Summary page for Nergal, the Sumerian god of war, pestilence, and death.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
War, Pestilence, Fire, Battle, Desert, Death, Underworld
Archetype:
Destroyer: Symbolized unrestrained, chaotic destruction.
Underworld Ruler: Co-ruled the underworld with Ereshkigal.
Warrior: Accompanied kings into battle, bringing death to enemies.
Protector: Invoked for exorcisms and protection despite destructive tendencies.
Fire Deity: Associated with fire and burning.
Group:
Member of the Anunnaki, deities of the underworld.
Commanded an entourage, including the Seven Gods and warrior demons (Sebitti).
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Alad, Bull of Heaven, Erakal, Great Bull of Heaven, Great Gugulana, Gugulana, Ishar, Mes Lam Taea, Meslamtaea, Meslamtea, Ne-iri-gal, Nergal, Nergal Worship, Nerigal
Other Pantheons:
He was associated with Ares (Greek) and Mars (Roman) due to his warlike nature.
Paralleled Aplu (Hurrian/Hittite), Resheph (Ugaritic), and Simut (Elamite).
Compared to Set (Egyptian).
Revered as the god of war, death, and pestilence.
He served as Lord of the Underworld and consort of Ereshkigal.
Embodied “inflicted death,” symbolizing war, plague, and destruction.
Known as a “destroying flame” and called “sharrapu” (burner).
Explained suffering as part of human and natural destructive forces.
Played a protective role in exorcisms and against disease and evil spirits.
Featured in The Wrath of Erra, unleashing devastation without cause.
Described as a benefactor who heard prayers and protected agriculture.
Invoked for dual roles: destruction and protection in rituals and hymns.
Nergal’s dual role involved both causing and protecting against destruction. Revered as Lugal-silimma, the “lord of peace,” he was believed to ensure peace during campaigns due to his fearsome nature.
Consorts:
Ereshkigal – goddess of Underworld as Queen of The Dead
Nergal’s other consorts include:
- Las, a little-known goddess of possibly non-Sumerian origin.
- Mamma/Mammi/Mammitum, a relatively minor deity.
- Ninšubur, attendant of Inana/Ištar.
- Admu, a West Semitic goddess.
Marriage to Ereshkigal, to was considered a relatively late development in mythology.
Children:
Tadmushtum – goddess, a minor underworld goddess
Shubula – god of underworld
He was portrayed as a male figure holding a lion-headed mace and a scimitar.
Often shown striding in long robes, crushing a human figure underfoot.
Depicted wearing a flat cap, linked to underworld deities in Mesopotamian art.
Associated with bulls and lions, symbolizing strength and ferocity.
Weapons like maces and scimitars featured lion-themed designs.
Appeared in some depictions with the body of a lion, holding a decapitated head.
Represented on war standards carried by Assyrian armies in campaigns.
Cylinder seals from Larsa depicted him with his signature weapons.
Occasionally shown as a bull-eared figure, possibly linked to his entourage.
Weapons:
Wielded a lion-headed mace, often with one or more lion motifs.
Carried a scimitar, dagger, and bow in various depictions.
Used a mace with three lion-shaped heads as a symbol of power.
His attendant deity, Ugur, may have personified his sword.
Sacred Animals:
Associated with lions, symbolizing power and ferocity.
Linked to bulls, representing strength and supernatural might.
Symbolism:
The main symbol was the lion-headed mace, representing war and destruction.
Depicted on cylinder seals with weapons and leonine motifs.
Associated with the number 14, regarded as sacred to him.
He was connected with the 14th and 28th days of the month.
Represented by a weapon atop a dragon in artistic registers.
Lions and bulls symbolized his destructive and protective dual nature.
Celestial Associations:
Associated with the planet Mars, it symbolized war, destruction, and disease.
This is linked to Mesopotamian beliefs that Mars influenced illnesses, especially kidney diseases.
Shared celestial ties with Resheph and Simut, other warlike deities.
Realms:
Ruled the underworld, also called Kur, alongside Ereshkigal.
Governed the realm of death and the netherworld’s palace with seven gates.
Often depicted descending to the underworld, escorted by demons.
Kutha, his central cult center, was synonymous with the land of the dead.
Worship Places:
The main cult center was Kutha, with the temple E-Meslam. It was also known as Cuthah (modern Tell Ibrāhīm), his chief cultural hub.
Had temples in Dilbat, Isin, Larsa, Nippur, Ur, and Uruk.
Honored at Mari with a sanctuary on the Euphrates.
Tarbishu was an important cult center, with another E-Meslam temple.
Venerated in Mashkan-shapir, possibly at a temple named E-Meslam.
Worshiped at E-šahulla (“House of the Happy Heart”) in Mê-Turan.
Uruk housed a sanctuary called E-meteirra (“House Worthy of the Mighty One”).
Worship extended to Babylon, where he ranked third after Marduk and Nabu.
Evidence of his cult was found in Canaan, Athens, and Apak (Apiak).
Rituals & Divinations:
Rituals included offerings of animals, weapons, and jewels to appease Nergal.
Worshippers also gave offerings like weapons and food in his temples.
They performed rituals to avoid his wrath and gain protection.
Rituals used apotropaic figurines to ward off evil spirits.
Priests invoked Nergal in spells to cure illnesses and expel demons.
Incantations asked for Nergal’s protection during healing rituals.
The Epic of Erra served as an amulet to protect households.
Prayers and exorcisms invoked his power to battle sickness and death.
Nergal was involved in divination, where people tried to predict the future. They believed he could send signs through dreams or natural events.
He was involved in divination specifically related to war and death.
Omens related to Nergal were observed, especially those signifying bad luck or death.
Festivals:
The 14th and 28th days of each month were sacred to Nergal.
The number 14 held special significance in his worship.
Biblical References:
Mentioned in 2 Kings 17:30 as the deity of Cuthah (Kutha).
Cited alongside other deities worshiped by displaced Babylonian peoples.
This was referenced in context with “the men of Cuth made Nergal.”
Mythology Themes
War and Destruction: Embodied “inflicted death” through war, pestilence, and chaos.
Uncontrolled Fury: Symbolized meaning behind meaningless suffering, such as destruction in The Wrath of Erra.
Underworld Rule: Represented descent and dominance in the underworld alongside Ereshkigal.
Heroic Impulsiveness: He showcased impulsive power and eventual remorse in his mythic actions.
Suffering’s Explanation: Provided a reason for chaos, sustaining faith in gods during hardship.
Mythology Stories With Mentions Of Nergal
Nergal and Ereshkigal: Confronted Ereshkigal in the underworld, married her, and ruled jointly.
The Epic of Erra: Brought chaos to Babylon, later calmed by his vizier, Ishum.
Flood Myths: Mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh as part of the Deluge story.
The Wrath of Erra: Depicted his uncontrollable temper and destructive rampage across Babylon.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Arthur Cotterell, Oxford Dictionary of World Mythology (Oxford University Press, 1997)
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019)
- Multiple Authors, Bible – New International Version (Zondervan, 1984)
- Samuel Noah Kramer, The Sumerians Their History, Culture, and Character (The University of Chicago Press, 1963)
- Yag mur Heffron, ‘Nergal (god)’, Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses (Oracc and the UK Higher Education Academy, 2019)
- Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia, Nergal (Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2024)
- Joshua J. Mark, Nergal (World History Encyclopedia, 17 January 2017)