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Glite Dictionary
Namtar

Namtar

5 9.9
A demon who brings disease and death as the messenger of the underworld queen
  • proper noun
  • Literature
translation icon : Namtar
  • The queen of the dead patted Namtar on the head.
  • O Namtar

Examples

  • Priests would perform rituals to appease Namtar and ward off disease.

  • The ancient texts describe Namtar as the relentless harbinger of death.

  • In the myth, Namtar brings plagues upon humanity by the order of Ereshkigal.

  • In Mesopotamian mythology, Namtar is known as the demon of death.

  • Namtar serves Ereshkigal in the underworld.

  • "Greetings, O Namtar!" The Great King's cheerful voice seemed to fill Ereshkigal's realm with its presence.

  • Now she had returned to the land of the dead and she'd brought Namtar with her.

Synonyms

Namtaru
vsNamtar
  • Literature
9.9

A Mesopotamian demon who brings death as the messenger of the underworld goddess Ereshkigal

is the same figure but the name appears in a slightly different form

Surface Forms

Namtar main

Etymology

Namtar comes from ancient Mesopotamian words, especially nam which means 'fate' or 'destiny'. In myth this name belongs to a demon who brings disease and death, so thinking of Namtar as the 'destiny' that brings death makes its role easy to remember.