Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea

Lugal-irra and Meslamta-ea
Pair of warrior gods, guardians of doors and gatekeepers of the underworld
Major cult centerKisiga, Dūrum
Weapons
  • bow and arrows (Lugal-irra)
  • mace and axe (Meslamta-ea)
Animals
  • black raven (Lugal-irra)
  • white raven (Meslamta-ea)
Genealogy
Spouse

Lugal-irra (𒀭𒈗𒄊𒊏) and Meslamta-ea (𒀭𒈩𒇴𒋫𒌓𒁺𒀀) were a pair of Mesopotamian gods who typically appear together in cuneiform texts and were described as the "divine twins" (Maštabba). There were regarded as warrior gods and as protectors of doors, possibly due to their role as the gatekeepers of the underworld. In Mesopotamian astronomy they came to be associated with a pair of stars known as the "Great Twins", Alpha Geminorum and Beta Geminorum. They were both closely associated with Nergal, and could be either regarded as members of his court or equated with him. Their cult centers were Kisiga and Dūrum. While no major sanctuaries dedicated to them are attested elsewhere, they were nonetheless worshiped in multiple other cities.


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