Some Comments on the Ancient Mesopotamian Healing Goddess Gula in Light of Cuneiform Texts

This article is a qualitative research study aimed at understanding the ancient Mesopotamian people’s perspective on medicine and healing through prayers and religious texts. Accordingly, comments have been made on the sections pertaining to the goddess based on an examination of cuneiform archaeological materials. An examination of the sacred texts and prayers reveals that the goddess is known by the names Gula, Nintinugga, Ninisina, Bau/Baba, and Ninkarrak. What is beneficial to the people of that era is sacred. Accordingly, because of reasons such as a woman’s fertility, the flow of milk from her breasts, and her menstrual cycle, the people of that era attributed sacredness to women and created a goddess of healing. Medical practices of the time were intertwined with religious rituals. The sick person would pray to the goddess, offering fine clothing and delicious food, in hopes of recovery. An examination of cuneiform texts reveals that medical practices were carried out by physicians known as asû or āsipû. The texts also provide insight into what a physician looked like and what items he carried with him. Accordingly, the doctor carries medical instruments such as a leather bag, a scalpel, and a surgical knife (lancet) with him. Physicians who treated not only physical ailments but also psychological disorders, as well as the distressing visions and nightmares people experienced, were known to perform certain religious rituals to exorcise demons and alleviate these conditions. In addition, it has been observed that the goddess was associated with dogs and that dogs were kept in her temples. A likely reason for this may be the belief that dog saliva helps heal wounds. It has also been observed that people sought the goddess’s help to ward off the danger of rabies following a dog bite.