Apkallu

The Abgal (Sumerian for " wise men ", Akkadian Apkallu, NUN.ME ) are seven Sumerian protection and wisdom gods who were invoked particularly in the healing magic.

History

The Abgal were the " seven wise men before the flood ," the ( Akkadian: Ea) of Enki had been created to bring civilization to the people. A text from Uruk leads to the antediluvian kings and the seven antediluvian sages: U -An, U- At - dugga, Enmedugga, Enmegalamma, Enmebulugga, An - Enlilda and Utuabzu. Each of these Abgal had its own role. They stood for fire, medical, law, crafts and art. This Abgal merged with the Akkadian Apkallu to Babylonian protective demon. An indication of these seven sages can also be found in the Erra Epic Plate I 162, where they are called Puddu fish.

Afterlife

U An is often identified with Berossus ' culture bearer Oannes.

An adaptation of the legend is found after Werhahn shrub in the seven Saptarishis from the Atharvaveda, which survived along with Manu in a boat, which was towed by Vishnu in his incarnation as Rohitafisch the Flood. This is due to speculation by Friedrich Creuzer.

Iconography

Traditionally, the Abgal be half and half represented as fish as a human or as people in the fish costume. They were probably for other mythological figures such as Dagon or Triton Godfather. But there are Babylonian incantation texts that describe other forms of Apkallu. In an incantation against disease states such as:

" Point seven Menschenapkallu of wood to the head end of the patient. Bury seven Vogelapkallu of clay on a wall that is adjacent to another room. The seven Fischapkallu clay bury before and behind the chair.

Accordingly, it was especially in the late Babylonian, but especially the Assyrian been increasingly different multiform Apkallu, man, fish, bird and bull. Famous are the Vogelapkallu from the palace at Nimrud. However, it is partly disputed whether the representations Apkallu show or other gripping demons.

23901
de