Ninurta’s Epic Battle in Sumerian Mythology
The summary page for the myth of ‘The Slaying of The Dragon Kur.’ Ninurta’s epic battle over chaos.
In The Slaying of the Dragon Kur, warrior-god Ninurta, son of Enlil, faced the primeval serpent Kur. Guided by his talking mace, Sharur, Ninurta battles Kur, who holds back the primeval waters. After a fierce struggle, Ninurta defeats Kur, but the victory causes devastating floods and famine.
He built a stone wall over Kur’s body to restore order, redirecting the waters into the Tigris and bringing prosperity back to the land. Ninurta honored his mother, Ninmah, by renaming her as Ninhursag, as queen of the mountains. He named the mountain Hursag and blessed it with fertility.
The myth highlights the triumph of divine order over chaos and showcases Sumerian beliefs about nature’s cycles.
Mythology Themes Related To ‘Slaying Of The Dragon Kur’
Genesis of Realms: Creation and Transformation
- Showcased through Ninurta creating the Hursag mountain.
- Turned chaos into order by building a barrier against the waters.
- Blessed Hursag to produce abundance, symbolizing renewal and prosperity.
Beasts and Bravery of Heroes: Heroism in Battle
- The central theme is Ninurta battling Kur and the demon Asag.
- Demonstrated divine strength and courage.
- Highlighted the classic hero vs. monster trope in mythology.
Conflict and Code of Warriors: Valor and Strategy
- Framed Ninurta’s quest as a warrior’s journey.
- Sharur, his talking mace, provided strategy and encouragement.
- Emphasized perseverance and bravery in the face of danger.
Gods and Goddesses In The Myth of The Slaying of The Dragon Kur
Ninurta (Warrior-God)
- Hero of the myth and son of Enlil.
- Slayed Kur and restored order to the land.
- Brought fertility and prosperity back to the fields.
Enlil (Air-God)
- Father of Ninurta, associated with air and storms.
- Commanded Ninurta to slay Kur.
- Influenced the battle through Sharur’s guidance.
Ninmah (Also Known as Ninhursag)
- Mother of Ninurta and goddess of earth and creation.
- She felt deep love and pride for her son’s deeds.
- Became queen of Hursag, the mountain Ninurta created.
Other Important Characters In The Myth of Slaying The Dragon Kur
Kur (Primeval Serpent God)
- The antagonist of the myth was linked to mountains and primordial elements.
- Held back the primeval waters, causing chaos.
- His death led to natural disasters and flooding.
Sharur (Enchanted Talking Mace)
- Sentient weapon and symbol of Ninurta.
- Acted as a guide and strategic advisor.
- Communicated Enlil’s commands and encouraged Ninurta to fight Kur.
Gods of the Land
- Managed irrigation and agriculture.
- Prepared the land for cultivation with pickaxes and baskets.
- Struggled to control the waters after Kur’s death.
Primeval Waters (Personified Element)
- Represented a powerful natural force.
- Released after Kur’s death, causing floods and famine.
- Prevented fresh water from reaching fields and gardens.
Places and Realms in The Myth of The Slaying Of The Dragon Kur
Hursag (Mythical Mountain)
- Created by Ninurta over Kur’s body.
- Acted as a barrier against the primeval waters.
- Ninmah became its queen.
- Blessed to produce herbs, wine, honey, metals, and livestock.
Tigris River
- Real-world river with a mythological role.
- Carried away the floodwaters after Kur’s death.
- Restored fertility to the farmland.
The Land (Unnamed Fertile Region)
- Suffered famine and devastation after Kur’s death.
- Became fertile again through Ninurta’s actions.
- Produced abundant grain, fruit, and harvests.
Lower Regions (Underworld or Primordial Waters)
- Possibly a mythical underworld or deep waters.
- Associated with the flooding after Kur’s death.
- Stopped rising when Ninurta built the Hursag.
The Slaying of the Dragon Kur
The Hero’s Call
Ninurta, a warrior god and son of Enlil, is a leading character in the myth.
The story was part of The Feats and Exploits of Ninurta.
Kur, a primeval serpent god, threatened the natural order.
Sharur, Ninurta’s talking mace, delivered Enlil’s command to slay Kur.
The Battle Begins
Ninurta prompted by Sharur, faced Kur in a battle.
Ninurta initially struggled and fled “like a bird” from Kur.
Sharur encouraged Ninurta, boosting his confidence.
Ninurta attacked with all his weapons, engaging in a fierce battle.
Chaos Unleashed
Ninurta defeated and destroyed Kur.
Kur’s death released the primeval waters, causing floods.
The land suffered severe famine and devastation.
The gods of agriculture struggled to restore fertility.
Restoring Balance
Ninurta built a stone wall over Kur’s body, creating Hursag.
The wall held back the waters, redirecting them into the Tigris River.
The fields flourished again, and prosperity returned to the land.
Ninmah, Ninurta’s mother, visited him, showing a strong maternal bond.
Ninurta named Hursag in her honor, making Ninmah its queen.
A Land Blessed
Ninurta blessed Hursag with herbs, wine, honey, and livestock.
The battlefield transformed into a fertile and abundant region.
He blessed allies and cursed enemies among the stones of Hursag.
Order triumphed over chaos, restoring nature’s cycles.
Find More Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Samuel Noah Kramer, Sumerian Mythology: A Study of Spiritual And Literary Achievement in the Third Millenium B.C. (General Press, 2021) L2602
- Multiple Authors, Sharur (mythological weapon) (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, 22 November 2023)