Utukku
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In Sumerian mythology, the utukku were a type of spirit or demon that could be either benevolent or evil. The evil utukku were called Edimmu or Ekimmu; the good utukku were called shedu. The utukku were supposed to do the will of Anu, the god of the heavens. There were utukku of the plain, the mountains, the sea, and the grave.
Classes of spirits
Asakku is a name for an evil type of spirit.
The âlû. Regarded as the demon of the storm, and possibly, in its origin, the same as the divine bull sent by Ištar to attack Gilgameš, and killed by Enki-du. It spread itself over a man, overpowering him upon his bed, and attacking his breast.
The êdimmu. This is generally, but wrongly, read êkimmu, and translated "the seizer," from êkemu, "to seize." In reality, however, it was an ordinary spirit, and the word is used for the wraiths of the departed. The "evil êdimmu" was apparently regarded as attacking the middle part of a man.
The gallu. As this word is borrowed from the Sumerian galla, which has a dialectic form, mulla, it is not improbable that it may be connected with the word mula, meaning "star," and suggesting something which is visible by the light it gives — possibly a will o' the wisp — though others are inclined to regard the word as being connected with gala, "great." In any case, its meaning seems to have become very similar to "evil spirit" or "devil" in general, and is an epithet applied by the Assyrian king Aššur-bani-âpli to Te-umman, the Elamite king against whom he fought.
The îlu limnu, "evil god," was probably originally one of the deities of Tiawath's brood, upon whom Merodach's redemption had had no effect.
The rabisu is regarded as a spirit which lay in wait to pounce upon his prey.
The labartu, in Sumerian dimme, was a female demon. There were seven evil spirits of this kind, who were apparently regarded as daughters of Anu, the god of the heavens.
The labasu, in Sumerian dimmea, was apparently a spirit which overthrew, that being the meaning of the root from which the word comes.
The âhhazu, in Sumerian dimme-kur, was apparently so called as "the seizer," that being the meaning indicated by the root.
The lilu, in Sumerian lila, is generally regarded as "the night-monster," the word being referred to the Semitic root lîl or layl, whence the Hebrew layil, Arabic layl, "night." Its origin, however, is Sumerian, from lila, regarded as meaning "mist." To the word lilu the ancient Babylonians formed a feminine, lilîthu, which entered the Hebrew language under the form of lilith, which was, according to the rabbins, a beautiful woman, who lay in wait for children by night. The lilu had a companion who is called his handmaid or servant.
The namtaru was apparently the spirit of fate, and therefore of greater importance than those already mentioned. This being was regarded as the beloved son of Bêl, and offspring of Ereš-ki-gal or Persephone, and he had a spouse named Huš-bi-šaga. Apparently he executed the instructions given him concerning the fate of men, and could also have power over certain of the gods.
The šêdu were apparently deities in the form of bulls. They were destructive, of enormous power, and unsparing. In a good sense the šêdu was a protecting deity, guarding against hostile attacks. Erech and the temple Ê-kura were protected by spirits such as these, and to one of them Išum, "the glorious sacrificer," was likened.
The lamassu, from the Sumerian Lama, was similar in character to the šêdu, but is thought to have been of the nature of a colossus--a winged man-headed bull or lion. It is these creatures which the kings placed at the sides of the doors of their palaces, to protect the king's footsteps. In early Babylonian times a god named Lama was one of the most popular deities of the Babylonian pantheon.