Old Babylonian god-lists in retrospect: A new edition of TH 80.112

Abstract

Abstract – The discovery of new fragments of the Mari god-list in 1998-2000 as well as new readings proposed by different scholars since its publication lead to a better understanding of the list. For example, it is argued that the section of the Nin-deities is organized according to the principle of a life cycle. This article also highlights the affiliation of Mari god-list with other Old Babylonian god-lists, which form a group whose organization dates back to the 3rd millennium: god-lists from Isin, Mari, and Uruk as well as others of unknown provenance are interconnected through their main organization as well as through thematic groups of deities based on, among others, the motif of weeping mothers or the seven children of Enmešara. Finally, this article proposes several new readings in these lists and also aims to clarify the function of some minor deities during the Old Babylonian period, such as NINniĝar, Ninsig, Ninpiriĝ or Ninkur(a), through the analysis of their place in the different lists.