Maqlû

Maqlû
Robert William Rogers (1864–1930) · Public domain · source
Name	Maqlû
Type	Exorcism ritual series
Culture	Mesopotamian religion
Period	First Babylonian dynasty to Late Babylonian period
Location	Library of Ashurbanipal
Language	Akkadian language

Maqlû. Maqlû (Akkadian for "Burning") is a major series of Mesopotamian incantations and ritual actions aimed at countering witchcraft. Composed of nine tablets, it represents one of the most complete and systematic exorcism texts from Ancient Babylon, reflecting the profound belief in magic as a defense against malevolent forces. Its preservation in libraries like that of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh provides critical insight into Babylonian cosmology and the professional practice of the āšipu, or exorcist-priest.

Overview and Significance

The Maqlû series is a cornerstone of Babylonian literature pertaining to defensive magic. It is distinguished by its comprehensive and formulaic structure, designed to be performed over a single night. The ritual's primary significance lies in its function as a state-sanctioned, textual tradition for combating witchcraft, which was perceived as a grave threat to both individual and societal order. The work exemplifies the sophisticated theology and ritual expertise developed by the scribal scholars of Mesopotamia, particularly within the context of Babylonian science. Its inclusion in the Library of Ashurbanipal underscores its importance as a canonical reference for Mesopotamian scholarship.

Ritual Content and Structure

The ritual is structured across nine tablets, containing over 100 incantations paired with specific ritual actions. The ceremony was performed at night, typically on a rooftop, and involved the burning of figurines representing the witch and her accomplices. Key actions included the preparation of a sacred bīt rimki (bathhouse) for purification, the creation of effigies from various materials, and their subsequent destruction by fire, drowning, or burial. The structure follows a logical progression from purification of the victim, through the identification and binding of the witch, to the final eradication of her influence and the restoration of divine protection. This meticulous procedure highlights the astrological and lunar considerations important in timing such rites.

Incantations and Deities Invoked

The incantations of Maqlû are poetic compositions invoking a pantheon of major and minor deities to witness, judge, and execute justice against the witch. Primary gods invoked include the supreme triad: Anu, Enlil, and Ea, the latter being especially crucial as the god of wisdom and magic. The solar god Shamash, as divine judge, and the fire god Girra, as the agent of burning, are central figures. Other significant deities include the healing goddess Gula, the scribal god Nabu, and the warlike Ištar. The incantations often appeal to these gods' authority and their role in maintaining cosmic order against the chaos represented by witchcraft.

Purpose and Magical Function

The explicit purpose of Maqlû was the apotropaic defense of an individual, usually the king or a noble, from the effects of sorcery. Its magical function operated on the principle of sympathetic magic: by symbolically destroying a representation of the witch, the ritual sought to nullify her spells and break her power. It served to transfer guilt, cleanse ritual impurity, and restore the patient to a state of divine favor. Functionally, it was a tool of social and psychological stabilization, reaffirming the power of established religious institutions like the Esagila temple and the authority of the āšipu over unseen threats.

Manuscripts and Archaeological Evidence

The principal manuscripts of Maqlû were discovered in the 19th century among the clay tablet collections from Ashurbanipal's library at Nineveh. Key exemplars are also known from other sites like Assur and Babylon itself. The text exists in multiple copies, allowing for substantial reconstruction by modern scholars such as Gerhard Meier and Tzvi Abusch, whose critical editions are foundational. The archaeological context confirms its use from the First Babylonian dynasty through the Seleucid period, demonstrating a remarkably stable textual tradition.

Relationship to Babylonian Religion and Society

Maqlû was deeply embedded in the fabric of Babylonian religion and society. It reflects a worldview where illness and misfortune were often attributed to demonic forces or human malice, necessitating expert intervention. The ritual reinforced the social hierarchy by protecting the elite and validating the knowledge of the priestly class, particularly the āšipu and the kalû (lamentation priest). Its performance upheld the cosmology centered on Marduk and the legitimacy of the king of Babylon. As a formalized counter to witchcraft, it served as a conservative force, promoting stability and cohesion by addressing fears through sanctioned, traditional means.