Anzû, also known as dZû and Imdugud (Sumerian: 𒀭𒅎𒂂AN.IM.DUGUDMUŠEN), is a lesser divinity or monster in several Mesopotamian religions. He was conceived by the pure waters of the Apsu and the wide Earth, or as son of Siris.[1] Anzû was depicted as a massive bird who can breathe fire and water, although Anzû is alternately depicted as a lion-headed eagle.
Stephanie Dalley, in Myths from Mesopotamia, writes that "the Epic of Anzu is principally known in two versions: an Old Babylonian version of the early second millennium [BC], giving the hero as Ningirsu; and 'The Standard Babylonian' version, dating to the first millennium BC, which appears to be the most quoted version, with the hero as Ninurta". However, the Anzu character does not appear as often in some other writings, as noted below.
The name of the mythological being usually called Anzû was actually written in the oldest Sumerian cuneiform texts as 𒀭𒉎𒈪𒄷 (AN.IM.MIMUŠEN; the cuneiform sign 𒄷, or MUŠEN, in context is an ideogram for "bird"). In texts of the Old Babylonian period, the name is more often found as 𒀭𒉎𒂂𒄷AN.IM.DUGUDMUŠEN.[2] In 1961, Landsberger argued that this name should be read as "Anzu", and most researchers have followed suit. In 1989, Thorkild Jacobsen noted that the original reading of the cuneiform signs as written (giving the name "dIM.dugud") is also valid, and was probably the original pronunciation of the name, with Anzu derived from an early phonetic variant. Similar phonetic changes happened to parallel terms, such as imdugud (meaning "heavy wind") becoming ansuk. Changes like these occurred by evolution of the im to an (a common phonetic change) and the blending of the new n with the following d, which was aspirated as dh, a sound which was borrowed into Akkadian as z or s.[3]
It has also been argued based on contextual evidence and transliterations on cuneiform learning tablets, that the earliest, Sumerian form of the name was at least sometimes also pronounced Zu, and that Anzu is primarily the Akkadian form of the name. However, there is evidence for both readings of the name in both languages, and the issue is confused further by the fact that the prefix 𒀭 (AN) was often used to distinguish deities or even simply high places. AN.ZU could therefore mean simply "heavenly eagle".[2]
Origin and cultural evolution
Inscribed head of a mace with Imdugud (Anzu) and Enannatum, the British Museum, London.
Thorkild Jacobsen proposed that Anzu was an early form of the god Abu, who was also syncretized by the ancients with Ninurta/Ningirsu, a god associated with thunderstorms. Abu was referred to as "Father Pasture", illustrating the connection between rainstorms and the fields growing in Spring. According to Jacobsen, this god was originally envisioned as a huge black thundercloud in the shape of an eagle, and was later depicted with a lion's head to connect it to the roar of thunder. Some depictions of Anzu therefore depict the god alongside goats (which, like thunderclouds, were associated with mountains in the ancient Near East) and leafy boughs. The connection between Anzu and Abu is further reinforced by a statue found in the Tell Asmar Hoard depicting a human figure with large eyes, with an Anzu bird carved on the base. It is likely that this depicts Anzu in his symbolic or earthly form as the Anzu-bird, and in his higher, human-like divine form as Abu. Though some scholars have proposed that the statue actually represents a human worshiper of Anzu, others have pointed out that it does not fit the usual depiction of Sumerian worshipers, but instead matches similar statues of gods in human form with their more abstract form or their symbols carved onto the base.[3]
Sumerian and Akkadian myth
Frieze of Imdugud (Anzu) grasping a pair of deer, from Tell al-'Ubaid.
In Sumerian and Akkadian mythology, Anzû is a divine storm-bird and the personification of the southern wind and the thunder clouds.[4] This demon—half man and half bird—stole the "Tablet of Destinies" from Enlil and hid them on a mountaintop. Anu ordered the other gods to retrieve the tablet, even though they all feared the demon. According to one text, Marduk killed the bird; in another, it died through the arrows of the god Ninurta.[5]
The shorter Old Babylonian version was found at Susa. Full version in Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, The Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others by Stephanie Dalley, page 222[8] and at The Epic of Anzû, Old Babylonian version from Susa, Tablet II, lines 1-83, read by Claus Wilcke.[9] The longer Late Assyrian version from Nineveh is most commonly called The Myth of Anzu. (Full version in Dalley, page 205).[10] An edited version is at Myth of Anzu.[11]
Also in Babylonian myth, Anzû is a deity associated with cosmogeny. Anzû is represented as stripping the father of the gods of umsimi (which is usually translated "crown" but in this case, as it was on the seat of Bel, it refers to the "ideal creative organ").[12][13] Regarding this, Charles Penglase writes that "Ham is the Chaldean Anzû, and both are cursed for the same allegorically described crime," which parallels the mutilation of Uranus by Cronus and of Osiris by Set.[1]
^ abCharles Penglase (4 October 2003). Greek Myths and Mesopotamia: Parallels and Influence in the Homeric Hymns and Hesiod. Taylor & Francis. ISBN978-0-203-44391-0.
^ abAlster, B. (1991). Contributions to the Sumerian lexicon. Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale, 85(1): 1-11.
^ abJacobsen, T. (1989). God or Worshipper. pp. 125-130 in Holland, T.H. (ed.), Studies In Ancient Oriental Civilization no. 47. The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.
^Jean Bottéro (1994). L'Oriente antico. Dai sumeri alla Bibbia (in Italian). Edizioni Dedalo. pp. 246–256. ISBN978882200535-9.
^. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
^Dalley, Stephanie (1 January 2000). Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. Oxford University Press. ISBN9780192835895 – via Google Books.
^"The Epic of Anzû, Old Babylonian version from Susa, Tablet II: BAPLAR". SOAS University of London.
^Dalley, Stephanie (1 January 2000). Myths from Mesopotamia: Creation, the Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. Oxford University Press. ISBN9780192835895 – via Google Books.
Dalley, Stephanie, ed. (2000). "Anzû (pp. 203ff.)". Myths from Mesopotamia. Creation, The Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. Oxford University Press. ISBN9780199538362.
ETCSL glossary showing Zu as the verb 'to know'
Myth of Anzu
Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta and The Return of Ninurta to Nippur
Ninurta and the Turtle and Ninurta and the Turtle, or Ninurta and Enki
Ninurta's exploits and The Exploits of Ninurta, or Lugal-e
Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird
The Epic of Anzû, Old Babylonian version from Susa, Tablet II, lines 1-83, read by Claus Wilcke
January 07, 2023
anzû, also, known, dzû, imdugud, sumerian, 𒀭𒅎𒂂, dugudmuŠen, lesser, divinity, monster, several, mesopotamian, religions, conceived, pure, waters, apsu, wide, earth, siris, depicted, massive, bird, breathe, fire, water, although, alternately, depicted, lion, he. Anzu also known as dZu and Imdugud Sumerian 𒀭𒅎𒂂 AN IM DUGUDMUSEN is a lesser divinity or monster in several Mesopotamian religions He was conceived by the pure waters of the Apsu and the wide Earth or as son of Siris 1 Anzu was depicted as a massive bird who can breathe fire and water although Anzu is alternately depicted as a lion headed eagle Ninurta with his thunderbolts pursues Anzu stealing the Tablet of Destinies from Enlil s sanctuary Austen Henry Layard Monuments of Nineveh 2nd Series 1853 Stephanie Dalley in Myths from Mesopotamia writes that the Epic of Anzu is principally known in two versions an Old Babylonian version of the early second millennium BC giving the hero as Ningirsu and The Standard Babylonian version dating to the first millennium BC which appears to be the most quoted version with the hero as Ninurta However the Anzu character does not appear as often in some other writings as noted below Contents 1 Name 2 Origin and cultural evolution 3 Sumerian and Akkadian myth 4 Babylonian and Assyrian myth 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksName Edit Alabaster votive relief of Ur Nanshe king of Lagash showing Anzu as a lion headed eagle in a Master of Animals motif ca 2550 2500 BC found at Tell Telloh the ancient city of Girsu Louvre The name of the mythological being usually called Anzu was actually written in the oldest Sumerian cuneiform texts as 𒀭𒉎𒈪𒄷 AN IM MIMUSEN the cuneiform sign 𒄷 or MUSEN in context is an ideogram for bird In texts of the Old Babylonian period the name is more often found as 𒀭𒉎𒂂𒄷 AN IM DUGUDMUSEN 2 In 1961 Landsberger argued that this name should be read as Anzu and most researchers have followed suit In 1989 Thorkild Jacobsen noted that the original reading of the cuneiform signs as written giving the name dIM dugud is also valid and was probably the original pronunciation of the name with Anzu derived from an early phonetic variant Similar phonetic changes happened to parallel terms such as imdugud meaning heavy wind becoming ansuk Changes like these occurred by evolution of the im to an a common phonetic change and the blending of the new n with the following d which was aspirated as dh a sound which was borrowed into Akkadian as z or s 3 It has also been argued based on contextual evidence and transliterations on cuneiform learning tablets that the earliest Sumerian form of the name was at least sometimes also pronounced Zu and that Anzu is primarily the Akkadian form of the name However there is evidence for both readings of the name in both languages and the issue is confused further by the fact that the prefix 𒀭 AN was often used to distinguish deities or even simply high places AN ZU could therefore mean simply heavenly eagle 2 Origin and cultural evolution Edit Inscribed head of a mace with Imdugud Anzu and Enannatum the British Museum London Thorkild Jacobsen proposed that Anzu was an early form of the god Abu who was also syncretized by the ancients with Ninurta Ningirsu a god associated with thunderstorms Abu was referred to as Father Pasture illustrating the connection between rainstorms and the fields growing in Spring According to Jacobsen this god was originally envisioned as a huge black thundercloud in the shape of an eagle and was later depicted with a lion s head to connect it to the roar of thunder Some depictions of Anzu therefore depict the god alongside goats which like thunderclouds were associated with mountains in the ancient Near East and leafy boughs The connection between Anzu and Abu is further reinforced by a statue found in the Tell Asmar Hoard depicting a human figure with large eyes with an Anzu bird carved on the base It is likely that this depicts Anzu in his symbolic or earthly form as the Anzu bird and in his higher human like divine form as Abu Though some scholars have proposed that the statue actually represents a human worshiper of Anzu others have pointed out that it does not fit the usual depiction of Sumerian worshipers but instead matches similar statues of gods in human form with their more abstract form or their symbols carved onto the base 3 Sumerian and Akkadian myth Edit Frieze of Imdugud Anzu grasping a pair of deer from Tell al Ubaid The Anzu symbol of Lagash at the time of Entemena In Sumerian and Akkadian mythology Anzu is a divine storm bird and the personification of the southern wind and the thunder clouds 4 This demon half man and half bird stole the Tablet of Destinies from Enlil and hid them on a mountaintop Anu ordered the other gods to retrieve the tablet even though they all feared the demon According to one text Marduk killed the bird in another it died through the arrows of the god Ninurta 5 Anzu also appears in the story of Inanna and the Huluppu Tree 6 which is recorded in the preamble to the Sumerian epic poem Gilgamesh Enkidu and the Netherworld 7 Anzu appears in the Sumerian Lugalbanda and the Anzud Bird also called The Return of Lugalbanda Babylonian and Assyrian myth EditThe shorter Old Babylonian version was found at Susa Full version in Myths from Mesopotamia Creation The Flood Gilgamesh and Others by Stephanie Dalley page 222 8 and at The Epic of Anzu Old Babylonian version from Susa Tablet II lines 1 83 read by Claus Wilcke 9 The longer Late Assyrian version from Nineveh is most commonly called The Myth of Anzu Full version in Dalley page 205 10 An edited version is at Myth of Anzu 11 Also in Babylonian myth Anzu is a deity associated with cosmogeny Anzu is represented as stripping the father of the gods of umsimi which is usually translated crown but in this case as it was on the seat of Bel it refers to the ideal creative organ 12 13 Regarding this Charles Penglase writes that Ham is the Chaldean Anzu and both are cursed for the same allegorically described crime which parallels the mutilation of Uranus by Cronus and of Osiris by Set 1 See also EditAnzu wyliei a theropod dinosaur named for Anzu Asakku similar Mesopotamian deity Griffin or griffon lion bird hybrid Lamassu Assyrian deity bull lion eagle human hybrid Tengu Japanese magical creature half man half bird Hybrid creatures in mythology List of hybrid creatures in mythology Tiamat Ziz giant griffin like bird in Jewish mythology Zeus Greek deity of sky and thunder Zuism Icelander protest against tax for religionReferences Edit a b Charles Penglase 4 October 2003 Greek Myths and Mesopotamia Parallels and Influence in the Homeric Hymns and Hesiod Taylor amp Francis ISBN 978 0 203 44391 0 a b Alster B 1991 Contributions to the Sumerian lexicon Revue d Assyriologie et d archeologie orientale 85 1 1 11 a b Jacobsen T 1989 God or Worshipper pp 125 130 in Holland T H ed Studies In Ancient Oriental Civilization no 47 The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago Jean Bottero 1994 L Oriente antico Dai sumeri alla Bibbia in Italian Edizioni Dedalo pp 246 256 ISBN 978882200535 9 Theft of Destiny gatewaystobabylon com Myth of the Huluppu Tree The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature Archived from the original on 2012 04 02 Retrieved 2015 03 24 Dalley Stephanie 1 January 2000 Myths from Mesopotamia Creation the Flood Gilgamesh and Others Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192835895 via Google Books The Epic of Anzu Old Babylonian version from Susa Tablet II BAPLAR SOAS University of London Dalley Stephanie 1 January 2000 Myths from Mesopotamia Creation the Flood Gilgamesh and Others Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192835895 via Google Books Myth of Anzu gatewaystobabylon com George Smith 1878 The Chaldean Account of Genesis Library of Alexandria pp 40 48 ISBN 9781465527141 George Smith The Chaldean Account of Genesis The Sin of the God Zu at Sacred Texts website External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zu mythology Wikiquote has quotations related to Anzu Zu on Encyclopaedia Britannica Dalley Stephanie ed 2000 Anzu pp 203ff Myths from Mesopotamia Creation The Flood Gilgamesh and Others Oxford University Press ISBN 9780199538362 The Assyro Babylonian Mythology FAQ Anzu ETCSL glossary showing Zu as the verb to know Myth of Anzu Ninurta s return to Nibru a sir gida to Ninurta and The Return of Ninurta to Nippur Ninurta and the Turtle and Ninurta and the Turtle or Ninurta and Enki Ninurta s exploits and The Exploits of Ninurta or Lugal e Lugalbanda and the Anzud bird The Epic of Anzu Old Babylonian version from Susa Tablet II lines 1 83 read by Claus Wilcke Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Anzu amp oldid 1128020299, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
