Sharur (
Sumerian:𒊹𒃡 šar₂-ur₃), which means "smasher of thousands" is the weapon and symbol of the
god
In monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Oxford Companion to Philosophy'', Oxford University Press, 1995. God is typically ...
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.
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)". 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.
Powers
Apart from its aforementioned ability to fly and communicate with its wielder, Sharur may also take the form of a
winged lion
The winged lion is a mythological creature that resembles a lion with bird-like wings.
Mythical adaptations
The winged lion is found in various forms especially in ancient and medieval civilizations.
There were different mythological adaptions f ...
, a common motif in Sumerian and
Akkadian lore.
See also
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Asakku
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Durandal
Durendal, also spelled Durandal, is the sword of Roland, a legendary paladin and partially historical officer of Charlemagne in French epic literature. It is also said to have belonged to young Charlemagne at one point, and, passing through Sa ...
*
Excalibur
Excalibur () is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes also attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Britain. It was associated with the Arthurian legend very early on. Excalibur and the Sword in th ...
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List of mythological weapons
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Mjølnir
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Vajra
The Vajra () is a legendary and ritual weapon, symbolising the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).
The vajra is a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball-shap ...
References
Mesopotamian mythology
Sumer
KUR
Mythological weapons
Weaponry articles needing attention
Clubs (weapon)
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