InSumerianandancient Mesopotamian religion,gallûs[1](also calledgallas;[2]Akkadiangallû<Sumeriangal.lu) were greatdemonsordevilsof theancient Mesopotamian Underworld.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Dumuzi_aux_enfers.jpg/290px-Dumuzi_aux_enfers.jpg)
Role in mythology
editGallu demons hauled unfortunate victims off to theunderworld.They were one of seven devils (or "the offspring of hell" ) of Babylonian theology that could be appeased by the sacrifice of a lamb at their altars.[3]
The goddessInannawas pursued bygalludemons after being escorted from the Underworld by Galatura and Kuryara.[4][3]In theDescent,it is stated that said demons
know no food, know no drink, eat no flour offering, drink nolibation.They never enjoy the pleasures of marital embrace, never have any sweet children to kiss. They snatch the son from a man’s knee. They make the bride leave the house of her father in law.[5]
Other uses
editThe wordgallumay also refer to a human adversary, one that is dangerous and implacable.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Morris, John (1880).The new nation.Original from Oxford University. pp.40& 311 (volume 3 of 5).
Gallu demon.
{{cite book}}
:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^Muss-Arnolt, William(1905).A Concise Dictionary of the Assyrian Language.Original from Harvard University: Reuther & Reichard; Lemcke & Büchner; etc., etc. p. 216.
- ^abBriggs, Charles August;Toy, Crawford Howell(1911).Essays in Modern Theology and Related Subjects.Original from Harvard University: C. Scribner's sons. pp.155–158.
Gallu demon.
- ^Black, Jeremy;Cunningham, Graham; Flückiger-Hawker, Esther;Robson, Eleanor;Taylor, John; Zólyomi, Gábor."Inana's descent to the netherworld".Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature.Oxford University.Retrieved22 June2017.
- ^"Archival view of P468903".Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative.UCLA.
- ^I. Tzvi AbuschBabylonian Witchcraft Literature: Case Studies1987 "...especially, the initial position which he occupies in both support the propriety of our earlier analysis of obv. 37-40 on the basis of the comparison" Contra AHw sv,galluin this line refers not to a demon but to a human enemy... "