Enmesharra is a somewhat obscure deity in ancient Mesopotamian mythology, and references to him are relatively sparse compared to more prominent gods like Enki or Marduk. Enmesharra is often associated with the underworld and is sometimes depicted as a god of the netherworld or a god involved in the cosmic order and the underworld’s administration.
Enmesharra’s attributes and specific powers are not as well-documented as those of other deities in Mesopotamian mythology. However, he is generally linked to themes of death, the underworld, and possibly judgment, playing a role in the governance or maintenance of order within the realms of the dead.
Enmesharra appears in various mythological texts where his role pertains to the underworld. In some accounts, he is mentioned in the context of battles or conflicts involving the gods, suggesting that he might have been considered a powerful figure within the pantheon with a capacity for both creation and destruction.
The worship of Enmesharra would likely have been connected to funerary practices or rites associated with the afterlife, given his connections to the underworld. Temples or shrines dedicated specifically to Enmesharra have not been prominently identified, suggesting that his cult might not have been as widespread or influential as those of major deities.
Yes, there are myths that feature Enmesharra. One such myth is Enmesharra’s Defeat, which is only known from a single, heavily damaged copy from the Seleucid or Parthian period. This myth casts Nergal as the warden of Enmesharra and his seven sons, the Sebitti, presumably imprisoned in the underworld. Enmesharra unsuccessfully pleads with Nergal to be released to avoid being put to death for his crimes at the orders of Marduk. In the aftermath of the ordeal, the universe is reorganized, and Marduk shares lordship over it, which seemingly originally belonged to Anu, with Nergal and Nabu.