---
title: The Sun God Tablet or the Tablet of Shamash from Sippar
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8411/the-sun-god-tablet-or-the-tablet-of-shamash-from-s/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-08-26
---

# The Sun God Tablet or the Tablet of Shamash from Sippar

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![The Sun God Tablet or the Tablet of Shamash from Sippar](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8411.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8411.jpg)

## Image Caption

The Sun [God](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) tablet from the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Shamash](https://www.worldhistory.org/Utu-Shamash/) at Sippar, Southern [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/) modern-day Iraq, Middle Babylonian Period, 860-850 BCE.

The upper part of the tablet has a carved panel. [Nabu](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nabu/)-nadin-shum (a priest) and the goddess Aa lead Nabu-apla-iddina (king of [Babylon](https://www.worldhistory.org/babylon/), r. 888-855 BCE) to a shrine. Within the shrine (Ebabbara), the Sun God, wearing a horned headdress, sits on a stool and holds a ringed rod in his right hand. Before him, a solar disc rests on an altar, which is supported by ropes held by attendant deities (which can be seen on the roof of the shrine). The whole shrine sits on what appears to be a heavenly ocean. Above the Sun god, symbols of Sin, Shamash, and [Ishtar](https://www.worldhistory.org/ishtar/) appear. 
 
The [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) text on the obverse (and reverse side of the tablet, which is not shown here), records Nabu-apla-iddina's re-endowment of the Sun-Temple at Sippar. The tablet was rediscovered by the Neo-Babylonian king Nabopolassar (626-605 BCE) and an additional text was added to the tablet by him.

The British Museum, London.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2018, March 22). The Sun God Tablet or the Tablet of Shamash from Sippar. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8411/the-sun-god-tablet-or-the-tablet-of-shamash-from-s/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Sun God Tablet or the Tablet of Shamash from Sippar." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 22, 2018. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8411/the-sun-god-tablet-or-the-tablet-of-shamash-from-s/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Sun God Tablet or the Tablet of Shamash from Sippar." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Mar 2018, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8411/the-sun-god-tablet-or-the-tablet-of-shamash-from-s/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 22 March 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.