Religion:Shul-utula

From HandWiki
Shut-utul in the form of a foundation peg, with inscription "Ur-Nanshe, King of Lagash, son of Gunidu, built the shrine Girsu", probably Girsu, Tell Telloh, Iraq, mid 3rd millennium BCE. Harvard Semitic Museum, Cambridge, MA

Shul-utul (Sumerian: 𒀭𒂄𒀖𒇻, Script error: The function "transl" does not exist.)[1] or Shul-utula[2] was the personal god of the rulers of the Mesopotamian Ur-Nanshe dynasty of Lagash.[2] His name means "youngling shepherd" in Sumerian.[3]

Despite his role as the personal deity of kings, Shul-utul was not regarded as a deity associated with ruling, and it is possible his role was instead connected to personal luck.[4] It is also possible that, similar to Ninshubur, he was envisioned as capable of mediating with higher ranked gods on behalf of humans under his protection.[4] One document states that he helped kings with building temples in Girsu.[3] He is mentioned in inscriptions in association with rulers such as Entemena and Eannatum.[5]

Shut-utul is mostly attested in association with temples of other deities.[6] Seven foundation figurines from the Ibgal temple, which dedicated to Inanna,[6] are assumed to be depictions of Shul-utul.[7] He was also worshiped in Emah (Sumerian: "exalted house"[8]), a shrine of Nanshe located in Girsu.[9]

The only certain attestation of Shul-utul from the Ur III period is the personal name Ur-Shul-utul.[7] None are known from later periods.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Sumerian Dictionary". http://oracc.iaas.upenn.edu/epsd2/cbd/sux/SH.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kobayashi 1989, p. 23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Selz 1995, p. 279.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kobayashi 1989, p. 24.
  5. ↑ Selz 1995, pp. 279-280.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Selz 1995, p. 280).
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Michalowski 2013, p. 289.
  8. ↑ George 1993, p. 119.
  9. ↑ George 1993, p. 120.

Bibliography