"Utu, who eats butter, who eats cream, nevertheless touches the table of the poor."
Shamash, also known as Utu, was the ancient Mesopotamian sun god. He was believed to see everything that happened in the world every day, and was therefore responsible for justice and protection of travelers. As a divine judge, he could be associated with the underworld. Additionally, he could serve as the god of divination, typically alongside the weather god Adad. While he was universally regard
"He has raised his head over the mountains; he is indeed their king! Utu who decrees judgments for all countries, the lord, the son of Ningal, who renders decisions for all countries, the lord who is highly skilled at verdicts, the son of Enlil, highly knowledgeable and majestic Utu. [...] He has lifted his head over the Land. My king Utu, you cross all the shining mountains like an eagle! He has lifted his gaze over the mountains."
Utu"Emerging [from] below and gazing upwards, Utu, great physician, father of the black-headed, wearing a lapis-lazuli beard in the E-babbar! Utu, great hero, focus of the assembly, king, bison running over the mountains! Utu, bison running over the mountains!"
Utu"My brother, I want to tell you something -- pay attention to my speech. [...] Utu, my twin, I want to tell you something -- pay attention to my speech. [...] My spouse, has made love to me, has kissed me. I wanted [the E-ana] for him. [...] But majestic An would not give him E-ana. The heavens are ours, the earth is ours: E-ana should be captured from An."
Utu"The messenger gave heed to the words of his king. He journeyed by the starry night, and by day he travelled with Utu of heaven."
Utu"Utus glance is prayerful. Utus heart is compassionate. A devotee of Utu is among the holy. Allotted by Utu to be fortunate, a [...] ship reaches the quay."
Utu"My sister, I swear an oath by the life of heaven, I swear by the life of the rainbow of heaven, [...] I swear by the life of my throne, by my majesty: I will follow what my sister says to me, I will follow what holy Inana says to me."
Utu