The rise of the Sun God and the determination of destiny in ancient Mesopotamia

This dissertation investigates the connection between sunrise and the determination of destiny in ancient Mesopotamia, focusing on Sumerian and Akkadian language evidence of the Ur III and Old Babylonian periods (c. 2100–1600 B.C.). It elucidates this religious belief through an examination of the ideology and ritual enactment associated with sunrise fate determination, providing a discussion of the Mesopotamian concept of fate determination, a description of the imagery of sunrise and the place of sunrise, as well as an overview of the duties of the rising sun god, and an outline of the form, structure and components of sunrise ceremonies of fate determination. Throughout the dissertation an investigation into the entwined nature of the ideology of kingship and the decree of destiny at sunrise, along with an examination of the role of the Mesopotamian ruler in rituals at sunrise fate determination is pursued