Gula as Ninkarrak in the Middle Babylonian Onomastics
Abstract
Through the analysis of two administrative tablets from Kassite Nippur, this paper examines variation in theophoric elements within personal names – most notably, the alternation between Gula and Ninkarrak in reference to the same individual. The close parallels in structure, content, and ductus strongly suggest that both tablets were produced by the same scribe. This observation offers rare and concrete evidence for the ongoing syncretism between these once-distinct healing goddesses during the Kassite period. Moreover, the study sheds light on scribal practices within the administrative apparatus, highlighting both deliberate stylistic variation and a rather high level of scribal education.
Presentato: 03 Marzo 2025 | Accettato: 15 Aprile 2025 | Pubblicato 07 Agosto 2025 | Lingua: en
Keywords Middle Babylonian onomastics • Kassite Nippur • Ninkarrak • Scribal practices • Gula • Administrative texts
Copyright © 2025 Elena Devecchi. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/KASKAL/2036-5845/2025/01/001