3-Week SASA Reading Group: Between Night and Justice: The Cosmic and Temporal Duality of Sin and Shamash

How did the rhythmic movements of the moon and the sun shape the very first concepts of cosmic order in human history? While dualism is traditionally associated with later classical Iranian or philosophical systems, this 3-week reading group challenges that narrative by diving deep into the cuneiform tablets of ancient Mesopotamia. We will investigate whether ancient people perceived their universe through a foundational binary structure, focusing on the temporal and cosmic duality between the Moon God Sîn (governing night and destiny) and the Sun God Shamash (governing day and absolute justice).

By analyzing primary sources in translation, ranging from the lyrical Sumerian hymn (ETCSL 4.07.2) to the divination queries of the Neo-Assyrian State Archives (SAA 4) and imperial Royal Inscriptions, we will explore whether this celestial relationship signified a cosmic conflict or a harmonious complementarity. Furthermore, we will trace the historical echoes of this solar-lunar dynamic, connecting ancient Near Eastern…