An was depicted as a bull. Look out!
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Courtesy of Corel Corporation
An was the Sumerian sky god and symbolized heaven. In fact
his name means "sky". Sumerians lived in Mesopotamia, in the region of
which corresponds to the valleys of Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Today,
Mesopotamia is part of the states of Iraq and Kuwait.
An was depicted as a bull whose bellowing was thunder. The wife of An
was Ki, the Earth. From their union were created the trees and other vegetation.
An lead the assembly of the gods. This court had the ultimate
power to judge and punish the misdeeds of gods and mortals. Sumerians
believed that the gods designated the Sumerian kings, who had
to perform the duties and rites established by An. The gods used to meet
in the forecourt of Enlil's temple in the city of Nippur.
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