Nabu Mesopotamian god Nabu Nabu is the ancient Mesopotamian patron god of literacy, the rational arts, scribes and wisdom, patron deity of Borsippa. — 3rd son to Marduk & goddess Erua (Sarpanit) — younger brother to twins Ashur / Osiris, & Satu / Seth — he was the only surviving uncle to Horus He was the husband of Akkadian goddess Tashmet who was also considered a deity of wisdom. Due to his role as an oracle, Nabu was associated with the Mesopotamian moon god Sin. Limestone statue of Nabu. Circa 810-800 BCE. The British Museum, London. Functions Nabu is the patron deity of Borsippa as well as the minister and scribe of Marduk. Nabu's most important scribal duty was effected annually on the 11th day of Nisannu (the first month of the year). Probably as a consequence of his scribal role, Nabu soon became god of writing, progressively taking over from the goddess Nidaba in that function. As god of writing, Nabu was also the patron of scribes. From god of writing Nabu became lord of wisdom. Copper alloy votive plaque with inscription. The British Museum, London. The Concept Of Fate In The Ancient World Nabu was said to be the keeper of the tablet of fate regarding the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians. Gigantic limestone statue of Nabu National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad Iconography The main symbol of Nabu is a single wedge, vertical or horizontal, sometimes resting on a clay tablet. This wedge represents the writing stylus. Nabu is typically depicted wearing a long fringed robe under a slit skirt. Limestone statue of Nabu The British Museum, London. Cult places Nabu's main cult centre was the Ezida temple in Borsippa. His cult was also strongly linked to Babylon since his cult statue was paraded between Borsippa and Babylon during the akītu festival. In the Neo-Assyrian period, temples of Nabu are attested at Assur, Nineveh, Kalhu, Dur-Šarrukin, Kurba'il and Guzana. Outside Mesopotamia, eastwards, a temple was built for Nabu at Dur-Untash in Elam. Nabu resided in his temple Ezida in the vicinity of Borsippa (Babylon's lesser sister-city), considered by modern scholars as a religious edifice in honor of this god. Each New Year, his statue was moved to Babylon so Nabu could pay his deep respect to his father. Plan of Ezida, Nabu's temple at Kalhu Nabu’s Worship Nabu was continuously venerated until the 2nd century, within the boundaries of Mesopotamia and his cult even spread to ancient Egypt, where the Egyptians linked Nabu with Thoth. In the period of time between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE and the emergence of the Roman Empire, Nabu was often compared to the Greek god Apollo.