Annuna

In Sumerian mythology, the Annuna, the fifty great gods, whose domain appears to be principally but not exclusively the underworld. Some of them are associated with specific cities, while others bear a strong resemblance to the functions of patron saints of the Roman Catholic Church. To mention a few:

• Ashnan: The cereal grain goddess.
• Enkimdu: The god in charge of canals and ditches.
• Enbilulu: The god in charge of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
• Ereshkigal: Queen of the Underworld.
• Ishkur: The god of the winds.
• Lahar: The goddess of cattle.
• Nanshe: The patron goddess of the poor, widows and orphans.
• Nidaba: The goddess of writing, particularly documents in the palace archives.
• Ninkasi (the lady who fills the mouth): One of the healing children of Enki and Ninhursag; she governs the art of brewing. Some speculation on the activities of Ninkasi has lead researchers to ask, "Which came first? Beer or bread?"
• Uttu: The goddess of weaving and clothes.