Nusku - Revision history

Sushoff at 19:09, 26 March 2026

2026-03-26T19:09:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:09, 26 March 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}
	Authors: ~~Gennady E. Kurtik,~~ {{PAGEAUTHORS}}~~, Euin Choung Kim~~		Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
	----		----
	<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].		<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].

Sushoff at 08:35, 17 January 2026

2026-01-17T08:35:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:35, 17 January 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}
			Authors: Gennady E. Kurtik, {{PAGEAUTHORS}}, Euin Choung Kim
			----
	<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].		<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].

InitTeam at 18:08, 28 December 2025

2025-12-28T18:08:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:08, 28 December 2025
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	\|-		\|-
	\|'''"Letters."'''		\|'''"Letters."'''
	See. [SAA 10: 174:12-14; 240:5].		See. [SAA 10<ref>''A. Sachs, T. Pinches, J. Strassmaier,'' Late Babylonian Astronomical and Related Texts, London, 1955.</ref>: 174:12-14; 240:5].
	\|		\|
	\|}		\|}

Sushoff at 15:43, 18 December 2025

2025-12-18T15:43:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:43, 18 December 2025
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	<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].		<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History<ref>[[Mesopotamian (All Terms)\|Planetarium Babylonicum 2.0]], All Skies Encyclopaedia.</ref>==
	~~===Kurtik with Hilder, Hoffmann, Horowitz, Kim===~~
	= <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>/KU, <sup>d</sup>PA.LU, <sup>d</sup>''Enšada''/''u''; = <sup>d</sup>''Nusku'', Nusku, deity of light and fire;		* = <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>/KU,

			* <sup>d</sup>PA.LU,
			* <sup>d</sup>''Enšada''/''u'';
			* = <sup>d</sup>''Nusku'',
			* Nusku, deity of light and fire;

	Var. designations:		Var. designations:

Sushoff: /* Kurtik with Hilder, Hoffmann, Horowitz, Kim */

2025-12-18T15:40:23Z

Kurtik with Hilder, Hoffmann, Horowitz, Kim

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:40, 18 December 2025
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	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Star List VR, 46 1:14.'''		\|'''Star List VR, 46 1:14.'''
	* <sup>mul</sup>giš.bar zalag<sub>2</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> igi <sup>d</sup>''En-me-šar''<sub>2</sub>-''ra'' <sup>d</sup>''Nusku''(PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>) "Girra, light ahead of Enmesharra, Nusku" [HBA<ref>''Weidner E.'' Handbuch der babylonischen Astronomie. Bd. I. Leipzig, 1915.</ref>, 51; Wee 2016<ref>Wee, J. (2016). Virtual Moons over Babylonia: The Calendar Text System, Its Micro-Zodiac of 13, and the Making of Medical Zodiology. The Circulation of Astronomical Knowledge in the Ancient World, Ed. J. M. Steele, 139–229.</ref>, 162-63].		* <sup>mul</sup>giš.bar zalag<sub>2</sub> ''ša''<sub>2</sub> igi <sup>d</sup>''En-me-šar''<sub>2</sub>-''ra'' <sup>d</sup>''Nusku''(PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>)
			* "Girra, light ahead of Enmesharra, Nusku" [HBA<ref>''Weidner E.'' Handbuch der babylonischen Astronomie. Bd. I. Leipzig, 1915.</ref>, 51; Wee 2016<ref>Wee, J. (2016). Virtual Moons over Babylonia: The Calendar Text System, Its Micro-Zodiac of 13, and the Making of Medical Zodiology. The Circulation of Astronomical Knowledge in the Ancient World, Ed. J. M. Steele, 139–229.</ref>, 162-63].
	\|Example		\|Example
	\|-		\|-

WayneHorowitz at 13:16, 18 December 2025

2025-12-18T13:16:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:16, 18 December 2025
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	<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].		<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].

	~~If we use Nusku we also need a Girra entry in G~~

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==
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	* (1) Neo-Assyrian letters mention Nusku as a celestial luminary not related to the Moon: <sup>d</sup>30 ''ina'' UGU GIŠ.ŠIBIR ''kam-mu-us'' 2 AGA.MEŠ ''ina'' SAG.DU ''š''[''ak-nu''] / <sup>[d]</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' IGI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''iz-za-az'' "Sin was mounted on top of the rod, 2 crowns were pl[aced] on (his) head, Nusku stood before him." [LABS, 174:12-13]. Here it seems to refer to a temple built in honor of Sin, which included a symbolic image of Nusku; however, it is also possible that the name "Nusku" here denotes a luminary, as Levi believes. Additionally, refer to a list of prayers to the astral gods (Pleiades, Moon, Sirius, Mars, Vega) in another Neo-Assyrian letter that begins with an invocation to Nusku: 3 [Š]U.IL<sub>2</sub>.LA<sub>2</sub>.KAM<sub>2</sub>.MEŠ ''ša'' IGI <sup>d</sup>[PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>] "3 prayers of 'Laying on of Hands' (to be made) before [Nusku]." [LABS<ref name=":1">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).</ref>, 240:5; LAS 2<ref name=":4">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian Scholars. Pt. II.: Commentary and appendices. Verlag Butzon & Bercker, Kevelaer, 1983.</ref>, 178];		* (1) Neo-Assyrian letters mention Nusku as a celestial luminary not related to the Moon: <sup>d</sup>30 ''ina'' UGU GIŠ.ŠIBIR ''kam-mu-us'' 2 AGA.MEŠ ''ina'' SAG.DU ''š''[''ak-nu''] / <sup>[d]</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' IGI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''iz-za-az'' "Sin was mounted on top of the rod, 2 crowns were pl[aced] on (his) head, Nusku stood before him." [LABS, 174:12-13]. Here it seems to refer to a temple built in honor of Sin, which included a symbolic image of Nusku; however, it is also possible that the name "Nusku" here denotes a luminary, as Levi believes. Additionally, refer to a list of prayers to the astral gods (Pleiades, Moon, Sirius, Mars, Vega) in another Neo-Assyrian letter that begins with an invocation to Nusku: 3 [Š]U.IL<sub>2</sub>.LA<sub>2</sub>.KAM<sub>2</sub>.MEŠ ''ša'' IGI <sup>d</sup>[PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>] "3 prayers of 'Laying on of Hands' (to be made) before [Nusku]." [LABS<ref name=":1">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).</ref>, 240:5; LAS 2<ref name=":4">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian Scholars. Pt. II.: Commentary and appendices. Verlag Butzon & Bercker, Kevelaer, 1983.</ref>, 178];
	* (2) addressing Nusku in a spell: EN<sub>2</sub> <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> LUGAL ''mu-ši mu-na-mir uk-li'' / ''ta-za-az ina mu-ši-ma'' UN.MEŠ ''ta-bar-ri'' "Spell. Nusku, king of the night, who illuminates the darkness, you stand in the night and test the people." [KAR I<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:39-40]; in the same spell Nusku is characterized as ''mut-tal-lik mu-ši'', ''mu-tal''-[''lik mu-ši''], lit. "walking in the night." [ibid.<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:45 r. 1], a definition applied to planets to distinguish them from fixed stars [Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3" />, 19; Mayer 1976<ref>''Mayer W.R.'' Untersuchungen zur Formensprache der babylonischen “Gebetsbeschwörungen / Studia Pohl: Series Maior 5. Rome, Biblical Institute Press, 1976.</ref>, 407];		* (2) addressing Nusku in a spell: EN<sub>2</sub> <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> LUGAL ''mu-ši mu-na-mir uk-li'' / ''ta-za-az ina mu-ši-ma'' UN.MEŠ ''ta-bar-ri'' "Spell. Nusku, king of the night, who illuminates the darkness, you stand in the night and test the people." [KAR I<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:39-40]; in the same spell Nusku is characterized as ''mut-tal-lik mu-ši'', ''mu-tal''-[''lik mu-ši''], lit. "walking in the night." [ibid.<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:45 r. 1], a definition applied to planets to distinguish them from fixed stars [Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3" />, 19; Mayer 1976<ref>''Mayer W.R.'' Untersuchungen zur Formensprache der babylonischen “Gebetsbeschwörungen / Studia Pohl: Series Maior 5. Rome, Biblical Institute Press, 1976.</ref>, 407];
	* (3) in the list of numerical designations of the astral gods (30 - Sin, 20 - Shamash, 6 - Adad, [x] - Marduk, 15 - Ishtar, 50 - Ninurta, 12 - Nergal) Mercury corresponds to the line: ''tap-pe-e Šamši''(20) \| 10 \| <sup>d</sup>NE.GI <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> "Satellites of the Sun \| 10 \| Girru (and) Nusku" [CT 25, 50:16, Livingstone 1986: 30-31], which probably has astronomical significance. According to Lewy, Girru and Nusku are names for Mercury as the morning and evening star respectively [Lewy 1948]. See also: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku tappê'' <sup>d</sup>''Šamaš at''[''ta''] "Nusku, y[ou] are the satellite of the Sun", quoted in [Mayer 1976<ref>''Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum.''</ref>, 407, 12]. С. Parpola rejects the identity Nusku = Mercury, cf. [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].		* (3) in the list of numerical designations of the astral gods (30 - Sin, 20 - Shamash, 6 - Adad, [x] - Marduk, 15 - Ishtar, 50 - Ninurta, 12 - Nergal) Mercury corresponds to the line: ''tap-pe-e Šamši''(20) \| 10 \| <sup>d</sup>NE.GI <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> "Satellites of the Sun \| 10 \| Girru (and) Nusku" [CT 25, 50:16, Livingstone 1986: 30-31], which probably has astronomical significance. According to Lewy, Girru and Nusku are names for Mercury as the morning and evening star respectively [Lewy 1948]. See also: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku tappê'' <sup>d</sup>''Šamaš at''[''ta''] "Nusku, y[ou] are the satellite of the Sun", quoted in [Mayer 1976<ref>''Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum.''</ref>, 407, 12]. S. Parpola rejects the identity Nusku = Mercury, cf. [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].

	= day of the Moon's invisibility; the interpretation is based on the identity: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku''(<sup>d</sup>PA+KU) DUMU ''še-la-še-e bu-um-bu-bu-li'' "God Nusku, son of the 30th (day of the month), (day of) bumbuli" [Litke 1998<ref name=":0" />, 36, note 145]; the standard interpretation is bubbulu "day of the Moon's invisibility" preceding neomenia [CAD<ref>''The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.'' Chicago - Glückstadt, 1956 -...</ref> B, 298], see also [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].		= day of the Moon's invisibility; the interpretation is based on the identity: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku''(<sup>d</sup>PA+KU) DUMU ''še-la-še-e bu-um-bu-bu-li'' "God Nusku, son of the 30th (day of the month), (day of) bumbuli" [Litke 1998<ref name=":0" />, 36, note 145]; the standard interpretation is bubbulu "day of the Moon's invisibility" preceding neomenia [CAD<ref>''The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.'' Chicago - Glückstadt, 1956 -...</ref> B, 298], see also [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].

WayneHorowitz at 13:15, 18 December 2025

2025-12-18T13:15:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:15, 18 December 2025
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	* (1) Neo-Assyrian letters mention Nusku as a celestial luminary not related to the Moon: <sup>d</sup>30 ''ina'' UGU GIŠ.ŠIBIR ''kam-mu-us'' 2 AGA.MEŠ ''ina'' SAG.DU ''š''[''ak-nu''] / <sup>[d]</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' IGI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''iz-za-az'' "Sin was mounted on top of the rod, 2 crowns were pl[aced] on (his) head, Nusku stood before him." [LABS, 174:12-13]. Here it seems to refer to a temple built in honor of Sin, which included a symbolic image of Nusku; however, it is also possible that the name "Nusku" here denotes a luminary, as Levi believes. Additionally, refer to a list of prayers to the astral gods (Pleiades, Moon, Sirius, Mars, Vega) in another Neo-Assyrian letter that begins with an invocation to Nusku: 3 [Š]U.IL<sub>2</sub>.LA<sub>2</sub>.KAM<sub>2</sub>.MEŠ ''ša'' IGI <sup>d</sup>[PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>] "3 prayers of 'Laying on of Hands' (to be made) before [Nusku]." [LABS<ref name=":1">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).</ref>, 240:5; LAS 2<ref name=":4">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian Scholars. Pt. II.: Commentary and appendices. Verlag Butzon & Bercker, Kevelaer, 1983.</ref>, 178];		* (1) Neo-Assyrian letters mention Nusku as a celestial luminary not related to the Moon: <sup>d</sup>30 ''ina'' UGU GIŠ.ŠIBIR ''kam-mu-us'' 2 AGA.MEŠ ''ina'' SAG.DU ''š''[''ak-nu''] / <sup>[d]</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' IGI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''iz-za-az'' "Sin was mounted on top of the rod, 2 crowns were pl[aced] on (his) head, Nusku stood before him." [LABS, 174:12-13]. Here it seems to refer to a temple built in honor of Sin, which included a symbolic image of Nusku; however, it is also possible that the name "Nusku" here denotes a luminary, as Levi believes. Additionally, refer to a list of prayers to the astral gods (Pleiades, Moon, Sirius, Mars, Vega) in another Neo-Assyrian letter that begins with an invocation to Nusku: 3 [Š]U.IL<sub>2</sub>.LA<sub>2</sub>.KAM<sub>2</sub>.MEŠ ''ša'' IGI <sup>d</sup>[PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>] "3 prayers of 'Laying on of Hands' (to be made) before [Nusku]." [LABS<ref name=":1">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).</ref>, 240:5; LAS 2<ref name=":4">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian Scholars. Pt. II.: Commentary and appendices. Verlag Butzon & Bercker, Kevelaer, 1983.</ref>, 178];
	* (2) addressing Nusku in a spell: EN<sub>2</sub> <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> LUGAL ''mu-ši mu-na-mir uk-li'' / ''ta-za-az ina mu-ši-ma'' UN.MEŠ ''ta-bar-ri'' "Spell. Nusku, king of the night, who illuminates the darkness, you stand in the night and test the people." [KAR I<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:39-40]; in the same spell Nusku is characterized as ''mut-tal-lik mu-ši'', ''mu-tal''-[''lik mu-ši''], lit. "walking in the night." [ibid.<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:45 r. 1], a definition applied to planets to distinguish them from fixed stars [Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3" />, 19; Mayer 1976<ref>''Mayer W.R.'' Untersuchungen zur Formensprache der babylonischen “Gebetsbeschwörungen / Studia Pohl: Series Maior 5. Rome, Biblical Institute Press, 1976.</ref>, 407];		* (2) addressing Nusku in a spell: EN<sub>2</sub> <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> LUGAL ''mu-ši mu-na-mir uk-li'' / ''ta-za-az ina mu-ši-ma'' UN.MEŠ ''ta-bar-ri'' "Spell. Nusku, king of the night, who illuminates the darkness, you stand in the night and test the people." [KAR I<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:39-40]; in the same spell Nusku is characterized as ''mut-tal-lik mu-ši'', ''mu-tal''-[''lik mu-ši''], lit. "walking in the night." [ibid.<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:45 r. 1], a definition applied to planets to distinguish them from fixed stars [Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3" />, 19; Mayer 1976<ref>''Mayer W.R.'' Untersuchungen zur Formensprache der babylonischen “Gebetsbeschwörungen / Studia Pohl: Series Maior 5. Rome, Biblical Institute Press, 1976.</ref>, 407];
	* (3) in the list of numerical designations of the astral gods (30 - Sin, 20 - Shamash, 6 - Adad, [x] - Marduk, 15 - Ishtar, 50 - Ninurta, 12 - Nergal) Mercury corresponds to the line: ''tap-pe-e Šamši''(20) \| 10 \| <sup>d</sup>NE.GI <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> "Satellites of the Sun \| 10 \| Girru (and) Nusku" [CT 25, 50:16], which probably has astronomical significance. According to Lewy, Girru and Nusku are names for Mercury as the morning and evening star respectively [Lewy 1948]. See also: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku tappê'' <sup>d</sup>''Šamaš at''[''ta''] "Nusku, y[ou] are the satellite of the Sun", quoted in [Mayer 1976<ref>''Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum.''</ref>, 407, 12]. С. Parpola rejects the identity Nusku = Mercury, cf. [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].		* (3) in the list of numerical designations of the astral gods (30 - Sin, 20 - Shamash, 6 - Adad, [x] - Marduk, 15 - Ishtar, 50 - Ninurta, 12 - Nergal) Mercury corresponds to the line: ''tap-pe-e Šamši''(20) \| 10 \| <sup>d</sup>NE.GI <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> "Satellites of the Sun \| 10 \| Girru (and) Nusku" [CT 25, 50:16, Livingstone 1986: 30-31], which probably has astronomical significance. According to Lewy, Girru and Nusku are names for Mercury as the morning and evening star respectively [Lewy 1948]. See also: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku tappê'' <sup>d</sup>''Šamaš at''[''ta''] "Nusku, y[ou] are the satellite of the Sun", quoted in [Mayer 1976<ref>''Cuneiform Texts from Babylonian Tablets in the British Museum.''</ref>, 407, 12]. С. Parpola rejects the identity Nusku = Mercury, cf. [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].

	= day of the Moon's invisibility; the interpretation is based on the identity: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku''(<sup>d</sup>PA+KU) DUMU ''še-la-še-e bu-um-bu-bu-li'' "God Nusku, son of the 30th (day of the month), (day of) bumbuli" [Litke 1998<ref name=":0" />, 36, note 145]; the standard interpretation is bubbulu "day of the Moon's invisibility" preceding neomenia [CAD<ref>''The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.'' Chicago - Glückstadt, 1956 -...</ref> B, 298], see also [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].		= day of the Moon's invisibility; the interpretation is based on the identity: <sup>d</sup>''Nusku''(<sup>d</sup>PA+KU) DUMU ''še-la-še-e bu-um-bu-bu-li'' "God Nusku, son of the 30th (day of the month), (day of) bumbuli" [Litke 1998<ref name=":0" />, 36, note 145]; the standard interpretation is bubbulu "day of the Moon's invisibility" preceding neomenia [CAD<ref>''The Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.'' Chicago - Glückstadt, 1956 -...</ref> B, 298], see also [LAS 2<ref name=":4" />, 101].

WayneHorowitz at 13:12, 18 December 2025

2025-12-18T13:12:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:12, 18 December 2025
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}

	<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity Girra, and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 ~~Nuska~~, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god ~~Nuska~~ in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].		<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) (Nuska) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity [[Girra]], and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nusku, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nusku in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].

	~~r <s>used to designate celestial bodies.</s>~~		If we use Nusku we also need a Girra entry in G

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==
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	==== II. Deity. ====		==== II. Deity. ====
	The mythological status of Nusku is variously defined in different texts. His name may have meant "Lord of the scepter" [Lambert 2002]. He was considered the son (in another version - vizier) of Enlil, in divine genealogies - the son of <sup>d</sup>En.ul and <sup>d</sup>Nin.ul. In Neo-Assyrian contexts, he was honored in Harran as the son of the lunar deity Sin. His general function over the Mesopotamian world — the god of light and fire. His symbol on Old Babylonian seals was an object similar to lightning, on kudurra — a lamp [Kurtik 2007<ref>Kurtik, G. (2007): Звездное небо Древней Месопотамии. Шумеро-аккадские названия созвездий и других светил [The Star Heaven of Ancient Mesopotamia: Sumero-Akkadian Names of Constellations and Other Heavenly Bodies], Aletejja, St. Petersburg, Russia.</ref>, fig. 48]. A number of texts testify to his astral meaning and significance. See. [MNM 2<ref>''Мифы народов мира''. Т. 1-2 / Глав. ред. С.А.Токарев. 2-е издание. М.: Советская энциклопедия. 1992.</ref>, 230; Black-Green 1992<ref>''Black J., Green A.'' Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. An Illustrated Dictionary. London, British Museum Press, 1992.</ref>, 145; Braun-Holzinger 1996<ref>''Braun-Holzinger E.A.'' Altbabylonische Götter und ihre Symbole // BaM . 1996. Bd. 27. S.235-359, Tafel 1-42.</ref>, 339; Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3">''Tallqvist K''. Akkadische Götterepitheta. Helsingforsiae, 1938.</ref>, 432-434; ~~Lewy 1948~~<ref>''Lewy Hildegard and Julius''. The God Nusku // Or. 1948. Vol. 17, Fasc. 2. P.146-159.</ref>; Litke 1998<ref name=":0" />, 50; Seidl 1968<ref>''Seidl U.'' Die babylonischen Kudurru-Reliefs // BaM. 1968, Bd. 4. S. 1-220.</ref>, 34-35, 128-130; Streck 1998-2001; Wiggermann 1992, 112].		The mythological status of Nusku is variously defined in different texts. His name may have meant "Lord of the scepter" [Lambert 2002]. He was considered the son (in another version - vizier) of Enlil, in divine genealogies - the son of <sup>d</sup>En.ul and <sup>d</sup>Nin.ul. In Neo-Assyrian contexts, he was honored in Harran as the son of the lunar deity Sin. His general function over the Mesopotamian world — the god of light and fire. His symbol on Old Babylonian seals was an object similar to lightning, on kudurra — a lamp [Kurtik 2007<ref>Kurtik, G. (2007): Звездное небо Древней Месопотамии. Шумеро-аккадские названия созвездий и других светил [The Star Heaven of Ancient Mesopotamia: Sumero-Akkadian Names of Constellations and Other Heavenly Bodies], Aletejja, St. Petersburg, Russia.</ref>, fig. 48]. A number of texts testify to his astral meaning and significance. See [MNM 2<ref>''Мифы народов мира''. Т. 1-2 / Глав. ред. С.А.Токарев. 2-е издание. М.: Советская энциклопедия. 1992.</ref>, 230; Black-Green 1992<ref>''Black J., Green A.'' Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia. An Illustrated Dictionary. London, British Museum Press, 1992.</ref>, 145; Braun-Holzinger 1996<ref>''Braun-Holzinger E.A.'' Altbabylonische Götter und ihre Symbole // BaM . 1996. Bd. 27. S.235-359, Tafel 1-42.</ref>, 339; Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3">''Tallqvist K''. Akkadische Götterepitheta. Helsingforsiae, 1938.</ref>, 432-434; <ref>''Lewy Hildegard and Julius''. The God Nusku // Or. 1948. Vol. 17, Fasc. 2. P.146-159.</ref>; Litke 1998<ref name=":0" />, 50; Seidl 1968<ref>''Seidl U.'' Die babylonischen Kudurru-Reliefs // BaM. 1968, Bd. 4. S. 1-220.</ref>, 34-35, 128-130; Streck 1998-2001; Wiggermann 1992, 112].

	~~==== III. Identification. ====~~
	~~= Mercury; H. and J. Levy provide some indirect evidence in favor of this identification:~~

			==== III. Identification. ====
	* (1) Neo-Assyrian letters mention Nusku as a celestial luminary not related to the Moon: <sup>d</sup>30 ''ina'' UGU GIŠ.ŠIBIR ''kam-mu-us'' 2 AGA.MEŠ ''ina'' SAG.DU ''š''[''ak-nu''] / <sup>[d]</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' IGI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''iz-za-az'' "Sin was mounted on top of the rod, 2 crowns were pl[aced] on (his) head, Nusku stood before him." [LABS, 174:12-13]. Here it seems to refer to a temple built in honor of Sin, which included a symbolic image of Nusku; however, it is also possible that the name "Nusku" here denotes a luminary, as Levi believes. Additionally, refer to a list of prayers to the astral gods (Pleiades, Moon, Sirius, Mars, Vega) in another Neo-Assyrian letter that begins with an invocation to Nusku: 3 [Š]U.IL<sub>2</sub>.LA<sub>2</sub>.KAM<sub>2</sub>.MEŠ ''ša'' IGI <sup>d</sup>[PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>] "3 prayers of 'Laying on of Hands' (to be made) before [Nusku]." [LABS<ref name=":1">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).</ref>, 240:5; LAS 2<ref name=":4">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian Scholars. Pt. II.: Commentary and appendices. Verlag Butzon & Bercker, Kevelaer, 1983.</ref>, 178];		* (1) Neo-Assyrian letters mention Nusku as a celestial luminary not related to the Moon: <sup>d</sup>30 ''ina'' UGU GIŠ.ŠIBIR ''kam-mu-us'' 2 AGA.MEŠ ''ina'' SAG.DU ''š''[''ak-nu''] / <sup>[d]</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' IGI-''šu''<sub>2</sub> ''iz-za-az'' "Sin was mounted on top of the rod, 2 crowns were pl[aced] on (his) head, Nusku stood before him." [LABS, 174:12-13]. Here it seems to refer to a temple built in honor of Sin, which included a symbolic image of Nusku; however, it is also possible that the name "Nusku" here denotes a luminary, as Levi believes. Additionally, refer to a list of prayers to the astral gods (Pleiades, Moon, Sirius, Mars, Vega) in another Neo-Assyrian letter that begins with an invocation to Nusku: 3 [Š]U.IL<sub>2</sub>.LA<sub>2</sub>.KAM<sub>2</sub>.MEŠ ''ša'' IGI <sup>d</sup>[PA.TUG<sub>2</sub>] "3 prayers of 'Laying on of Hands' (to be made) before [Nusku]." [LABS<ref name=":1">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian and Babylonian Scholars. Helsinki, 1993 (State Archives of Assyria, Vol. X).</ref>, 240:5; LAS 2<ref name=":4">''Parpola S.'' Letters from Assyrian Scholars. Pt. II.: Commentary and appendices. Verlag Butzon & Bercker, Kevelaer, 1983.</ref>, 178];
	* (2) addressing Nusku in a spell: EN<sub>2</sub> <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> LUGAL ''mu-ši mu-na-mir uk-li'' / ''ta-za-az ina mu-ši-ma'' UN.MEŠ ''ta-bar-ri'' "Spell. Nusku, king of the night, who illuminates the darkness, you stand in the night and test the people." [KAR I<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:39-40]; in the same spell Nusku is characterized as ''mut-tal-lik mu-ši'', ''mu-tal''-[''lik mu-ši''], lit. "walking in the night." [ibid.<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:45 r. 1], a definition applied to planets to distinguish them from fixed stars [Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3" />, 19; Mayer 1976<ref>''Mayer W.R.'' Untersuchungen zur Formensprache der babylonischen “Gebetsbeschwörungen / Studia Pohl: Series Maior 5. Rome, Biblical Institute Press, 1976.</ref>, 407];		* (2) addressing Nusku in a spell: EN<sub>2</sub> <sup>d</sup>PA.TUG<sub>2</sub> LUGAL ''mu-ši mu-na-mir uk-li'' / ''ta-za-az ina mu-ši-ma'' UN.MEŠ ''ta-bar-ri'' "Spell. Nusku, king of the night, who illuminates the darkness, you stand in the night and test the people." [KAR I<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:39-40]; in the same spell Nusku is characterized as ''mut-tal-lik mu-ši'', ''mu-tal''-[''lik mu-ši''], lit. "walking in the night." [ibid.<ref name=":2" />, Nr. 58:45 r. 1], a definition applied to planets to distinguish them from fixed stars [Tallqvist 1938<ref name=":3" />, 19; Mayer 1976<ref>''Mayer W.R.'' Untersuchungen zur Formensprache der babylonischen “Gebetsbeschwörungen / Studia Pohl: Series Maior 5. Rome, Biblical Institute Press, 1976.</ref>, 407];

InitTeam at 09:34, 16 December 2025

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	==References==		==References==
	*[[References (Babylonian)\|Kurtik's references]]		*[[References (Babylonian)\|Kurtik's references]]

			[[Category:4workWayne]]

	[[Category:Mesopotamian]]		[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
	[[Category:Akkadian]]		[[Category:Akkadian]]

WayneHorowitz at 14:07, 15 December 2025

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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Nusku''}}

	<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity Girra, and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nuska, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky.		<sup>d</sup>''Nusku'' (𒀭𒉺𒌆) is an ancient Mesopotamian fire deity, and identified with the main Sumero-Akkadian fire deity Girra, and astral Girra in the Great Star List. In SAA 10: 245 Nuska, as a source of fire, is invoked in a šu.íla (hand-lifting ceremony) together with a set of asterisms and planets in a night ritual, apparently under an open sky. For the fire-god Nuska in a similar context see [[NUN.DIM4\|NUN.DIM<sub>4</sub>]].

	r <s>used to designate celestial bodies.</s>		r <s>used to designate celestial bodies.</s>