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cosmos-godsWe're still mapping where this idea was first discussed. Key passages and related ideas below.

Ninurta, the Divine Warrior & Farmer

The warrior-god who slays the chaos-monster — then turns his victory into the waters that feed the fields.

Ninurta is the great divine champion: the heroic son of Enlil who goes out to destroy the monsters that threaten cosmic order — the demon Asag in the mountains, the thieving Anzu-bird who stole the Tablet of Destinies. But he is also a god of farming and the fertilizing storm: in 'Ninurta's exploits,' having defeated chaos, he organizes the waters and stones for the land's benefit, so that his martial victory becomes agricultural blessing. He thus binds together two faces of order — the warrior who defends the world and the farmer-god who makes it fruitful.

Key passages(20)

A balbale to Ninurta (Ninurta F)

Very high

Good semen, good seed, king chosen by Enlil! Very good semen, very good seed, Ninurta, chosen by Enlil! My king, I shall call upon your name. Ninurta, I am your man, your man; I shall call upon your n

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Ninurta's return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta

Very high

Created like An, O son of Enlil, Ninurta, created like Enlil, born by Nintur, mightiest of the Anuna gods, who came forth from the mountain range, imbued with terrible awesomeness, son of Enlil, confi

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A hymn to Ninurta (Ninurta C)

Very high

……. ……, lordly son of Enlil, ……. ……, hero who appears in glory, who ……. …… in Enlil's house ……. …… no one ……. …… of E-kur, the rebel lands ……. ……, lord ……. ……, captain, ……. …… king of Urim, ……. ……, ki

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A tigi (?) to Ninurta for Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan O)

Very high

Great hero, strongest in heaven and earth! Ninurta, who controls perfectly the fifty divine powers in the E-kur! …… governor for his father, rising raging storm, who extends terror …… towards the fore

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An adab to Ninurta for Ur-Ninurta (Ur-Ninurta C)

Very high

Hero, terror-inspiring dragon of exceptional fearsome terror, powerful Ninurta! Rising hurricane, ……, mighty possessor of august strength, who lets no foreign land escape! Fitted for heroism from the

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Ninurta's exploits: a šir-sud (?) to Ninurta

Very high

An, king of the gods, majestic one: O king, storm of majestic splendour, peerless Ninurta, possessing superior strength; who pillages the mountains all alone; deluge, indefatigable serpent hurling you

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A tigi to Ninurta (Ninurta D)

Very high

I will fell trees, I will strike down forests. Let my mother know it. I, Ninurta, will fell trees, I will strike down forests. Let my mother know it. I will clear them away like an …… axe. Let my moth

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A šir-namšub to Ninurta (Ninurta G)

Very high

King, your headdress hangs loose upon your neck, your kingship is gloriously manifest! Hero Ninurta, your headress hangs loose upon your neck! Hero Pabilsaĝ, your headress hangs loose upon your neck!

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An adab to Ninurta for Lipit-Eštar (Lipit-Eštar D)

Very high

Hero, mightiest of the Anuna gods, who comes forth from the E-kur! Ninurta, Lord Nunamnir created you like a great storm ……, he commanded you to achieve triumphs for him. Barsud. For you Nintur has

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Ninurta's journey to Eridug: a šir-gida to Ninurta (Ninurta B)

Very high

The hero …… coming forth from the E-kur; Ninurta …… coming forth from the E-kur, …… Ninurta, the son of Enlil, in order to instruct ……, Ninurta went from the place of Enlil to Eridug. To determine a

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Very high

(Belet-ili saying to Ninurta:)' Flash [... ], fix the appointed time, ' send out light for the gods whom I created! ' Raise your entire battle, ' make lightning strike, let your destructive winds go a

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A tigi to Ninurta for Šulgi (Šulgi T)

Very high

Lord, perfect warrior, beloved by ……. Ninurta, meš tree with a broad shining canopy, ……. Weapon striding into battle, …… foreign countries. A dragon with a terrifying face, venomous snake who …… its v

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Very high

For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, built his temple.

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A tigi (?) to Ninurta for Šu-Suen (Šu-Suen D)

Very high

Ancient warrior, greatly respected and forceful, with the strength of a full-grown lion! Ninurta, …… flood, great lion, fierce opponent in battle! Mighty one, who …… the enemy peoples, destroyer of ci

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A šir-gida to Ninurta (Ninurta A)

Very high

The warrior, the lordly son of Enlil, Ninurta, the fierce bull, fit to be a prince, the hero manifest in E-šu-me-ša, the glory of E-kur, the rigorous judge, king, …… of the gods, the butting bull, pla

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Very high

(Anzu saying to Ninurta:)' [... ] all the gods [... ]. ' [... ] you [.. ] have come [... ] battle with me? [... ] your reason!' [... ] the utterance of his mouth came forth, [... ] answered Anzu (Ninu

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High

For Ninĝirsu, the powerful warrior of Enlil, Ur-Bau, ruler of Lagaš, the child born to Ninagala, made an eternal thing appear: he built and restored his E-ninnu-anzud-babbar.

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An adab to Ninurta for Būr-Suen (Būr-Suen A)

High

……, lord, whom the Great Mountain engendered, whose magnificence has no equal. Ninurta, magnificent in heaven and earth, surpassing among the Anuna gods. ……, foremost among the gods, support of An. ……

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High

By his firm command, Enlil, the king of all lands, the father of all gods....... (Uš) removed the stela and repositioned it towards the plain of Lagaš. By (Enlil’s) just command, Ninĝirsu, Enlil’s war

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Ninurta and the turtle

High

At his command your weapon struck me evilly. As I let the divine powers go out of my hand, these divine powers returned to the abzu. As I let the divine plan go out of my hand, this divine plan return

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