess of healing (Ringgren 1973).
Ninurta
differs from Herakles partly because he is the embodiment of all divine powers
(Ringgren 1973) and in many other ways. Nevertheless, the association between
Ninurta and Herakles is deeper than mere surface characteristics. The “get and
bring” idea of their labors are the same. Their function is to make the
surroundings hospitable for humans and gods. They turn nature into culture
(Burkert 1986).