Ninshubur was a Mesopotamian goddess, whose chief role was that of divine attendant to the goddess Inanna. She is often depicted on glyphic scenes with her arms raised, in supplication before another deity or kingly figure. This composition, of either a suppliant goddess leading or following a young male worshipper in front of a seated king, is a common religious scene seen on Old Babylonian cylinder seals. The dress attire of these figures also demonstrates iconic representations of this culture. Ninshubur was associated, through her role as an attendant, with the Lamma, a group of intercessory goddesses who mediated between worshippers and higher-ranking deities. Her role, as a ‘sukkal’, attendant, of the goddess Inanna was recorded through texts and hymns, confirming her importance. She is often regarded by Assiriologysts as the earliest and foremost important ‘sukkal’.
To find out more about cylinder seals, please see our relevant blog post: Mesopotamian Cylinder Seals—Exploring Glyptic Images.
