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| Part of themyth series on Religions of the ancient Near East |
| Pre-Islamic Arabian deities |
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| Arabian deities of other Semitic origins |
Shams, also called orShamsum orDhat-Ba' dhanum, is asun goddess ofArabian mythology. She was the patron goddess of theHimyarite Kingdom.[1] Her name meant 'shining', 'Sun', or 'brilliant'. She was the South Arabian equivalent of the North Arabian sun goddessNuha.
Prior to Islam, religion on the Arabian Peninsula focused on local gods, with every tribe and kingdom having their particular protective deities. However, there were also gods common for all Arabs, and thetrinity of gods representing the Sun, the Moon and the planetVenus seem to have been worshipped throughout Arabia, though their names, gender and worship differed between regions. Thus, Nuha was the name of the sun goddess in Northern Arabia, while the name of the sun goddess in Southern Arabia was Shams.
As Nuha, Shams was also worshipped in a trinity alongside the male gods of the Moon and Venus. InSaba', the sun goddess Shams was worshipped[2][3] with the god of the planet Venus,Athtar, andAlmaqah, the god of the Moon. InHadhramaut, Shams was worshipped with Athtar and the moon godSyn. Shams was described as the spouse of Athtar who is also known as 'Attar. 'Attar is a God of War and also a giver of water that is essential to life. The antelope is sacred to him and a symbol of his is the spear-point.[4] She was given votive offerings in the shape of horses.
In Mesopotamia, Athtar was identified with the goddessIshtar, and Shams with the sun godShamash.[5]
According to Peter Stein, the "Hymn of Qaniya" is dedicated to this goddess.[6]
