Lamashtu

In Mesopotamian mythology, Lamashtu (Akkadian dLa-maš-tu; Sumerian Dimme dDim3-me) was a female demon, monster, malevolent goddess or demigoddess who menaced women during childbirth and, if possible, kidnapped their children while they were breastfeeding. She would gnaw on their bones and suck their blood, as well as being charged with a number of other evil deeds. She was a daughter of the Sky God Anu.

Lamashtu is depicted as a mythological hybrid, with a hairy body, a lioness' head with donkey's teeth and ears, long fingers and fingernails, and the feet of a bird with sharp talons. She is often shown standing or kneeling on a donkey, nursing a pig and a dog, and holding snakes. She thus bears some functions and resemblance to the Mesopotamian demon Lilith.

Mythology

Lamashtu's father was the Sky God Anu (Sumer An). Unlike many other usual demonic figures and depictions in Mesopotamian lore, Lamashtu was said to act in malevolence of her own accord, rather than at the gods' instructions. Along with this her name was written together with the cuneiform determinative indicating deity. This means she was a goddess or a demigoddess in her own right.

Lamashtu (Dungeons & Dragons)

Lamashtu is the demon queen of monstrous births, in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, currently imprisoned by her former lover Pazuzu.

Creative origins

Lamashtu is named for a demon goddess in Mesopotamian mythology. Pazuzu was her rival, and frequently invoked to protect people from her predations. The historical Lamashtu is described as possessing a hairy body, a lioness' head with donkey's teeth and ears, long fingers and fingernails, and the feet of a bird with sharp talons.

Publication history

Lamashtu was first mentioned in the article "Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Pazuzu" in Dragon #392 (March 2005), by James Jacobs. Lamashtu received further details in third edition in Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (2006).

Lamashtu received further description in the fourth edition book Demonomicon (2010).

Description

She is described as a wretched and deformed hag, well known for her bottomless hunger for the bones of pregnant mothers and newborn babes.

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