Summary page for Sulpae, the Sumerian god of wildlife and fertility. Represented by the planet Jupiter, he was also known as Lord of Demons.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Wildlife, Fertility, Sky
Lord of Demons, Diseases
Archetype:
Sky god, linked to Jupiter as a celestial being.
Warrior deity, fulfilling divine warrior roles in some hymns.
Animal deity, protector of wild animals and nature.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
dŠul-pa-è, dŠul-pa-è-a, Lugaludda, Lord of the demons, Shulpae, Šulpae, Sul-pa-e
Other Pantheons:
Possible astral parallels with Roman Jupiter due to planet association.
Revered as an astral deity connected to the planet Jupiter.
Known for bringing disease, especially a condition called bennu.
*Bennu-epilepsy was a feared disease in ancient Sumer. It caused seizures, loss of consciousness or sanity, and sometimes made patients cry out like a goat.
Served as a divine warrior, linked to warfare and battles.
Associated with orchards and the protection of wild animals.
Revered as the consort of Ninhursag, a powerful mother-goddess.
Parents:
None Known
Siblings:
None Known
Consorts:
Ninhursag – goddess of Earth, Animals, Wildlife, Birth, Fertility
Children:
Ashshirgi – god of Protection – tutelary god of Adab and Kesh
Lisin – god or goddess of Fire
Mululil – god of Scholars, a dying god, god of Adab
Symbolism in Name: His name, Šulpae, meant “the youth shining forth,” linked to light or brilliance.
Epithets: He was also called Lugaludda, meaning “lord of the demons,” implying a fearsome aspect.
Astral Associations: Represented the planet Jupiter, symbolizing his celestial role as a sky god.
No Visual Depictions: There was no specific ancient artistic representations or detailed iconography of Sulpae in researched texts.
Symbolic Presence: His appearance in the sky was linked to divination and omens.
Weapons:
Known as a divine warrior, but texts don’t describe his armaments.
Sacred Animals:
Linked to wild animals in general, reflecting his role as a nature deity.
Symbolism:
Symbolized by the planet Jupiter, emphasizing his astral role.
His name, meaning “the youth shining forth,” symbolized light and brilliance.
Celestial Associations:
Strongly associated with the planet Jupiter.
Linked to Jupiter’s heliacal rising in Mesopotamian astronomy.
Jupiter’s brilliance symbolized his astral power in mythology.
Mentioned in the Epic of Erra in connection with celestial phenomena.
Realms:
His role as an astral deity suggested a connection to the celestial heavens.
Worship Places:
Kesh: Major cult center dedicated to Sulpae.
Nippur: Worshiped in Ninhursag’s temple and later in Ninurta’s sanctuary Ešumeša.
Girsu: Received offerings during the Ur III period.
Larsa and Ur: Mentioned in various texts as worship centers.
Sippar: Invoked in seal inscriptions with Ninhursag.
Etillara: Described as the “house which smites the steppe” in a lamentation.
Canonical Temple List: Refers to ten temples, though their exact locations are unclear.
Rituals & Divinations:
No specific rituals mentioned, but Sulpae’s role as an astral deity linked to Jupiter played a part in celestial divination.
Jupiter’s rising and brilliance were observed in connection with Sulpae during divination practices.
Sulpae was invoked during celestial events, with references to “dim the brilliance of Sulpae” in the Epic of Erra.
Mythology Themes:
Linked to celestial themes, particularly involving his brilliance as a deity of Jupiter.
Featured in stories about celestial events.
Mythology Story With Mentions Of Sulpae:
Mentioned in the Epic of Erra, where the god Erra wanted to “dim the brilliance of Sulpae.”
Connected to celestial conflict during Erra’s destructive rampage, highlighting Sulpae’s astral significance.
Visit All Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Editors of Encylopaedia Britannica, Ninhursag Mesopotamian Deity (Encyclopedia Britannica, November 09, 2023)
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Jeffrey L. Cooley, Erra and Isum (Cambridge University Press, August 07, 2014)
- Joshua J. Mark, The Mesopotamian Pantheon (World History Encyclopedia, February 25, 2011)
- Multiple Authors, Sulpae (Wikipedia.com, September 09, 2023)