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Glite Dictionary
Ninurta

Ninurta

1 9.9
An ancient god from Mesopotamia linked to war, hunting, and farming
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: Ninurta
  • The heroic god of the cylinder is doubtless Ninurta, an ancient Mesopotamian god of war and agricultural fertility.
  • Tukulti-Ninurta

Examples

  • The Assyrian kings were devoted to the cult of Ninurta, whom they believed would help them against their enemies.

    Academic text (1993)

  • At his new capital, Kalhu (modern Nimrud), Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 B.C.) built a temple to Ninurta adjacent to the ziggurat, which may also have been dedicated to this god.

    Academic text (1993)

  • PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): 46 The god Ninurta pursuing a lion-demon, Neo-Babylonian, late 8th century B.C. Collection Mossne Foroughi.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The Assyrian kings prayed to Ninurta for victory in battle and abundant harvests.

  • In ancient texts, Ninurta is often depicted as a fierce warrior protecting the fields.

  • Many temples were dedicated to Ninurta, honoring him as the deity of hunting and agriculture.

Synonyms

Ninib
vsNinurta
  • Literature
9.9

An ancient Mesopotamian god of the sun, war, hunting and farming

is the same deity but presented under a different regional name
Ningirsu
vsNinurta
  • Literature
9.9

A god from ancient Sumer who people worship as a sun god and for war, hunting and farming

is the same deity but known by another traditional name

Surface Forms

Ninurta main

Etymology

Ninurta is the name of an ancient Mesopotamian god of war, hunting and farming who was also seen as a 'sun' god. A helpful way to remember him is to picture a strong hero who fights chaos and teaches people to grow crops, so Ninurta is both a warrior and a bringer of agriculture and is sometimes linked to the biblical Nimrod.