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HISTORY OF EARLY IRAN

bodied in the names.[1] The fact that more than one deity has been identified with a given Babylonian god points to the syncretism of several groups of gods before the invaders entered Babylonia. We are, however, able to discern that some of the Kassite gods are of Caucasian type. Such are Shipak, equated with Marduk; Sah, identified with Shamash; Hudha,[2] likened to Adad; and Harbe, corresponding to Enlil.[3] Others of their gods are of uncertain origin. Among these are Kashshu, their eponymous deity, who doubtless took his name from their land and may also be Caucasian; Kamulla or Ea; Dur and Shugab, equated with Nergal; Shuqamuna, likened to Nergal and Nusku; Hala or Gula; Shumalia or Shibarru, "the Lady of the Bright Mountains, who dwells on the summits"; Mirizir or Beltu; and Gidar or Ninurta.

We may detect among the invaders another element also. The horse was a divine symbol to the Kassites; and their constant use of this animal, which became common in Babylonia only after their entry, connects the intruders with the Indo-European hordes who were at this time attacking the whole northern boundary of the Fertile Crescent, namely, the Hittites, the rulers of Mitanni, and perhaps an

  1. H. W. Rawlinson, Cuneiform Inscriptions of Western Asia, Vol. V, Pl. 44, i and iv.
  2. Possibly to be read Hulahha.
  3. Cf. the Elamite deity Hurbi in col. i, l. 15, of the Naram-Sin treaty text cited above, p. 35.