ORIGIN: Mesopotamian (Babylonian-Akkadian)
TYPE: Weather God
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP: circa 1900 BCE or earlier to circa 200 BCE
SYNONYMS:Ramman (thunder); Iškur (Sumerian)
CENTER(S)OF CULT: Karakara and at Aleppo and Mari (Syria)
ART REFERENCES: Reliefs, stelae, glyptics, etc.
LITERARY SOURCES: Cuneiform texts including Atrahasis, inscriptions.
INFORMATION: Adad is derived from the older (Sumerian) model of Iškur. At Mari [Syria] he enjoyed a major cult following. Occasionally the subject of a sacred marriage ceremony in parts of Mesopotamia and Syria. His father is the supreme sky god Anu. He is described as a benevolent giver of life in the fields but is also a more violent storm god. His name in Akkadian cuneiform means "wind". His animal is the bull. In human form he is depicted wearing horned headdress and tiered skirt of robe decorated with astral symbolism. He may carry a scimitar with a single panther head and his symbol is the lightning fork often fixed upon a pair of pincers. See also: Hadad [Syrian]
ABODE: Heaven
SYMBOL(S): Thunderbolt, Bull, Lion
PARENTS: Most common tradition Anu, sometimes Enlil or also Nanna or Sin and Ningal
SIBLINGS: Utu, Inanna
CONSORT: Shala, Medimsha
CHILDREN: Gibil or Gerra
EQUIVALENTS: Zeus (Greek), Jupiter (Roman), Thor (Norse), Indra (Hindu), Baal (Canaanite), Taranis (Celtic), Teshub (Hittite)