Alexandra V. Barley
From the fertile banks of the Tigris and Euphrates emerged a myth that would echo through millennia-the story of Gugalanna, the mighty Celestial Bull. In this groundbreaking exploration, Alexandra V. Barley unveils the multifaceted legacy of one of Mesopotamia’s most enigmatic divine figures. Drawing on ancient texts, mythological narratives, and archaeological evidence, the book journeys through the sacred landscapes of Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria to illuminate the symbolic power of the bull in religion, royal ideology, and seasonal ritual. Gugalanna stands not merely as a mythical beast, but as a celestial archetype-embodying strength, fertility, and divine retribution. His presence shaped the worldview of early civilizations, linking the heavens to the harvest, the gods to kings, and life to death. Through vivid storytelling and scholarly insight, Barley brings ancient cosmology to life and reveals how the myth of the Celestial Bull continues to speak to our timeless search for meaning in the stars. Perfect for readers of ancient history, comparative mythology, and spiritual symbolism, Gugalanna offers a compelling window into the soul of the world’s first urban civilization.
