Anatolian mythology

This article offers an in-depth look at Anatolian mythology, providing essential information about the gods, goddesses, and other beings of this region. You'll find descriptions of figures such as Alalu, the first ruler of the sky, and Istanu, the sun god. You'll also learn about some of the most important goddesses, such as Ariniti, the sun goddess, and Shaushka, the goddess of love, fertility, and war. The article also includes information on some other beings and concepts, such as the Anunaki, the children of An, and Eya, the tree of life.

Gods

Alalu - god, first ruler of heaven defeated by Anu.

Anu - a god of Hurrian origin, was the first among the gods. Son of Alalu. He was defeated by Kumarbi.

Arma - the highly revered moon god; son of Teshub and Hebab.

Aruna - god of the sea (the ocean surrounding the world).

Elkunirsha - Hittite name of the northwestern Semitic god El, older generation.

Enlil - god of the earth and atmosphere, ruler of humans, sent the flood.

Hahhima - a deity personifying numbness, perhaps the personification of the cyclical death of nature.

Istanu - the sun deity, appeared in the sky on a four-horse chariot, and seeing everything from above, became a judge and witness of contracts and obligations.

Kumarbi - a god serving Anu, then rebelled against him and in the fight bit off his "loins" and swallowed his semen, which caused him to begin to carry three powerful deities inside himself.

Lelwani - deity of the underworld.

Round - warrior guardian god.

Tarhuna - storm god, chief deity.

Ulgen - the highest heavenly deity, creator of the world.

Goddesses

Ariniti, Arinna - sun goddess from the holy city of the Hittites.

Ashertu - Northwest Semitic goddess, wife of El.

Gulses - scribe goddesses, patrons of humanity. They recorded human destiny on the Tablets of Life.

Istustaja and Papaya - goddesses of fate from the retinue of the god Lelwani. They spun the thread of human life.

Kamrusepa - a sorceress goddess, helper and daughter of the sun god, with whom she combed sheep's fleece.

Szaushka - the great goddess of love, fertility and war.

Other characters and issues

Anunaki - seven gods of the underworld, children of An.

Eja - tree of life.

Erlik - ruler of the spirits of the underworld.

Hedammu - a monster living in the sea, devoured thousands of animals, destroyed cities, fields and people.