Study of Mesopotamian Mythology

As I was writing my review on the last book I read, The Secrets of Nicholas Flamel: The Sorceress, I came to a major realization on one of it's mythological characters; Gilgamesh. It's a name I am familiar with but for some reason have always associated as a British legend. The book describes him as a mad king but doesn't get too much into his backstory. Upon further reviewing the character I came to realize that he is actually a Sumerian legend NOT a British legend. Furthermore this famous story, The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest stories in the world. This epic saga falls in the lore of ancient Sumerian religion which established a framework for the religions and mythologies to follow; such as Egyptian, Hebrew, and even Greek Mythology. 

I generally get the feeling that society considers Egypt as the mainstream ancient civilization and often overlooks the significance of Sumer and Mesopotamia. However it's quite factual that civilization began with Sumer as far back as 5500 BC. Located in the southern region of modern day Iraq, along the Persian Gulf and between the Euphrates and Tigris River, this valley was considered the cradle of civilization. The city of Uruk became the first major urban metropolis and served as the center of the Sumer region. It was from here and the city of Jemdet Nasr that some of the oldest texts were recorded pertaining to their religion and mythology, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh. The people of Sumer worshiped multiple gods and deities that each represented some form of supernatural force of nature. This practice of polytheism carried far beyond Sumer and eventually into Egypt.  

By 3000 BC the cradle of civilization had reached into upper Egypt and as far as the Indus Valley that had established civilizations to rival Sumer. By 2300 the civilization of Sumer was transformed into the Akkadian Empire who established a military presence across the Middle East. The religions and traditions established by Sumer were carried on throughout the Akkadian Empire (2300-2100 BC), into the Assyrian Empire (2025-600 BC), the Babylonian Empire (1890-540 BC), and even the Persian Empire (550-330 BC). It was not until the conquest of Alexander the Great, the Romans, and the spread of Islam that these religions were considered mythology. In this post I'd like to highlight some of the main mythological stories as well as the major deities.   

Creation and Flood Myth

Many of the myths of Mesopotamia culture were discovered on tablets by modern day archeologists. The writings are perhaps not as clear and legible as maybe the Egyptian heiroglyphics but keep in mind this is very ancient stuff. One of the earliest versions of creation myths from the Sumerians is referred to as the Eridu Genesis. In this account the world was created by the founder gods; An, Enil, Enki and Ninhursanga. A civilization of humans are molded from clay, and are later joined by animals, cities, and kings to preside over them. This period is however short-lived as the gods lose favor with the humans and bring a great flood upon the earth. It's interesting here how this Great Flood story precedes the Genesis Account of Noah and the Ark. 

Another version of the creation myth is the Atra-Hasis which came later from the Akkadian Empire. In this account mankind is created by the goddess Mami, to work and serve for the gods. However the antagonist god, Enlil decides to eliminate mankind with famine, disease, and eventually the great flood. Mankind is however saved by the hero Atrahasis, who is warned by the god Enki to build a boat. Similar to the account of Noah, Atrahasis carries his family and animals throughout the rainstorm for 7 days until the flood subsides. 

A third popular version of the creation myth is the Enuma Elis which came from the Babylonian Empire. In the beginning there was a watery swirl of chaos ruled by the gods Apsu and Tiamat. Together they give birth to the younger gods (such as Enki) who begin to disrupt Apsu's sleep, until they kill Apsu. Tiamet then declares war on the younger gods and brings chaos thru monsters and her champion Quingu. From the young gods, the champion Marduk emerges who defeats Quingu and kills Tiamet with an arrow. Marduk uses Tiamet's corpse to create the heavens and earth, while her tears make up the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Marduk and the god Ea create humankind to serve the gods, the first human being created is Lullu. 

Heroic Epics

Just as in Greek Mythology there were also heroic epics, of human heroes who were blessed with godlike power. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is considered one of the most significant sources of Mesopotamian religion and culture. Written around 2000 BC it pertains to the historical king Gilgamesh, who reigned over Uruk during the 29th century BC. In the story Gilgamesh is a demigod and befriend a wild man named Enkidu. Together they go on many trials and tribulations to prove their valor to the gods. The Goddess Ishtar offers Gilgamesh her hand in marriage, but he refuses. In response to this she sends the Bull of Heaven and eventually has Enkidu killed. 

The 2nd part of the epic pertains to Gilgamesh's search for immortality in the netherworld. He fails many of the quests put before him and comes to the realization that he is unable to acheive immortality. Gilgamesh journeys to find Utnapishtim, the sole survivor of the great flood. However Utnapishtim informs him that it is impossible to obtain and Gilgamesh later return to his home in Uruk. This famous heroic story inspired many other famous Greek epics such as the Labors of Herakles, the Illiad or Odyssey. 

 

Another famous heroic epic in Mesopotamian mythology is the story of Adapa. Following the Great Flood humankind was without a leader, that is until Adapa rose to prominence thru his gift of wisdom. One day while out fishing the wind capsized Adapa's boat and in anger he cursed the wind and broke it's wings. For his actions, the god Anu called Adapa into trial for cursing the wind. Before Adapa faced Anu he was advised by the god Ea not to accept any drink or food from Anu as it would likely kill him. Knowing this Anu offers Adapa the gift of immortality, but Adapa refuses it as was advised to him. For his lack of faith and trust, Adapa brings mortality to all of mankind. The story is quite similar to the Fall of Adam and Eve, only in reverse. Adam and Eve are cast out of heaven for eating the forbidden fruit while in this account Adapa is cast out of immortality because he does NOT eat the sacred food and drink.  

Famous Mesopotamian Gods

• Anu (Also known as An): Is the Supreme Mesopotamian God, the sky god, and the god of gods (on par with Zeus in Greek Mythology). He serve as the chief administrator of all laws pertaining to the gods and humankind. He has a role in both famous epics of Gilgamesh and Adapa. He loans the Bull of Heaven to his daughter Ishtar and he judges Adapa for cursing the wind. 

• Enki (Also known as Ea): Is the god of wisdom and water. He is regarded as one of the creator gods who molded humankind out of clay and established the rivers of Euphrates and Tigris. He is considered a protector against demons and wickedness. He counsels Adapa not to trust the god Anu, which as consequence makes all mankind mortal. 

• Enlil (Also known as the Great Mountain): He is also regarded as a creator god and the father of wind, air, earth, and storms. He is considered the god of fate and destiny. He can bring upon great calamities and natural disasters. In the Epic of Gilgamesh he is credited as the source of the Great Flood that kills most of humanity.   
  

• Ninurta: He is regarded as the god of farming, hunting, healing, law, scribes, and war. He cures humans of sickness and fights off demons. The Assyrians considered him a great warrior and symbol of military prowess. 

• Marduk: He was the warrior god who fought against the goddess Tiamat and helped create the universe from Tiamat's corpse. He is often associated with agriculture, medicine, justice, and magic. During the Babylonian Age he was considered the supreme god behind the balance of all things good and evil.

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  Ishtar (Also known as Ianna): She was the daughter of the supreme god Anu, and considered the Queen of the universe. She is associated with love, sex, fertility, and war. The Assyrians regarded her as the most important of the deities. In the Epic of Gilgamesh she served as an antagonist by tempting Gilgamesh and sending the Bull of Heaven to destroy him and his friend Enkidu. 

• Shamash (Also known as Utu): He is considered the god of the sun, just like the Greek God Apollo, who drags the sun by chariot each day. He is also considered the all-seeing God who is the father of truth and justice. For this he is associated with legal and business matters pertaining to justice. 
  

• Nanna (Also known as Sin): He is considered the god of the moon and night. He is also associated with foresight, magic, destiny, divination, astrology, and rituals.  

• Ereshkigal (Also known as Irkhalla): She is considered the goddess of death and the afterlife in the realm known as Kur. She is often regarded as the sister of Ishtar. 

• The Annukai: The seven judges of the afterlife. They are often associated with fate and destiny. Their biggest claim to fame was deeming Ishtar guilty and striking her dead. They later make a deal with her siblings that she can be free if they spend time each year in the afterlife (thus bringing about the cycle of seasons). This is a similar story to Persephone and Hades.