GULA  , a Babylonian goddess, the

consort of Ninib . She is identical with another goddess, known as Bau, though it would seem that the two were originally independent . The name Bau is more common in the oldest period and gives way in the post-Khammurabic age to Gula . Since it is probable that Ninib (q.v.) has absorbed the cults of minor sun-deities, the two names may represent consorts of different gods . However this may be, the qualities of both are alike, and the two occur as synonymous designations of Ninib's female consort . Other names borne by this goddess are Nin-Karrak, Ga-turn-dug and Nin-din-dug, the latter signifying " the lady who restores to life." The designation well emphasizes the chief trait of Bau-Gula which is that of healer . She is often spoken of as " the great physician," and accordingly plays a specially prominent role in incantations and incantation rituals intended to relieve those suffering from disease . She is, however, also invoked to curse those who trample upon the rights of rulers or those who do wrong with poisonous potions . As in the case of Ninib, the cult of Bau-Gula is prominent in Shirgulla and in Nippur . While generally in close association with her consort, she is also invoked by herself, and thus retains a larger measure of independence than most of the goddesses of Babylonia and Assyria . She appears in a prominent position on the designs accompanying the Kudurrus boundary-stone monuments of Babylonia, being represented by a statue, when other gods and goddesses are merely pictured by their shrines, by sacred animals or by weapons . In neo-Babylonian days her cult continues to occupy a prominent position, and Nebuchadrezzar II. speaks of no less than three chapels or shrines within the sacred precincts of E-Zida in the city of Borsippa, besides a temple in her honour at Babylon .

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