Lamashtu

Fertile Crescent myth series
Mesopotamian
Levantine
Arabian
Mesopotamia
Primordial beings
7 gods who decree
The great gods
Demigods & heroes
Tales from Babylon
Spirits & Monsters
Good beings: Humbaba · Kingu Kishar · Mamitu Siris · Zu Evil beings: Asag · Edimmu Hanbi · Kur Lamashtu · Namtar Pazuzu · Rabisu Resheph

Illustration

In Mesopotamian mythology Lamashtu (Sumerian Dimme) was a female demon, monster, malevolent goddess or demigoddess that menaced women during childbirth and, if possible, kidnapped children while they were breastfeeding, she would knaw on their bones and suck their blood, as well as being charged with a number of other evil deeds. She was a daughter of the Sky God Anu.

Lamashtu had a hairy body, a lioness' head with donkey's teeth and ears, long fingers and fingernails and the feet of a bird with sharp talons. She is often shown standing or kneeling on a donkey, nursing a pig and a dog, and holding snakes. She also bears some functions and resemblance to the Mesopotamian demon Lilitu.

Mythology

Lamashtu's father was the Sky God Anu (Sumer An). Unlike many other usual demonic figures and depictions in Mesopotamian lore, Lamashtu, was said to act in malevolence of her own accord, rather than at the gods' instructions. Along with this her name was written in cuneiform suggesting that she was a goddess or a demigoddess in her own right.[1]

She bore seven names and was described as seven witches in incantations. Her evil deeds included (but not limited to), slaying children, unborns, and neonates, causing harm to mothers and expectant mothers, eating men and drinking their blood, disturbing sleep, brought nightmares, killing foliage, infesting rivers and lakes, and a bringer of disease, sickness, and death.[2]

Pazuzu, a god or demon, was invoked to protect birthing mothers and infants against Lamashtu's malevolence, usually on amulets and statues. Although Pazuzu was said to be bringer of famine and drought, he was also invoked against evil for protection, and against plague, but he was primarily and popularly invoked against his fierce, malicious, rival Lamashtu.[3]

Mesopotamian Incantation Prayer Against Lamashtu:

Appearance in modern media

• the name of a Shivan capital starship in the FreeSpace 2 game
• a creature that appears in the Final Fantasy X game on Mushroom Rock Road
• featured in the story of the Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines game under the name "Lamastu"
• a king of Closetland in the roleplaying game Little Fears
• the name of the opening track of Spawn of Possession's album "Cabinet"
• the Goddess of Monstrous Birth in the setting of the Dungeons & Dragons-oriented role-playing game publication Pathfinder.

See also

• Utukku
• Alû
• Akhkhazu
• Lilith

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