ANU. - A Babylonian divinity who personifies the sky, as his name also signifies (Sumerian An “sky”). In any case, his domain is the sky, and the highest part of the sky is his dwelling-place, where A. sits upon a throne. As supreme prince of heaven, A. was not only the father and king of the gods, but the god par excellence. A somewhat abstract and invisible divinity, it is understandable that his cult enjoyed less popularity than many others. Only in passing, in certain passages of mythological literature, is reference made to his creative activity.
Excavations have so far brought to light no representations or statues of this god; only his symbol, the throne surmounted by the tiara, which he shares with the other two divinities, is frequently depicted on kudurru (boundary stones).
As an indication of his power, he bears the wooden weapon eri (a special wood), called “the sublime weapon of A.” His sacred number is 60, the highest in the sexagesimal system.
The oldest and most celebrated place of worship of this divinity is the city of Uruk (Erech), where he dwells in the temple of Eanna (“house of heaven”); he also had temples in Aššur (c. 1140).