Shamash was the sun god in the mythology of the ancient Near East. Associated with truth, justice, and healing, he was one of the most active gods in the pantheonsall the gods of a particular culture of ancient Sumerpart of ancient Babylonia in southern Mesopotamia;, Babyloniaancient kingdom of Mesopotamia;, and Assyriakingdom of the ancient Near East located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

The son of the Sumerian moon god Sin, Shamash was the brother of the goddess Ishtar. His wife Aya (youth) bore him four sons—Giru (fire), Kittum (truth), Mesharum (justice), and Nusku (light). As god of the sun, Shamash moved across the sky during the day, and according to some legends,...