Nisaba was originally the Sumarian Goddess of fertility (and so linked with the grain harvest), and later, the Goddess of writing, learning and astronomy. In time, She was believed to have invented writing and the law. She infuenced law, communication, diviniation, dreams and inspiration. The Sumarians believed Her to be the daughter of the sky God An, but the Baylonians thought Her to be the daughter of Enlil (an ancient Mesopotamian god associated with wind, air, earth, and storms). Although, in one myth, She is reckoned to be the Mother of Enlil. When he wishes to marry Sud, he asks Nisaba for permission. I suppose we will never really know the truth of who She was.

Her sanctuaries were E-zagin at Eresh and at Umma, in what is now Iraq. In one temple carving She was shown to have long, flowing hair, crowned with a horned tiara and carrying ears of corn and a crescent moon.