Tishpak (can also be spelled as Tispak) is a god from ancient Mesopotomian mythology and religion who was the state god of the city of Eshnunna. In mythology and iconography, he is associated with dragons and serpents, having had killed a dragon as well having the mushussu dragon as his symbol.
Mythology[]
Tishpak slays a dragon[]
A tale where Tishpak slays a dragon is preserved on a section of a text which has been labeled CT13.33-34, which was discovered in the Library of Ashurbanipal.[1] The story begins with various cities in crisis due to a "raging dragon" that originated from the sea, which is described to be enormous, being tall enough to snatch birds from the sky and sweep the sky with its tail. The gods are fearful of the dragon, who eventually assign Tishpak to slay it. Tishpak is initially hesitant, as he is not familiar with the dragon, but with an unnamed individual's instruction, Tishpak breaks open the clouds, starts a storm, and shoots the creature. He manages to kill the dragon with the single strike, and for three months and three nights, blood spilled from the dragon's corpse.[2]
Iconography[]
In several seals and representations, Tishpak is shown being seated or riding on the mushussu dragon.[1] [3]
Analysis[]
Other scholars who have translated the text where Tishpak slays the dragon identify the dragon that Tishpak killed as a sea monster named Labbu, and that the sea monster was created by the god Enlil. The text has been compared to the battle between the god Ninurta and the bird Anzu in Mesopotamian mythology and the conflict between the god Marduk and the goddess Tiamat in the Enuma Elish.[4]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Theodore J. Lewis (1996) CT.13.33-34 and Ezekeil 32: Lion Dragon Myths Journal of the American Oriental Society Volume 116 No.1 pp.28-47
- ↑ CT 13.33-34
- ↑ F.A.M. Wiggerman (1997) Transtigridian Snake Gods in Sumerian Gods and their Representations Styx Publications
- ↑ F.A.M. Wiggerman (1989) Tispak, his seal, and the dragon mushussu in To the Euphrates and beyond: archaeological studies in honour of Maurits N. van Loon CRC Press.
External Links[]
- Tishpak on Wikipedia