Summary of the Epic of Ninurta’s Exploits. The god’s battle with chaos and the rise of the mountains.
Ninurta, son of Enlil, ruled as a mighty warrior and judge. When the demon Asag rose with an army of stone, Ninurta answered the gods’ cries. He battled through fire, storms, and blood to destroy the monster. He crushed Asag, turned it to stone, and named the mountains. But famine followed. So Ninurta brought back the waters, healed the land, and taught farming. He judged the stones—some cursed, others blessed. Enlil praised him and granted eternal favor. The people rejoiced, the fields grew, and Ninurta’s glory endured.
Themes Related to The Epic of Ninurta’s Exploits: Sumerian Warrior God and the Creation of the Mountains
Genesis of Realms
- Ninurta shaped the mountain into a sacred land.
- Named the mountain and blessed its riches.
- Made it fertile with trees, metals, and animals.
Beasts and Bravery of Heroes
- Ninurta battled Asag and many monsters.
- He crushed demons and wild beasts.
- Victory proved his strength and heroism.
Conflict and Code of Warriors
- Ninurta fought with divine courage and fury.
- He upheld justice through strength and war.
- Warrior values guided his sacred mission.
Creatures and Companions
- Sharur acted as weapon and trusted guide.
- It warned, advised, and fought beside Ninurta.
- Their bond showed loyalty and divine aid.
Legends of Deluge
- Ninurta’s storm brought flood and fire.
- Mountains drowned, rivers boiled, fields burned.
- His wrath echoed ancient flood myths.
Gods and Goddesses in The Epic of Ninurta’s Exploits
Ninurta
- Son of Enlil and Ninmah.
- Fought the demon Asag with fierce power.
- Flattened mountains and unleashed storms.
- Named the mountains and restored the rivers.
- Gave grain to the goddess Nisaba.
- Received praise and eternal favor.
Enlil
- Father of Ninurta and chief god.
- Feared Asag and hid in retreat.
- Sent divine commands through Sharur.
- Later praised Ninurta’s strength and deeds.
Ninmah (Ninhursag)
- Mother of Ninurta and goddess of life.
- Wept over the destruction he caused.
- Received the mountain’s name from Ninurta.
- Became known as Ninhursag, Lady of the Mountain.
An (Anu)
- Sky god and king of the heavens.
- Trembled before the coming battle.
- Honored Ninurta after his victory.
Bau (Gatumdug)
- Goddess of healing and mercy.
- Pleaded for people before Ninurta.
- Served as divine intercessor during judgment.
Nisaba (Nunbarshegunu)
- Goddess of grain, wisdom, and writing.
- Received the granaries from Ninurta.
- Helped restore growth across the land.
The Anuna / Anunnaki
- Great gods of Sumer.
- Fled in fear during the battle.
- Praised Ninurta after his triumph.
Other Characters In The Epic of Ninurta’s Exploits
Asag (Azag)
- Demon born in the mountains with no known father.
- Led an army of living stone warriors.
- His body scorched the land and dried rivers.
- Tried to claim power over divine justice.
- Ninurta crushed him and renamed him “Stone.”
Sharur
- Ninurta’s enchanted, speaking battle-mace.
- Warned Ninurta of Asag’s rise.
- Flew ahead to scout the enemy.
- Gave advice and magical support in battle.
The Stone Warriors
- Sentient stones summoned by Asag.
- Attacked cities and terrified the gods.
- Some betrayed Ninurta and were cursed.
- Others remained loyal and were honored.
The Defeated Creatures
Kuli-ana
- Monster slain by Ninurta in the mountains.
- Counted among his early victories.
Dragon
- Fierce creature defeated by Ninurta.
- Slain during his campaign against chaos.
Six-headed Wild Ram
- Beast with six heads and great strength.
- Destroyed by Ninurta’s might.
Seven-headed Snake
- Serpent monster with seven heads.
- Known from other Mesopotamian myths.
Anzud (Anzu) Bird
- Lion-headed eagle creature.
- Defeated by Ninurta in the highlands.
Bison Bull
- Wild beast from the mythic mountains.
- Conquered by Ninurta during his campaign.
Palm-tree King
- Likely a symbol of vegetal or territorial power.
- Vanquished by Ninurta.
Magilum Boat
- Mythic object or entity treated as a foe.
- Defeated by Ninurta in battle.
Lord Saman-ana
- Named enemy slain by Ninurta.
- Possibly a divine or semi-divine being.
Places and Realms in The Epic Of Ninurta’s Exploits
The Mountains
- Home of Asag and the stone army.
- Burned, flooded, and crushed by Ninurta’s wrath.
- Became the origin of the name “Mountain.”
- Ninhursag received her title from this land.
E-kur
- Temple of Enlil in Nippur.
- Shaken by Ninurta’s battle cry.
- Became a refuge during divine fear.
Nibru (Nippur)
- City of Enlil’s rule.
- Place where Ninurta’s victory was confirmed.
- Destination for Asag’s captured remains.
E-ninnu
- Temple of Ninurta.
- Honored loyal stones with statues and offerings.
- Celebrated Ninurta’s power and divine justice.
E-šu-me-ša
- Sacred place chosen by Ninurta.
- Visited by Ninmah during her lament.
- Site of sorrow and transformation.
Abzu (Apsu)
- Source of sacred power and wisdom.
- Held Ninurta’s divine strength.
- Mentioned as the origin of his might.
Tigris River
- Flooded and scorched during battle.
- Dried up during famine.
- Restored by Ninurta to feed the fields.
Land of Sumer
- Rejoiced in Ninurta’s victory.
- Received irrigation and new trade routes.
- Honored Ninurta as divine protector.
The Epic of Ninurta’s Exploits: Sumerian Warrior God and the Creation of the Mountains
The Hero of the Gods
Ninurta sat on his throne of judgment.
He drank with the Anuna at a great feast.
Bau, goddess of healing, brought petitions to him.
Ninurta ruled with wisdom and divine authority.
The Rise of the Asag
Sharur warned Ninurta of a threat from the mountains.
The demon Asag ruled over stone creatures and wild lands.
Even gods feared the Asag and offered him tribute.
Cities fell to the Asag’s stone army.
The people begged Ninurta to save them.
The Asag aimed to take Ninurta’s kingship.
Ninurta prepared for war despite Sharur’s warnings.
The Battle with Asag
Ninurta cried out and shook heaven and earth.
Winds, fire, and floods ravaged the rebel mountains.
Trees fell, rivers boiled, and cities were destroyed.
Sharur scouted and brought back battle intelligence.
The Defeat of Asag
The Asag met Ninurta in a final clash.
The demon howled, scorched the land, and bloodied the skies.
Ninurta crushed the Asag with brutal force.
He pounded the body like grain beneath a millstone.
Victory was complete; the Asag lay dead.
Aftermath and Restoration
Ninurta renamed the Asag: “Stone.”
The gods bowed before Ninurta in praise.
Famine followed the destruction of battle.
Waters dried, canals broke, and crops failed.
Ninurta gathered mountain waters behind stone dams.
He restored the Tigris and irrigated the fields.
Barley and fruit returned to the land.
Ninmah lamented the ruined mountains.
Ninurta honored her as “Ninhursag,” Lady of the Mountain.
Judgment and Reward
Ninurta judged each stone for its loyalty.
He cursed traitorous stones with destruction and exile.
He honored faithful stones with roles in temples and palaces.
The people praised Ninurta in every land.
He boarded his barge, sailing home in glory.
Enlil blessed Ninurta with eternal life and rule.
Ninurta gave the grain stores to Nisaba.
The land flourished under his divine order.
Find More Sumerian Myths and Explore Sumerian Gods & Goddesses
- Faculty of Oriental Studies, Ninurta’s exploits: a šir-sud to Ninurta (The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, 2003)
- Matt Clayton, Sumerian Mythology: Captivating Myths Of Gods, Goddesses, And Legendary Creatures of Ancient Sumer and Their Importance To The Sumerians (Captivating History, 2019) Page 21
- Multiple Authors, Asag (Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, 25 December 2023)