Irra (Dibbara, Girra, Iea, Ura) In Near Eastern mythology (Babylonian-Assyrian), god of pestilence, the fearful slaughterer who laid waste the plains, taking delight in destroying both land and humankind.
One poetic myth narrates how Irra determined to destroy Babylon. Ishum, the fire god, is told by Irra:
In the city whither I send thee,
Thou shalt fear no one, nor have
compassion.
Kill the young and old alike,
The tender suckling likewise—spare no
one.
The treasures of Babylon carry off as
booty.
After much discussion, Ishum makes Irra settle for some song of praise in the god’s honour. Wherever a tablet with the song or incantation was hung or set up, that house would be free from the onslaughts of the god.
The text ends:
He who glorifies my name will rule the world.
Who proclaims the glory of my power
Will be without a rival.
The singer who sings of my deeds will
not die through pestilence.—.
Let the inhabitants of all places learn to
glorify my name
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
NOTE:
Since the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians and others all shared essentially the same pantheon and belief systms, these articles are all combined under the Mesopotamian mythology / deities / legendary creatures category.