The God Enki in Sumerian Royal Ideology and Mythology

by Peeter Espak

Overview

This study analyzes the divine concept of the Sumero-Akkadian deity Enki in its literary and mythological development through different periods of Mesopotamian history. Sumerian myths and theology related to the god Enki are influential throughout the history of the Ancient Near East. Several mythological motives from the Sumerian cultural area later reach the creation stories of the Old Testament and beyond. Through the Biblical narratives the ancient Sumerian mythology of Enki reaches the later Christian world, and therefore this mythology has become a part of the collective memory and culture of the present day world. Seven chapters give a diachronical overview of the relevant source materials (royal inscriptions, hymns, etc.) related to the god Enki and other close divine figures and religious phenomena from the period of about 2500-1700 BC. The last two chapters concentrate on the aspects of comparative mythology and archaic Sumerian religion. The relations of Enki and the Mother Goddess in the Mesopotamian religion and YHWH and Eve in the Old Testament are briefly analyzed. Some aspects about the decline of the cult of the Mother Goddess and several details of the political history of the Ancient Near East reflected in the relevant texts are discussed in the book. It is claimed that there is no direct conflict between the theologies of Nippur and Eridu (Enlil and Enki), at least when analyzing the available source material.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783447104128
Publisher:	Harrassowitz Verlag
Publication date:	05/28/2015
Series:	Philippika , #87
Edition description:	1., Aufl.
Pages:	235
Product dimensions:	6.65(w) x 9.45(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Abbreviations Acknowledgements Preface of Gebhard J. Selz Introduction The Current Study in the Frameworks of Previous Research Objective, Method and Structure 1. Early Dynastic Period 1.1. Ur-Nanse 1.2. Eanatum 1.3. Enanatum I 1.4. Enmetena 1.5. Uru'inimgina 1.6. Ur-Lumma and Gisa-kidu of Umma 1.7. Elili of Ur 1.8. Lugalzagesi of Uruk 1.9. Conclusions 2. The Dynasty of Akkade 2.1. Naram-Su'en 2.2. Lugal-gis of Adab 2.3. Conclusions 3. The Second Dynasty of Lagas 3.1. Puzur-Mama 3.2. Ur-Bau 3.3. Gudea 3.4. Conclusions 4. Ur III Period 4.1. Ur-Namma 4.2. Puzur-Insusinak of Elam 4.3. Sulgi 4.4. Amar-Su'en 4.5. Su-Su'en 4.6. Ibbi-Su'en 4.7. Puzur-Estar of Mari 4.8. Iddin-Su'en of Simurrum 4.9. Conclusions 5. The Dynasty of Isin 5.1. Su-ilisu 5.2. Iddin-Dagan 5.3. Isme-Dagan 5.3.1. The City Laments 5.4. Lipit-Estar 5.5. Ur-Ninurta 5.6. Bur-Su'en 5.7. Enlil-bani 5.8. Religious Ideology of Isin Texts Reflected in Sumerian Myths 5.8.1. Enki and the World Order 5.8.2. Enki's Journey to Nippur 5.8.3. Inanna and Enki 5.9. Conclusions 6. The Dynasty of Larsa 6.1. Gungunum 6.2. Nur-Adad 6.3. Su'en-iddinam 6.4. Su'en-iqiam 6.5. Kudur-mabuk and Warad-Su'en 6.6. Rim-Su'en 6.7. Su'en-kasid of Uruk 6.8. Iahdun-Lim of Mari 6.9. Conclusions 7. The First Dynasty of Babylon 7.1. Hammurapi 7.2. Samsu-iluna 7.3. Abi-esuh 7.4. Ammi-ditana 7.5 Ammi-saduqa 7.6. Ipiq-Etar and Takil-ilisu of Malgium 7.7. Conclusions 8. Enki (Ea) in the mythology of creation 8.1. Enki and Ea as Cosmic Entities 8.2. Enki (Ea) and the Emergence of the Present World 8.3. The Nature of Sumerian Abzu 8.4. Enki as the Creator of Man 8.4.1. Enki and Ninmah 8.4.2. Atrahasis 8.4.3. Enuma elis 8.4.4. Other Accounts 8.4.5. Parallels from Genesis 8.4.6. The Creation of the First Woman 8.5. The Copulation Motive 8.5.1. Enki and Ninmah 8.5.2. Atrahasis 8.5.3. Reflections in Genesis 8.5.4. Enki and the Mother-Goddess 8.5.5. Enki and Ninhursag 8.6. Enki as the Originator of Human Mortality 8.7. Conclusions 9. Enki and the Archaic Sumerian Religion: The Question of Rivalry between the Theologies of Enki and Enlil General Conclusions Bibliography Royal Inscriptions and Hymns Literary Compositions General Bibliography Index of Royal Inscriptions and Mythological Texts