Namtar ('fate-cutter') was the vizier and herald of Ereshkigal, queen of the Underworld. He carried sixty diseases in his hands and could release them at Ereshkigal's command. In the myth of Nergal and Ereshkigal, Namtar is sent to the heavens to receive the gods' portion of a feast on behalf of his mistress. He is both a divine official and a terrifying agent of death and plague.
Described as a divine official — not monstrous but deeply terrifying. He carried diseases as discrete objects or forces. As death's herald, he appeared when a person's fate was decided.
Could release sixty named diseases onto humanity at command. Served as death's official messenger and determined the specific day and cause of a person's death. Could be sent to fetch specific individuals to the Underworld.
Weaknesses
- conditionActs only on Ereshkigal's orders — cannot be bargained with independently
Wards
- ritualPrayers to Ereshkigal and the Underworld gods for mercy
- [1]Nergal and Ereshkigal. Dalley, Stephanie. 1989. Myths from Mesopotamia. Oxford University Press.literary
- [2]Death in Mesopotamia. Alster, Bendt (ed.). 1980. Death in Mesopotamia. Akademisk Forlag.academic