Entrusting the witches to Ḫumuṭ-tabal

The ušburruda ritual BM 47806

Bibliographic Data

ID24074889
AuthorsDaniel Schwemer (0000-0001-9341-6344, SOAS University of London, corresponding author)
Year2010
Volume72
Pages63-78
Publication date2010-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueIraq (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-0889 • E-ISSN: 2053-4744
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0021088900000590
OpenAlexW1855298262
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited18

The hitherto unpublished Late Babylonian fragment BM 47806 + adds another example to the group of rituals which counteract witchcraft by banning sorcerers to the netherworld. Šamaš is asked to hand them over, on his journey to the netherworld, to Ḫumuṭ-tabal, the ferryman of the dead. The edition of BM 47806 + is preceded by a brief overview of rituals of this type, including a discussion of the relationship between ritual burial of figurines – symbolising the dismissal of sorcerers to the netherworld – and their ritual burning, the other single most important technique of figurine magic deployed to kill warlock and witch.

Ancient history · Art · Biology · Dismissal · MAGIC (telescope) · Physics · Political science · Witch · Ancient Near East History · Ecology · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Law · Linguistics and language evolution