In Sumerian and Akkadian mythology Ninurta was one of the gods of Hell.

In another legend Ninurta was a warrior deity, being his weapons a bow, poisoned arrows and a mace. He represented the south wind, what means that he is one of the demons of wind, and, commanding other seven demons, can generate whirlwinds. According to other authors, as he once caused a flood by killing a monster that separated the earth from the primeval water he was also associated with irrigation.

He also slain Anzu, who had stolen the Tablet of Destinies (which allowed Ellil to determine the fate of all living and inanimate things), instructed by Belit-ili.

Ninurta was worshipped in Nimrud (now Kalah), in which sanctuary the Assyrian kings were consecrated. He was Bau's husband.