THE GREAT ADVENTURES OF A SMALL GOD: NEW EVIDENCE FOR THE DIVINE MESSENGER STAFF HUṬĀRU. (21st September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kleber, Kristin
• Is Part Of: Iraq. Volume 80(2018)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 150
• Publication Date: 2018-09-21
• Subjects: Iraq -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 935.005
• DOI: 10.1017/irq.2018.6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-0889

Abstract

Abstract : The messenger staff Huṭāru was a non-anthropomorphic deity in the Neo-Babylonian Eanna temple of Uruk that also had a practical function: it served as a symbol of authority of the goddess Ištar during the collection of taxes and dues. In this article I edit and discuss two hitherto unpublished texts that shed new light on this little known divine object. Furthermore, I suggest its identification with the "Doppellöwenkeule", a ceremonial mace with animal protomes that is represented alone or carried by Ištar on seals and terracotta plaques from the Old and Neo-Babylonian periods.