Pleiades in ancient Mesopotamia (original) (raw)

Abstract

In this paper I will investigate the different features of the Pleiades in the astronomical, astrological, and calendrical interpretation as well as the mythical and cultural background that relates the Pleiades, on the one hand, to the “Bull of Heaven” constellation (Taurus), and, on the other, to the Seven demons. According to cuneiform sources, the Pleiades figure are among the most important stars. They are simply known in Sumerian as “the Stars” (MUL.MUL), while their Akkadian name, “the Bristle” (zappu), links them to the imagery and the cultural milieu of the “Bull of Heaven” constellation (Taurus), to which they belong. Pleiades are frequently depicted as seven dots or seven stars, and identified on a mythological level with groups of seven divine beings. In fact, the Sumerian ideogram for “seven”, if preceded by the determinative for divine beings (dIMIN.BI), can be used as an alternative name for the Pleiades. Besides, they also show a close relation to the seven demons, called the Seven (Sebettu), a well-known group of evil beings that, according to an etiological myth, causes the eclipse of the moon. The relation of the Pleiades to the war and death sphere is strengthened by their association with the Netherworld god Nergal/Erra, as well as their identification with the god’s planet (Mars). Finally, the Pleiades are among the few celestial bodies that receive a cult, and specific prayers are dedicated to them. From the sources it emerges that the Pleiades are mainly related to the movement of the Moon, and it is worth noting that the list of constellations of the ecliptic begins precisely with the Pleiades. Furthermore,the Pleiades play an important part in the calendrical reckoning, a role that is clearly stated in almanacs as the MUL.APIN, as well as in the intercalation scheme based on the conjunction of the Moon and the Pleiades.

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In this paper I will investigate the different features of the Pleiades in_ th astronomical, astrological, and calendrical interpretation as well as the mythical anc cultural background that relates the Pleiades, on the one hand, to the “Bull o Heaven” constellation (Taurus), and, on the other, to the Seven demons. According t« cuneiform sources, the Pleiades figure are among the most important stars. They are simply known in Sumerian as “the Stars’(MUL.MUL), while their Akkadian name “the Bristle” (zappu), links them to the imagery and the cultural milieu of the “Bull o: Heaven” constellation (Taurus), to which they belong. Pleiades are frequently depicted as seven dots or seven stars, and identified on a mythological level witl groups of seven divine beings. In fact, the Sumerian ideogram for “seven”, if preceded by the determinative for divine beings (*IMIN.BI), can be used as an alternative name for the Pleiades. Besides, they also show a close relation to the seven demons, called the Seven (Sebettu), a well-known group of evil beings that, according to an etiological myth, causes the eclipse of the moon. The relation of the Pleiades to the war and death sphere is strengthened by their association with the Netherworld god Nergal/ Erra, as well as their identification with the god’s planet (Mars). Finally, the Pleiades are among the few celestial bodies that receive a cult, and specific prayers are dedicated to them.

In this paper I will investigate the different features of the Pleiades in_ th astronomical, astrological, and calendrical interpretation as well as the mythical anc cultural background that relates the Pleiades, on the one hand, to the “Bull o Heaven” constellation (Taurus), and, on the other, to the Seven demons. According t« cuneiform sources, the Pleiades figure are among the most important stars. They are simply known in Sumerian as “the Stars’(MUL.MUL), while their Akkadian name “the Bristle” (zappu), links them to the imagery and the cultural milieu of the “Bull o: Heaven” constellation (Taurus), to which they belong. Pleiades are frequently depicted as seven dots or seven stars, and identified on a mythological level witl groups of seven divine beings. In fact, the Sumerian ideogram for “seven”, if preceded by the determinative for divine beings (*IMIN.BI), can be used as an alternative name for the Pleiades. Besides, they also show a close relation to the seven demons, called the Seven (Sebettu), a well-known group of evil beings that, according to an etiological myth, causes the eclipse of the moon. The relation of the Pleiades to the war and death sphere is strengthened by their association with the Netherworld god Nergal/ Erra, as well as their identification with the god’s planet (Mars). Finally, the Pleiades are among the few celestial bodies that receive a cult, and specific prayers are dedicated to them.

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References (16)

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