Sharur (mythological weapon)
Sharur (Sumerian:𒊹𒃡 šar₂-ur₃), which means "smasher of thousands" is the weapon and symbol of the god Ninurta. Sumerian mythic sources describe it as an enchanted talking mace. It has been suggested as a possible precursor for similar objects in other mythology such as Arthurian lore.
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Role and powers in mythology
Sharur plays a prominent role in an incident in which Ninurta is described as using it to defeat Asag, a monstrous demon; Sharur has the power to fly across vast distances without impediment and communicate with its wielder.
This myth receives its most complete treatment in the epic Lugal-e, which in English is rendered as "The Exploits of Ninurta (O Warrior King)".[1] According to this text, Sharur's role in the battle is not only as a weapon. It provides crucial intelligence to the hero, acting as an emissary between the god Enlil and Ninurta and relating to him the former's will, including a command to slay the architect Kur, a primeval serpent god venerated in Babylon, as well as a strategy to defeat Asag. Kur is associated with mountains and the primordial elements.[2]
Powers
Apart from its aforementioned ability to fly and communicate with its wielder, Sharur may also take the form of a winged lion, a common motif in Sumerian and Akkadian lore.
References
- Black, J.A., G. Cunningham, E. Robson, G. Zolyomi (1998). "Ninurta's exploits: a cir-sud (?) to Ninurta". The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature. Oxford.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) (alternate copy) - "Sharur". Article90.learningthroughstories.net. 2011-10-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2012-07-07.