Shamash

In Mesopotamian mythology, Šamaš or Shamash (Utu for the Sumerians) was the holder of justice. Especially adored in Sippar and Larsa.

The Akkadians and Babylonians considered Shamash the son of Anu, or on other occasions of Enlil. During the Sumerian period he was considered the son of Nannar and Ningal, and brother of Inanna and Iskur. In the Akkadian period he was, along with Sin and Ishtar, a member of the 'Triad of gods with celestial relations'.

Sometimes he appears with his wife Sherida (Aya for Akkadians and Babylonians). He was represented with an eight-pointed solar disk or by a male figure whose shoulders emanated flames; In later times, his symbol was also the scales. He was identified with the number 20.

Cult

His main sanctuary was in the city of Sippar, which was called E-babbar, and was built by Hammurabi. During the Sumerian period, his main sanctuary was located in the city of Larsa, and was called E.babbar, which was dedicated to him and his wife Aya.

In 1767 BC. C. Hammurabi built the great wall of Sippar, which he dedicated to the god Shamash.