Description
The word Sebitti and its variations are typically translated with a meaning along the lines of "the seven", "group of seven" or "the seven of them". They are always presented as masculine deities, and are kin in one way or another (either brothers or half brothers). Their most prominent characteristic across all versions is their warlike nature.Variations
Assyriologist Frans Wiggermann enumerates the following known identities of this group:Anthropomorphized Pleiades
The Sebitti can be anthropomorphic representation of the Pleiades or another stellar or atmospheric phenomenon.Sons of Enmešarra
The Sebitti can appear as sons of Enmešarra, a poorly known antagonistic figure known from some myths about Enlil, Ninurta and Marduk. Some texts refer to the group as "the great gods", a name they share with the seven sons whom they can be identified with. In one, very late (Foreign gods
Groups of foreign gods, such as "divine seven of Elam" from the list ''An-Anum'' associated with the goddess Narunde (identified as their sister) and the obscure god Zamahhunde (identified as "their jester")Minor war gods of Neo-Assyrian Empire
As minor gods in the state pantheon of theEnemies of Ninurta
From the god list An=Anum, one group of "Seven Warriors" are identified with the Sebitti, as monsters subjugated by Ninurta.Weapons or servants of Erra
The Seven appear as characters in the Erra Epic, a text from the early first millennium that describes the titular god Erra ( Nergal) going on a warpath and sacking Babylon. In this narrative they are creations ofSons of Ishara
In one text describing a ritual to protect a house, the Sebitti are named as sons of Ishara (a possible mistaken reference to Ishara in place of Enmešarra.) According to Wiggermann these categories could overlap, ex. in a ritual meant to protect the house from demonic beings the gods are identified as both sons of Enmešarra and brothers of Narunde, while elsewhere the brothers of Narunde were the sons of Anu.Other potential versions
A Sumerian Hymn of Hendursaga, a god of the night and an afterlife guide, contains reference to a group of seven warriors, one of three heptads that work as assistants to the god. These seven are described as being animalistic, each having features of an animal. (fox, dog, raven, vulture, owl, and shark) As proposed by Lorenzo Verderame, this group is likely related to the later occurring Sebitti.Iconography
Sigils from the first and second millennium that are thought to represent both the Pleiades and the Sebitti were groups of seven dots, sometimes with four or six dots paired, or with three pairs and one single loose dot. There are also the anthroporphic statues of the seven used in magic ritual, procured and decorated for use around the home. Unfortunately these statues were made from wood, so while weapons have been recovered, full statues have decayed away. However texts describe in detail how these statues should have looked. One describes the preparation of the statues, with them described as being mounted on a pedestal of tamarisk posed as if they were walking. Each would be given a crown, garment, weapons (hatchet in the right hand, dagger in the left), a bronze girdle and headband, horns for their crown, and a bow and quiver to hang at their side. The statue would be painted with a red paste to finish. The seven can appear on relief, in a similar walking pose with the same weapons and garments.Worship
There is evidence for small cults of the Sebitti being active in the Neo-Sumerian period, but the group came to full prominence in the first millennium of Assyria, where the heptad was incorporated into the official pantheon of the state. Unlike many other deities of this time, their role and purpose from that point was shaped greatly by the state, and not mythological tradition.Apotropaic rituals
The Sebitti have a well attested use in Neo-Assyrian white magic, often involved in complex rituals to protect the home and its inhabitants. Ritual texts describe the preparation of Sebitti statues for this purpose. Each statue was carved from wood and armed with a bronze or copper hatchet, dagger, and bow hanging from the shoulder. These figures could be buried under the gate, speculated as them acting along with Nergal and other death/underworld godsTheories of origin and history
The first known references to the group were in their connection and relation to the Pleiades, where they were worshipped as "the Seven Warriors" in a temple open to the elements where offerings were made to astral deities. By the first millennium in Assyria their cult was prominent, and there is some reference to them in the Babylonian sphere as well, though there they were considerably rarer.References
Bibliography
* * * * * * {{History of religions Mesopotamian gods War gods