In Sumerian mythology, the Annuna, the fifty great gods, whose domain appears to be principally but not exclusively the underworld. Some of them are associated with specific cities, while others bear a strong resemblance to the functions of patron saints of the Roman Catholic Church. To mention a few:

• Ashnan: The cereal grain goddess.
• Enkimdu : The god in charge of canals and ditches.
• Enbilulu : The god in charge of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
• Ereshkigal: Queen of the Underworld.
• Ishkur: The god of the winds.
• Lahar : The goddess of cattle.
• Nanshe : The patron goddess of the poor, widows and orphans.
• Nidaba : The goddess of writing, particularly documents in the palace archives.
• Ninkasi (the lady who fills the mouth): One of the healing children of Enki and Ninhursag; she governs the art of brewing. Some speculation on the activities of Ninkasi has lead researchers to ask, "Which came first? Beer or bread?"
• Uttu : The goddess of weaving and clothes.