Appu (Hurrian) is the central figure of a fragmentary Hittite myth known as the “Story of Appu” (catalogued as CTH 360). Although the narrative is preserved in Hittite cuneiform tablets dated to the 13th century BCE, scholars generally interpret it as reflecting an underlying Hurrian tradition. The text itself contains no Hurrian personal names or distinctive lexical items, and the identification of the story as Hurrian is based on thematic parallels with other Hurrian myths rather than direct linguistic evidence.
Narrative overview
The surviving portions of the myth portray Appu as a wealthy and pious man living in the Mesopotamian region of Lulluwa who is troubled by childlessness. Seeking divine assistance, he offers a sacrificial lamb to the sun‑god, who instructs him to become intoxicated and consummate a sexual union with his wife. Following this advice, Appu’s wife bears two sons:
- Idalu (also rendered mḪUL‑lu, meaning “bad, evil”)
- Ḫandanza (mNÍG.SI.SÁ‑an, meaning “good, righteous”)
The story proceeds to depict a dispute over the division of Appu’s estate. Idalu, the elder son, proposes that each brother receive a separate portion, mirroring the arrangement of the gods in their own cities. He subsequently deceives Ḫandanza, appropriating most of the property and leaving his brother with a barren cow. The sun‑god intervenes, restoring the cow’s fertility.
Later fragments suggest that the brothers bring their grievance before the sun‑god at Sippar, where a judgment favors Ḫandanza. Idalu’s curse prompts the sun‑god to defer the case to the goddess Ishtar at Nineveh for final resolution. The text breaks off at this point, leaving the conclusion unknown.
Scholarly context
The “Story of Appu” is frequently cited in discussions of Hurrian mythology because its plot motifs—divine intervention in fertility, sibling rivalry, and legal adjudication by deities—parallel those found in other Hurrian narratives such as the “Song of Ullikummi.” However, the lack of Hurrian onomastics within the tablet means that the Hurrian attribution remains provisional.
Key references for the myth include:
- Friedrich, “CTH 360,” Zeitschrift für Assyriologie 49 (1950) 214‑f.
- Gary Beckman, “Mesopotamians and Mesopotamian Learning at Ḫattuša,” Journal of Cuneiform Studies 35 (1983) 97‑114.
- Gwendolyn Leick, A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology (1991).
Historical significance
The fragmentary nature of the text illustrates the challenges of reconstructing ancient Near Eastern literature, where copies of myths often survive only in partial form and across linguistic boundaries. The “Story of Appu” contributes to our understanding of the cultural interplay between Hittite scribes and Hurrian oral traditions during the Late Bronze Age.