Gods, Demons & Immortals
whose Names Start with 'Z'
The immortals of ancient Sumer.
by James W. Bell © 2002-3
Zababa
Zababa was a powerful local Akkadian warrior god, the tutelary god of the renown city of Kish, where tradition had him as the consort of Ishtar (Inanna). At Kish, Zababa had both a temple, the E.meteursag, 'House Worthy of the Hero,' and a ziggurat, the E.unirkitushmah, 'Temple Tower, Exalted Abode.'
Zababa also had temples at Ashur and Babil. In addition, he had a temple at Ur in Sumer, the E.kitushshateen, 'Abode Which Soothes the Heart.'
Zazaru (see Bau, the Lukur Maidens)
Zazaru, a local Sumerian goddess, was the best-known daughter of Bau, who collectively with her six sisters were called the 'Lukur Maidens,' and served in the temple. Zazaru, and two of her sisters, Nipae and Urnuntaea, had chapels in the temple.
Ziusudra (see Atra-hasis)
Zu-birds (also see Anzu and Imdugud)
In Sumerian mythology, the term 'Zu-bird' seems to have been used interchangeably with 'Anzu.' They are probably two names used for the same creature.
*[ But to me, Anzu birds and Zu-birds seem quite different and I have so portrayed them in my stories. ]*
*[ In my stories, Zu-birds are similar to Anzu birds, but are earthborn while Anzu birds descend from Heaven. This results in a number of differences. Zu-birds, although they resemble Anzu birds, are not as large. Another difference is that Zu-birds, being earthborn, have to rest at night whereas Anzu birds don't. ]*
*[ But the big difference between the two is that Zu-birds are sometimes willing to help mortal creatures whereas the Anzu act only on the commands of gods. In this sense, the Zu-birds in my stories are much like Imdugud, the Anzu bird who serves Enki. Both Zu-birds and Imdugud act as protectors of mortals - creatures, human and animal - that Enki created. ]*
Zu-birds had no known temples, sanctuaries or shrines.
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